Bet on Spain

Kammy here. Well, another great day of football to reflect on as Spain confirmed themselves as one of the favourites to win the tournament with an awesome display against Ukraine.

There was some pure magic on show, with David Villa a class above while at the back Carles Puyol was outstanding. But the main man, as predicted, was Fernando Torres. Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich has already taken in a few games in this World Cup and if he watched Spain yesterday he might be forgiven in thinking he’s signed the wrong striker.

When you consider the age of Torres and the potential that is still to be realised, he’s got to be a better bet than Andriy Shevchenko. Spain looked a real threat from start to finish and, when you consider there was no Cesc Fabregas, Jose Antonio Reyes or Raul, they showed a real strength in depth. I would take any one of those and give them a place in England’s squad and, for my money, that makes them real contenders this summer.

That leads us very nicely in to today’s action and the one we’ve been waiting for, as England take to the pitch for a second time. I know the Trinidad and Tobago lads having trained them for a spell some ten years ago.

The idea was to help get one or two of them some experience in Europe so that, one day, they could realise the dream of getting the islands to the World Cup. If I’m honest, the lads that came over then weren’t really good enough, though there was one by the name of Russell Latapy who, of course, ended up making a name for himself with Rangers in Scotland.

I didn’t have them for long but I’d like to think I played a part, albeit a little one, in their footballing history. That said, I’ll have no split loyalties today! The wait has been agonising since the final whistle went against Paraguay on Saturday, and I’m hopeful England will turn in a good performance. It doesn’t look as if Wayne Rooney will start, but that won’t stop England winning this game.

I’m backing Michael Owen to break his duck and I’ve also got a good feeling for Frank Lampard to get among the goals in a 3-0 win.

Ecuador announced their arrival in Germany by springing a real surprise against Poland, and I was particularly impressed with Ulises de la Cruz of Aston Villa. I don’t think anyone expected Ecuador to win that opening game, and I can’t see them repeating it against Costa Rica.

An in-form Paulo Wanchope is always a force to be reckoned with, and his two goals against Germany last Friday proved just that. I think big Paulo will be on the mark again to bag the Costa Ricans a 1-0 win. With England waiting for Sweden in the final group game, the Swedes must beat Paraguay today to have any chance of coming through the group. That may not be easy, as trouble in the dressing room means Lars Lagerback needs to get his team together.