25 June 2010 – Day 15

Group F kicked off the afternoon fixtures, with various permutations possible. Paraguay needed a draw against New Zealand to progress. However, if the All Whites won that game, then they would be through. Holders Italy needed to beat Slovakia to be certain of going through, but knew a draw would be enough if New Zealand lost. If Slovakia beat Italy, they would sneak through, but only if New Zealand beat Paraguay and even then, goal difference would come into play. A more tangled web than your average bowl of spaghetti!

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I would have loved to have taken the time off to watch the Italy game. True drama with all the theatricals that we have come to expect from the Azzuri. Instead it was a reliance on the internet and BBC updates.

The evening belonged to Group E, with the Dutch through, a draw against already eliminated Cameroon would see the Netherlands top the Group. A draw for Japan against Denmark and they were through, although the Danes would grab the runners-up spot if they won.

I opted for watching the Japan game and was not disappointed by the Blue Samurai’s attacking prowess in their 3-1 win over the Danes. Although viewers had to suffer the various car puns relating to Japanese forward Honda, with classics such as “…what a Rolls Royce performance…” and Harry Redknapp’s quip that he tried to swap “…Honda for Bentley…”. Who know what gems lay in store if Japan progress further?

And so to the final day of Group games….

2010 World Cup Hosts                    Gone

2006 World Cup Runners-Up       Gone

2006 World Cup Winners               Gone

2008 European Champions          Going?