Lady Diehard

This - pure and simple. United outplayed us today. We have to accept it.

Oh, I know. I had a little wistful tear in my eye yesterday. So nostalgic I've even started joking in good humour with Manure fans again..... I don't know what the answer is, lads, but it certainly wasn't buying another prima donna player (and that's all I can bring myself to say on that topic - I stayed out of that thread when he was signed, and sat on my hands). I think we just have to sit it out and KTBFF. I do keep reminding myself (clutching at straws) that I was at the New Year's Day match with Liverfool back in 2005 when we sang to them 'Your season's over' and they slipped down the table like an avalanche and won the CL. I honestly can't see us doing that with our game in the present woeful state, but there's always prayer....

Yep - drinking hemlock or hanging myself from a beam seem like viable strategies at the moment. I just keep telling myself we've been here before in the past - and worse. It's keeping me going - just. KTBFF

I love it. I've had a sh*t week at work - this has restored my faith in mankind.

Yep - in that first half Spain bored the pants off me - but they were much better second half and deserved to win - curse them! I still think we'll see a lot more of this German side in the future, and IMHO Bastien Schweinsteiger has been one of the players of the tournament. From a totally non-partisan point of view, it will be nice to see a new name on the trophy at last - I just hope it's an orange name ;) After the rubs of luck they've had in their last two games, I've a sneaky feeling it will be. That 'their name is on it' sort of feeling, and I honestly think Spain might bottle it in their first final. Ah, well - time will tell. Congrats to both finalists and although I won't be able to watch the match I hope it lives up to everyone's expectations and you all enjoy it, whatever your loyalties.

Ahem - yes, quite, Val :D Well, my prediction went up the Swannee. May I wish you good luck, Val - I really hope Holland can do this now. Third time lucky for them after 74 and 78. I'll be away in Malta on hols for the final, but I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for your lads.

Short 'n' Sweet: NO :D

I said whoever won this game would win the WC and I'm sticking to it. So it will be some consolation for England fans to know they were knocked out by the eventual winners. I can come out of the closet now (with apols to Val) - Germany are my second team and I was rooting for them firmly today. But I truly can't see anyone getting past them now. The giveaway is their refusal to panic in defence - today when Argentina had that very excellent spell, there was some firm and decisive defending. Discipline, discipline, discipline - it can't be stressed too much. I've been very impressed with Schweinsteiger, but to be honest Germany are a Team and apart from Ozil (who had a poorish game today by his standards so far) this victory was a collective effort. Well done Germany - you deserved this! I , for one, am a very happy bunny and this was quality football :D

I didn't see the game, but I echo that sentiment. I remember the cries of 'outside your man' echoing from the terraces - taking on the fullback has become a lost art.

Val - may I take this opportunity (I'm only just in from work - a very, very long day!) of congratulating your lads from the bottom of my grateful heart. I know I am in the minority among most footie fans but I have rarely bought into the myth that is Brazil. This tournament's team left me cold, and although I haven't seen the match I was following the score on my PC in between typing letters! I was absolutely thrilled to bits to see that final score. Before I'm shot down in yellow and blue flames (:D) I want to clarify that the 1970 Brazil and the 1982 Brazil were a joy to watch, but so many years in between they have failed to live up to their hype, just as much as England have at times. I doubt anyone can forget that dire 1994 final with Italy - and before anyone moans, Brazil were just as unadventurous if you remember correctly, guys and gals! So, I shall be a joyful iconoclast and rejoice that they are out. Well done, the Dutch - and I've just caught up with the score from tonight's game and see that Ghana went out on pens! I think the battle is tomorrows quarter of Germany v Argentina. The winner of that will win the Cup. I know who I'm rooting for, but I'm keeping my mouth shut ;)

Yes, and we all know that help was needed from a Russian in that match too! But in all seriousness, guys, here we go with the same old round of comments that we face every four years when England inevitably depart a World Cup. As others have said, England are just not good enough to win on the international stage. As much as I love our own lads: JT, Lamps, Ash (and TBH I didn't think Ash disgraced himself as much as some others during this tournament), I really do think we tend to overrate them. I confess to even having a soft spot and great admiration for Rooney when he's on form, but isn't there a case for saying our lads look a lot better than they are when playing for their clubs because they are surrounded by the likes of Drogba, Essien, Vidic, Ronaldo etc? Yes, Capello must take some blame too for forcing a tired old system on a team that - at club level - play with their various teams in 4-3-3s. But if the press and other media, the fans too, began from a more realistic level of expectation before these big tournaments, we could perhaps spare ourselves yet more of this backlash when the axe inevitably falls. Even had this team performed to the best of its ability, I still think it was only a quarter final side at best.

Just shout if you need a hand in the RCT, Moi ;)

Do you think I'll let a man get away with the last word, Virosh? :D No, alas, I'm still here - but I do want to apologise to everyone for my somewhat over-sensitive reactions the other day. You will have to put it down to my age. I'm usually such a laid back person. So, sorry if I gave any offence when my sense of humour (which is usually very broad - honestly, guys and Moi) went missing for a day or two. I got it back today watching Germany v England ;)

Thank you, Virosh - you are absolutely spot on.

I'll concede that to a point, Virosh - but let's just say that some jokes are in excruciatingly poor taste, and leave it at that.