WORLD CUP FEVER - June 25

Group E

	Holland		Mexico
	Belgium		South Korea

Group F

	Germany		Iran
	USA		Yugoslavia

Yes, you guessed it, I sneaked out to the pub to see the afternoon games. Did anyone miss me at work? I doubt it. Holland let a two-goal lead slip, but - hurrah! - this meant the Mexicans qualified and not the boring Belgians, who could only draw against South Korea.

The evening games were nothing to write home about. But who's writing home? Would it have been too much to ask for Iran to have held on for a draw against the Germans? Ruud Gullit thinks it's the worst German side he's ever seen. But still they grind out the results. And still Klinsmann keeps on scoring.

And so we wait for the last place in the second round to be claimed tomorrow night... On the right, for no particular reason, is a picture of Mexico's keeper. He's only little, and I like him. But not in a funny way. Results: Holland (2) 2 Mexico (0) 2 Cocu 4 R de Boer 19 Pelaez 75 Hernandez 90 Belgium (1) 1 South Korea (0) 1 Nilis 7 Yoo 70 Germany (0) 2 Iran (0) 0 Bierhoff 50 Klinsmann 58 USA (0) 0 Yugoslavia (1) 1 Komljenovic 4

Final groups:

Group E	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Holland	3	1	2	0	7	2	5
Mexico	3	1	2	0	7	5	5
Belgium	3	0	3	0	3	3	3
South Korea	3	0	1	2	2	9	1

Group F	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Germany	3	2	1	0	6	2	7
Yugoslavia	3	2	1	0	4	2	7
Iran	3	1	0	2	2	4	3
USA	3	0	0	3	1	5	0

Shots off target:

Cuban leader Fidel Castro congratulated Iran on their victory over the United States.

A Vietnamese bloke killed himself after betting his motorcycle that Yugoslavia would beat Germany. They didn't.

Tony Blair and Gordon Brown pictured on the news watching a game together at Number 10 (or 11), suits and ties on, sharing a beer and a laugh, proving that they're good pals really and that they have the common touch. Pair of patronising wankers, I reckon.

(Not necessarily the World Cup but I've got a lot of them) Football Quote of the Day:
'Brazil, the favourites - if they are the favourites, which they are...' Brian Clough