And At Last...The World Cup Draw

I´ve been waiting for this for a very long time.

At last the World Cup draw has been made, and there are few choice matches to look forward to in the opening matches.

I certainly can´t moan about England´s group, although The Sun newspaper calling it "the best English group since The Beatles" seems somewhat extreme.

I really had a very strong feeling beforehand that they would draw the United States. I´m eagerly anticipating the banter between myself and my transatlantic friends. If they are true supporters, they´ll come out and join me in South Africa to support their team on June 12th.

Okay - so the groups are as follows and once again, i´m happy to stick my sensual neck on the chopping block and offer my armchair predictions.

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Aub´s Predicts– Mexico and France to progress

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Aub´s Predicts – Argentina and South Korea to progress

Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia
Aub´s Predicts – England and United States to progress

Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Aub´s Predicts – Germany and Ghana to progress

Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Aub´s Predicts – Netherlands and Cameroon to progress

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Aub´s Predicts – Italy and Paraguay to progress

Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Aub´s Predicts – Brazil and Ivory Coast to progress

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
Aub´s Predicts - Spain and Chile to progress

That Group F is undoubtedly the Group of Death and promises to offer much.

It was encouraging to hear Fabio Capello, the English manager, in ebullient mood after the draw.

"It's not bad. We have played against US and Slovenia recently at home, and played well and won but when we have to play here (in South Africa) in June it will be different. Algeria beat Egypt and they are a good team. Every opponent will be strong because when you play in the World Cup, every game is not easy. Are we going to win the World Cup? We have to win it!"

What else can he say?