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

Ok, I've updated after the first round of bidding and the second round is now open for your remaining player spaces to be filled. The second round will close at 21.00 BST on Wednesday 4th June

**laughs at SBE's strategy of only picking players with silly names**

Well, I'm pleased to have snapped up that strike pairing. Etch my name on the trophy now, thank you.

B

Oh that's rich. Who else would have bid for Andre Ar5e-Haven?

Funnily enough I did give him that name in the bidding.

I think you'll find that Ass-shavin' will come good this summer. I'd certainly expect the Russkies to make it past the group stage. To be honest, I'm expecting him to get more points than prissy-Crissy.

At least I didn't buy Helder Postiga...

B

SBE trumped us with the alliteral, which was our Route 1 selection. (S)he got two, but who could resist Christian Fuc*s.

Wow, no defenders at all... interesting. 2nd round bids sent.

How did you spot my strategy?!!!
At least I'll give you all a laugh as I head for last place.
2 more silly names coming up!!!
SBE

Bid, I have.

I bid for Arshavin but, having not read the player lists, I bid for him as a midfielder not as a forward, on the piffling excuse that that's where he played agaisnt us in the UEFA Cup

I had to look twice, I must say.

B

I took the lists from UEFA. He could have been listed as either, to be fair, and striker was the one he was listed as

Nice strategy B, fill your striker spots with could've should've midfielders.

Ok, just under 24 hours remaining in the second round of bidding and nearly all the bids are in. Can I just point out to Magwitch that I'll require a bid for a defender to replace Fabio Cannavaro following his withdrawal from the tournament through injury. Given that he was signed after a 4 way bidding war, I'd say losing him now was extremely unlucky

Thanks for that. My bids will be in at the eleventh hour, as always

I deliberately avoided bidding for him on the grounds that he must be nearly geriatric by now.

B

Cannavaro geriatric? Hell, if he hadn't retired, I'd have been bidding for Paolo Maldini

and even though he had retired, you probably considered it anyway

Coming to a cinema screen near you soon:

The hidden love between one scouser and his veteran Italian left-back! Thrill as the big man tries desperately to explain the fundamental workings of Football Manager! Weep as the long-haired taskmaster looks up in awe and bafflement at his gangle and unco-ordinated partner! Laugh as they cross Europe in a hilarious journey to watch the Euro 2008 championships! Made on a budget that was more shoestring than Paris Hilton's beachwear, and featuring Richard "I played Alan Shearer until he was 50" Porter and Paolo "Que?" Maldini, Hootoo Pictures presents...

One Maldini and his Egon

(entrance fee non-refundable)

B

20.54 Bids sent from Marple...eep!

you can see Paolo and myself discussing the project with Mark Kermode and Lauren Laverne On BBC2's Culture Show this weekend. Also, Tom Paulin will be discussing the deeper themes on Newsnight Review