More goals and more videos. Later on i'll post the group tables. Chi (Brazil) 4 - 0 Geoff (Turkey) Nick R (Nigeria) 0 - 0 Paul (Czezh Republic) Russ (Portugal) 1 - 0 Paul (Czech Republic) Chi says that these goals are the goals of the tournament?!? The free kick isn't bad. [video=Iicwnzqq5b8Evz8] Some more goals... [video=K3U2ljT65b8EvjQ]

We are coming towards the end of the group stages and things are getting close. Group A has been decided with Phil's Italy qualifying in 2nd place behind Graeme's England, on goal difference. Sadly this means GameSpot's Laura has to go home early. Laura did manage to score however. Sweden (Andrew) 2 - 1 Denmark (Laura) Italy (Phil) 4 - 0 Sweden (Andrew) Mexico (Chris) 1 - 0 Argentina (Alex) Check back on Monday for group tables.

Sorry for the delays in updating this. Things like work have got in the way of the schedule. GameSpots own Guy Cocker has qualified after winning all three of his group games. Not exactly convincing performances, but as any England fan will tell you, all that counts is winning. Argentina look to be heading out in the first round after Alex fails to score a goal in their first two games. England look certain to go through, but will they top the group? Goal difference will play a part when Phil takes on Andrew. Argentina (Alex) 0 - 2 Holland (Edward) France (Nick H) 0 - 1 Cameroon (Guy) England (Graeme) 1 - 0 Denmark (Laura) Spain (Roshan) 3 - 0 Argentina (Alex) Turkey (Geoff) 0 - 1 France (Nick H) Cameroon (Guy) 1 - 0 Brazil (Chi)

Almost the first 'shock' of the compeition saw England throw away a win with some poor defending in pretty much the last kick of the game. Graeme was taking on the might of Phil's Italy and seemed sure of securing all 3 points. But Phil never gave up and the game finished 1-1. More GameSpot UK Staff in action saw Guy manage a 2-0 win over Geoff. Geoff held off Guy till the 77th minute before giving in to the enevitable. My Portugal side came from behind to record their first win, beating Nigeria 2-1.  [video=diFhnjb-5b8NvD8]  England (Graeme) 1 - 1 Italy (Phil) Cameroon (Guy) 2 - 0 Geoff (Turkey) Nigeria (Nick R) 1 - 2 Portugal (Russ)

On the second day of the GameSpot UK World Cup, we had a clash of two big teams Brazil and France. Whether the players for these teams are any good remains to be seen. In a great game, Chi's Brazil lost 2-0 to France with two quality goals. (Highlights below). Also playing today saw Spain getting their first points with a close 1-0 win over Holland. And another high scoring game saw Nigeria humiliate USA 5-0. Not looking good for me as Portugal are Nigeria's next opponents tomorrow! Brazil (Chi) 0 - 2 France (Nick H) Spain (Roshan) 1 - 0 Holland (Ed) Nigeria (Nick R) 5 - 0 USA (Dan) [video=KyNgkTr-5bgFuDE]

The opening day saw a very close game between Mexico and Spain, with Chris Beaumont's Mexico sneaking it 1-0. The GameSpot grudge match between Laura and Phil produced a man of the match performance from the Danish Keeper, managing to keep the score down to a respectable 2-0 win for Phil's Italy. Then England produced the kind of form we all wish they would with a 6-0 tonking of Sweden. Graeme 'no mercy' Wearden showing Andrew Donohue exactly how to play in that one. Mexico (Chris) 1 - 0 Spain (Roshan) Italy (Phil) 2 - 0 Denmark (Laura) England (Graeme) 6 - 0 Sweden (Andrew)

Following on from the success of Phil and Guy in the UK vs. US Grudge Match, the guys decided to see if they can take on the best in the office at a much better footy game, Pro Evolution Soccer 5. Over the next couple of weeks, people from sales, edit and operations from CNET Networks UK will battle it out and we will be following all the games right here on my blog. Look out for images and video too on Guy's blog. Pick of the first round will be the opening game -- the GameSpot grudge match -- as Phil takes on Laura. Group A Phil Elliott -- Italy Laura Jenner -- Denmark Graeme Wearden -- England Andrew Donoghue -- Sweden Group B Chris Beaumont -- Mexico Roshan Gonsalkorale -- Spain Edward Scott -- Netherlands Alex Coby -- Argentina Group C Chi Chung Lee -- Brazil Nick Hide -- France Guy Cocker -- Cameroon Geoff Inns -- Turkey Group D Dan Ilett -- USA Nick Rose -- Nigeria Russ Willis -- Portugal Paul Lazarra -- Czech Republic Check back daily for updates and see how the action is going.

The big event is nearly here! I love the world cup and will attempt to watch every match if possible (girlfriend and training course allowing - thanks HR). We've got the plasma screen installed in the design department ready for friday, and the sweepstake has been drawn, and despite but people say, I think Ivory Coast might bring me home the cash! The Grudge Match today was a great warm up with Guy and Phil showing the US how it's done. If England beat Brazil 3-1 in the actual final I will be more than happy (alright, I will probably go on a 4-day drink/party marathon). Shame you have to get up at 6am to watch the games Justice, but it does remind me of four years ago, the world cup in Japan and Korea, when we were invited to the England v Argentina game at Bar Umbro which Konami and Umbro had rented out in central London. Getting there before 9 am for the early game and having a beer with breakfast in time for the lunchtime kick off. Then of course the celebration drinks afterwards, heading back towards the office late afternoon to meet the others who actually had to work for a drink and being totally off our faces!! Good times.

Bank holidays are designed for two things as far as I can work out, drinking (a lot) and doing stuff to your house. I managed to do both this weekend, and fit in several hours on FIFA World Cup 2006. My planned trip to the local Essex hot spot, the Circus Tavern didn't happen in the end, as the day before what police describe as 'a large fight' had resulted in a stabbing and the club being sealed off. Ah well, instead me and my friends just drunk an incredible amount of rum until we literaly passed out. Needless to say, Sunday went pretty slowly. I managed to play some FIFA. I have to say that I was a big PES fan before hand, and after playing FIFA a lot over the weekend, I have to say that I won't be changing. It's good don't get me wrong and it looks very realistic, but it's no PES. All in the playability you see. Monday was spent doing my garden, which whilst I was away in Australia for s few months earlier in the year had turned into what can only be described as a jungle. All day digging and planting etc. I hate gardening. And all the people we saw in B&Q looked pretty miserable too. That and quite a few od them were having domestics, probably about what they weren't doing around the house that weekend. I love bank holidays.

The typical British summer brought very heavy rain to London village today. That added to me forgetting my umbrella and severe delays out of Liverpool Street meant that a few of us stayed late after work to play some games. After a quick win over Guy and Chi on PES5, we turned the multiplayer beauty of Buzz - The Big Quiz. Fun for all, even non-gamers like Becky our new Project Administrator is a big Buzz fan. At this point I would like to point out the Guy reviewed this game for GameSpot UK, so spend a fair few hours playing it. You would think that this would improve his chances of winning? Guess again. Guy was humiliated into last place, and only just managed to get above zero by having some obscure knowledge about the Vengaboys and the Vengabus (something we should know about you Guy??) and some other easy questions at the end. Sorry Guy, don't really mean to pick on you (much), but you have been putting off our PES5 rematch for ages, and the trash talk over IM really wasn't backed up. Plus your performance on Buzz was a shocker!