World Cup of happiness: group stage: There are some big shocks in the group stage. The biggest casualties come in Group B - the group of happiness - with both Spain and Chile knocked out, behind Australia and the Netherlands. Chile come bottom even though they would have topped Groups A and F. Portugal also fall by the wayside, unable to compete with Germany and USA. England (or the UK) top their group, but Italy come bottom behind Uruguay and Costa Rica. Bosnia are the shock qualifiers, despite coming 26th out of the 32 nations. The prosperity index proves a disaster for the African nations, who all finish bottom of their groups. Source: The Week UK
World Cup of happiness: knockout stage: Switzerland face Bosnia in a huge mismatch in the second round, while Belgium fall to Germany in a much tighter contest. Japan and USA both make the last eight along but fall to the Netherlands and Switzerland. Australia prevent an all-European final four by beating England in the last eight, while Germany also scrape into the semi-finals, but lose to the Aussies. The final is won by a delighted Swiss. Source: The Week UK
