Well, I was extremely relieved to see England go through to the quarter-finals. We didn't really deserve it, as we played very badly. A bunch of lazy old men wheezing their way across the field... Beckham's goal was a masterful free kick, but apart from that and some flashes of skill from Rooney, the game was a serious disappointment. Only Lennon, coming on just before the end of the game, really breathed some life and excitement into the England team, taking on defenders opening up the wing, creating possibilities where there were none. I'd like to see him as a starter for the next game against Portugal

Australian soccer fans must have been crushed last night. Literally seconds before the end of the game Italy was awarded a penalty and scored. Seconds. Australia deserved to beat the mighty Italians, and despite the defeat, it was a great night for Australian football and the team should feel proud of their performance.

Until I was about 11 football was the most important thing in my life, even more important than comics. I played it at school (I was in the first team!), I played for the Cub Scouts (I scored a hat trick and my father was watching!) and I supported Liverpool in the days of Kevin Keegan when Liverpool Won Everything. I would sit in front of the telly on Saturday and Wednesday nights -- Liverpool scarf, bobble hat, pin, rosette, team poster, hair brush, mirror, bag, full team kit... And my heart would break if Liverpool lost. Not that they did very often.

Somehow that passion left me...and I never really got back into football.

Until now.

I'm wearing an England pin and if I could find a scarf and rosette I'd wave and wear them. I am absolutely, thunderously certain that England will win the World Cup this year and, at the same time utterly terrified that they might lose to Ecuador tonight.

So if you're reading this -- think positive thoughts about England winning. And May The Spirit of Kevin Keegan (when playing for Liverpool) Bless Your Days.

Had a very nice time earlier this week meeting some of the editors from the founding group of "eigoWiki". eigoWiki is being designed to become the world's most comprehensive E<>J online dictionary. And it will eventually work along the same lines as Wikipedia. It's a very exciting project and the initial phase requires top-notch editors to help us get the dictionary off the ground. Right now, we have about 40 qualified editors, who have passed our very difficult test. Ishiyama-sensei, is the chief editor of the project.

Thanks to everyone who attended. Looking forward to seeing you again soon.

Ishiyama-sensei and the founding group of editors of "eigoWiki".

The ESUJ event that I spoke at recently was part of a series set up by Masumi Muramatsu. An amazing man. He had a long career as a simultaneous interpreter, facilitating communication between Japan and the US, meeting and interpreting US presidents ranging from JFK to Ronald Reagan. He was the founder of Simul Academy and despite his biography sounding ever-so-serious, he is passionate about humour, and how humour translates across cultures. So of course, his Web site is call MM Smile!

I had the pleasure of getting to know Muramatsu-sensei -- a short, bald, stylish bundle of incisive energy, intelligence and charisma --on a trip to Korea when the ESUJ (MM is a member) visited the newly-founded English-Speaking Union of Korea. We shared a table on the train and MM regaled me with hilarious story after hilarious story about his days as an interpreter. MM has been unwell recently, but I'm certain he'll recover soon. I don't think he's even 80 yet!

Masumi Muramatsu