It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

Italy will not be easy...far from it....but England are growing into this competition....

I'm I the only one here who thinks we were at best - mediocre? Rooney was so out of form as to almost be a liability - yes I know he scored the winner, but that was more by luck than judgement. And our defence!

England are shite skinny, but we knew that before the competition. So it's great that they have got this far. :O)

A bit harsh.....we need to retain the ball better.....5 days rest is just what they need...that extra day could make all the difference...don't forget that was an away game last night...so it was a major result against a good side...and to be fair England stand a better chance against Italy than Spain....it will be incredibly difficult as Italy have some tremendously talented players and form a very compact group....Dil ! don't shred your euro wallchart planner just yet !...

So long as England beat Italy I don't care what happens after that. Well, I do, but expectations are not high. Italian football is about as dull and littered with theatrical dives (or even divas) as I can think of.

England have been dining out on the short term "new manager boost" that can happen when a new man at the top is appointed, so a lot of credit goes to Roy Hodgson from me. How much longer that lasts is anyones guess, Very unlikely to beat Italy though in my view.. but you never know.

Can't see the Greeks getting past Merkel's lot tonight.....(just as difficult as getting an extra loan).......

True.. but remember Russia?

Why did they get a morgage from her ?...it's Portugal-Czech Republic tonight....sorry.....

Ronaldo just needs a couple of dracula teeth to fit the transylvanian bill tonight !.....and I bet that the Portugese manager does a very good Jerry Lewis imitation !.....looks like extra time now for Portugal-Czech Republic !...

Very much like Brazil in syle this Portugese team.....can't say they look the best in europe : the Spanish, Italians, Germans and French all look better....

Can't see Portugal getting past Spain in the semis...but tonight Ronaldo was superb !...

You lot worry too much , England are no Brazil but they are better than Italy man for man and as a team.

I'm looking foward to the penalty shoot out with Germany :-)

In which case, I'm sure Gareth Southgate would step up to the mark - for a pizza of course! :-)

A few more here - Ten Biggest Misses Ever During a Penalty Shootout

The problem with Portugal is that they depend entirely on count dracula Ronaldo and his thirst for goals.....Spain (I presume will beat France) have many different goalscorers and should put them on the backfoot.....to score one goal : the Portugese need loads of attempts and I doubt if they are going to get them next time round....it's possible that they might qualify but they will have to score with every chance they get !....

The Greeks were blinkin awful ...it has to be said.....but aren't the Germans vulnerable at the back......not that good in defense......a team that gets at them will get several goals.....doesn't anybody know how to take the ball off another player without commiting a foul ?...it seems not nowadays.....and what has happened to the 25-30 yard strikes at goal ?......non of that today either......the Germans are a good side but I wouldn't call them a great side.....a counterattacking side would punish them heavily !.....

"a counterattacking side would punish them heavily !....." That rules us out then -):

rf ... you need 1 chance to score a goal (Greece earlier for instance) , it'll be down to how well Portugal can defend.

England (assuming they beat Italy which I think they will) may need to change tactics v Germans. Can't see them defending for 90 minutes and keeping a clean sheet so need to attack more and get a couple of their own imo. Rate Hodgson as a tactician so if they do get past Italy you may see a new more open style versus Germany.

Good luck guys.

Hey !....just a moment Dil.....we haven't played Italy yet and the Italians are favourites and the few Italian people I know expect their team to win so it will be incredibly tough !....let's say whoever gets through could pick them off with a counterattacking style....the reverse of what they did to us two years ago !....the Germans are not that good at the back..believe me....Stan....England are starting to become that sort of side......I would like to see England play the way West Ham used to play in Trevor Brooking's day : lovely to watch !.....anyway...put some money on Spain (I have anyway)...(probably will lose it now)........France will be difficult but the Spanish look set for another final....can't see Portugal stopping them...they need ten chances for one goal that lot...

Well.....good luck England......who knows...might just be our year !....