Exactly, the lesser-respected teams have all performed fantastically, and I even expect better showings from the US and Ukraine, which will mean every team in this world cup played well.
Today is a massive day.
I am rooting for one of my least favourite countries: Serbia. If they can beat Argentina, then regardless of the Holland-Ivory Coast result, Holland and Ivory Coast can still both go through with wins in their final game (Ivory would possibly have to beat Serbia by 2, depending on today's results). If Serbia draw with Argentina, only an Ivory Coast victory can keep both Ivory and Holland realistically alive. If Argentina win, so must Ivory, and it will all come down to goal difference.
I really don't want to root against my team (the Dutch) so I want Serbia to get the business done. I can't put into words how off Argentina I am right now. They are going to be fabulous games though: particularly the Holland-Ivory game: wow.
As for yesterday's games, I was very impressed with Sweden and they were entertaining, though I was rooting for Paraguay because a Paraguay victory would have given TnT the best chance to qualify. They still can, but England must do the honourable thing (and avoid Germany) and try and beat Sweden, and Trinidad must beat Paraguay, again, possibly by two goals.
If England think they're already through, and play like shit against Sweden, shame on them. Germany will destroy Ecuador (I think) and England will play Germany if Sweden beat them. England may well not beat Germany this year, the game would be in Munich and the crowd would be the 12th and 13th man.
Germany will beat Ecuador to avoid England and please the fans, then Sven will lose to his home country and it'll be England Germany anyway.
As for the other game, full credit to Ecuador who gave a terrific performance today and will give England a good game if England get a point against Sweden and they lose to Germany.
AMAZING world cup continues to be amazing.
Fox