Hitting the G-spot

Group G sprung into action today like a 1982 Honda. Portugal vs Ivory Coast. It could have been good, it should have been good, it wasn't. They both have plenty of players who can play the ball, both teams are better going forward than they are at the back, so two teams that playing to their strengths would be an attacking, exciting game. Or not.

REally disappointing, I think Portugal are a team of players past their best - step forward Deco, Carvalho - average - Meireles, Alves - and Ronaldo. He is both brilliant and petulant, but that's not news. He is also on his own in a team that cant come close to his ability. How he would've thrived with the like of Figo, Rui Costa, Paulo Sousa et al, he could have been the striker the 'golden generation' lacked such is his adaptability.

Ivory Coast are a good side, a lot of experience at the summit of European leagues, some great passers of the ball, some real pace and yet many, many wayward balls, loose possession, and a real lack of threat in the middle with Drogba not starting.

It was a bore fest except for the first real strike of quality from distance seen at this tournament from CR7, 35 yards out and hit the post. Apart from that, I don't think Brazil will be too worried, assuming they pass the relatively unknown and 100+ ranked North Korea.