(ok, so the St George’s cross is a photoshop mock up, but I really, really want a white MacBook. I know it’s wild, I know it’s dangerous, and I know I can’t afford one because I’m always broke. But damn, is this machine sexy or what?)

For all of you England fans out there (Dotsson, Ash, etc.), our fellow blogger Rio has put the official England World Cup 2006 Album on his website for your to download. But don’t tell anyone about this, ok?

Marina Hyde on the Guardian’s World Cup blog says Saudis are planning to buy a club in Belgium, where they can establish a football academy to send their young players to learn football in Europe. Interesting, isn’t it? This is not a new approach after all. We already know there are some English clubs which have investments in Belgian clubs in order to benefit from their players, in addition to many European clubs who have opened academies in different parts of the world, and who have invested in foreign clubs too.

A very poor performance by the Saudi team. Paqueta made some bad choices; Mohammed Al Deayea and Nawaf Al Temyat would have been much better replacements for Mabrouk Zaid and Mohammed Ameen respectively. According to match statistics, Zaid conceded more than he saved, which a very rare thing to happen by a goalkeeper in the World Cup. I could go on and on, but I’m too depressed.

Saudi Arabia will face Ukraine today in their second match in the World Cup. It is expected to be a tough match, as both teams will try their best to win in order to improve their chances to qualify to the next stage. Saudis, although feeling they were robbed the win when Tunisia equalized them in injury time, are ready for the match and are enjoying a good spirit. Ukraine, in the other hand, are trying to get over their shocking 4-0 defeat at the hands of Spain. I don’t feel like talking much about the game, so I will leave you with some links: the German Spiegel has a preview of the match. The story quotes Paqueta, head coach of Saudi Arabia, saying “Ukraine is a weak team,” which the Brazilian completely denied. “I did not say that! I did not say that! That’s not true…It’s crazy. It’s wrong,” he told FIFAWorldCup.com. Actually, he is expecting to face an aggressive Ukraine side. Paqueta also praised Andriy Shevchenko, and said he will make sure that the ball never reaches him.

Upon arrival to Hamburg, Paqueta has complained about the cold weather. Lucky for him, the weather will be warmer today with temperatures between 23-29°C and sunny intervals. I hope the loss of Mohammed Al Shlhoub, who flew last night to Riyadh after his mother passed away, will not affect on the team morale which was at its best in the past few days. “We told him before he left that we will be trying extra hard for him,” Sami Al Jaber, the captain, said about his team-mate. Al Jaber also said they are ready for the challenge, and admitted that the Ukrainians are physically stronger. “We will undoubtedly have to raise our game in that department. We have to compete physically, we just have to, there is no other way,” he added.

CSM has a story on Saudi female bloggers, focusing on the blockage of Saudi Eve blog. The story has quotes by Farah and Jo. On a not-really-related note: this is the second time I am interviewed by CSM but my interview does not make it to the published story. Hard luck ;-)

Sad News: the mother of Mohammad Al Shlhoub died last night, and the player flew this afternoon to Riyadh. My condolences to Al Shlhoub and his family, and may her soul rest in peace.