We've got the team that's always loaded with talent but always finds la puerta early, the team that was missing their star for the opener, the team that staggered to just two points in their only previous World Cup, and the team that had never been there before. Mmm-hmm. That's Group B for Bin, as in the rubbish bin.

SLOVENIA
Slovenia's first two matches were kind of disappointing, but their third - after they'd been eliminated - was a fun one. Coach Srecko KATANEC, dismissed from the bench during the 1-0 loss to South Africa for continually haranguing the fourth official, had finally figured out how to make his team attack.

Their first shot on goal came early on, shortly after Paraguay were reduced to ten men. Carlos PAREDES, booked four minutes in, was shown his second yellow in the 21st minute and was sent off. Paraguayan keeper José Luis CHILAVERT made some good saves in the first half but gave up Slovenia's only goal, on a sharply angled shot attempt by Milenko ACIMOVIC that skipped between Chilavert's legs. Paraguay's heroic three goal comeback in the second half was a disappointment for Slovenia, who deserved better after the fiasco in which star player Zlatko ZAHOVIC was booted from the squad after a bitter row with Katanec.

SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa tend to perform inconsistently, qualifying with ease from CAF group E but leaving the 2002 African Cup of Nations at the quarterfinal stage. But Bafana Bafana played some of their best football ever at this tournament, particularly in their opener against Paraguay. With 35 minutes left South Africa were down 2-0, but Paraguay's Estanislao STRUWAY was in the wrong place at the wrong time, deflecting a Teboho MOKOENA shot attempt into his own goal. Quinton FORTUNE's penalty in stoppage time was his first goal for his national side, and it was worth an important point. Valiant fighting against Spain was good but ultimately not enough; they neutralised both of the first two Spanish goals, but RAÚL's 56th minute goal went unanswered, and South Africa were sent home.

PARAGUAY
For Paraguay, familiarity bred contempt. They denied Spain a second round place at France 1998 and were ready to do so again. Chilavert, who would miss the first match against South Africa through suspension, had promised to score a goal against Spain. Alas, things didn't work that way - Paraguay's lone goal in a 3-1 loss was an own goal, when Spanish goalkeeper Iker CASILLAS parried Francisco ARCE's shot attempt right at teammate Carlos PUYOL, who helplessly watched the ball carom off himself and into Casillas's net. Paraguay's win against Slovenia was sufficient to send them into the next round to meet Germany. Oliver NEUVILLE's 88th minute goal did in the South Americans and prevented the till-then goalless bore of a match from going beyond 90 minutes.

SPAIN
Spain still have not made it beyond the quarterfinals since 1950. One of only two teams, along with Brazil, to sweep their first round matches, Spain were lucky to escape the Republic of Ireland in their second round shootout, as the Irish spot kicks could charitably be described as lousy. But they were unlucky to lose their quarterfinal shootout to the Korea Republic. Twice la Furia Roja had goals called back, including one just two minutes into overtime on a clearly incorrect out of bounds call. In all fairness, the goal probably would not have been scored but for the referee's whistle that made keeper LEE Woon Jae hesitate. Nonetheless, like Italy, Spain can only blame their defensive tactics for making them dependent on help from the referee.

"Spain and Paraguay are the odds on favourites to move through, but be aware of their other opponents." This was probably our most accurate forecast of the lot. No, we're not expecting a medal for it.