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Quarters

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The only thing taking the shine off a genuinely sumptuous set of quarter-final matches (I'm giving England vs Sweden a pass here on the basis that it is a match containing England) is the fact that they are not being played on Saturday and Sunday (to enable working folk to drink them all in) - or alternatively to be spread over 4 days, with just evening matches, for the same reasons. Sure, we'd end up with one or two teams being unduly fatigued and disadvantaged by having less rest between matches, but it'd be more convenient for me. Consider that to be a recommendation for Qatar please, Mr Infantino.

Tomorrow definitely presents the greatest threat to radio silence so far. But I have my plans in place and I will be leaving directly from my afternoon meetings, blindfolded and with headphones on, avoiding eye contact with the whole of Bristol before I get home. The two fixtures tomorrow are as exciting as any World Cup day  I can remember. A France team, flickering to life with Mbappe's mad pace against Cavani's face and Suarez's resurrections. And that's just the warm up, with Total Belgium clashing with floor-dance Brazil to top things off. My bet is for a dual-European triumph, Suarez and Neymar both to bow out in a frenzy of cheating, whilst Lukaku eases to the top of the scoring charts and laying down the challenge to Kane.

Then on Saturday, England will surprise us all with an elegant and comfortable win against Sweden who have progressed a round too far; before the big shock of the round, Russia, somehow, continuing their run to set up an awkward semi-final clash with an England team who will consequently need to avoid all hotel food or skin contact with surfaces, air or people for fear of collapsing in a heap and gifting the Russians a bye to the final. (only jesting Vlad)

It is going to be brilliant. Enjoy it, everyone.

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