h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've just had my best evening of the World Cup so far, watching the eventful and excellent Australia v. Croatia game on a giant screen in my local branch of Walkabout. The celebrations at Harry Kewell's late equaliser and at the end of the game were boisterous, infectiously joyous, and entirely friendly. We Pommies, and the few Japanese fans who'd been watching their team getting hammered by Brazil on one of the bar's smaller screens, were welcome to join in the fun.

I'm delighted to see the Aussies go through, and I look forward to dashing down to Walkabout after work on Monday to catch the last half an hour or so of their encounter with Italy. I trust that Guus Hiddink will have the good sense to restore ex-Bradford star Mark Schwarzer to his rightful place in the Socceroos' goal, after Zeljko Kalac's dreadful display that almost threw it all away.

I trust, also, that FIFA will try to appoint competent referees for all the remaining games. Which is to say: not Graham Poll.

Ah yes, Graham Poll that well known Arsenal fan.

The man who waved play on after Campbell scythed down Wayne Allison, and then physically blocked Michael Tonge from intercepting the ball in midfield. This enabled Ljungburg to pick up the ball and smash it home for the Gooners one-nil victory in the FA Cup Semi in 2003

Yes, "Graham Poll is an Arsenal fan" as we all chanted at the last Championship game at Bramall Lane against Leeds. Funnily enough the chant got quickly rearranged by some Sheffield wag to, "Graham Poll takes it up the ..." I think we all know where we're going with that one

I still can't believe that I've just seen a referee in the world's biggest football tournament give three yellow cards to the same player in the same game apparently without realising that anything was wrong. And they were talking about this as a possible ref for the Final! After this, he surely can't be given another game.

Agred, that was a fantastic night of footie. I watched the Brazil game and it was good to see them finally turn it on, the enjoyment was doubled by getting the goals through on the Croation v. Aussie game, which if anything, sounded even better.

"We had four officials and what is not understandable is nobody intervened. I'm not surprised about the reaction. There are people there and one of them should have intervened and run on to the field and said, 'Stop, stop'. That's why they have the communication system. The assistants and the fourth official have the right to call on the referee and tell him. It is not understandable how this happened."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5108722.stm


I find myself in total agreement with one Sepp Blatter.


Nurse, I think I need to lie down for a moment or two

Well the challenge is on now. Which ref can be the first to issue 4 yellow cards to the same player within 90 minutes?
Even tougher now with them all wathing so closely