Tonight's big Sweden-England game is pretty big for England. They usually draw these two teams and England only needs a draw to finish top of its group. Sweden would be happy with that too.

But to tell the truth England is leaving me a bit cold. Maybe it's because I get most of my World Cup news from English sources (but pix and commentary from Latin sources) - and the tone is unmistakably sullen and grim. There is hysterical over-reach in talking up England and a balancing fury at the players, coach, referees, other teams and the world for not living up to the ludicrous expectations.

The one redeeming feature is that everyone was bagging Beckham and he's been England's player of the tournament so far. Josie may have developed a thing for Crouch-stick.

At the start of the tournament we decided (ahem, I decided) our three teams would be England, France and Italy. Two of those teams have had at least one dismal game and England have been ... so-so.

To be honest the three teams that have excited me so far are Spain, Germany and Argentina (of course Argentina). And maybe Ecuador if I were allowed a fourth, though any of the other three look like they would grace the final.

Still, it's very common for the eventual winner to start slowly.

Italy haven't lost a game for twenty matches in a row.


UPDATE: England, 2 Sweden 2.

This was a good game and England played at speed. They didn't look so feckless up front. They went 2-1 ahead after 83 minutes, only to concede a second equaliser to their bogey team in the 90th minute. No pix of Uncle Sven when that one went in but we're betting he didn't mind too much. The result still means England go through top of their group.

Josie definitely has a thing for Crouchy.