So we have reached the end of the group stages and, well, there have been a few surprises, haven’t there?

France out! Oh what sweet justice. If ever a team deserved such abject misery at a major finals surely it was that French team. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against them personally but hahahahahahaha!!!

Italy out! No, didn’t see that one coming, for once the ‘slow starters’ started too slowly.

And isn’t it strange that at an event in Africa the African teams seem to have struggled? This was meant to be their breakthrough event but somehow, with the exception of Ghana, they haven’t clicked.

What isn’t a surprise is that South American teams play better football than we do but what I do wonder is how from a continent so blessed with skilful artistic footballers we ended up with Adrian Paz?!

Another surprise is that on the whole the refs have been good. There have been some bad ones but they don’t seem to be spoiling the event... yet.

For me the surprise team has been Japan. They seem to play nice passing football, tippy tappy or ticky tacky, depending on which one you heard Ray Wilkins say, I believe is the in phrase. In an era where we are told giants playing hoofball is the way forward it is nice to see a team of normal sized players who are skilful, can pass and seem to enjoy playing the ball of the grass doing well. So I accept they may not actually win but they have been refreshing and it just makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

A special mention must go to Tommy Smith. Our boy done good! Actually so did his team, what they lacked in skill they made up for in pride and passion. Hopefully that is something he can pass on to his club team-mates. Please.

And also Town flag and banners at matches. Always good to see, especially when we get a mention.

I wonder what other surprises await us. England playing exciting attractive football and maybe even winning a penalty shoot-out. Stranger things have happened, OK, maybe not much but they have.

Keno's TWTD Fantasy League can be found here, although you'll have to register and log on to see the table.

TheDalaiFarmer added 04:05 - Jun 26 "And isn’t it strange that at an event in Africa the African teams seem to have struggled?" Why is that strange?
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Keno added 11:23 - Jun 26 Cos "This was meant to be their breakthrough event but somehow, with the exception of Ghana, they haven’t clicked"
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dirtydingusmagee added 15:41 - Jun 26 hopefully the games will be better,now ,dont know if its the ball or what ,but some of the finishing has been woeful, more akin to Twickenham !. England have been poor,but even they have progressed to next round,when teams expected to do well have failed ,so all not lost,lets hope they can raise their game now for Germans. My gut feeling is Argies will win Final, but lets hope im wrong COME ON ENGLAND .

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dirtydingusmagee added 20:19 - Jun 27 OH WELL THATS IT ! back to reality .
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WeWereZombies added 07:25 - Jun 28 Reading this on Monday morning 'on the whole the refs have been good', well that was right 24 hours ago... And it was disappointing that South Africa became the first nation ever to not make home advantage count and progress beyond the group stage. Not least because the viewing world has been short changed on some spectacular goal and victory celebrations. It's all up to Ghana now, if only they could stop that 'show him a card, ref' gesture they would be they would be worth 100% support but, hey, they are Commonwealth and are not managed by Maradonna so I'm 99.5% behind them. They can take Uruguay, can't they? A victory over Brazil in the semis might be a big ask but if they can pull that off why couldn't they best Spain or Argentina or Portugal (or Japan!) in the final?

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