Hello Hello and what a group we welcome to the stage today. The group favourites would be France, managed by blog veteran Ross (Riddley82). We’ll come back to those in a second. Blog Squad member Nath has Romania, who can be brilliant on their day but does their day come often enough? We’ll find out. Making his CM Cup debut it’s Tom Robinson, he’s got Denmark with their vast pool of randomly good players. Rounding us off we have Michael Marden, once again representing Quickly Kevin. He’s got South Africa, which isn’t the great draw but you never know.

In an amazing turn of events, France have been disqualified and all opponents receive a 3-0 victory. A squad wasn’t submitted and there was a tournament to be played, so with apologies, we have a three team group on our hands. (In all seriousness, our best wishes to Ross who was poorly when we played out this group)

We start with the underdogs against the ultimate underdogs of 1992.

South Africa vs Denmark

Michael has lined South Africa up in this 4-2-3-1 number. It’s not that bad of a lineup really.

Tom’s got an embarrassment of riches really but has settled on this 4-4-2 diamond with the central midfielders bombing on.

What a game this turns out to be. Denmark are shell shocked as South Africa go 3-0 up inside 20 minutes. In a group where one win will almost guarantee qualification, this should be good news for Michael. However Denmark claw one back on 23 minutes and a rousing half time speech sees two quick goals and three all. Jensen’s red card is matterless…

Quite an even game, in the end. Strange how it works out sometimes!

Len Goodman in charge of the ratings.

Denmark will round their group off next against Romania…playing their first game.

Denmark vs Romania

A small yet subtle change in midfield and a long named centre half replaces Jensen.

Welcome to the stage, Nath. The old lop sided fullbacks is it? Romania have lots of gems to be fair.

A dull first half is then lit up by the brothers Laudrup. Brian is scythed down for a penalty and although he can’t play on, his brother avenges him by converting the penalty. He adds a second which is immediately cancelled out by the train across the floor (think about it). That’s 2-1 but in truth, Denmark dominated large swathes of the game and deserve the points.

Wayward finishing…

The obvious choice for man of the match.

I guess we can look at the table with one match to play – Romania need to win to advance, South Africa just need a draw.

South Africa vs Romania

Same again for South Africa.

Nath has swapped his lopsidedness.

Lucas Radebe, you’ve let your country down. Just 7 minutes are on the clock when he gets his marching orders for a late lunge on Hagi. Moldovan gives Romania the lead and you’d think that would be that but substitute Benni McCarthy has other ideas. He equalises on 76 only for Florin to restore Romania’s advantage. McCarthy strikes again and South Africa have 8 minutes to hold on…but they can’t Do do do it…Raducioiu wins it in the 86th minute. The 10 men fought bravely but they’re out.

It was backs to the wall for most of the game but they held on well.

Nath owes a debt of gratitude to Florin, or maybe Prunea does. Romania will have to improve in the last 16 where of course they join Denmark.

The final table:

At the top of the last 16 draw we now have this confirmed quarter.

Down the opposite end of the draw we also have this pair of ties.

Tomorrow we’ll be seeing Group E which contains both Spain & Germany. Good grief.