There's this thing that starts on June 11th

With Xavi and Iniesta feeding them the ball? Frightening.

I’d like to be transferred to the Barcelona office, please.

All,

Received the e-mail below from my friend Mike. I trust him and will allow his entry. Please let me know if you have a problem with this.

John

John,

We were in the Grand Canyon yesterday, no service on my Blackberry.  We are now at a hotel in NE Arizona (still no service) but I am on the hotel’s computer.  I made these picks Friday night:

Uruguay

US

Netherlands

Brazil

Argentina

England

Paraguay

Spain

US

Brazil

Argentina

Spain

Brazil

Spain

SPAIN wins ! (?)

England was disgraceful in the second half

Best first half of the tournament. A disgrace that FIFA hasn’t introduced goal-line technology. Sepp Blatter needs to go.

I hope we keep Bradley, but we clearly have a lot of work to do in the back. Still should be a great tournament. England – Germany tomorrow? Classic.

Leaving for my local Irish pub now. If I receive the picks from my 4 procrastinating friends in the next 22 minutes, I will add them to the spreadsheet later.

• Uruguay
• USA
• Netherlands
• Brazil

• Germany
• Argentina
• Paraguay
• Spain

• Uruguay
• Brazil

• Argentina
• Spain

• Brazil
• Spain

• Brazil

No way Spain loses to Chile.

Sorry, England. The Black Stars worry me, though.

Where to begin. After a brutal first half, we showed our grit and determination and fought back valiantly. Donovan’s goal was sublime. Only the truly gifted would think of shooting high, straight at the keeper. I hear Buffon called Slovenia’s keeper one of the best in Europe, but he sure didn’t look like it on that play. And then Josy’s beautiful header that Michael Bradley (the second coming of Roy Keane) ran on to and finished brilliantly. Dennehy’s erupted; singing, chanting, tears…it was incredible.

And then? How can anyone explain that call? FIFA? A corrupt, incompetent, morally bankrupt organization. An absolute disgrace. We better not see that referee again in any FIFA tournament. Five of our guys were fouled on that play. How can they accept a “no comment” from a referee. Steve McManaman was spot on, as usual. Robert Green had the guts to face the press after his monumental blunder. And FIFA? No comment. Pitiful. Feel badly for Maurice Edu; fabulous play. And in the end, we control our own destiny. Win Wednesday and we advance. And if we can’t beat Algeria, we don’t deserve to advance.

Lastly, no disrespect to my English friends, but what is going on with the three lions? Pitiful performance today. At least the Yanks showed some fight.