The World Cup has now reached the pressure-packed quarterfinal stage.

If you haven't been watching up until now here's a quick rundown of what you've missed...A-Z style.

A is for Angola.

Work World Cup sweeps should be outlawed.

B is for beer.

I know it’s GERMANY, but how have fans not drunk the place dry? Guess it helps that Budweiser are a major sponsor.

C is for couch (not Crouch).

Too many consecutive nights slept in front of the TV to count here. Embarrassed or proud? Not sure which.

D is for Diego.

Maradona has got more camera time at this tournament to date than Togo. And they actually PLAYED three games.

E is for Equador.

The boys who came down from the mountain-top and caused more than a few problems. Ask England.

F is for failure.

Thanks for nothing Czech Republic - ruining my tournament picks.

G is for grateful.

To see football lead the sports news…BEFORE rugby…when the All Blacks are playing the next night. Nice!

H is for hope.

I hope to be alive when New Zealand next make a World Cup appearance.

I is for Ivory Coast.

How does the team that played the best football over all three matches in the group phase find themselves on the outer for the second phase? Can common sense not prevail? Can’t we vote them in like on Survivor or something? Style SHOULD matter. See you in four years Cote de’Ivoire.

J is for jealous.

Of friends in Germany, Australian fans experiencing a World Cup run by THEIR team and most of all of Arsenal’s central midfield of 2006/07 (see S and T below)

K is for Kalac.

I know hindsight is perfect Mr Hiddink but reserve keepers are reserve keepers for a reason.

L is for Lucas.

Mr. Neill…stay on your feet lad!

M is for Maxi.

Mr Rodriguez’s goal v Mexico in extra time. One of THOSE moments. How does one man single-handedly deflate an entire nation? Ask Maxi. He knows.

N is for Neuville.

Poor Poland. They thought they had a nicked a point and against the GERMANS no less. But Oliver had other ideas.

O is for Awesome.

David Tua said it best. This tournament…absolutely awesome.

P is for Poll.

English ref Graham Poll – one, twice, three times a red card!

Q is for quivering.

EVERY Swiss penalty taker sure was.

R is for Ronaldo.

The fat, useless, slow, old and unfit striker who keeps scoring goals and now owns the all-time World Cup goalscoring mark. Ohh to be that fat, useless, slow, old and unfit.

S is for Spain.

Why do they bother? Although, Cesc Fabregas is scary good.

T is for Tomasz.

Gooner fans will be thrilled, other fans tormented, by Mr Rosicky for the next few years.

U is for umemployed.

I hope a few coaches have been saving for a rainy day. Step forward USA’s Bruce Arena!

V is for violent.

As far as football goes, Portugal v Holland replays should be R18.

W is for winner.

At least at this World Cup anyone in the quarterfinals can win it (well perhaps not Shev-Kraine). Not like certain other sports. 

X is for Xavi.

Thank God for Spanish midfielders with names starting with X.

Y is for Yassine.

Mr Chikhaoui is a striker in the Tunisian squad. At least you learned something from reading this…

Z is for zero.

The number of goals Switzerland conceded at the tournament and they were still made to go home early. I thought defense won titles?