I know it is not to all tastes, but I and a few others may wish to discuss the events of the world cup as they take place over the coming 5 weeks or so.

Its eight days away now and I must admit that I am undergoing the usual emotional regression to that childlike state of excited anticipation - again!...it happens every four years.

As far as forecasting the eventual winner...c'mon, we must all nail our colours to the mast before the tournament...it will make it that bit more interesting...I'll say Argentina.

I know it runs contrary to the unwritten rule that South American or European sides may not win the World Cup when held outside of their continents, but I will make this act of faith and opt for Argentina winning on German soil. I think that they will...

Teams I also like....England have a strong squad, with or without Rooney. Beckham's crosses in the friendly against Hungary were astonishingly accurate - I dont like him as a player but no other side has a wide midfielder who can deliver such troubling ball from wide positions...

The French and Brazilians will be formidable, of course. The Czechs are a handful, though Smicer is out. Serbia (and Montenegro - for the last time?) will provide a few shocks, as will Ukraine, the US, the Swiss (though few will forecast this - watch!). I expect Spain and Portugal to under-perform, as usual, though they have quality squads. England, will, of course, do the same, in the latter stages...

Italy and the Dutch will struggle through on mere talent...but they will have little else, though Van Basten is taking a tough line with his petulant players, and this may stand for them.

Of the rest...the Ivory Coast will disrupt someone, as may Paraguay, Iran, Japan, Korea...

So its the Argies for me...(or the Czechs, Brazil, England, Italy!.....)

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"A man's work is nothing but this slow trek to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images in whose presence his heart first opened."