La Copa Mundial De Futbol

Some things never change, and it's quite reassuring that you can rely on them. No, I'm not talking about the Germans opening with an impressive win, or England's chances being massively overestimated, or even about a Central American team turning up with a dodgy back four and keeper. If there's one thing on Planet World Cup that you can truly count on then it's this - ITV's punditry will be the biggest load of shite you ever hear. And what a cracking start they got off to tonight. Immediately after the end of a match in which Ecuador comfortably beat a European team on European soil, Ruud Gullit gave the opinion that the South Americans were clearly going to struggle without the advantage offered to them by the high altitude of their own part of world. What? Did he watch the game? Was this a pre-match analysis recorded and played back at the wrong time? In fairness to Ruud though, his comments were far from being the most embarrassing of the evening. (Big) Sam Allardyce suggested that both Ecuador and Poland had played to a "poor technical standard". Quite apart from the fact that both teams, particularly Ecuador, appeared to me to pass the ball very well, this comment comes from the manager of Bolton Wanderers! Presumably for (Big) Sam to appreciate their technique these teams should look at lumping it 70 yards to a 6 ft 5 donkey on the edge of the box in their next game. Thank goodness for Gabby and Stuart Pearce. More to the point, thank goodness for the BBC!

Welcome to my World Cup blog by the way. I thought it was about time I used this page for something, and even if no-one reads it, it will make a nice momento for me. I am on half days at work throughout the group stages to ensure I don't miss anything, and there'll be at least one entry here every day until we have to say goodbye to this extraordinary event for another 4 years.

So were the Germans good or bad? It's a difficult one to assess. Yes a couple of corking goals, but crap defending and a silly ball have to be considered. Actually that's a little unfair to Frings' goal but the doubts are there nonetheless. Then there is the question of their own rearguard, twice the two centre-backs were attracted like schoolboys to closing down the same ball, and twice they were superbly exploited by a skilful pass, and the excellent Wanchope. Klose, however, looked at his ruthless best, and is surely a very warm favourite for the golden boot already. And of course we mustn't forget that Mr Ballack is still to come into the team if 'Klinsi' allows him on to the pitch at some point. The effect could be similar to adding 3 players to the team that played today. I expect the Germans to do well, if only because host nations always do well in the World Cup. But they're going to need the luck and the kind of referees that South Korea got last time if they are going to go all the way with this team.

Tonight's other game was much more interesting than our friends Ruud and (Big) Sam would have us believe. I must admit that beforehand I expected Ecuadorian homesickness to give the Poles the edge in this one. Not a bit of it, Ecuador were impressive and deserved winners (that's right Ruud, RUUD! THEY WON RUUD! Someone will tell him at some point I'm sure). In fact, for a bunch that supposedly feel so uncomfortable outside their homeland, there was something distinctly un-south american about Ecuador's performance. They played with a plan, their defence was superbly well organised and their commitment admirable. They also scored a set-piece goal of such classic simplicity I'm surprised (Big) Sam didn't offer them all a contract while ITV were still on the air. Usually minor South American teams come armed with temperemental geniuses, defenders that used to be forwards, and a team spirit that makes the Dutch squad look like blood relatives. This made a refreshing change, and also offers England something to think about. As Ecuador are now warm favourites to be group A runners up, they could face England in the last 16 - if England get it right in group B.
More interesting though is whether Ecuador's form is any clue to that of their neighbours Paraguay, so far not given much of a sniff of progressing from group B, and certainly not of upsetting England. Strap yourselves in.

See you tomorrow.