Going forward full of cheer

BEFORE yesterday’s final games, the second round of World Cup 2006 had served up a mixed bill of fare to follow the lavish treats of the opening series of matches.

There was one widely acclaimed classic (Argentina v Mexico), one wildly celebrated exhibition of the host nation’s growing power (Germany v Sweden), one multiple car crash, with all the grisly fascination that implies (Portugal v Holland), one moment of cruel drama to break hearts down under (Italy v Australia) and last, and definitely least, a brace of flat-out bores that even an elephant would have no problem forgetting (Switzerland v Ukraine, England v Ecuador).

And so, we looked to yesterday’s games to end the second phase on an upbeat. And thanks to the blockbuster primetime show of France’s stunning defeat of Spain, in Hanover last night — more of which later — we now go forward full of good cheer, if not a little in shock.