The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup

[Rossie11]

You should be able to get better odds than 7/2.
PP have them at 4/1.
What might be good valve is the offer given Betpack (group of bookies Stan James/Mulhollands etc)
If Spain win and you have someone else backed they will give your money back.

[ross4life]

Spains squad

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), José Manuel Reina (Liverpool), Víctor Valdés (Barcelona).

Defenders: Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Gerard Piqué (Barcelona), Raúl Albiol (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Álvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Xavi Hernández (Barcelona), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Jesús Navas (Sevilla), Cesc Fábregas (Arsenal), Javi Martínez (Athletic).

Forwards: David Silva (Valencia), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Barcelona), Pedro Rodríguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic).

Starting XI?

Casillas
Sergio Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevilla
Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Silva
Villa, Torres

They don't have the back up forwards like Argentina or the defence like Brazil but they do have the best midfield of any in this world cup

having the favourite tag will be huge pressure on a country that has never won it

[paco]

That would be the starting XI, alright. Any of the back up forwards are capable of playing an out-and-out striker, such is their versatility and fluidity. Also, Torres and Villa are both capable of playing up front on their own and bring in Fabregas or one of the others. Cesc had a great impact at the Euros coming on as a sub. The point about defenders, I would rate Pique as one of the best defenders in the world, he has a great partnership with Puyol. Ramos, while not as good a defender, is a brilliant athlete and will be able to hound down attackers. Casillas is still one of the best 'keepers in the world, behind only Julio Cesar, I reckon. I think Capdevilla is the only weak link in the side.

[ross4life]

One of the most important members on that Spain team will be Puyol, keeping him fit and free from suspension could make all the difference

[paco]

Arbeloa is very versatile and could easily slide in there, with Ramos replacing Puyol. This has been the case for large parts of the season at Madrid. 3 weeks today and it'll have started! Jesus, I can't wait, even though the standard might not be as high overall as previous years I can't help myself.

[ross4life]

Just checked the World cup draw & there's a good chance England could play France in the quarter finals, interesting match for the Irish fans if it happens?

[EagleLord]

Nightmare scenario that Ross...jeez what would ye cheer for..

[mountainboii]

Nike World Cup ad is pretty good. Pity about Ronaldinho though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE

[Norf Tyrone]

I see Lassana Diarra's out of the World Cup. Handy player, and another nail in the French coffin.

[mountainboii]

I see Lassana Diarra's out of the World Cup. Handy player, and another nail in the French coffin.

f**k off, French p***k. You are out!

[Capt Pat]

The performance of Milito tonight makes Argentina look stronger. He has never really come to my attention before this years champions league. Has been playing forGenoa in Serie A.

Argentina could play an attacking quartet of Messi, Tevez, Milito and Aguerro. That group will take a lot of watching. A midfield duo of Mascherano and Cambiasso would provide the graft and craft needed in the engine room.

Walter Samuel, Heinze and Burdisso would solidify the defense. Anither powerful world cup team.

[Norf Tyrone]

The performance of Milito tonight makes Argentina look stronger. He has never really come to my attention before this years champions league. Has been playing forGenoa in Serie A.

Argentina could play an attacking quartet of Messi, Tevez, Milito and Aguerro. That group will take a lot of watching. A midfield duo of Mascherano and Cambiasso would provide the graft and craft needed in the engine room.

Walter Samuel, Heinze and Burdisso would solidify the defense. Anither powerful world cup team.

Them and Spain are a great battele on paper. Unfortunately Maradonna ruins it as a potentially good clash on grass.

[Minder]

The performance of Milito tonight makes Argentina look stronger. He has never really come to my attention before this years champions league. Has been playing forGenoa in Serie A.

Argentina could play an attacking quartet of Messi, Tevez, Milito and Aguerro. That group will take a lot of watching. A midfield duo of Mascherano and Cambiasso would provide the graft and craft needed in the engine room.

Walter Samuel, Heinze and Burdisso would solidify the defense. Anither powerful world cup team.

Except Cambiasso isn't in the squad.

[Tony Baloney]

The performance of Milito tonight makes Argentina look stronger. He has never really come to my attention before this years champions league. Has been playing forGenoa in Serie A.

Argentina could play an attacking quartet of Messi, Tevez, Milito and Aguerro. That group will take a lot of watching. A midfield duo of Mascherano and Cambiasso would provide the graft and craft needed in the engine room.

Walter Samuel, Heinze and Burdisso would solidify the defense. Anither powerful world cup team.

Except Cambiasso isn't in the squad.

The wee man has marked his own card by omitting Cambiasso and Zanetti. Strange.

[Capt Pat]

What effect will the climate have on the world cup lads? It will be Winter in South Africa, no high temperatures to deal with. The South African climate might help out teams like the Germans English, Swiss and Danes. They will be able to run all day.

Pity we didn't make it and get to play the Mexicans in a decent climate.

Cambiasso obviously didn't make it, well done, you've passed the test.