It's a World Cup year!

A world cup thread. Nice one.I am only upset that you got in before me. Spain to win. Brazil to do well. Argentina to do badly (my other half is Argentinian so there is some rivalry there) and England to get to the semi- finals before losing heroically but dissappointingly on penalties to Germany as always (it may be that this is impossible in terms of fixtures I haven't checked - but something like that anyway)I also predict that I will make a series of drunken posts in this thread detailing England's highs and lows in highly embarressing fashion.

A national tragedy no less. Football (i.e. soccer) in quarters. Plus a whole host of other suggestions to make it more televisually acceptable to an American audience (or as you rightly point out the "sponsors") Games on the BBC have no commercials at all. Games on other UK channels ram as many in at half time as they can whilst still having a bit of half time chit chat analysis with the pundits.

There is a line in the sand and you have crossed it sir!! Let the banter wars commence!!! With Diego as coach? I remain unconvinced. They have an understandable but irrational soft spot for the guy but he is awful. Despite my domestic rivalry I cannot but secretly hope that they do OK. Domesticity is turnin me soft in me old age. We'll cross that unlikley bridge should we ever come to it. But if you should lose...... Expect the drunken mirth of millions to be unleashed in your personal direction To win? Nah. Aint gonna happen.

You piss people off? Never.Frankly I am still pissed that someone started a World Cup thread before I did (curse you Caffeine!!)Is it too early to start an Olympics 2012 thread.......? (I was onsite in Stratford the other day - Place is looking gooooood)

You should tune into the commercialless BBC.But of course then you might be indoctrinated with liberal evilness

Sports star pay is a huge topic of discussion in my view.At the free-market level these guys are there on a pure meritocracy (they are the best at what they do) and what they do is commercially demanded by millions, if not billions. Making their astronomical pay absolutely what one would expect in a purely market based economy.But...... In a less market driven environment - Is a sports star really worthy of pay scales that are a 100 times that of a teacher, a nurse , a doctor etc. etc. etc. Does value to society count for anything?Is it right that a sports star earns tens of millions whilst even the most productive and necessary members of public society earn 100s or even 1000s of times less?

Oh you rampant evil communist socialist anti-American you.I agree.I think

Current world cup odds World Cup OddsSpain, Brazil, England and Argentina are the favorites. US 75/1.Spain 4/1
Chile 66/1
Greece 150/1
Brazil 5/1
Serbia 66/1
Switzerland 200/1
England 6/1
USA 75/1
Slovakia 225/1
Argentina 7/1
Mexico 80/1
Japan 250/1
Holland 12/1
Ghana 80/1
South Korea 250/1
Italy 13/1
Cameroon 100/1
Slovenia 300/1
Germany 13/1
Uruguay 100/1
Algeria 600/1
France 14/1
Nigeria 100/1
Honduras 1000/1
Portugal 25/1
South Africa 125/1
North Korea 2000/1
Ivory Coast 30/1
Australia 125/1
New Zealand 2000/1
Paraguay 66/1
Denmark 125/1

Never discount the friggin germans.

Every competition the entire nation, press and even I suspect team, convince themselves that this time we are amongst the favourites.Then we predictably go out on penalties in the quarter finals. Probably to Germany. Bastards.I'm a bit drunk. BTW.

Good for you. I nearly entered the whole dick waving thang with you, Rrhain and Mod in the humour thread. But then I decided I am not that drunk. G'night....... ZZZZZzzzzz ZZZZZZZZzzzzzz

My better half is Argentinian. So that had better not happen. Apart from anything else my 4 year old son is about to expereince his first world cup and is in danger of becoming a lifelong Argentina suporter if that happens I am happy that he is a mongrel child in almost every way. But he has to grow up supporting England at sport. This is not up for debate. Have a few beers and then try again. that is my advice

Greenland.......?Are you drunk? Or have all those "cream sodas" gone to your head? If you say so.....

Oh good god! How could you? Germany (**spits**). Mechanistic, talentless divers who always friggin win.Anyone but Germany.....

It had better not be........Roll on Saturday. I have an all day pub session planned with mates from all over London and beyond.INGERLAAAND INGERRRRLLLLAAND INGGGEEERRRLLLAAANDEtc.