Here we go then. 30 days of heaven and hell.

Opening ceremony under way

South Africa v. Mexico underway at 15:00 BST followed by Uruguay v. France at 19:30.

I'm expecting the opening game to be tight and probably a draw.

Looking forward to the evening match though.

The prospective french team looks very strong. It's hard to know how Domanech has managed to f**k it all up so very badly.

Loris

Sagna Gallas Abidal Evra

Toulalan Gourcuff Malouda

Ribery Anelka Govou

I think the opening game will be a Mexico win, and the 2nd will be a Uruguay win.

Mexico are surprisingly good. They're going to be the surprise package of the tournament.

No Henry in your starting line up ethical?

That team is what is being touted. Not sure Henry would improve it anyway.

Watching the opening ceremonies for the first game, and the crowd is giving a great atmosphere. You really can feel the excitement in your living room.

Now, the whole spectacle is ruined by Sepp Fatter handing off the mic to Jacob Zuma the corruption king, while talking about "the spirit of mandela". The moment feels a little hollow with dumb and dumber up there

Edited June 11, 201016 yr by TheWestwayWonder

Dreadful call against the Mexicans.

They kicked a corner with a south african standing on the near post, yet somehow got called offside.

Dreadful call against the Mexicans.

They kicked a corner with a south african standing on the near post, yet somehow got called offside.

You have 2 have 2 players between you and the oppo goal - one is usually the keeper, in this case, he wasn't there so a correct call!

Is anyone else pissed of with those trumpet things yet, I've only watched 1 half and keep looking around for a blue-bottle!

Dreadful call against the Mexicans.

They kicked a corner with a south african standing on the near post, yet somehow got called offside.

It was called offside because it was offside. Excellent spot from the lino.

Goal South Africa, and a belter too. What a finish that was.

Yeah, that was brilliant play, and a beautiful finish.

great finish for south africa's goal, mexico's equaliser was well deserved, so probably all in all a draw was a fair result. not a bad game but not the "what a fantastic start to the world cup, more of the same PLEASE" touted by the moronically insulting ITV commentator.

oh and those vuvuzelas? it's a RACKET. a horrible, irritating, highly unpleasant, head-ache inducing noise. will someone please teach the South African's some songs.

Not a bad start. Got a chance to test the new big screen TV in the office. Looks like it's working well :)

Not a bad start. Got a chance to test the new big screen TV in the office. Looks like it's working well :)

Nice job. Probably the owner.

I don't see either of these sides making it through, but it was fun to watch Blanco having stayed around the game too long. El centro gordo, con no futura.

Go Uruguay!

Edited June 11, 201016 yr by ThunderDan

You have 2 have 2 players between you and the oppo goal - one is usually the keeper, in this case, he wasn't there so a correct call!

Is anyone else pissed of with those trumpet things yet, I've only watched 1 half and keep looking around for a blue-bottle!

Wow, completely forgot about that.

And yes - agree about the trumpets. I'm close to watching the France match on mute.

Did anyone else see the end of the French National Anthem some french bloke was in the stands holding a chicken?

Am I seeing things? I really need TiVo.

And how is Malouda not starting this match?!?

Edited June 11, 201016 yr by MHedges

Watching France v Uruguay now, commentary said Malouda had to be restrained by Gallas because he had a go at Domenech!

Watching France v Uruguay now, commentary said Malouda had to be restrained by Gallas because he had a go at Domenech!

Sidney Gouvou in place of Malouda? What is Domenech thinking?

No Malouda?

Living proof the France manager should be run out of their country!

That fool running France and Maradonna running Argentina......well atleast we have internal sabatoge hurting 2 strong competitors! hahahha

No Malouda?

Living proof the France manager should be run out of their country!

That fool running France and Maradonna running Argentina......well atleast we have internal sabatoge hurting 2 strong competitors! hahahha

I'd take a Domenech/Maradonna love child managing England over the British media.

Uruguay are hopeless, cant get enough players forward and Ribery is sh*te too.

I'd take a Domenech/Maradonna love child managing England over the British media.

Ribery is sh*t. Thank god we haven't signed him.

Might be interested in Toulalan as a holding midfielder.

Wonder what Malouda's bust up with Domenech was about.

God what a bore that was. France v Uruguay looked for the main like two average, or even poor sides who cancelled each other out. until the sending off when france predictably failed to make the most of their numeric superiority.

of the two I think France have more potential, but if they continue to play like they did today, i don't expect them to get much further in the competition. malouda was wasted.

Roy Bentley was just on the BBC talking about the 1950 World Cup.

Good to see Gourcoff living up to expectations - i.e. crap. With Gourcoff, Ribery and Govou playing like that it is fair to say Mexico, Uruguay and South Africa will all be thinking they can qualify from this group. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see France going home after the group stages.