TODAY’S games see another former World Cup winning nation, Germany, swing into action.

The Germans have won the World Cup three times – 1954, 1974 and 1990 – but are long overdue some success.

Their first game in Group G at 5pm today isn’t an easy one, against European rivals Portugal.

Bournemouth-based Susann Idres will be supporting the German side.

She said: “I am not really very optimistic about the Portugal game. We have a number of injuries to key players and we will be playing with only one striker. I think it will be a draw, 1-1.

“If we can get out of the group then I think we can then go on and qualify for the quarter-finals, but then we would probably play Brazil – and then that would be the end of it all.”

Meanwhile, Alex De Freitas, who runs the Good Food by Alex restaurant in Bournemouth, is rooting for her native Portugal.

She said: “We have one of the best players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo and he’s in top form.

“They’ve been unlucky in previous championships, but I think we can make it this year.

“They are buzzing back in Portugal, everybody is talking about it, they have the whole country behind them.”

Alex has been keeping in touch with her family back in Portugal ahead of the team’s first match against Germany.

“We all know that Germany is a very strong competitor, but I think that Portugal has got the confidence at the moment.

“I would settle for a draw with Germany, that will build confidence.”

The day’s actions switches back to Group F for the 8pm team, with Iran taking on Nigeria, before the second Group G match at 11pm, as Ghana take on the USA.

See all the stories, fixtures and results and group tables in our World Cup section

Bournemouth-based Enoch Kwoffie, from Ghana, will be cheering on his team.

He said: “I believe Ghana will once again spring a surprise at the World Cup regardless of being in ‘the toughest’ group.

“We have had USA in our last two World Cup outings and managed to squeeze past them on every occasion the only surprise is Portugal.

“We played quite well against Germany last World Cup because everyone expected them to run a riot over us but they struggled.

“I truly believe if Ghana can get out of out group stages we will be the first African country to reach semi finals.

“There is a lot riding on the shoulders of Ghana's veteran striker Asamoah Gyan and I know he will try and make up for the penalty miss that made us eventually miss out on the semi finals.

“He owes the nation.”

Vianna Renaud, who works at Bournemouth University, will be supporting her homeland, the USA.

She said: “It will be interesting to see what this first match will yield, particularly with the recent cut of LA Galaxy striker Landon Donovan off the team.

“Maybe we’ll be able to understand more of what manager Jurgen Klinsmann was thinking.

“In any case, Group G is going to be a tough one with Germany, Portugal and Ghana. Let’s see how long the US can last!”