What a start to the tournament.

I am going to be biased there and say I am delighted with the start of the tournament. On days like this I love draws. I would have to say I am the casual gambler. The odd Grand National here and there, Royal Athlete and Papillion both came up for me and Barros in 2004 and Ronaldo and Brazil in 2002. Its quite likely that I am one of the few people who is actually up on the bookies. Today it got even better. I set up a Bet Fair account during the week and the next day I got a call to say they had given me a free 30 Euro bet. So what did I do, I stuck it all on 2 draws on the first day at 10/1.

The last few minutes of the French game were as nervous as I have been watching a game since Paris (that's the last time I will mention that game). The irony of Henry appealing for a hand ball, was both galling and laughable, just as his free at the end was.

I did not get to see the first match in Joburg as I was in work, but once I heard the result was 1-1, I was happy. Just like Jon Bon Jovi I was half way there. So I sat down this evening with a nice glass of red wine to watch one of the most hateful collection of players that has ever gathered on a football pitch. If there were World Cup medals handed out for tantrums, toy throwing, pettiness and in squad fighting, the French would be World Champions ten times over. I am just glad that Henry did not get the chance to break my heart a second time when he got that free in the last few minutes.

So a good first day and 300 quid safely into my current account from my Bet Fair account.