We're having folks round, including an actual Italian. It's going to be fun, although I fear this could be the end for the US. Tough, tough group, though I still think Italy are the weaker out of them and the Czechs (who are my outside bet to win it all).
Best chance for the US is that the [deserved] roasting they got for their terrible performance last time combines with italy being lax after picking up three points, and they manage to surprise Italy somehow. Helluva longshot, but stranger things have happened…. Giorgia's not going to be happy with me, but I'd like the US to win this.
Elsewhere I expect the Czechs to get past Ghana (not without a struggle, mind – should be a good exciting game), and Portugal to bore their way past Iran. Hopefully Ronaldo delivers end product today: if he does, no bore. If he doesn't, who knows.
ps – I'm United 😉
Kai MacMahon: On Life, The Universe & Everything 
Just finished watching the Czech vs Ghana game. Bit of a cracker, though the ref handled the penalty like a right muppet, nobody had a clue what was going on. But this group has been blown wide open now. I am in two minds over who I would like to win, but I think that a US win (only if they coin a better chant than bloody U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A, grrrrrrr) or a draw would set up a great final round with everyone pretty much going all out to win their games and go through to the second round. Love that gut busting, all or nothing, do or die football.
Czech v Ghana was a good match, but I don’t know about that bet on the Czechs to go all the way. If they play defense like they did today, your outside bet might have to go outerspace! 😉 Unless the Italians eat too much pasta and drink too much wine before the game, they will easily put away the Czechs.
Yeah, fair play. Prob got a big excited 'cos of Nedved's nice hair, or something. Although if the Italians play like they did against the US, it'll not be pretty.