POLAND 1-1 RUSSIA

For a team sitting 62nd in the FIFA World Rankings, Poland don't half play some good football.

Despite sitting behind both Honduras and El Salvador in the global ladder, the joint hosts have kept themselves in the hunt for an unlikely Quarter Final place by scoring a stonking equaliser on the break. A goal that Mick McCarthy described as "a thing of beauty".

Hearing everyone's favourite Irish Yorkshireman describe anything as "a thing of beauty" is both brilliant and terrifying. Like listening to Geoffrey Boycott really enjoying a piece of cake on Test Match Special. You're pleased for him, but wish he wasn't doing it in your ears.

This result and performance proves one of two things:

A) the world rankings are a farce
OR
B) the host nations always over perform

We should hope the answer is B - because England are by far and away the highest ranked team in our group (eight places above France). And, if Group D ends so tight that teams have to be separated by tie-breaking criteria number six, we're laughing. The drawing of lots is number eight.

In fact (according to the UEFA coefficient ranking system) only Spain, Germany, Holland and Italy are better than Woy's Boys. Which means England are nailed on for the knockout stage.

If they fall short, they will officially, and statistically be "bloody rubbish".



But the reality is that, if they weren't hosting, there's no way Poland would have qualified.

Which is exactly why the FA keep bidding for tournaments.

THE STORY SO FAR

Match of the tournament: Poland 1-1 Russia

Player of the tournament: Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine)

Goal of the tournament: Blaszczykowski (POLAND v Russia)