Not so bad when prepared

The World Cup is over... at least for England. But I'm not surprised even though they should have beaten Portugal. This team has consistently not given performances worthy of lifting the Jules Rimet over the past month and all the problems that have faced England have been internal.
For a long time I have been ready for this. When a certain No. 10's knee imploded in the third group match after two minutes, I knew England would not win this tournament. It was a vision of death foretold. In this final match against the Portuguese, it was not when a certain No. 9 was deservedly sent off, but when a certain No. 7 was taken off because of injury. The No. 7's replacement showed far more captain-like abilities, actually bothering to run past and beat opponents before crossing rather than spraying long balls all over the pitch - the supposedly most talented bunch of players in a generation and they resort to Route One. Also, England need to learn that in the summer, it can be hot, a striking revelation . At least, with England out, there will be prettier football played.
As to the other match, it was glorious that France and Zidane are through. Brazil may have been better for a truly World Cup that included one non-European team in the semi-finals, breaking the monopoly that our continent has this time round, but they were the most disappointing side after England at Germany 2006. That the tournament shall continue to be graced by the genius of Zidane is no bad thing.
None of the last four national teams are really great. Germany is too young (not got much magic but young legs), France are too old (got the magic, not got the legs), Portugal are too inconsistent and Italy are too workmanlike. But they have got this far and it would be no disgrace if any were to win it. Shame England aren't in the mix, but ordinariness doesn't belong in a great World Cup. I'll be enjoying the semi-finals.