England, US, Algeria, Slovenia. An excellent draw. No excuses. Starting with England I love, because there's nothing more exciting than jumping into the deep end. I don't think a point of England is unrealistic, because they'll be totally wound up by their press -- expected to win going away -- and the whole Cubs-like mental weirdness could play to our advantage. Plus, if we started against Algeria or Slovenia, I'd be a fair bit concerned the boys could be overconfident, which is never good.

Group G -- Brazil, Cote d'Ivoire, Portugal, and North Korea -- is going to be incredibly entertaining. North Korea's going to get pounded unmercifully (and rightly so) by its three groupmates; those three will fight to the death. I think people are underestimating how energized and dangerous Drogba and company will be. To me, Portugal's the one facing the uphill battle here.

I love the World Cup.

FF