From our reporters Nick Cavell and Piers Edwards in Germany

Piers writes

Bad news for Ghana, but not such bad news, their performance was not a disaster by any means.

The team worked hard against Brazil but they were let down by their finishing.

I had a place in the press area of the Dortmund stadium to watch the match, just two places away from Leonardo and Marcel Desailly.

They are both doing analysis for BBC television and seemed very happy to be there, taking the half-time mobbing that they got in very good spirit.

Ghana's supporters - those from Ghana and elsewhere - were also cheerful in defeat, apparently resigned to it.

Post-match press conference

Afterwards I asked midfielder, Derek Boateng about his experience of the 2006 World Cup.

He only had positive things to say about his time in Germany, saying that it was a complete joy and a dream come true to be playing at such prestigious tournament.

Coach, Ratomir Dujkovic was proud of his team if a little glum after being banned from the dug-out at half time.

Dortmund was surprisingly quiet after the match, no big parties or celebrations; perhaps because the hotel rooms in the town are so extravagantly priced and fans are forced to stay outside the centre and simply travel in for the matches.

I finished my despatches for Focus and Network and settled down in a bar downtown to watch the France v Spain match.

It was a little disappointing that Spain offered so little.

Tuesday 27th June

Piers writes

The excitement, good will and optimism around the Ghana camp is fantastically refreshing.

At Ghana's pre-match press conference, their coach Ratomir Dujkovic appeared a very happy man, exuding pride and confidence in his team.

Then a Ghana Football Association spokesperson told journalists how Liberian president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had put a call in to her Ghanaian counterpart, John Kuffuor to offer her support.

She told him that the Liberian parliament would be taking an early break from the day's business so that MPs could watch the Black Stars' clash with Brazil.

When Michael Essien's absence through suspension was brought up, fellow midfielder, Sulley Muntari stepped up to recount how when he was faced with suspension earlier in the tournament, Essien had vowed that the team's performance would be good enough to ensure he played again by qualifying for the next round.

He echoed the vow.

Monday 26th June

Nick writes

My three week stay in Germany has come to an end. It was a lot of fun and a lot of hardwork!

I saw seven live games including all three of Togo's matches; the final one was against France on Friday.

The Togolese again played some nice football and creating chances though France could and should have won by more than 2-0 with David Trezeguet missing several good chances.

The fans were having a ball. At one end of the ground, fans wearing Togo shirts began a dance along the front of the stands, and then the French fans did the same at the other end until eventually, there were fans of both sides joining in the long snaking lines of people at either end.

For me it's the fans that will be the abiding memory of the World Cup. Outside the grounds fans took pictures together with rival fans, they hugged, they sang and they celebrated together. The friendship and goodwill was everywhere.

When I spoke to Danny Jordaan, the CEO of the 2010 World Cup Organising Committee and Zambian legend Kalusha Bwalya, both said that looking after the fans and taking the 2006 atmosphere to South Africa in 2010 will be very important.

Wednesday 21st June

Nick writes

Danny Jordaan, the CEO of the organising committee for the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa was in Cologne to see how Germany is hosting the event.

I grabbed a few minutes with him to find out what he'd learnt and what he thought of the organisation of this year's tournament. You can hear his views in the coming days on the BBC World Service.

Tuesday evening I was in the stadium to see England take on Sweden so I enjoyed a slightly better atmosphere than a I had the previous two matches. (see below)

It was incredible to see Joe Cole's goal at first hand. I could see him thinking about it and when it left his boot I thought "Oh dear! what a waste... ahhh! What a great goal!"

But then I was very disappointed with the English defending for the two Swedish goals. Before the World Cup I thought that was one of England's strongest features.

At the game I sat a few chairs away from Zambian football great, Kalusha Bwalya but ok, I think Piers wins that one with his Maradona sighting.

After the game, plenty of English, German and Swedish fans were ready to party long into the night.

The city was in a total mess - with rubbish and broken glass everywhere - but by morning everything was cleared up.

The locals made some money by collecting discarded bottles which are exchangeable for the deposit paid on purchase here. Not sure that the England fans know about the deposits!

Tuesday 20th June

Piers writes

Tunisia must have thought they had their first World Cup win since 1978 in the bag but it wasn't to be - the half time scoreline of 1-0 didn't hold for long after the restart.

The Spanish fans piped up after the equaliser and an impressive rendition of "Viva Espana" rang noisily around the ground.

Maradona

	"Stand-out moment"

I enjoyed the Tunisians' improved performance but without doubt, the stand-out moment of the evening was when my footballing idol, Diego Maradona, walked right past me.

He took his seat in the grandstand to do some punditry (putting the BBC tv's Marcel Desailly into some perspective!) and was immediately swamped by all the media.

He was relaxed about it even though he was on air; while those in the booths around him were livid because of the numbers of journos trying to snap a pic or get an autograph.

Arsenal FC's manager, Arsene Wenger was barely fifteen yards away from the legendary number 10 but no one bothered him.

Similary memorable, in a different way, was the fact that I spoke to Tunisia coach Roger Lemerre - in English - after the match.

This is something he does not do.

He was fairly philosophical and friendly after the defeat, even confident of victory against Ukraine.

"They may have Shevchenko but we have Zied Jaziri!" he exclaimed and it was difficult to know whether he was joking or not.

Nick writes

Despite their undoubted effort in Dortmund, Togo were once again undone, this time by the Swiss and they can now book their tickets home for after the France game on Friday.

	He's really there - not superimposed on this one

After the game, coach Otto Pfister said that for their final game, he would likely send out some of the so-far unused players - which may be good news for France who need a win to have a chance of advancing.

I've since travelled to Cologne to await that final Togo game but before that; England are in town to play Sweden tonight.

This time, I'm sure I'll find fellow England fans to watch the match with and shout as loudly as I like!

It will be hard to avoid them with around 50,000 England fans in town - just to enjoy the atmosphere, because ticket allocations and prices don't give them a hope of getting into the stadium.

Monday 19th June

Piers writes

I'm in Stuttgart ready for tonight's fixture between Tunisia and the impressive-looking Spanish side that beat Ukraine four-nil last week.

Speaking to Radhi Jaidi earlier in the week, he told me that he didn't recognise the Tunisian team that only managed a draw with Saudi Arabia, a team they were fancied to beat.

He was adamant that it was a freakish poor performance not to be repeated, so we can look forward to a more polished and determined display this evening.

Still, I predict Spain will win it 3-1. The Spanish looked very tasty in their opener.

Nick writes

Wow! What a weekend for African football!

Click to see the weekend in pictures

On Friday I saw Angola pull off a hugely impressive draw with Mexico - a side even the Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves admitted was the stronger of the two.

Angolan fans were ecstatic that for once their country is in the news for reasons other than war and political problems.

Saturday things got even better! Ghana's stylish 2-0 win over the Czech Republic 2-0 was one of this World Cup's shock results

Ghana's party

	Ghanaian fans get the party started

Ghana opened the scoring after just two minutes and then in the second half had numerous chances to extend their lead before Sulley Muntari sealed the win - it really could have been even more against the team ranked number two in the world by Fifa.

Then the party started! Crowds of supporters - and not just Ghanaians - arrived at the team's hotel ready to welcome the team.

All the players wore massive smiles as they got off the bus, they got mobbed by fans and yet they all took time to sign autographs and pose for photos.

The Togo debacle

Sunday, a less attractive aspect of African football was on display with the Togo players on the point of boycotting their game with Switzerland in a row over pay.

I was in Dortmund, the match venue, waiting for the team when I learnt that they had missed their plane and were thinking of staying away.

However, when I managed to speak to one of the players on the phone, he assured me that the team had made it to Dortmund and were going to play.

But even after that, the confusion continued with different players saying different things. Chaotic preparations once again for the Hawks.

Friday 16th June

Piers writes

The Elephants have won the admiration of many pundits and neutrals in the build-up to the tournament and their meeting with Holland has been hotly anticipated.

It was all a little too orange in Stuttgart, with both teams' supporters adorned in day-glo tangerine to cheer on their teams.

People sat ahead of me showed their support dressed as a turkey and a chicken, I felt slightly underdressed.

On the field, the Ivorians defending really let them down and ultimately resulted in the 2-0 defeat that sends them home.

But, in the press room afterwards Kolo Toure was supremely gracious in defeat and found time to talk to everyone who wanted a word.

Top bloke.

Nick writes

Back in the Hanover media centre, I watched the painful struggle that was England trying to beat Trinidad and Tobago.

	Hanover Media Centre. Note the diving boards...

Despair had set in by the time the first goal went in and I think I committed a professional faux-pas by cheering and leaping around in relief.

We're meant to be impartial at all times, whatsmore, I suddenly became aware that the floor was only a temporary one built over a swimming pool. Gulp!

Thursday 15th June

Nick writes

Was feeling slightly testy this morning when I was stranded in the hotel lobby with my bag full of dirty laundry after the receptionist told me I was too late to get it washed - by one minute. One minute!

I wouldn't say that I was angry but I was... slightly on edge. I downed my breakfast with my bag of smalls at my side, smarting from the injustice.

Thankfully things are now back on track and my socks et al are being sloshed merrily round a reliable German washing machine.

My forlorn-journalist-look must have prompted a change of heart because the receptionist came to find me and relieve me of my laundry... either that or I smell.

The Hawks

But back to the football; it's been an exciting, if frustrating week for African football.

In Frankfurt on Tuesday I was covering the Togo match against South Korea for the African service.

The stadium was really jumping with the enthusiam of the support. The South Korean contingent was very loud but all the neutrals seemed to be backing the Hawks.

In fact, I met Togo supporters from Essex (UK), Scotland, Algeria and of course, Germany.

It was the same stadium where England had played their first group game and the television coverage had been hampered by difficulty in focusing because of the shadows cast across the pitch by the lines that suspended the giant screen high in the centre.

This was remedied for the Togo match coverage by closing the roof of the stadium which intensified the noise and atmosphere inside - it was brilliant.

Result was less so, but having said that, the Togo team played with real passion.

Hanover

Wednesday took me to a town called Celle which is where the Angolan team are based.

The town has put on a welcome for the team; many shops had Angolan flags in the windows and there were several large billboards welcoming the Palancas Negras.

There are also a few fundraising events happening there to generate cash to help fight cholera in Angola.

I saw the squad train, they looked very relaxed and I managed to get an interview with the only English-speaker player amongst them, Marco Abreu. You'll be able to hear that on Fast Track.

I spent the evening sat in a Hanover bar with a chilled 'stein' of German beer watching their national team struggle for over 90 minutes to find the winning goal against Poland.

When it came, the place went mental.

Monday 12th June

Piers writes

Accra-born ex-French international player, Marcel Desailly was in Hanover with a grin as wide as the pitch when the Ghanaian team lined up for their national anthem ahead of their debut World Cup match against Italy.

The team struggled against the Azzurri and ultimately lost 2-0, but the atmosphere was passionate and infectious.

In the post-match media bustle I approached Monsieur Desailly for some comment.

"Marcel" I called, "BBC Radio" and I pushed my microphone in his direction.

"BBC TV" he replied, and winked as he moved off through the crowd.

Oh the one-upmanship of the tv pundit, eh?

Nick writes

Well the football is well underway and Cologne has been swamped with fans from all over the world - I have seen shirts from England, Sweden, Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, Ecuador and of course Germany, I have even seen a Kenyan flag doing the rounds too!

But on Sunday Cologne was awash with the colours of Angola and Portugal, some Angolans brought flavour from home with dancing and traditional instruments being played outside the main train station to an appreciative crowd.

The atmosphere that the sets of fans created was exuberant and fabulously friendly; I saw some fans wearing Angola hats together with Portugal shirts, couples wandering around with one wearing Palancas Negras colours and the other Portuguese.

The match

The game itself was top entertainment too - although I did worry when the Portuguese dominated the opening five minutes, missing a great chance after just 15 seconds and then scoring one goal four minutes later.

But Angola fought back and played some good football and although they lost 1-0 they should be pleased with their battling performance.

When not following the Angolans fortunes, I have managed to spend some time wandering round Cologne, I was the solitary Englishman watching England's game against Paraguay in an empty pub - not sure what the other three customers made of my intermittent shout: "Go on Crouchy!"

Sunday 11th June

Piers writes

Ivory Coast v Argentina. What a blinder! I had a seat in the Ivorian fans area so I was drowning in a sea of orange accompanied by the throbbing beat of the supporters drums.

It was very exciting - and the football was too. Unlike their performance in the Africa Nations Cup when the Ivory Coast played a more defensive game, this time they were all about attack.

It made the loss all the more devastating for the fans that I spoke to, but they were all justifiably proud of their team.

After the match I managed to get a few words with some of the players. I spoke to Bonaventure Kalou and Arouna Dindane - both obviously downcast after the disappointment but looking forward to the next match in the group.

Wangen

Eight and a half hours by train from Hamburg is Wangen, the town that the Togo team have made their base for the duration of their challenge.

The way things are looking now though it doesn't seem as though they will last long at all.

Everything is in disarray. I went to a press conference to find out more about the coach's walkout - but the Togolese football federation seemed to have taken the art of obfuscation and chaos to a new level.

Without even a hand in the air I had a microphone thrust under my nose... I spluttered out a question about the bonus rows that are still rumbling on but a straight answer was not forthcoming.

The federation seems determined not to make any friends here, journalists stormed out of the press conference in frustration, the whole thing was a farce.

But fortunately, morale is high among the players and even with the worst ever World Cup build up known to man, they are readying themselves for their match against South Korea in Frankfurt.

and that's where I'm off to next.

Thursday 8th June

Nick writes

After four days here, I've seen my first football match. Hurray for football!

In their final preparatory game, Tunisia took on a local amateur side in their base town of Schweinfurt. Tunisia won four nil.

BBC Sport: Tunisia win final warm up match

The World Cup atmosphere is definitely here; more than 3000 people turned up to see the game, many of them were travelling Tunisian fans.

My press pass got me in amongst the Tunisian players afterwards and I got a couple of player interviews in the bag.

Interviews

I spoke to defenders Radhi Jaidi, who plays his club football at Bolton Wanderers and to Hatem Trabelsi who is based in the Netherlands with Ajax Amsterdam.

You'll be able to hear those interviews on the BBC World Service in the coming days.

In the meantime, I'm on my way to Cologne, where Angola play their first World Cup match ever against Portugal on Sunday evening.

Now I'm really excited.

Wednesday 7th June

Nick writes

It's a touch ironic that a muslim country's world cup base in Germany is a town called "pig town" - Schweinfurt.

But the Tunisians and the town's mascots seem happy enough sharing the same space in the town square.

Click here to see my photos of Schweinfurt

Tuesday 6th June

Nick writes

Downtown Hamburg definitely has the fever - with flags, banners and bunting slung from buildings and a feeling of grinning, anticipatory excitement amongst everyone I came across.

My hopes of seeing a couple of the last pre-tournament warm up games were fading though.

The scheduled match between Tunisia and Iraq had already been cancelled; my other possibility was Angola's match against USA.

But no. It was played behind closed doors at the request of USA. Gee thanks.

Ivorian 'Fan Fest'

Excitement is being cranked up among Ivorians in the city. I met the organisers of their 'Fan fest' representation.

They explained how Ivorian food, music and cultural information was going to be available on the stand they will be hosting in the 'Fan Fest' park at the centre of the city.

At the site each match will appear live on the big screen for up to 50,000 people and to get a break from the action, revellers will be offered a wide variety of music, comedy and street entertainment.

But right now I'm heading by train to Schweinfurt where the Tunisian team is based. Will have news from the team camp next time.

Piers Edwards writes:

Berlin is planet football.

Alexanderplatz is the beating heart of the all things football here, with a giant screen that will beam live action from all the matches to ticketless fans in the square.

It's also home to the second highest TV tower in Europe which looks to me a bit like an oversized cherry-garnished cocktail stick.

The giant football at Brandenburg is a purpose-built football temple.

Worshippers can climb the steps that lead into the football to see a replica of the famous World cup trophy, a display of football boots signed by contemporary football heroes and loads of football memorabilia.

I saw both Zinedane Zidane's and David Beckham's boots.

Click here for my Fast Track report.