"Owen could skip past them while jogging and Cole will have a field day (only Crouch will have trouble). "
Crouch won't have any trouble at all against Germany, because he won't be playing. Rooney should eat them alive.

Returning from France so I missed the game, but a nice match report Stoney, thanks.

I predict Rooney will make an appearance against Trinidad, and will be match fit for your boys. As you hint, the difference between finishing 1st and 2nd in Group B could be critical, and Sven will want Rooney in top shape for the last group game in case results elsewhere make a win necessary.

Looks like Jurgen's Germany will ship goals, but also score a few (esp. with Ballack present). They should come unstuck against the first decent team they meet, though.

I'm not convinced Sweden will qualify from the group, Stoney. I think Paraguay are marginally the 2nd best team in the group.

Germany are SO bad it's not even funny. OK, that's a lie, it's fucking hilarious. I really hope they sneak through and meet Brazil in the quarter-finals, all-time scoring records could be broken ....

Podolski is meant to be the next big thing in Germany; I agree he didn't look too impressive vs CR, but the tournament's still young.

I'm not terribly sure whether it matters TOO much who comes 1st/2nd in the England/Sweden/Paraguay group - I really think England will have too much for Germany, and I think any of those three teams will be too strong for Ecuador/Poland. Sweden would probably be favourites to beat the Germans in my view too.

Germany may make some changes at the back for future matches - watch out for Jens Nowotny to make a return - he's one of the slowest defenders in the tourney but physically strong and a good leader, an experienced presence at the back and he may be able to spur Mertesacker on to some better performances (or, more likely, Metzelder). Robert Huth should probably be given a chance too but I'm not sure if he's 100% fit. Wouldn't be surprised if they go for Nowotny and Metzelder at some point, though that duo is SERIOUSLY short of pace. I think they'll also struggle because they don't have the depth to make impact substitutions late on to change a game - a lot of the top teams can bring on attackers with a lot of aerial strength, pace etc, Germany's bench looks fairly weak to me.