Alexander Hawkins

Yeah, that one eclipsed the (in some respects similar) Joe Cole effort. I think that's the individual goal of the tournament, but in terms of beautiful football, surely the Argentina goal v Serbia and Montenegro is still top of the tree? Some wonderful, wonderful strikes this tournament.

Sadly, Mike Osborne stopped playing many years ago, on health grounds. A talent that is sadly missed. 'In Cahoots' is the Soft-Machine/Hatfield and the North-ish group led by Phil Miller and Pip Pyle and which often featured Hugh Hopper and the late Elton Dean. Another under-rated group. Real shame about Mike Osborne...had harboured hopes of getting him out for a gig! Wonderful player, who I'm only just getting into. I'll have to check out 'In Cahoots'!

Is Mike Osborne still playing, by the way? p.s. who/what is/was 'In Cahoots'? I'm curious, seeing you mention it in the company you did!

Jim - I like your assessment a lot. The only ones I am not sure of are: Portugal v Holland and France v Spain. But, I freely admit that if I had my head screwed on tighter, I should probably go along with you...I've just got that 'feeling' with these two. The only other one, as you yourself recognise, is the Germany v Argentina. Whichever way it goes, it'll be a hell of a game. Actually, Argentina v Mexico is shaping up to be pretty special at the moment (1 - 1 after about 10 minutes!).

the second one was certainly deserved. Germany had just started a real fast attack and Lucic killed that off with this "tactic" foul. Those kind suck the most, because they really kill the game. Sweden has developed a bit of a habit of playing like this with loads of little fouls in the midfield, slowing down the game and playing on their forte of the fast counter attack. Can't remember what the first yellow was for, but I had the impression the referee had shown the second before it dawned on him whom he was showing it. Still: yellow card offense = yellow card offense, whether it entails red or not. I agree that these cynical fouls are incredibly annoying, but I think the German went down very easily.

Does anybody have any opinions on the Tascam 2488 Portastudio? Is it a good thing for a beginner? I'm on a budget, but really (don't we all ?) want to do the best I can for my money (need some mics as well; so any recommendations for a stereo pair gratefully received as well!)...

I have lived in Spain and Brasil, so who do you think I'm supporting? Ooh...dunno...that's hedging your bets. I'd take Brazil !

Germany have started like a train against Sweden. Already 2 - 0 - Podolski's got both. The only saving glimmer of hope for Sweden is Jens Lehmann .

I am a rugby fan, and at the last Six Nation, Italy played some good matches, if only the rugby match would last only 40'... Ain't that the truth! I really think Italy are getting there with the rugby. I genuinely look forward to the day they stuff England!

Actually, with the US out, who will you guys support? Is there a 'natural' second team for US fans? England, even? Just curious!

Advice from Wales - start being a rugby fan, Red. MG MG - for family reasons, I go Welsh when it comes to the rugby! Great game, but when compared to The Great Game? Well...

Interesting...I hadn't noticed this about the World Cup officiating, which, on the whole, seems to me to have been rather good. Granted a couple of major exceptions - though I like the Ghanaians, I thought the US were appalingly unlucky with that penalty call. And Graham Poll contriving to award that Croatian 3 yellow cards before dismissing him...

Actually we got a third place in 1990 and in 1994 lost the final against Brasil at penalties. A fourth place in European Championship 1988 and a second place in 2000. Not a bad score overall, but...not a victory. Talking about England the point is: if you had played as United Kingdom, maybe your palmares would be better. This is an interesting one, the UK point. There's talk of them getting a UK team together so as to be able to compete in the London Olympics. Problem would be the politics - doubtless coaches would feel compelled to pick substandard players for the sake of representing each of the home nations (it'd be very hard to make a case for any Northern Irish players, for example, and, I suspect, only one or two non-English players would be there or thereabouts).

I don't remember him - who was he? That said, he'd have to be an improvement on most of the current crop...

I suppose there is that . Mind you, over here, it's still 1966 and counting...

Just for fun...this weekend's games: I'll take Germany 2 - 1 Sweden Argentina 2 - 0 Mexico England 1 - 1 Ecuador, England to win AET Portugal 1 - 0 Holland I could explain my choices for the victories (I think, possibly, the Holland - Portugal is the only one which is really tough to call), but not for the scores...

Khan Jamal Doug Carn Vince Spadea

I just wonder if France mightn't undo Spain... Spain have, let's face it (and, of course, through no fault of their own!), had it very easy in qualifying, whilst the French have struggled, but shown a markedly upward trajectory over their three games. Zidane I would hope will return for the next game, because I felt against Korea he was really showing flashes of his old self... If I had to have a bet, I suppose it would be reckless not to go for Spain, but I just have this nagging feeling about France... Couple this with Spain's legendary inability to achieve anything in major tournaments... P.L.M. - I quite agree about the best team not always winning. It's simply very difficult rationally to back anyone other than the best team! It'll be VERY interesting to see Argentina tonight. The second round's where it's at!

Jim - nicely put; I think we're reading off the same page on this one.

Why? IMO, there are few comtemporary jazz musicians who can hold a candle to the guys you've been listening to. Even if there were a bunch of them, they are mostly doing variations on the same theme. Why not stick with the originals? Up over and out. If that's true, jazz has a bad future. Maybe it does...I don't see why we should operate with a premise that 'jazz' has a future amongst the young players. Sad to say, but it's something which IMHO is undeniable about today's scene - there just aren't the individuals around at the moment AFAIC. ['Why?' is a separate question, although doubtless part of the answer is to do with 'jazz' education in the schools and colleges...]

My word - Isipingo on Radio 2? Those were the days indeed (I'm too young)! What I wouldn't give for that now...

Italy haven't lost a competitive game within 90 minutes since 1986 apparently...(so the BBC commentator said)...that's a fairly extraordinary record! I still like Argentina for it, although I agree, the Brazilians showed the first signs of their class yesterday!

Actually, the stuff with Radu is nice! Haven't spent much time with the solo bass album yet (Isipingo is on the same disc...that'd be why...) Family Affair, In Conference, and Down South are the real gems, IMHO. Wonderful playing all round. Han Bennink is on Down South, which is great - he truly is one of the hardest grooving drummers around today, in addition to (obviously) being a phenomenal free player. Trevor Watts and Willem Breuker are truly fantastic on In Conference - wonderful 'battling' all the way through. Tippett is on top form throughout. The box is really quite cheap - I wouldn't hesitate to buy it (I did hesitate, and there was no need whatesoeve

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