World Cup Nonsense

[El Gordo]

think Cameroon in 1990. Can anyone remember the feeling before that game? Just how many would the mighty Lineker score? My stomach tightens (use your imagination!) at the memory of Roger Millar and his men in green leading our boys a merry dance that night. We won, but nerves were shred like Enron balance sheets.

A match which, of course, we watched again in its entirety in Almeria this year when the 3 of us (inc SP) were just setting out on our 14 hour, post-half marathon rehydration programme. Fascinating how you can watch a game again and sort of half forget that you know how it's going to turn out.

I'm fortunate enough to have been invited round to a high-definition-TV-owning mate's this afternoon. Never seen it before. Main worry is what to take alcohol-wise. I've been told to bring whatever I think I will drink, which is always a cue for an embarrassing prediction of one's own drinking requirements. I rather fancy taking a few bottles of Pilsner Urquell if I can find some round here.

Sigh. I hope that the next time we meet we'll be in the next round of the cup, though I have a terrible feeling that much emotion and much beer may have been spilt between then and now.

Good luck boys. Let's hope we all get back to base unscathed.

Prediction: A tough 1-0 for England.