Eight green bottles (including EnGerLand) sitting on the wall, Quarter Final Special

By Saturday night, there will be four who have fallen accidentally or not. In no particular order, we will give a quick preview of the games due to take place on Friday and Saturday. Croatia v Russia is not a match up, I think it is safe to say, that anyone predicted would take place before the tournament started.

There is not much to add about this game, we detailed the Russian style of play when we reviewed their defeat of Spain (check it out) and Croatia have been a good outside pick from the beginning.

I will say that Croatia did not look particularly good against Denmark and they will need to improve if they are going to overcome the huge home crowd support and the obviously steroid driven Russians. The Croats definitely have the personnel to beat Russia and will not be cowered by them.

Until 1991, Croatia, of course was a part of Yugoslavia and for those of you old enough to remember, while they sat behind the iron curtain,Yugoslavia was very much an independent state, indeed a thorn in the side of Moscow, following their own policies.

The Croats would like nothing better than to stick one to the Russians, especially after the break up of Yugoslavia, the Russians were aligned with Serbia in the internecine conflict which took place in the Balkans during the 1990's.

Two players to watch and Croatia to win this one.

Akinfeev, may be kept busy

Perisic, leaves his allegiance in no doubt

France v Uruguay, which is the first game promises to be an intriguing clash. The Frogs, fresh from their demolition of the Argies and by the way you should not be fooled by the final score of four - three to the frogs, the gulf in class was much larger than the score suggested, will be up against more South American opposition but with one huge difference.

As we know from Goose Green and Port Stanley, the Argentinian defense had as many holes in it as a colander,  or probably one of Maradona's arms. Uruguay on the other hand have been as impenetrable as the wall of Game of Thrones fame. They have their own version of the night watch led by Lord Commander Godin, who we have mentioned previously, and who is ably supported by his steward Jose "snow" Gimenez. They are team mates at club level and compliment each other so well.

The escargot lovers have been far from snail like in some of  their play, ignoring as already mentioned that the Argies weren't very good, it can not be denied that some of the play was as bubbly as a bottle of the best Krug.

Finishes quicker than a bottle of Beaujolais

The night watch will look to deny space to the riders of the La Tour de France as they swarm forward, but the peloton will have to watch out they do not leave too few people behind otherwise our two old friends, Hannibal Suarez and the male model Cavani will make hay. A lot rests on whether the male model is fit to start after his two goal performance against Ronaldo and the Bell Ends including this one.

Served on a plate by a silent Lamb

The majority of pundits are picking France for this one, people who know far more than me, but I think Uruguay could sneak it (only if Cavani plays) as they are a very obdurate side.

While that game should be very good, the pick of the ties has to be the Brazil Nuts against the Brussels sprouts. For some people this would have been a good final match up.

Brazil have not really moved out of first gear and at some times have seemed to be stuck in neutral, but they have shown brief glimpses of what they are capable of. This game is their first real test against the top scoring side in the competition so far.

When the sprouts went two nil down to the sons of Nippon early on in the second half of their clash, the people of Belgium as so often with the the English, were thinking yet another "golden generation" who has failed to deliver. The way this side pulled off a famous victory albeit with some naive Japanese play must have instilled a sense of invincibility in the sprouts camp.

Speed Power Precision Heartbreak

They will need all that belief against the samba masters. Brazil have not conceded more than one goal in their last thirty matches and I would be very surprised if the sprouts were to win one to nothing.

One  of the biggest talking points of the tournament has been the behaviour of  the Brazilian star Neymar who has driven the world nuts with his antics writhing around in perceived agony from the slightest touch or sometimes without even being touched. It has generated endless memes, Gifs and jokes on social media and caused a serious level of discussion in the football world.

The sad thing for me, is that he is such a good player blessed with amazing ability and therefore it is very disappointing that he feels the need to behave so. There is no doubt that he is now treated by referees like the boy who cried wolf once too often which may end up costing him in the long term. Here is an example, there is contact in this case, but no pressure is applied and the theatrics are ridiculous.

Neymar in agony

Two to watch both from the defensive side of the game

Courtois will have a lot to do

Thiago Silva Imperious defender

Another very difficult one to call, will the Belgian chocolatiers be able to coat the Brazilian nuts in some bittersweet dark chocolate or will they melt and collapse into a sorry mess under the pressure? Sadly for them I think the latter will be the case. Brazil to move on.

So to the fourth game of the quartet featuring the root vegetables against the Rosbifs and if I was offered both of those on a plate I know what I would choose.

I wonder how many people have noticed that this game is being played on 7/7, a date etched into recent English consciousness.  What does that have to do with football ? well nothing is the answer, if England fail, then it will be another bad thing to add to bad things that have happened on that day and if they win....

My late mother used to cook a Swede in the chicken soup, she said it added flavour, we all thought it rather bland and just fit to be used as animal fodder. It is a boring vegetable not as versatile as say parsnips, which are delicious roasted. The Rostbifs will be looking to add a new item to the culinary world in roast Swedes.

It will not be an easy task. Ikea have got here rather under the radar, more like a well tuned Volvo than a piece of flat pack. To even get to Russia they have left by the wayside a slew of footballing powerhouses such as Holland, Italy and of course most recently Ze Shermans, even though they did lose to them. They will attempt to frustrate EnGerLand, bore them to death and hope for a chance goal as has been their way in the tournament as I mentioned in the preview for their last game.

EnGerLand of course are riding on a crest of a wave after what felt like a come from behind win against the cartel. Granted EnGerLand should have won the game in normal time, but after they were pegged back, most EnGerLand fans thought they would lose hence the joy, which of course will make the crash landing all the more painful if they fail to beat Sweden.

Two to watch

Berg Sweden's best hope of a goal

Sterling will he be worth his name

Rightly or wrongly, having won a penalty shoot out is a massive psychological boost for the sartorial EnGerLand guv, Mr Southgate to you, and they should use that as base to build on. As I have written previously, it is hard for us to dare hope that it is possible let only believe it, but the players can and must.

The last time EnGerLand made it to the semi finals was Italia 90, let us hope they can at least emulate that performance and this time go one better.

As you have followed and I hope enjoyed this blog, you may have noticed that we are nothing if not classy.  I leave you therefore with the BBC theme tune for Italia 90, still in my opinion one of the most inspired choices for a sports intro tune ever.

Nessun Dorma by Pavarotti

Whatever happens, we will dissect it on Sunday, so make sure to check back and also please forward to others to spread the word.