WORLD CUP FEVER - July 11

Third place play-off

Holland

Croatia

Benito Mussolini's to blame, it seems. He introduced the idea of a third and fourth place play-off in 1934 because he wanted to maximise the revenue from the World Cup, held in Italy. So now we have this pointless spectacle. You don't have to watch it of course, but you will. And who knows, it might be a good game, the pressure off the players, one last chance on the world stage for some of them.

And for the first half, it looked like it was going to be a goal-filled classic. And then it kind of tailed off a bit, although there were more chances, it stayed at 2-1. Seedorf volleyed a fine goal but it was ruled offside - wrongly just for a change. Suker scored again and takes the lead on six goals. Edgar Davids was great and gets my vote for player of the tournament unless someone does something unbelievable tomorrow. (Like Ronaldo gets a hat-trick.)

Results:

Holland (1) 1	Croatia (2) 2
Zenden 21	Prosinecki 13 Suker 36

Shots off target:

Slaven Bilic getting a torrent of abuse from all and sundry for feigning injury and getting Laurent Blanc (he wouldn't hurt a fly) sent off and missing the final. Like he's the only player to have done this?

The Three Tenors are going to be 'singing' You'll Never Walk Alone' in a special concert to take place before the final.

Just for the record...
David Beckham walks into a sperm donor bank, 'I'd like to donate some sperm', he says to the receptionist. 'Certainly, sir' replies the receptionist, 'have you donated before?'.
'Yes' replies Beckham, 'You should have my details on your computer'.
'Oh yes, I've found your details,' says the receptionist, 'but I see you're going to need help. Shall I call Posh Spice for you?'
'Why, do I need help?, asks Beckham.
The receptionist replies 'Well, it says on your record that you're a useless wanker.. .'
- Oh, give the boy a break!

Quote of the Day:
'Someone in the England team will have to grab the ball by the horns.' Ron Atkinson (him again)