The wait is almost over. In nine days, the World Cup will get underway in Brazil.
While the most memorable moments tend to occur during the knockout stages of the tournamnet, there are often matches of high quality in what is a hectic group phase.
With that in mind, Sports Mole has picked out the five group encounters that we are most looking forward to watching.
1. Brazil vs. Croatia, June 12
The opening match of any World Cup will always command attention, but this one will be extra special because it's the tournament's most successful ever nation kicking proceedings off in front of their own supporters. Despite some scenes of social unrest in recent months, the atmosphere in Sao Paolo is bound to be at fever pitch.
Croatia may not be a household international name, but they could well prove to be awkward opposition. The likes of Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic and Ivan Rakitic are all regarded to be among Europe's finest talents.
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2. Spain vs. Netherlands, June 13
These two ended the last World Cup in South Africa and will meet early on this time around. On that previous occasion, Oranje were very un-Dutch-like, abandoning the 'Total Football' philosophy that had served them so well down the years for a more physical approach. In the end, Spain's beauty won out thanks to Andres Iniesta's winner in extra time.
Fast-forward four years and there are now question marks as to whether Vicente del Bosque's great Spanish empire is slowly eroding. The game against Holland, who are coached by future Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, will provide the champions with the perfect opportunity to silence the doubters.
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3. England vs. Italy, June 14
England may have taken Italy all the way to a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 following a goalless draw, but the gulf in tactics and class was there for all to see. The toothless Three Lions, unsurprisingly, lost the spot kicks, while the Azzurri ended up as beaten finalists.
Roy Hodgson was new to the job then, but he has had two years to prepare for this moment. It will be interesting to see how far his team have progressed against what is heavyweight opposition. What's more, the presence of Uruguay in the same group has meant that this is an opening contest that neither side can afford to lose.
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4. Germany vs. Portugal, June 16
The first match of Group G has pitted one of the world's best teams against arguably the game's current best player. No European nation has ever prospered at a World Cup in South America but there are those that believe if the continent is to break its duck this time around, it will be the Germans that achieve it.
In the opposite corner is Cristiano Ronaldo, who will spearhead the Portuguese attack. In the year that the great Eusebio passed away, the greatest tribute that his compatriot Ronaldo could pay to him is to dominate the tournament, just as the late centre-forward did in England back in 1966. If the Real Madrid star can topple the Germans, it will be a more than decent start.
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5. Colombia vs. Ivory Coast, June 19
Having previously been dealt tough groups in their only other two World Cup outings, Ivory Coast should fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stages this time around. The Colombians will harbour similar ambitions, having reached the last 16 just once.
Both will have already played one group fixture (Colombia vs. Greece and Ivory Coast vs. Japan) before this encounter and are expected to have claimed maximum points. Consequently, a win for either here will go a long way to securing top spot. With the likes of James Rodriguez, Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure all likely to feature, there is pace and power aplenty in both squads.
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Liam Apicella
