It's tough at the top for the frogs, although at least they aren't North Korean

This week is a big week for both France and England in the World Cup.

It's funny to be an almost impartial bystander in France - they are putting in an awful performance at the minute after having "stolen" their place in the competition in a game against Ireland. The French have even sent home Nicolas Anelka and the captain, Patrice Evra, says that he's not the bad guy despite publicly insulting the manager. They play the host nation, South Africa tomorrow at 3PM. It's a shame I need to get a plane to Zurich at 4PM but I'll definitely be interested in the outcome when I land. It just goes to show that you need to be careful for what you wish for, because your wish must just come true.

England plays on Wednesday and with a bit of luck they'll perform better than the games against the US and Algeria. I’ll be trying to arrange my client meetings such that I can catch a glimpse of it somewhere in Switzerland.

I’ll spend the rest of the week in Switzerland where three of my key clients are based, coming back to Pau on Friday night. It’s nice to have worked all over Continental Europe over the last 10 years because I’ve got a few friends in most places – I’ll be seeing my old pal Shane this week. It’s his last week in Zurich before he relocates to Singapore so it will be nice to see him before he goes.

Anyway, back to Spain versus Honduras…although spare a thought for the North Koreans who were hammered 7-0 by Portugal this afternoon. I dread to think what Kim Jong Il has in store for them on their return…..