Hello! What an intriguing group we have for you today. Any group containing Brazil will always cause a stir but throw in some underdogs, a CM favourite nation and four experienced managers and it’s a total melting pot. Let’s meet the gaffers.

It’s a match made in heaven as tactics guru Nikolai has landed Brazil. He is many people’s favourite to take home the coveted trophy. Meanwhile, former champion and Blog Squadder Ross Bell has the exciting prospect of Norway and all their unearthed gems. Dan Williams returns for another crack, Switzerland have some exciting players and they are very much in the scrap for second. Meanwhile, V2 guru CharleMagne has the unenviable draw of Cameroon, but if anybody can get blood out of that particular stone, it’s Charle.

Let’s get to it…

Norway vs Cameroon

Ross went all out with his squad, picking the 1998 World Cup squad plus Tommy and Bjorn. Research is overrated. 2-3-1-2-2, Ostenstad up front, all the Flo’s on the bench.

Charle is parking the bus, not surprising really with this set to work with. I will say this only once – he will hope Misse Misse is more like Scorey Scorey. Right, that’s out the way, let’s football.

As expected Norway take charge early on as Ostenstad takes just 7 minutes to break the deadlock. The rather balder figure of Stale Solbakken makes it 2 before Dan Eggen handballs in the box. Not only is it a penalty but it’s a red card and an interesting 25 minutes ahead. Tataw misses the penalty which somewhat kills the drama. Joseph-Desire Job does at least make it a twitchy 9 minutes but Ross’ men hold on.

Cameroon came on strong against 10 but the damage was done earlier.

Ronny the obvious choice for man of the match.

Let’s see what Brazil will bring to the party…

Switzerland vs Brazil

Firstly though, Dan has decided to go balls out the bath with this formation…

Nikolai of course likes a tactical tinker and has settled on this. Well, why not?

This is why not. The Swiss are magnificent, whereas Brazil just can’t get going. Knup opens the scoring, Nikolai tinkers but it’s all for nothing. Chapuisat settles it. An upset!

But not underserved. Switzerland limited Brazil to jsut 5 shots

Wicky wow gets the champers.

Can Brazil effectively keep themselves in the tournament by getting a result against Norway?

Brazil vs Norway

Edmundo replaces the injured Denilson.

As you were for Ross – no suspensions in the CM Cup.

Uh-oh. Leonhardsen strikes to give Norway an early lead. It’s not vintage at all from either team but eventually, Brazil equalise with 11 minutes to go thanks to Ronaldo before Juninho wins it. Relief for Nikolai!

Just about deserved, they kept going.

Another centre back getting man of the match.

This group is intriguing.

Cameroon vs Switzerland

Charle sticks with the same setup.

As does Dan.

It’s a tight game, not an awful lot in it in the first half but Turkyilmaz opens the scoring just after the break. Cameroon are on the verge of elimination before Misse Misse Scorey Scores (sorry) and keeps everybody guessing.

Really not much in the game, a draw is fair.

There must be some sort of clerical error here as a centre half doesn’t get man of the match.

The table after 2 games shows us that everybody still has a chance of progressing.

Cameroon vs Brazil

Cameroon have to win but against Brazil, it would be foolish to go gung ho. Patience is key.

Similar from Nikolai just a less adventurous midfield.

Goodness me, what am I witnessing here? Songo’o makes a few saves but Misse Misse netty nets (change up, doesn’t count as the same joke) and Mouyeme scores just two minutes later to make it 2-0 at the break. Brazil have 45 minutes to save themselves. Rai gets one back but the backs to the wall dominance never really transpires and the unthinkable has happened. Brazil are out!

Again, you wouldn’t say it was undeserved.

Normal service resumed in the man of the match hut.

Well, both these teams have a chance of progressing. A score draw would see both advance.

Norway vs Switzerland

Havard Flo is in for Soslkjaer.

More of the same from Dan.

Well, what a disaster for Switzerland. A narrow loss might even have been enough but a 3-0 defeat is great news for Norway and Cameroon. A great decision to bring in Havard Flo.

Great shooting from the Swiss here.

Bjorn got an early injury which Ross chose not to risk. Riseth came on and scored. Sometimes everything you touch works out.

Let’s see the final table. Yep, Brazil are not only out but bottom of the table.

Well, would you believe that? What a tournament. Tomorrow we’ll see the final group in action and it includes two former champions. Rob + Portugal sounds dangerous, I won’t lie.

See you tomorrow!