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I don't it is any better. There have been a fair number of tedious matches. The one advantage, which is something that I enjoy about all intercontinental tournaments is the familiarity between the countries and the rivalries that are so rare in the World Cup.

Czech-Poland should be a fantastic final game. Not overly impressed with either side today.

The answer for bigmanism is to actually take control of the team, properly discipline it, and institute a true team ethic. Look at a team like Zambia that has actually built a team instead of discarding players. This is a symptom of the chaos, disorganisation, and corruption of the people around our football. The answer to bigmanism is not to get rid of all the "big" players because you need talent to win. The shame of it for me is that we were actually playing good, entertaining football under Siasia and were building something positive. Instead of building on this and supporting a decent manager, we've promoted more chaos and eliminated all the players, replacing with locals who are not likely to materialise into anything. Brilliant. More change and more failure.

Couldn't agree more. Thought France were awful. Not being talked about much in the media either. Honestly not sure they will get out of the group if Blanc persists with this team through the remaining games. As you say it is astonishing that the likes of Menez and Ben Arfa are on the bench and Malouda starts. Can't imagine what the hell Blanc is thinking. I think they will make it through because of the sheer amount of quality they have in the team, but they had similar issues in 2008 and 2010 that proved fatal. The defence is an issue as well, imo. I have no faith in Mexes or Evra. Alou Diarra was rather poor all season as well. Quite a weapon in the air, but he is not what he was some years ago. Btw, Kaka, what do you make of this madness Keshi is pulling? It clearly isn't working I am happy for some players based in Nigeria to get some much needed exposure and experience, but I really would prefer we didn't try this in actual World Cup Qualifiers. I hope he brings the real players back sooner than later.

France were absolutely terrible. They looked like a team that has failed to win a match in a major tournament for six years. Why did Blanc not change anything for 80 minutes? Why is Malouda anywhere near a team that is gifted with several athletic wide players. Do not forget that his form was so poor in the season that Chelsea preferred to start a leftback with no continental experience to playing Malouda in the final. I also question why Giroud could not get on the pitch. The numerous crosses did nothing unless Alou Diarra happened to be in the box. England aren't bad, but they are not a good side, either. They have to hope they can survive against Sweden, because Rooney is the central point of the team.

Every country goes through peaks and troughs. Every country's football supporters overreact to this cycle.

The best players from the 1950's in any sport involving physicality would struggle today.

Very true, because there is no attacking player in France that will be a challenge on the level of Shola Ameobi, Emile Heskey, or Franco Di Santo.

I wish PSG would calm down with bringing in all of these world class players. It is only France. The league has a lot of talent, but no other side is even attempting to compete with them. The team that won the title this year started John Utaka in 34 matches, for God's sake. They don't actually need all of the best players in the world to compete.

You f***ing hate Petr Cech. Admit it. He's just overrated. Never been the same since that head injury. He holds back because of it. No one was saying this last month. Palyuchenko's is a wonderful finish especially. This Russia side have carried on the same football from 2008. Very dangerous side.

One more than Ameobi. edit: It has been done already.

I've liked N'Doye when I've seen him, but we must question why he has spent so long in relative obscurity. He wasn't even especially prolific until he got to Copenhagen, which is still a weak side in a non-serious competition.

Interesting to read, but worth reminding yourself football isn't 100% about tactics. No, I appreciate what he does. The lack of statisitcal and tactical analysis available football in English language is frankly somewhat embarrassing. My top sport is basketball and I often bemoan the lack of thought media put in the coverage of the game, but football is many times worse.

His antics for a move continued and he isn't well-liked, but his goals kept Sochaux up. He scored one in five or six consecutive games before the end of the season. He's still a good player and I expect him to move to a bigger French team next season.

A bit like booing Smith if he was coming on for Yo. Understandable. Valbuena is a top player and has been a very good performer for years now. Those booing are ungraetful.

Huge step? We were relegated with them, came from the Championship with them, and finished below them last season. Without the sale of Caroll, it is not even certain if we are in better financial position to attract players.

I don't think people understand how discouraging it is to receive that sort of response to a long and thought out post. The probability of that sort of reaction is why I limit myself to low-quality and short offerings on the internet. There was a time that I wrote articles for a site on the internet about sport, news, and life with proper diction, and acceptable use of the English language. After some time, I realised this was pointless. The whole place is an abyss of failed writer's dreams, populated by people who live to see others fail. I didn't read that nonsense though TM. That massive block of text is making my eyes bleed.

He should retire if he is disrespected. He should cry to Sir Alex when Johnny Evans is benching him next season. You have to let football managers do as they please as long as they achieve the adequate results. Bigmanism is destructive.

Such idiocy. It is not a maths equation. All four players are more effective and consistent in their position than Ferdinand is in his own. Rio's career at the top level is rapidly ending and he should plan accordingly. England's best centreback now and into the future is Cahill, imo.

He never got a chance last season with Birmingham. He made a few appearances, scored the winner in the cup final, and then immediately broke his leg. Relegation ended any chance of a permanent deal. Four million pounds is a pittance in the modern British game. I cannot imagine he will be demanding absurd wages either.

Why did this racism nonsense only start up a week before the tournament? Are people actually shocked that there is a racist element in the relatively poor Eastern European nations? Is there something that I am missing about this story?

If news is actually important, no one will tell you to wait until tomorrow's paper to read it. Between the internet and television, a quicker source would have already exposed it. It is probably nonsense or something you already know.

For who exactly? The transfer fee is no more outrageous than the likes of Berbatov, who was similarly unproven. I think Hulk will be a very effective player in England. His talent is not what his fee indicates, but he's a good enough to be an important contributor in a good side. The title seems to be heading towards the capital next season.

People get confused because they crashed out of the last two tournaments. The talent-level hasn't fallen, there is just less star power. They will be a force in 2014, if they persist with youth.

I strongly disagree.