Michael*

That was probably the closest we've come to a genuine dud game so far. The Czechs looked like rabbits in the headlights throughout and banking on Cech to win them a penalty shoot-out only seemed to doom them further. I've made a deal with myself to try and turn a blind eye to Ronaldo's less appealing personality traits at this tournament, and it's working out well up to now. Like the guy or not he's simply a joy to watch in full flow. At one stage last night I even caught myself rooting for Portugal so I could watch him again.

I think I'll be giving that a try very shortly then. The thought did occur when I bought 'Harley's Revenge' that it might let me use Robin in the challenge maps, but as it turns out, you still have to pay for the other DLC pack. Bit of a cheek, if you ask me!

Having sampled all the other characters, my temptation to try out Nightwing is starting to gather pace, though I must say, I'd probably have some slight reservations about paying for the DLC and then having to play through the same combat sequences as before. The challenge maps with the varied rules sound like they might appeal, though. Are they just for Batman or can you use the rest of the gang too?

Metal Gear Solid 5 revealed? Whatever the current plan is for the fifth game, I hope it's a prequel. To pick up after the events of MGS4 would be doing the previous game a massive disservice, it was such an ideal way to bring the series to a close. I think what I'd really like to see would be the old Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2, but remade with the MGS4 engine. After all, how many people would have played the original NES games?

QF1. Emma Stone QF2. Scarlett Johansson QF3. Rachel McAdams QF4. Charlize Theron 9-16. Keira Knightley 9-16. Amber Heard 9-16. Mary Elizabeth Winstead 9-16. Eva Mendes

So according to some kind of number crunching thingy that apparently determines the highest performing players by measuring successful tackles, completed passes, shots on target and whatnot, this is the team of the tournament so far. I can only assume that Stephen Ward and Sean St. Ledger missed out by a hair's breadth.

Any more gaps like yesterday's and I may have to contemplate going outside.

Strength to strength.

Thanks to all!

That may be her best shoot ever. Thanks SL.

EF1. Amber Heard EF2. Eva Mendes EF3. Mila Kunis EF4. Mary Elizabeth Winstead EF5. Keira Knightley EF6. Scarlett Johansson EF7. Natalie Portman EF8. Olivia Wilde

Jackie Brown Christina Pagniacci Clarice Starling Mia Honey Ryder

Emmy Rossum [2] Emily Deschanel [2]

Thread cleaned. Reposted images (and nudity) removed.

A bizarre game which Ukraine could perhaps have won, but once again it's mission accomplished for England. I didn't make a fuss about the Lampard 'goal' against Germany in 2010 and suffice to say I don't plan on making a fuss now, I only hope we haven't used up all our luck in one go. P.S. Get in Seb Larsson!

Spain and Italy made it through. A predictable ending, but there were plenty of twists and turns along the way and it was extremely hard not to feel for Croatia. While Navas's winner turned out to be an irrelevance (Croatia needed to score to save themselves and a 0-0 draw would have been no more useful to them than the eventual 1-0 defeat), the finish was so tough on Bilic's boys. Like Denmark and Russia before them, they played too well for too long to deserve elimination. Have I mentioned that I really don't like this new 'head-to-head' system? And so 'Operation: Let's Not Embarrass Ourselves' transitions into 'Phase 2: Avoid Spain'. Roy, by all means bung Rooney on but please, please resist the temptation to replace Milner. Forget the fluffed open goal against France, James is the undisputed hero of England's campaign thus far. Who else could make Glen Johnson look that good?

Half-time in Group C and the various permutations are already turning my brain into utter mush. Despite having an inferior difference, Italy currently stand to go through as group winners by virtue of scoring more goals in games against their nearest rivals Spain and Croatia, while Spain's four against Ireland are worth less because the Irish are bottom. Good lord. I don't envy the person charged with the task of making all these calculations one bit. What was wrong with plain old goal difference?

^Lovely shoot. Thanks SL!

^I never actually got around to paying for the extra challenge maps so yeah, it was my first time playing as Robin. It was good fun, and I really liked the staff, the snap blasts and the bullet shield. The stand-alone nature of the game was a slight drawback for me too though, as was the lack of free roaming. I would have loved the chance to alternate between Robin, Batman and Catwoman in the full cityspace, or even just to have flown around the rooftops a little more. Come to think of it, there were only a few ledges high enough for Robin to glide off. Pricewise, I thought it was relatively reasonable. £6.00 for about three hours of play isn't too bad considering it would usually cost £40+ for a new game that might only last you ten or twelve. Not that I'm really in the habit of paying the full whack for games - I've only ever made the odd exception for real favourites like this one. So, would you recommend those challenge packs then Don?

Rather like this one at the moment. They're Jay-Z's favourite indie band, it says here. And here's the new vid from 2:54, who are probably my favourite (new) indie band.

Don't worry, it's just so you can see your own points. Besides the staff, no-one can see anyone else's warning level.

Anyone sampled 'Harley's Revenge' yet? I've just finished working my way through it and I think it'll probably prove mildly underwhelming for anyone expecting major storyline development or hints about a possible follow-up game. It was an enjoyable extension of 'Arkham City' though and it'll keep the withdrawal symptoms at bay for a while longer.

Yet another reason to like Zlatan Ibrahimovic. After Sweden's elimination, he was asked for his pick to win the tournament, and he replied...

Ronaldo finally delivers.

the big things really came from Greece-Russia.though I'm sad for Polish,it's their land and they lost. I was rooting for Poland too, it always makes for a good atmosphere when the home nation/s are involved. I'm not sure I like this new 'head-to-head' ruling in the group stages. Under the old system, I believe Russia would have gone through. That being said, Advocaat will surely rue his inexplicable loyalty towards the non-scoring Kerzhakov, who looked incapable of hitting a barn door throughout while striking talent like Pavlyuchenko and Pogrebnyak warmed the bench. The manager has been around long enough to know that goals from midfield (like the ones they got against Czech Republic) simply don't keep going in, and he must take the majority of blame for Russia's exit. I suppose it could be argued as well that Greece were due a break, having had absolutely zero luck with officials over the three games. The decision to book Karagounis for diving in the box bordered on laughable, as did the sending off of Papastathopoulous (bless you CTRL + V) in the opener.