WORLD CUP FEVER - July 3

Quarter-finals

Italy

France

Brazil

Denmark

It's the quarter-finals! Raise the enthusiasm. Raise the Titanic. Oh, go on... It was a catastrophic day of backstabbing and rumours not to mention a tissue of lies and a web of deceit at work so I felt no embarassment about going out to see France v Italy. The fishmongers' pub was packed, including a fair proportion of French and Italians, and the usual assortment of dodgy geezers. We were treated to a first rate display of defensive play. And no goals. Will France ever score again? All we are saying is Guivarc'h a goal. Ha ha, cheers, nice one. Not mine actually.

Someone organised a lottery on the penalty shoot-out. Ten 'punters' put in a pound and get a ticket numbered 1 - 10. The person who picks the number of the first penalty to be missed collects the money. Anyway, whoever had number three won because Lizarazu had his timid effort saved. He was reprieved by a save and a miss by the Italians, Di Biagio the unlucky player who settled the game with a shot against the crossbar.

Now, it pains me to confess that I missed Brazil v Denmark, the first game I've had no excuse not to see, in a confusing double negative sort of way. I did, however, manage to catch most of it when I stumbled home about 2.30. But it remains the haziest of memories and I look forward to seeing the highlights again later. We are no glory-hunters following Brazil but we have two fine reasons to wish the plucky Danes a hasty exit, and if you have been reading this far, you can probably guess what they are. But why are we using the royal 'we'? Because it is reported that the Queen was outraged by the refereeeing decisions against England on Tuesday. 'She shouts 'one is not amused at her TV screen' says the story. I say, Your Majesty, one knows just you felt. But I bet she was only watching it 'cause Charles and Harry were there.

Eat it, drink it, sleep it.

Results:

Italy (0) 0	France (0) 0   *
*  France won	4-3 on penalties

Brazil (2) 3	Denmark (1) 2
Bebeto 11 Rivaldo 26, 60	Joergensen 2 B Laudrup 50

Shots off target:

Italy have now gone out of the last three World Cups on penalties.

Someone told me that the English and the Dutch are, on average, the tallest nations in the world. I don't believe this for one minute but I thought I'd share it with you. The tallest men in the tournament are the Dutch and Yugoslavian keepers.

Your Unofficial Football Quote of the Day:
'I am not an expert on soccer but I think the Brazilians are always hard to beat.' President Clinton. (Thanks for that, Bill.)

Your Official Football Quote of the Day:
'Nearly all the Brazilian supporters are wearing yellow shirts - it's a fabulous kaleidoscope of colour! John Motson