The last eight The cars here are slowly dispensing with their flags, which makes for a less colourful Bermuda and a realisation that we only have 8 teams left in the competition.

Apart from some sporadic potent attack play (Argentina, Germany) and some uncomplicated but intelligent passing (Spain, Brazil) and some quick counter-attacking (Netherlands, Ghana and Uruguay) the World Cup has still yet to burst into life and see a game worthy of the four-year wait.

I've seen a lot of the games and my interest has not diminished since England's embarrassing exit, but I'm hoping that the competition sparks into life today and tomorrow as the last eight become four.

The South American's have dominated and even Chile, who went home gave a very good account of themselves. Nonetheless I think there is a chance that the remaining four could all be knocked out in the Quarters but then again my tipping has been atrocious.

As for a personal favourite, I'm really just hoping for some cracking games now, but I've warmed to Maradona's Argentina, I have a lengthly longing for Holland and Germany have excited me more than most. I know, I'll wash my mouth out with soap in a minute.

I love an underdog me, who doesn't? And the romantic in me would cherish a Ghana victory or what about Uruguay, a country I have visited and one of the continent's tiniest, 80 years after they hosted and won the inaugural World Cup tournament.

  ¶ 10:00