Day 1 - Great goal, first sending off and France underperforming

After years, months and weeks of patiently waiting, today was the day that World Cup 2010 began in the colourful country of South Africa.

With the dubious game of South Africa vs Mexico to start followed what looked by a main course of Uruguay vs France, it promised to be a good opening day and ended with a Roger Milla 2010 goal celebration award and Thierry Henry at the centre of a handball controversy (football can be so ironic when it wants to be)

On the down side, France vs Uruguay as one of the most dire games to ever grace the World Cup stage.....and the South Africans have invented a musical 'instrument' that rivals the bagpipes on the annoyingness scale.

The opening game featuring the hosts, really looked up against it the first half and if Mexico had a natural finisher, they would be a side to be feared, yet it was South Africa who made the break through, Tshabalala (that is a man's actual name, not a Teletubbies) scoring a blinding goal (and if anyone can explain that celebration, please let me knowhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVWUHW3Mk5Y)to set the tournament on it's way and though Mexico had more than enough moments to score, it was old faithful Rafa Marquez, the centre back, who tapped in to make it 1-1http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVOBOEVSBU8. South Africa having the opportunity to win it in the last minute, hitting the outside of the post but the crowds (and in fact my own) reaction to what could of been a glorious start for the home side reminds just how special this tournament truly is.

France (was their all white kit made from leftover flags from the war?), for all their talented players, simply aren't a team, arguing amongst themselves and their manager, they simply seem a side making up numbers before going home when it'll be all change when Laurent Blanc takes the reins as head coach (why this was announced before the tournament i don't know, only serves to dishearten the team). Uruguay looked sprightly and made a decent effort and troubled the French and it will be interesting to see them in the two further games (i have a great money making scheme, buy loads of blank dvd's and sell them as highlights of this game).

Each team has one point, on Wednesday South Africa face Uruguay and the following day France go head to head with Mexico, if a team wins in these games they will be strongly fancied to go through (come on Mexico!!!)

But there is plenty to be optimistic about, the stadiums and the pitches looked absolutely superb, the crowds certainly up for it and Argentina and England (John Terry's form away from home has been excellent this year) get their campaigns underway tomorrow