the stage is set and is time to kick off the 2010 World Cup.

1st match up will be between the hosts South Africa against Mexico at 12 midnight AEST.

2nd match will be between Uruguay and France at 4am AEST.

quick tips for the games

I expect a 2-1 scoreline for the first match. Will either go South Africa's or Mexico's way. For a safe bet, try > 2.5 goals.

second match I will predict an upset win for Uruguay who will just edge out France by 1 goal.

couple of stats for the the tournament if you havent already know

1) All host countries so far manage to get through to the second round. (bear that in mind when you are trying to write South Africa off Group A.

2) No European teams have ever won a World Cup staged outside Europe. (Spain is the favourite this time though, but odds are pretty low because this is also the first time that the tournament is being held in Africa.

anyway, time to enjoy and for the next month, there will be one word that unites the world

GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!