Graeme Bandeira: The characters who are giving us plenty to smile about

Tournaments have an uncanny ability of conjuring up wonderful displays of skill, passion and vibrancy, but they also offer a great opportunity to appreciate wonderful new characters.

Let’s take a look at some of the managers we have met so far in the tournament.

I write this after the unfortunate exit of Slaven Bilic and his enterprising Croatia side – a sharp-suited, beanie-hat wearing beast of a man, who can ignite any touchline with his animations.

Resembling a rugged pirate, littered with earrings and tattoos, he prowls his territory like a ravenous beast stalking its prey. He is the king of his domain who commands respect and acts with dignity and honour. Not the sort of guy you would argue with though if he spilt your pint.

In complete contrast, we have Vicente Del Bosque, the mysterious, mustachioed manager of current European and world champions Spain.

The Inspector Clouseau lookalike finds it very hard to crack a smile these days, which is a little concerning considering the team he has at his disposal.

He often looks perplexed – a look that resembles someone who has left home and thinks they may have left the gas on.

Maybe it’s a facade and he wants to keep his tiki-taka tactics all to himself.

Strangely though, I don’t think he would look out of place behind the reception desk at Fawlty Towers, bellowing to his assistant, Manuel.

I am paying particular interest to Italy during this tournament. I have them in the work sweepstake, they play England on Sunday and they have a new kid on the block with Cesare Prandelli taking charge.

He fits the bill superbly to play the role of mafia boss – with his crisp suits and brylcreemed hair – he is not a man to mess with, just ask Mario Balotelli, the hot-headed capo who has been rightly put in his place.

Any more nonsense from the Manchester City trouble-maker and he is likely to find a horse’s head in his bed.

And finally, how can I forget Roy, the wise old owl of the England ranks – thrown into the lion’s den with arguably the weakest squad in living memory. His side have topped the group and he has evaded the embarassment of being turned into a turnip.

In a similar way in which Sir Bobby Robson galvanised his troops during Italia 90, the mild-mannered, Mr Nice Guy has come up trumps with his wise words of wisdom so far. The players, seemingly so lost under Fabio Capello, now look at ease with Roy’s international intellect.

Hodgson wouldn’t look out of place in Farthing Wood, casting a roving eye on all below him... let’s hope he is perched on top of the tree at the tournament’s climax.