Now Starts the real men game. As I said before, England has great players, but they don't have heart for the game. If they don't start playing as they did in 1990, then just forget it. This team is the same Portugal beat 3-2, two years ago. And, believe me, I never saw England play so bad. With Eriksson they have improved, but still not enough to win the World Cup. As a remark, I don't mind if my team loose, but they have to do it playing good football and having heart for the game (as they showed in the match against Poland). I want to see, again, the great matches from 10-15 years ago, where they played for the shirt they were whearing (an example was Real Madrid, nowadays with the Bosman law Real lost almost this identity) and not for the money as nowadays. Poko don't forget England 66 where Portugal was loosing 3-0 to North Corea and they won 3-5 (I agree, at that time we had Eusebio, but I think Figo can do the job (if he is in good form, what I really doubt)). I see those teams as possible champion: Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Italy (if they pass and I really hope they don't. I never liked there style of playing, except in Italy 90 where they showed they can play attacking and win), England and don't forget Germany (although playing bad football they have managed to win some cups).
But putting all this away I have to congratulate al British, Ireland included for reaching the KO round.
Cheers,
El_Matador
PS: As a mistake I mentioned England 96 where France lost all 3 games, but the correct one is Sweden 92.