Tears, drama and sleepless nights as World Cup arrives

Brazil's Ronaldinho

The time when football lovers go into hibernation for four weeks is almost upon us. If you know one of these specimens, from Saturday, they'll be tousle-haired, wide-eyed and not fit for conversation, unless you're willing to discuss the merits of the 4-4-2 formation versus the 4-3-3.

And if you don't know the results of the latest scan on Wayne Rooney's foot, then stay well away - for the greatest sporting event on Earth is upon us: the 2006 World Cup. And, no, we haven't forgotten about the Olympics.

The World Cup unites the world in a footballing frenzy and even down here in good old rugby-loving New Zealand, we can catch a little of the fever.

But you have to be careful to pace yourself early on, saving something in reserve for the knockout stages of this 64-match tournament.

Kick-off times for the games range between midnight and 7am, so sleeping at work and careful attention to the TV schedules are recommended.

Sky Television is showing every game live while TV One has twice-daily highlights packages and its live coverage (apart from the opening game) kicks in with four round-of-16 matches, two quarter-finals, both semifinals, the third-fourth playoff and the final.

The way the tournament has been organised - with the 32 teams split into eight groups of four with one of the top eight seeds in each group - means the big guns should have an easy ride through to the knockout stages that begin on June 25.

There's no Group of Death like past tournaments but Group C - Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia and Montenegro, and the Netherlands - could get a bit tasty.

The top two teams from each group advance to the round of 16, the first of the knockout stages, followed by quarter-finals, semifinals and the final.

Hosts Germany kick off the tournament early Saturday morning in Munich against Costa Rica and the Germans won't need reminding that the opener is renowned for the minnows snatching a boilover win.

Even with home advantage the Germans' chances of winning look slim; a recent 4-1 defeat by Italy was indicative of the state of the team.

In fact, a lot of the traditionally strong teams have struggled in qualifying or warm-up matches.

Argentina have suffered some gut-wrenching defeats in the lead-up and there is a lot of pessimism about their chances - but this could be a smokescreen.

They are one of the toughest sides when it matters and they did beat Brazil 3-1 just a year ago.

France, after flopping in 2002, still look to be in disarray. They struggled to qualify and score goals, while gifted players such as Arsenal's Robert Pires allegedly can't make the squad because coach Raymond Domenech believes he was born under the wrong star sign.

Brazil are defending champions and clear favourites for the title. They have a canny coach in Carlos Alberto Parreira, who guided them to their 1994 World Cup crown in the United States, and can call on the talents of their Magic Quartet - the attacking unit of Adriano, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka.

Italy should be there in the semis, if not the final. They are defensively strong but their strikers have gone AWOL at the last couple of tournaments.

And that brings us to England, who have a World Cup monkey on their backs - bigger than the one that afflicts the All Blacks.

With or without the attacking genius of Wayne Rooney they look a strong, well-balanced outfit. Only the weight of history is a problem for them.

Spain have been dark horses for so long and the Netherlands, the under-achievers of world football, could be a good outside bet; they're playing attractive football under former-striker-turned-coach Marco van Basten.

Either way, there will be tears, there will be drama, there will be sleepless nights.

Games to watch out for this week

Germany v Costa Rica - Saturday, Sky Sport 1, Sky Sport 3, and TV One live 3.30am (preceded by Opening Ceremony live Sky Sport 1/3 at 1.30am).

England v Paraguay - Sunday, Sky Sport 3 live 12.30am.

Netherlands v Serbia and Montenegro - Monday, Sky Sport 3 live 12.30am

France v Switzerland - Wednesday, Sky Sport 1/3 live 3.30am

Brazil v Croatia - Wednesday, Sky Sport 1/3 live 6.30am.