Soccer news, predictions and bets

IFFHS Claim La Liga Is The Best League In The World

2010-07-22T15:33:00.000+02:00

According to IFFHS, the English Premier League is no longer the strongest league in the world. The Spanish Primera Division is the new number one in IFFHS' special ranking system.

Every July it is possible to make the first assessment of the relative strengths of the various leagues. The methodology for determining the current strength of the national leagues takes into consideration that, because of the national and international schedules, the South American and west Asian leagues are better placed in the first half of the year and those from northern and eastern Europe less so.

The rankings indicate that the English Premier League has shown a drop in performance not previously seen in the first decade of the 21st century. At the beginning of the year the English league had a lead of 110 points ahead of the Spaniards. In the month of July though, the Spanish Primera División was ahead of the Englishmen by 94 points.

The trend shows that the Spanish Primera Division is on the way to becoming the strongest league in the world. But the gaps to the next placed national leagues are small.

A similar drop in performance to the Englishmen took place also in the leagues of Ukraine and Romania. Negative trends have also been shown by the national leagues of the Netherlands, Turkey and Greece while the leagues of Portugal and Belgium remained constant.

1. Spain
2. Brazil
3. Argentina
4. Italy
5. England
6. Germany
7. France
8. Peru
9. Chile
10. Paraguay

Ferguson Unsure Whether Nemanja Vidic Will Stay At Manchester United

2010-07-22T15:21:00.001+02:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has dropped a hint that centre-back Nemanja Vidic could possibly leave Old Trafford during the current transfer window.

Speculation about the Serb's future continued for much of last season and has not dissipated over the summer, as reports continue to link Vidic with a possible move to Real Madrid.

There have also been reports claiming that the player was unhappy about not having been awarded a pay rise this summer.

When asked by reporters if he could offer any explanation of the situation after United's pre-season friendly win over Philadelphia Union, Ferguson replied: "I can't clarify it at all."

When subsequently asked if he expected Vidic to be a United player next season he would only add: "I believe so."

Reports have claimed in the past that Vidic's wife was unhappy in Manchester and wanted to move somewhere warmer.

Reports in the Manchester Evening News have claimed that the player's representatives have been ordered not to make any comment on the matter.

Ahead of the World Cup, Vidic's agent had insisted that any move was down to Vidic himself and would only be concluded once the tournament in South Africa was over.

Champions League to try out extra officials experiment

2010-07-22T15:17:00.000+02:00

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) says Champions League games will have two extra assistant referees next year.
The system was tried in last season's Europa League and will be retained there and used in Europe's elite club competition for the next two years.
The refereeing experiment will allow Fifa to take a decision on its long-term viability in 2012.

Goal-line technology will be discussed at the IFAB's next meeting in October.
Other tournaments in Asia and South America will also try out the extra officials system.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has long been a staunch opponent of using technology to help referees make decisions, but the outcry over high-profile mistakes such as Frank Lampard's disallowed goal in England's World Cup loss to Germany seem to have caused a softening of the official stance.
Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke told BBC Sport the Lampard incident, where the ball hit the underside of the bar and clearly bounced down over the line, before bouncing away and no goal being given, had been "a bad day" for tournament organisers.
He also said the 2010 World Cup would be the last "under the current refereeing system," without giving further specific details.

Jose Mourinho Wants To Sign A Central Defender

2010-07-18T21:19:00.000+02:00

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is seeking a world class central defender for the upcoming 2010-11 campaign, according to latest reports.

Spanish sports daily Marca reports that the Portuguese wants to bolster his defence as he looks to launch a raid on the Spanish Primera Liga title and the Champions League. With wingers Angel di Maria and Pedro Leon already signed and midfielder Sami Khedira being chased, los Blancos are now directing their intentions towards signing a centre-back.

It's been reported that the former Chelsea and Inter coach has identified these four centre-backs: David Luiz (Benfica), Thiago Silva (Milan), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Bruno Alves (Porto). Vidic has been linked with a move to the Bernabeu for quite some time while Luiz and Alves have shone in the Portuguese league.

However, this does not mean that Madrid have forgone their initial plan to sign Brazilian international right-back Maicon from Inter. Madrid reportedly still have interest in the player, but they cannot proceed at the moment because Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti is not willing to let his prized asset leave at a low price.

Berbatov shines as Man Utd beat Celtic

2010-07-17T12:09:00.002+02:00

Dimitar Berbatov scored one goal and contributed to two more on Friday as English powerhouse Manchester United launched their North American tour with a 3-1 friendly victory over Celtic.

Substitutes Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley also scored for Manchester United, while Georgios Samaras converted a penalty for Scottish Premier League club Celtic. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson fielded a strong line-up that included Berbatov, Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs - who received an especially warm welcome from Canadian fans.

The match was played at the 50,000-seat Rogers Centre, where a temporary grass pitch was installed where the Toronto Argonauts normally play their Canadian Football League gridiron games on a synthetic surface. Berbatov opened the scoring in the 34th minute, deftly controlling a cross from Mame Biram Diouf with his right foot before using his left to bury it in the net.

Celtic equalized in the 61st after Chris Smalling, making his Manchester United debut after a transfer from Fulham in January, was penalised for pulling Joe Ledley to the ground in the area. Samaras, who came on in the second half, converted to level the score.

United responded, and in the 79th minute Berbatov found some room on the right and crossed for Welbeck, who scored from close range. Bulgaria's Berbatov then combined with Cleverley, whose shot in the 86th deflected off a Celtic defender to get past stranded Celtic keeper Lukasz Zaluska.

United absentees
Manchester United are making their third pre-season trip to North America since Sir Alex Ferguson became manager in 1986. 2010 FIFA World Cup™ players Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Park Ji-Sung and Nemanja Vidic were left at home to recover after playing at South Africa 2010. Ferguson was also without the services of several injured players, including captain Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves.

United's next stop is Philadelphia, they will take on the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday. They play the Kansas City Wizards at Arrowhead Stadium on 25 July, and they face the MLS All-Stars in Houston on 28 July before travelling to Guadalajara, Mexico, to play Chivas. Celtic, who opened their North American tour on Wednesday with a 1-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union, play the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.

"The first game is one you want to get out of the road because fitness comes into it, as does the time you give to your players," said Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "I was pleased as some of the performances were good. We try to get the preparation to a point where they want to want to start playing games. There was a little bit of boredom in the training yesterday.

"They had seven days at Carrington, four days in Chicago; they were desperate for a game. The one thing pre-season brings on is the desire to start playing games. No-one likes pre-season. It does not matter how good it is. Nobody enjoys it because it is rough and tough. It is the hard bit of the game. Thankfully we are on that route of playing."

Celtic manager Aaron Lennon said: "It was really pleasing tonight. I thought the level of performance was excellent. There were a number of positives to take out of the game. There was a lot of good football played out there and the players enjoyed the atmosphere and the experience.

"The second goal came probably after our best spell in the game. I was really pleased with the response of the players, particularly in the second half. Samaras made a difference when he came on."

(source: fifa.com)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to Swedish national soccer team

2010-07-17T12:04:00.001+02:00

Zlatan Ibrahimović has ended uncertainty about his international future by proclaiming he is keen to play for Sweden, telling a press conference: "I've missed wearing the yellow jersey."

FC Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimović announced on Friday that he is keen to represent Sweden again. "I've missed wearing the yellow jersey," said Ibrahimović.

The 28-year-old has not played for his country since Sweden's last FIFA World Cup qualifier, a 4-1 win against Albania in October 2009. Sweden missed out on a place in the finals in South Africa, with Ibrahimović admitting he was struggling to find the motivation to add to his 62 caps. "After that last match when we didn't qualify for the World Cup, I felt like I'd lost my breath," he explained at Friday's press conference in his home town, Malmo. "I had no motivation."

The mystery over Ibrahimović's future had cast a shadow over the national team, but new coach Erik Hamrén is delighted that he will now be able to call on the striker. "A motivated Zlatan is worth his weight in gold for the Swedish national side," said Hamrén, adding: "In my opinion, he's one of the world's best players."

Hamrén also announced that Ibrahimović will be sharing team captain duties with Anders Svensson. "That makes me proud," said Ibrahimović. "It feels fantastic and I'll be there for the younger players." Sweden will face Scotland in a friendly on 11 August before starting their UEFA EURO 2012 Group E campaign at home to Hungary on 3 September.

(source: uefa.com)

Capello reveals England ratings

2010-07-17T11:57:00.001+02:00

Fabio Capello's controversial 'Capello Index' ratings of England's World Cup performances have been published.

The Italian coach caused uproar prior to this summer's showpiece in South Africa when it emerged that he intended to rate the showings of his players after each game, and make his thoughts public knowledge.

He was eventually persuaded by the Football Association to shelve that idea, as it was decided that scores should not be handed out until the tournament was over.

That time has now come and, with England having fared dismally on the world stage, the results have been eagerly anticipated.

The ratings, which are used in a fantasy league game, make for intriguing reading, with Capello's take on events in South Africa raising a few eyebrows.

Unsurprisingly, Robert Green's horror show in England's opener against the United States, in which he let a tame Clint Dempsey shot slip through his grasp, sees him finish bottom of the pile when it comes to the Three Lions.

Joe Cole and Gareth Barry also failed to impress, while Wayne Rooney's average score over the course of the four games he played was topped by the much-maligned Emile Heskey.

Of those at the opposite end of the scale, Jermain Defore takes the spoils as England's most effective performer, while Shaun Wright-Phillips and national skipper Steven Gerrard also deemed to have done well.

It is, however, worth pointing out that Defoe's average score of 62.47 still falls some way short of the 65.77 awarded to Uruguay's talismanic frontman Diego Forlan, the man rated as the best player at the tournament by Capello.

(source: skysports.com)

Manchester City & Manchester United Face Bidding War For €35m Rated Inter Striker Mario Balotelli

2010-07-17T11:51:00.000+02:00

Manchester City face a derby with Manchester United for Inter striker Mario Balotelli, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Yesterday, Inter chief Massimo Moratti admitted to interest from City but claimed he was not aware of a concrete offer despite Inter sources claiming City had made an initial €25m bid.

But they have to upscale their offer and, to complicate matters, United are ready to broaden their appeal to Balotelli as they squeeze themselves into negotiations. Both clubs will have to find at least €35million to convince the Italians.

Ernesto Paolillo, the club's CEO, already warned "Balotelli would cost more than anyone else," leading to strong belief the club will not accept offers below €30m.

United are now said to have offered €35m in direct response to City's first bid as they try to turn Inter heads. Despite the Nerazzurri sending mixed messages, Balotelli seems to be set to depart San Siro.

He is unlikely to join the club on their US tour according to Sky Sport Italia, leading to increased views that he is waiting for Inter to accept further bids from one of the two Premier League giants.

(source: goal.com)

Photos: Wayne and Coleen Rooney vacationing in Vegas

2010-07-17T11:33:00.003+02:00

After two weeks at their £5million holiday home in Barbados, it looks like Coleen and Wayne Rooney have tired of the Caribbean and headed to Las Vegas.

Joined by a huge entourage of friends and their baby son Kai Wayne, the millionaire couple checked into the five-star Wynn Hotel - where they stay every summer.

With nine-month-old Kai presumably sleeping upstairs in their luxury hotel suite, the couple joined their Merseyside entourage by the pool for cocktails and sunbathing in the blistering 43c sunshine on Friday.

Hopefully fair-skinned Wayne was covered in a high factor suncream as he cuddled and kissed his wife on the shallow steps leading into the pool.

Meanwhile, Coleen was showing off her toned figure in a red frilly two-piece after losing 21 pounds through a no-sugar, low-carbohydrate diet and gym workouts with her personal trainer Elise Lindsay.

Previously fluctuating between size 10 to 12 before her pregnancy, 5ft 3in Coleen is now a size 8 after shifting one and half stone since February.

A friend of the WAG said she is avoiding carbohydrates and doing a combination of weights, floor exercises, running, swimming and walking to shift the pounds.

While the WAG was evidently looking tanned after over two weeks in the sun, it appeared she was a little bit sunburnt and was peeling on her shoulders.

As the temperatures rose, the couple, both 24, sought shade in the luxury poolside cabanas, which can be rented for $500 a day.

Unlike other hotel cabanas which are temporary tent-style structures, the Wynn cabanas are solid brick and include a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, mini-bar and snacks and a personal server to tend the renter's every need.

After deciding she'd had enough sun, Coleen threw on a Missoni dress as she carried her bright pink Chanel bag back to the couple's suite to check on their baby son.

Following England's disappointing exit from the World Cup, Manchester United striker Wayne briefly flew back to the UK before jetting out again on a British Airways flight to Barbados's Grantley Adams Airport on June 30.

It was revealed a dejected Wayne had booked the £5,923 each, first class tickets to the island for himself and his family two days before England were knocked out after their 4-1 loss against Germany.

During their two weeks in the Caribbean, the Rooneys were spotted sunbathing, swimming and even rented out a catamaran for a day cruise, where Coleen was spotted enjoying a spot of snorkelling.

While the trip marked Wayne's first visit to the couple's brand new home, Coleen and their son had enjoyed a trip to the island without him in February.

The six bedroom villa includes an infinity pool and stunning sea views from the dining room and bedrooms.

(source: dailymail.co.uk)

Jose Mourinho Lays Down The Law At First Real Madrid Training Session

2010-07-17T11:24:00.001+02:00

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has apparently laid down the law at his first training session with his new team declaring that if anyone arrives late for the team bus, he will leave without them.

"I will wait for nobody. If someone arrives late for the team bus, they will be left behind, even if we have to play with a man less," the Special One is quoted as saying by Marca.

The Portuguese trainer has highlighted five golden rules which his squad must adhere to while he remains in charge. They are as follows:

1. Anyone who arrives late for training will not train with the team and must instead train alone. Training sessions begin at 0930 CET.

2. Punctuality is obviously a key for Mou, as his second rule stipulates that the team bus will always leave on time and those who arrive late will not travel to games.
3. Training sessions will last 90 minutes but will be intense workouts with little emphasis on physical work without the ball.
4. Injured players must arrive at the Valdebebas training base one hour before training to be assessed by medical staff. The doctors will then inform the coach if they are able to train.
5. The use of mobile phones and listening to music is permitted on the team bus but the mobiles must be silent, while listening equipment must not be sufficiently loud to interfere with others.

Mourinho certainly seems intent on enforcing discipline on Madrid's current band of Galacticos ahead of his first season at the helm.

(source: goal.com)

Chelsea Willing To Pay Only £30m Up Front For Fernando Torres Because Of His Injury Problems

2010-07-16T13:09:00.000+02:00

Chelsea are preparing to re-frame their bid to sign Fernando Torres because of the Liverpool player’s persistent injury problems.

It is understood that the Premier League champions value Torres at £50 million but are only willing to pay £30m up front, with a further £20m dependent on appearances.
Senior figures at Chelsea believe that the Spaniard’s chequered injury history would make a straight £50m payment up front too big a risk.

The Double winners are believed to have initiated talks with Liverpool over a transfer before Torres collapsed in pain during the final stages of Spain’s 1-0 World Cup final win over Holland. Tests in Spain confirmed on Wednesday that the World Cup winner suffered a small tear to his left thigh muscle.
He has been told to have three weeks of complete rest and will then undergo a specifically tailored rehabilitation programme aimed at getting him fit for the start of the new season.

Liverpool’s restructured medical staff, which includes five new employees headed by Australian Peter Brukner, head of sports science and medicine, will adopt a cautious strategy after a dreadful year for Torres in terms of injuries.

His run has included two knee operations, a hernia and recurrent hamstring problems, and his lack of match sharpness was patently obvious in South Africa, where he failed to score and eventually lost his starting place after a series of under-par displays.

Chelsea have not been deterred by Torres’ latest injury and sources say they are confident they can strike a deal once the player returns from holiday.

However, there is a growing feeling at Stamford Bridge that the club’s pursuit of the player should take into account the number of niggling injuries he has suffered in the last two of his three seasons at Anfield.

By offering £20m of the £50m in appearance-related add-ons, Chelsea believe they can minimise the risk of what would be the most expensive deal in Premier League history.

Sources say Torres may require a sustained period of rehabilitation, allowing him to build up his strength and fitness on the training pitch to completely recover from the injury problems that have curtailed his appearances over the last 12 months.

Chelsea believe the player would benefit from being used more sparingly when he returns to fitness and will try and persuade him that he would be under less pressure in west London to be rushed back to the first team and carry the goalscoring burden.

Manchester City hope Chelsea’s reluctance to meet Liverpool’s asking price can open the door for them to entice the player to Eastlands. They are continuing to monitor the Spaniard’s availability even though they cannot offer Champions League football.

Roy Hodgson, the new Liverpool manager, is planning to visit Torres in Spain as he attempts to persuade the striker to stay on Merseyside.

Hodgson has admitted that Liverpool's senior players are "disenchanted" by last season's ignominious campaign. Nevertheless, the club continue to insist that Torres is not for sale, even at £70m

Rooney wins £4.3m court battle with former agent

2010-07-16T13:02:00.000+02:00

Wayne Rooney has defeated attempts by his former management firm to sue him for £4.3m in withheld commission. The Manchester United and England striker made no payments after football agent Paul Stretford, a director and founder of Proactive, left the firm in acrimony in October 2008, taking with him their star client. Rooney, 24, who is currently on holiday abroad, was signed by Stretford for Proactive in 2002. Then 17, he went from being an £80-a-week Everton trainee living in his parents' council house in Croxteth, Liverpool, to a household name with sponsorship deals from the likes of Nike and Coca-Cola.

Proactive had argued that, as the contracts for Rooney and his wife Coleen had been brokered by Stretford while he was at the firm, it was still due the 20 per cent commission – amounting to £4.3m. Yesterday Judge Brendan Hegarty QC, ruling at Manchester Mercantile Court, said the original contract Rooney signed with Proactive amounted to a "restraint of trade" as it was up to eight years long, when the Football Association recommended a maximum of two years

Judge Hegarty ruled that Proactive was only entitled to a "restitutional remedy" from the Rooneys, around £90,000. He rejected an application to appeal from the firm's lawyers. Ian Mill QC, for Proactive, told the court they would consider going to the Court of Appeal. Rooney said: "Coleen and I have always been happy to pay all commissions due to the people who were owed them.

"But these sums were a joke and we felt they were just an attempt to exploit us." He said the couple were happy to pay the "very small sum" awarded.

Ronaldinho Will Leave Milan

2010-07-16T12:52:00.000+02:00

Ronaldinho's Milan future is still looking vulnerable, despite Adriano Galliani claiming he was not leaving the club just 24 hours ago.

Il Corriere dello Sport insists the Brazilian playmaker will leave the club regardless of desperate attempts to keep him.

Ronaldinho and his agent brother Roberto De Assis are expected to return to Milan on Saturday in time for Tuesday's ritiro.

However, both men will inform the club of the will to leave. De Assis will unveil a good offer from Brazil with Flamengo ready to invest in the ace - Brazilian voices have already said a verbal agreement over personal terms has been reached.

Furthermore Thiago Silva spoke with 'Dinho and he told him of his desire to leave and experience a new adventure elsewhere, leading to further doubts over his commitment to Milan.

Silvio Berlusconi is likely to have the final say despite Galliani appearing certain when he tried to cover the cracks in haste on Thursday.

"Ronaldinho is not leaving Milan. He will remain here for next season. He has not told us he wants to leave and we have not received any contact," Galliani told the press.

However, a lucrative offer could convince Berlusconi, who has continued to repeat the club are facing financial cuts on the transfer front.

"If I look at the balance sheet I feel like fainting," he said yesterday.

Despite being strongly linked with Flamengo by Italian and Brazilian media, the newswires in the United States suggest Ronaldinho is heading for the LA Galaxy.

Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts believes the Milan ace could be heading straight to Galaxy, but he was reluctant to make it clear whether the suspected move related to 'Ronnie' when asked to name the player.

"I expect, by the way, Major League Soccer to make another announcement [in addition to Thierry Henry's move] in the next couple of days about another very big world superstar coming to our league [MLS]," Cheketts told Kall Am 700 Sports.

"Another one of our teams [in the MLS] is going to make a major investment and that will be a big announcement in the next couple of days"

"I would imagine that this guy is coming to LA and you will recognise who he is.

The RSL chief was probed on whether the player was Brazilian. His reponse was simple: "I think he might."

Europa League Round-Up: Comprehensive Wins For Big Guns

2010-07-16T12:45:00.001+02:00

Suduva 0-2 Rapid Vienna

Austrian side Rapid Vienna took a major step to the third qualifying round with a comfortable win in Marijampole. Captain Steffen Hoffman gave them a 12th minute lead and they double that advantage nine minutes from time thanks to a Christopher Trimmel effort. The two goal advantage puts them in an excellent position with a home leg still to come.

Maritimo 3-2 Sporting Fingal

Portuguese outfit Maritimo had to rely on a late injury time strike from Brazilian midfielder Tcho to beat plucky League of Ireland side Sporting Fingal. The visitors lead for a large period through a goal from veteran striker Glen Crowe on 33 minutes but Ricardo Esteves pulled the hosts level 12 minutes from time. Abdelmalek Cherrad then netted to put Maritimo in front with five minutes remaining but that lead was short lived as Lorcan Fitzgerald equalised for the Irish side two minutes later. Five minutes into injury time Tcho struck a winner but Maritimo's place in the next round is by no means certain with Sporting Fingal taking two away goals back to Dublin.

(More after "Read More Here!")

KS Besa 0-5 Olympiacos

Greek giants Olympiacos all but booked their place in the next round spanking Albanian side Besa. Spaniard Oscar Gonzalez scored twice in the first half before Brazilian duo Dudu and Diogo netted in the second half to put the tie beyond any doubt. Diogo added his second goal six minutes from the end to complete a comprehensive win for the visitors.

Motherwell 1-0 Breidablik Kopavogur

A Ross Forbes goal shortly after the hour mark at Fir Park was enough to ensure that the Steelmen take a slender lead into the second leg against Icelandic side Breidablik. Craig Brown's men were the better side over the 90 minutes but still have work to do to progress to the next round.

Olimpia Balti 0-2 Dinamo Bucharest

Dinamo Bucharest have taken control of their second round qualifying match but will have to contest the second leg without captain Marius Niculae, who was sent off just before the hour mark. The Romanian side had already lead through Cristian Pulhac and they doubled that lead thanks to substitute Liviu Ganea who scored with virtually his first touch seven minutes from the end. The Moldovan's night went from bad to worse when Alexandru Cheltuiala received his marching orders after he picked up a second yellow two minutes from time.

Besiktas 3-0 Vikingur Gota

A brace from Nihat Kahveci and a last minute goal from his replacement Mert Nobre gave Turkish giants Besiktas a straightforward win over Faroe Island minnows Vikingur. The margin of victory could have been far more comprehensive for Bernd Schuster's men who managed 16 attempts on goal but they were frustrated for large spells by the visitors and had to wait until the 65 minute for their second goal after Kahveci had opened the scoring after 19 minutes.

Brondby 3-0 Vaduz

Danish side Brondby left it late against their visitors from Liechtenstein but virtually guaranteed that they will feature in the final qualifying round thanks to a late brace from Ousman Jallow, who scored twice in five minutes to wrap up a comfortable win after Mikael Nilsson gave them a lead six minutes into the second half.

Utrecht 4-0 Tirana

Three goals in the space of 22 first half minutes gave Eredivisie side Utrecht a commanding lead in their tie against Albanian side Tirana. Ricky van Wolfswinkel gave them an eighth minute lead before Entonio Pashaj turned into his own net to double the Dutch side's advantage. On the half hour mark, Nana Asare added a third and a goal from captain Alje Schut 13 minutes from time completed the rout. Tirana's misery was compounded five minutes from time when goalkeeper Ilion Lika was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Atyrau 0-2 Gyori ETO

WIT Georgia 0-6 Banik Ostrava

Tauras 0-3 APOEL

Rabotnicki 1-0 Mika

Valletta 1-1 Ruch

OFK 2-2 Torpedo Zhodino

Austria Vienna 2-2 Siroki Brijeg

Dinamo Minsk 5-1 Sillamae

Elfsborg 2-1 Iskra Stali Ribnita

Honka 1-1 Bangor City

Zestafoni 3-0 Banska Bystrica

Baku 2-1 Buducnost Podgorica

MYPA 3-0 Sant Julia

Nova Gorica 0-3 Randers

Ventspils 0-0 Teteks Tetovo

Anorthosis 0-2 Sibenik

Gefle 1-2 Dinamo Tbilisi

Molde 1-0 Jelgava

Stabaek 2-2 Dnepr Mogilev

Differdange 3-3 Spartak Zlatibor Voda

Kalmar 0-0 Dacia Chisinau

Lausanne-Sports 1-0 Borac Banja Luka

Cercle Brugge 0-1 TPS

Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0 Mogren

Siauliai 0-2 Wisla Krakow

Zrinjski Mostar 4-1 Tre Penne

Levski Sofia 6-0 Dundalk

Videoton 1-1 Maribor

Cliftonville 1-0 Cibalia

Portadown 1-2 FK Karabakh

Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Bnei Yehuda

KR Reykjavik 0-3 Karpaty Lviv

Barcelona President Sandro Rosell Forced To Delete Names From Transfer Shortlist

2010-07-16T12:32:00.000+02:00

The precarious nature of Barcelona’s economic position has forced club president Sandro Rosell to reassign his priorities in the transfer market, with several high profile players already scored from his shortlist due to their expense.

After vice-president Xavier Faus admitted on Thursday that a more austere period is needed at the Camp Nou, there has reportedly been a cull in the list of transfer targets that the Blaugrana are aiming at this summer.

High profile names such as Arjen Robben, Javier Mascherano and Juan Mata have been dropped from Barca’s radar.

Instead, there are now only two targets left for Barcelona this summer. Pep Guardiola’s side may yet be reinforced with the addition of Spain international midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who so infamously was allowed to slip through the youth team’s net to instead sign for Arsenal, and Sevilla full-back Adriano.

Should a move for the latter break down, it is suggested that Gregory van der Weil, who has been heavily linked with Bayern Munich, could make the jump to Catalunya instead.

Barca are presently in the process of paying back a loan worth an incredible €155 million.

Iniesta: I never lost faith

2010-07-14T16:57:00.000+02:00

Spain hero Andres Iniesta claims he never lost faith in achieving FIFA World Cup™ success, despite a frustrating season with injuries and a bad start for Vicente del Bosque's side in South Africa.

Iniesta, who scored the extra-time winner for Spain in the FIFA World Cup Final against Holland on Sunday, struggled for long periods last season with a thigh problem and only reappeared for Barcelona right at the end of the campaign. The midfielder then aggravated the injury in Spain's friendly win over Poland before the start of the FIFA World Cup and was forced off once more as Del Bosque's side went down 1-0 to Switzerland in their opening match in South Africa.

But the 26 year-old returned to play a key part in Spain's first ever FIFA World Cup success and scored the crucial goal four minutes from the end of extra time on Sunday.

"I have always had faith and confidence. I had a lot of confidence in this team from the very first moment." he said in a press conference organised by Nike in Barcelona on Tuesday.

"It has been a difficult season, hard for me in many ways, but there have also been moments of the season when I have felt good. It has simply been a hard season and nothing more. Then there was the World Cup and all of us were so excited and keen to play. I really hoped things would turn out well for me and after the first game, everything changed - the team recovered well and it ended up as we knew it could."

Iniesta admits it is hard to describe the emotion he felt at having such a crucial hand in Spain's "priceless" victory. "It's hard to explain. All I can say is that I feel very happy, and to have scored such an important goal for everybody, to make millions of people happy - that is priceless," he said. "A lot of people follow us and suffer with the national team, so to see them all so happy is priceless."
Up until the weekend, Iniesta's most famous goal had been an injury-time strike against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2009, which gave Barcelona passage to the UEFA Champions League final, where they beat Manchester United. And the midfielder is aware Sunday's goal was much more important.

"Every situation has its feelings. The joy I felt that day against Chelsea was the maximum, the same as the other day, maximum joy. But there are only a few teams lucky enough to win the World Cup and it's the biggest tournament there is," he added.

After scoring his goal against Holland in Johannesburg, Iniesta peeled off his shirt to reveal a tribute to former Espanyol captain Dani Jarque, who passed away tragically from a heart attack last year at the age of 26. "It's always been in my mind to pay tribute to him in some way," Iniesta said.

"He was a footballer and the idea came about before the Final. [Spain team-mate] Fernando Llorente mentioned it to me because some of our team-mates were doing similar things with Antonio Puerta [who passed away from a heart condition in late 2007], or some other person they cared for who isn't around anymore.

"And what a moment to pay tribute to such a great person and great friend like Dani. It was the best tribute in the best moment to make sure he remained with us."

Barcelona coach Guardiola signs contract extension

2010-07-14T16:51:00.000+02:00

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has signed a one-year contract extension with the Spanish champions.
Wednesday's announcement ties Guardiola to the Camp Nou until June 30, 2011.

While Guardiola led Barcelona to the Spanish title last season -- his second in charge -- he had won an unprecedented six major trophies in 2009.
Guardiola replaced Frank Rijkaard before the start of the 2008-9 season.

Red Bulls sign Thierry Henry!

2010-07-14T16:46:00.000+02:00

French striker Thierry Henry has joined the MLS New York Red Bulls in a multi-year deal.

In Wednesday's announcement, the team says that the 32-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona player will make his debut July 22 in an exhibition against Premier League club Tottenham.

"Some people might think I am going to go there for vacation -- I do actually go there for vacation -- but it won't be for vacation this time," Henry said in a video interview on the club website. "I'm a competitor and I don't like to lose. I am not going to say we are going to win every single game or we are going to win everything."

Henry was released by Barcelona last month after scoring just four goals last season -- his third at the Spanish champions.

"This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life," Henry said.

Henry is set to make his Red Bulls debut on July 22 in a friendly against Premier League club Tottenham.

"Thierry is not only a world-class player who will undoubtedly improve our squad, but he has shown most importantly throughout his career that he is a winner," said Erik Soler, general Manager and sporting director of the Red Bulls. "He has made it clear to us that he is committed in the short- and long-term to help in our vision of making our organization the premium franchise in Major League Soccer."

Henry will be introduced at a news conference Thursday at Red Bull Arena.

With France, Henry won the World Cup in 1998 and the 2000 European Championship, but sparked outrage last year when his handball during a playoff match helped to deny Ireland a spot at this year's World Cup.

At the finals in South Africa, France went out at the group stage after the team was beset by a player protest.

Henry guided Arsenal to the Premier League title in both 2002 and 2004 before leaving in 2007 to join Barcelona, where he won six trophies in 2009 -- the Champions League, the Spanish league, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Supercup, the UEFA Supercup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Howard Webb: My two hours of hell - English referee 'drained' by World Cup final ordeal

2010-07-13T15:49:00.002+02:00

English referee Howard Webb has described Sunday's World Cup final as 'the most difficult two hours' of his career.

The Rotherham official admitted he was 'physically and emotionally drained' following the hellish experience of handing out a record 13 yellow cards and one red during Spain's 1-0 extra-time win over a brutal Holland side.

Webb, who is 39 on Wednesday, spent Monday resting at the FIFA officials' base near Pretoria but told a friend: 'Sunday night was the most difficult two hours of my entire career. I am physically and emotionally drained but FIFA have been very supportive - not just about the final but our performances throughout the whole tournament.'

Sportsmail understands that the world governing body believes England's refereeing team coped well in tough circumstances given Holland's thuggish approach, reserving praise for Webb's two assistants - Mike Mullarkey and Darren Cann - following two excellent offside decisions.

The English trio were expected back in London on Tuesday morning and will take a break before the Barclays Premier League season begins next month.

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso tore into Nigel de Jong for 'one of the worst tackles' he has ever received.

Webb issued a yellow card for the Dutchman's kick, which Alonso fears has left him with fractured ribs. 'I am in pain now,' said Alonso.

Manchester City midfielder De Jong said: 'He gave the yellow card, so for me it was a little bit of luck.'

(source: dailymail.co.uk)

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp keen on moves for Luis Fabiano and Joe Cole

2010-07-13T15:30:00.001+02:00

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted his interest in Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano, but acknowledges that he could lose out because of the player's salary expectations.

The 29-year-old Brazil international, who impressed during the World Cup, is on Tottenham's shopping list as Redknapp looks to strengthen his squad.

Tottenham have not made any official contact with the Spanish club but Redknapp confirmed he would be interested in the forward.

"Yes, I like him," confirmed Redknapp in an interview with ESPN Soccernet. "He's a fabulous player and would be a brilliant addition to any team.

"It was put to us that he might be available, but we've not made contact with his club Sevilla and, to be perfectly honest, I haven't sat down to discuss any transfer targets with our chairman Daniel Levy, apart from trying to do a deal with Joe Cole.

"I am not unhappy with the squad I have, but of course if a special player came along I would look at it, and Fabiano is a special player all right.

"For sure, he is a class act, but I don't know what he earns. He might be on mega money, so it might prove to be impossible for us."

Meanwhile, Tottenham's interest in free agent Cole continues and Redknapp hopes that the former Chelsea midfielder will put cash aside and join the footballing revolution at White Hart Lane.

Cole is thought to be considering offers from Manchester City and Arsenal but Spurs remain in the hunt, with Redknapp looking to team up again with the player he signed for West Ham.

"I managed Joe before, and I signed him when he was 11," said Redknapp. "We have always had a good relationship. I know what makes Joe tick and it's his love of the game, and his need to be playing it. That is what I am offering him.

"I have spoken with Joe at length and I would like him and, when we talked, he appreciated my view that Tottenham is now a club going places.

"I would like Joe here with me, but it is now up to the club and up to Joe, his agent and his dad, and our chairman. He is talking to them to try to do a deal.

"If it is beyond us in financial terms I can appreciate that but I am hoping other factors will come into play to make up Joe's mind."

(source: telegraph.co.uk)

Bologna Sign Former Roma Goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli From Cagliari

2010-07-13T15:28:00.001+02:00

Bologna have signed goalkeeper Cristiano Lupatelli from Cagliari, the club announced in a statement on Tuesday.

"Bologna FC 1909 communicates to have signed Cristiano Lupatelli. The goalkeeper played for Cagliari for the past two years and he also served time at Roma, Chievo, Fiorentina, Parma and Palermo."

The 32-year-old arrives on a free transfer and hopes to earn some regular action having played second fiddle to Italian international Federico Marchetti at Cagliari.

Bologna add to their experience as Lupatelli was part of Roma's Scudetto winning side in 2001, playing eight games that season.

Having signed his deal, he will travel to Andalo in Trentino to meet his new team-mates for their pre-season ritiro.

It's Bologna's second signing of the transfer season after they landed striker Riccardo Meggiorini from Genoa on a co-ownership deal.

Spain Celebrate 2010 World Cup Success Long And Hard

2010-07-13T15:20:00.002+02:00

Spain have thrown the fiesta to to end all fiestas as the entire country celebrated La Furia Roja's world conquest in South Africa.

Some have partied for 24 hours straight, from the second the final whistle went, to the moment the open-top bus parade ended at the Puente del Rey in Madrid and the festivities continued on an open stage.

The players themselves have had a whirlwind 24 hours and the bruising, punishing bludgeoning they took from the Dutch throughout 120 minutes in the final seem to be a distant memory. Their celebrations expectedly began in the dressing room and the corridors of the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg where they mingled with royalty and celebrities, including tennis star Rafa Nadal.

But there were no rest for the newly-crowned world champions as they boarded their flight to leave South Africa to head back to Spain early the next morning. And the fiesta continued in mid-air as the players took the concept of in-flight entertainment to a whole new level.

As the players walked up and down the aisles collecting autographs, chanting and dancing while blowing the vuvuzelas, they are presented with a cake from the flight crew:

he band leader Pepe Reina, helped by the trio of David Villa, Sergio Ramos and Xavi is seen here singing and teasing lovebirds Iker Casillas and his girlfriend Sara Carbonero:

Back in Spain, meanwhile, La Roja fans all across the country partied throughout the night on the evening the Spanish Armada defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in the final. Most didn't go to bed until the early hours of the morning, others didn't go to bed at all.

But that didn't stop them from continuing the celebrations the next day as they welcomed their heroes back on Spanish soil.

The freighter carrying the 2010 world champions touched down in Madrid's Barajas Airport at around 1330 CET and the party immediately began for the staff and the crowd who gathered at the airport as they welcomed home captain Iker Casillas and coach Vicente del Bosque, the World Cup trophy and the entire squad with chants of "Campeones! Campeones! Ole ole ole!"

The players, coaching staff and team managers were then quickly whisked away for a quick siesta before meeting King Juan Carlos, who was unable to attend the final in person in Johannesburg.

"Thank you, champions, in the name of all of Spain and for all Spaniards. This is a well deserved victory for an outstanding team which thrilled the hearts of all Spaniards. You've brought together the whole of Spain, made our dreams a reality, and projected the name of Spain around the world," the King addressed the triumphant squad.

While the street parties across Madrid started to pick up steam and crowds began to multiply, La Seleccion then had an engagement with Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero, who singled out hero Andres Iniesta for special praise.

"I want to make a special mention to somebody who dedicated his winning goal to someone who is no longer with us," Zapatero said, referring to Iniesta's goal celebration when he revealed a message he had underneath his jersey: 'Dani Jarque - Always With Us'.

Once the meeting with Zapatero was over, thus began the long, slow journey through Grande Via to the Puente del Rey for the open-top bus parade. The players waved and displayed the World Cup trophy to the masses lined up along the streets.

Coach Del Bosque said during the stage celebrations when he addressed over 200,00 fasn, "This cup, this triumph is for all of you, and the whole Spanish football family.

"Thanks to all the support you've shown us in South Africa. You are also world champions."

Captain and the ever-emotional Iker Casillas added, "I don't know what to say, except that I'm delighted to be here with all of you. We've all achieved the dream that we've had since we were young."

Hero Iniesta did not hesitate when it came time to show his gratitude: "Thanks to the octopus, we are world champions!"

Joking aside, Don Andres added, "I only want to say that you should be proud of this squad. They are the best. I'm very proud to be part of the group."

And if you can't get enough of Pepe Reina and his Eurovision auditions, here's more...

Video: Iker Casillas celebrates victory with kiss for Sara Carbonero live on TV

2010-07-12T22:34:00.003+02:00

An emotional World Cup winning captain Iker Casillas could not hold back tears when television presenter Sara Carboneroin, who also happens to be his girlfriend, asked him in a live interview how he felt after the triumph.

Casillas looked at her with moist eyes even as Sara, who was blamed for the team's loss in the opening game against Switzerland, gave him some time to compose himself in front of the camera in the wee hours Monday.

But Casillas took her by surprise when he grabbed and kissed her, saying: "No. this is what I want to do."

Sara, who works for Spanish channel Tele-5, has been the talking point after European champions Spain stumbled in the first match. Sara was spotted close to the goalkeeper, who was giving her pre-match updates, from right behind the goal.

Her sideline antics had drawn a lot of criticism and Sara was accused of distracting the goalkeeper, who fumbled and conceded a goal against the Swiss.

Since then Sara, who was once voted as the sexiest television anchor, had maintained a low profile and was hardly seen at team's practice sessions. And now Casillas is a hero after bringing off a couple of great saves in the final. He was named the goalkeeper of the World Cup and received the Golden Glove.

Spanish fans found her missing Sunday when the match was on.

"Her absence was a blessing in disguise for the team, otherwise we could have lost the match," a delighted fan Pedro Camanora, who came all the way from Madrid, told IANS.

Juliana Joseph, from Barcelona, concurred. "She can do whatever she likes with Casillas now. But in the first match she was a distraction for the captain."

(source: sify.com)

Dirty Dutch were anti-football, said Johan Cruyff

2010-07-12T21:38:00.000+02:00

Johan Cruyff last night launched a blistering attack on the dirty Dutch after branding them ‘anti football.’

Dutch master Cruyff said Holland’s rough tactics in the World Cup final wrexked the nation’s reputation as being the inventors of Total Football in the glorious era of the 1970s.

Cruyff said: ‘Thursday they asked me from Holland ‘Can we play like Inter? Can we stop Spain in the same way Mourinho eliminated Barca?”’

‘I said no, no way at all. I said no, not because I hate this style - I said no because I thought that my country wouldn’t dare to and would never renounce their style. I said no because, without having great players like those of the past, the team has its own style.

“I was wrong. Of course I’m not hanging all 11 of them by the same rope, but almost. They didn’t want the ball.

“And regrettably, sadly, they played very dirty. So much so that they should have been down to nine immediately, then they made two (such) ugly and hard tackles that even I felt the damage.

“It hurts me that I was wrong in my disagreement that instead Holland chose an ugly path to aim for the title.

“This ugly, vulgar, hard, hermetic, hardly eye-catching, hardly football style, yes it served the Dutch to unsettle Spain. If with this they got satisfaction, fine, but they ended up losing.

“They were playing anti-football.”

Cruyff also criticised ref Howard Webb, who has been heavily attacked for the way he managed the stormy game.

Webb dished out 14 yellow cards - including two to send off Holland defender John Heitinga - but Cruyff believes he could have been even more stict.

Cruyff added: “When we say, often, that we do not like talking about referees, it is true and, above all, because only refereeing like that last night by the English Howard Webb can create in us a state of such indignation that then yes, it is necessary to comment.

“Because you can referee wrong, make a mistake, but what you can not do is create your own sense of justice and, even worse, invent a very personal application of the rules.

“Not only did he not send off two Dutchmen (including Robben, who deserved the second yellow) but he also looked the other way at times when he should have involved himself.

“A World Cup final deserves great refereeing and, above all, deserves a referee who dares to do everything it means to be a judge.”

Chelsea Could Ask FIFA To Extend Adrian Mutu Ban

2010-07-12T21:14:00.000+02:00

The agent of Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu has said that Chelsea could petition FIFA to slap a lengthier ban on the Romanian striker because of the €17 million owes the club.

Mutu has already been suspended for nine months and has been ordered to pay €17 million to the Premier League giants. However, the 31-year-old is unable to garner that much money.

SkySport24 now quotes Victor Becali as saying that Chelsea have asked FIFA to ban Mutu until his debt is paid in full. Becali is reportedly trying to negotiate with Chelsea to bring this saga to a close.

Reports had linked Mutu with a move away from Florence but it now appears that the 31-year-old will remain with the Tuscan outfit if Chelsea do indeed ask FIFA to increase Mutu’s ban.

Late Sami Khedira Header Gives Die Mannschaft Third Place

2010-07-10T23:27:00.000+02:00

Germany have won third place at the World Cup, claiming the bronze medal position after a fine match against Uruguay.

A lively opening period saw the teams go into the break level. Die Mannschaft impressed early and moved ahead thanks to a predatory strike from Thomas Mueller but Edison Cavani had tied the scores by the interval. The Celeste turned the game on its head when Diego Forlan’s technically wonderful volley found the net but their lead was also short lived, with Marcell Jansen levelling matters. Sami Khedira won the game with a header in the twilight of a fine fixture.

Traditionally the third/fourth place playoff is one of the most exciting games of the World Cup, and both sides would show early enterprise in Nelson Mandela Bay.

As early as the third minute Thomas Mueller would have the ball in the Uruguayan net, poking home from 18 yards, though his goal was disallowed for an earlier infringement committed by Cacau, who had been drafted into the team to replace the flu-ridden Miroslav Klose.

Moments later a rash challenge by another newcomer to the Europeans’ starting XI, Dennis Aogo, was lucky to escape with only a caution when he clattered into Diego Perez high and late, leaving the Uruguayan hardman to receive treatment.

Diego Forlan was typically the first man in sky blue to threaten, sending a free kick a foot to the right of Hans-Joerg Butt’s goal.

But it was Germany who were making most of the early running, forcing Jorge Fucile and Diego Lugano into some desperate clearances. The South American defence was very nearly breached on ten minutes when a deep corner from Mesut Oezil was firmly headed against the bar by Arne Friedrich, with Fernando Muslera beaten. Mueller could not wrestle home the rebound.

The Bayern Munich man had better luck soon afterwards. A thunderous long range drive from Bastian Schweinsteiger was poorly dealt with by the Uruguayan custodian, who spilled the ball out into the middle of the box. Mueller reacted when others did not, giving himself a simple tap in from ten yards.Die Mannschaft were at this stage creating regular inroads into the Celeste’s defence but wouldn’t even enjoy the lead for ten minutes.

Forlan had already worried the German rearguard with a blocked back post header from a deflected cross by the time Cavani drew the sides level. Perez superbly picked the pocket of Schweinsteiger in the centre of the park, setting in motion a break that saw the Europeans outnumbered from the outset. Luis Suarez, booed relentlessly by the South African crowd, rolled a well-weighted pass to the Palmero striker, who took a touch before stretching to prod the ball by Butt and into the net.

The closing stages of the opening period, which were played out under heavy rain, did not bring the drama of the opening moments, though Uruguay might have grabbed the lead four minutes before the break. Forlan’s clever reverse pass released Suarez but the Ajax striker dragged his shot wide from a somewhat awkward angle.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Cacau nearly latched onto a deflected Mueller pass, though Fucile covered superbly across to avert the danger.

Within three minutes of the restart Suarez had another disappointing miss. Cavani’s initial foray into the box was blocked by Butt, who could not hold the ball on the slick surface. From a tight angle, the forward recuperated possession and laid a pass back to his Amsterdam-based colleague. Still admittedly faced with a tight angle, the unpopular striker saw the flying goalkeeper touch his shot wide.

The wind was nevertheless in the Uruguayans’ sails and the South Americans would soon have the advantage. Arevalo Rios found himself uncharacteristically far forward down the right and lobbed a waist-height pass back towards the edge of the box, from where Forlan showed stunning poise to volley home a terrific goal with his right foot.

Germany had posed no serious threat after the interval until they levelled up on 55 minutes. Jerome Boateng’s cross from deep on the right side was badly missed by the out-of-sorts Muslera, allowing Jansen to unconventionally knock the ball into the empty net with his head.
From the ashes of these two quickfire goals grew a superb open goal. Oezil dallied too long when well placed in the Uruguay box, but up at the other end the Celeste were causing Germany real issues.

A Suarez block had to be averted by a smart challenge. Undeterred, the Ajax man tried an effort from distance that was spectacularly blocked by Butt, who soon had to be sharp from his goal line to thwart the Golden Boot chasing Forlan.

Stefan Kiessling was introduced by Joachim Loew to add some attacking flair at the expense of Cacau. The Bayer Leverkusen man’s clever turn in the box with quarter of an hour brought with it a scoring chance, though his drive was straight at Muslera, who batted the ball uncomfortably clear.

Loew’s side were looking the more likely side to snatch third place, and they did just that with nine minutes remaining. Another deep Oezil corner was allowed to bounce about the six yard box. Khedira ultimately got the decisive touch, sending a clever header looping over Muslera and into the top corner of the net.

The latter stages of the game were typically fraught. Uruguay pushed men forward in increasing numbers, allowing Germany to counter with purpose. Boateng had a firm shot saved well by Muslera, before a fluid counter ended with Kiessling scooping the ball over from close range.

In additional time, Suarez won a free kick on the edge of the Germany box. Forlan hovered, but the magic was not there as he blasted against the bar.

Over the course of this campaign, both Germany and Uruguay can look back at their achievements with some pride, yet die Mannschaft’s attacking brand of football has really captured the imagination and for their enterprise over the course of the last month they deserve third.

Shakira now a ´football fanatic´

2010-07-10T20:44:00.000+02:00

Colombian superstar Shakira said on Saturday that keeping track of the World Cup in South Africa has made her "a football fanatic."

"I really never in my life imagined that I would go straight to the sports section in the newspaper," she told journalists ahead of Sunday's final.

"I've become a football fanatic."

Shakira, who wrote the official World Cup song "Waka Waka", will play at the closing ceremony ahead of the final between the Netherlands and Spain.

She also played at a kick-off concert the night before the opening match.

"This has been one of the happiest months of my life, and one of the most exciting ones," she said of following the World Cup.

The closing ceremony, which begins at 1630 GMT Sunday, will also include performances by South African groups Freshlyground and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, organisers said.

ARJEN ROBBEN is not interested in the beautiful game - he just wants to win the World Cup!

2010-07-10T11:22:00.000+02:00

The ex-Chelsea winger is one of the game's crowd pleasers with his mercurial wing play.
But glorious entertainment never earned the Dutch 'total football' side of the 70s any silverware despite their galaxy of star individuals.
There are no Johan Cruyffs in this Holland team, it is more pragmatic - putting substance before style. But they have won an astonishing 14 World Cup games in succession - all eight of their qualifiers plus their six games so far in South Africa.
There is just one more hurdle to clear, the biggest of all.

Robben said: "I prefer a very ugly game and we win, instead of a beautiful game and we lose.
"We can always rely on our good organisation and from there you know you can go on.
"We're in a World Cup final, so it doesn't matter how we've played. Of course there is the intention to play good football but most important is the result."
Robben is so focused he has had minimal contact with mates from Bayern Munich or old club Real Madrid, who have been competing for other countries.
He added: "These are all things that aren't important. I don't want friends, I want to be world champion."
Robben, 26, who was notoriously injury-prone during his days at Stamford Bridge, claims he is still not properly fit after pulling a hamstring in the build-up to the tournament.
He has had intensive treatment throughout his time in South Africa and said: "You want to be at your best for a World Cup final against Spain but I'm not at my summit.
"Although I can play, I haven't been pain-free in any game.Fortunately it's getting better but it's still not perfect. I will just try to be in the best possible form I can."
Midfield enforcer Mark van Bommel is making the most of his return to the Dutch team having refused to play for two years under Marco van Basten.
Current boss Bert van Marwijk is his father-in-law, which has led to speculation Van Bommel could be made captain when Gio van Bronckhorst quits after the final.
But Van Bommel said: "I don't want to be captain. I didn't make any international appearances for two years and I think other players deserve it more.
"My decision has nothing to do with the fact Van Marwijk is my father-in-law.
"I admit, though, that there was a lot of pressure when I returned. I couldn't afford to play a single bad game."
So what are the chances of upsetting the favourites?
He declared: "Spain play a spectacular game. It will be very difficult. We will have to stop their playmakers from playing.
"People compare our squad to 1974 and 1978, yet the players and systems are very different. But now we have the chance to realise the dream for our fans."

Villa injury may open the door for Torres!

2010-07-10T11:16:00.000+02:00

Fernando Torres may yet get his wish to start the World Cup final for Spain tomorrow because of lingering fears over the fitness of striker David Villa, who is understood to be worried about a dead leg.

The team's top scorer at the tournament with five goals, Villa was walking around without obvious discomfort yesterday at the team's base in Potchefstroom. However, he refused to speak to Spanish media sparking reports that the problem with his leg may be worse than first thought. Torres, dropped for the semi-final against Germany, has told manager Vicente del Bosque that he is desperate to play

If Villa is passed fit, Del Bosque is expected to name an unchanged team from the one that eliminated Germany, with the Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez giving the side the width that was so effective. The goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas said yesterday that Spain team's spirit had been so good they had not had a single argument since they convened last month.

He said: "Above all club rivalry – regardless of whether you play for Barcelona, Valencia or Real Madrid – is la selección. In the past all the pieces did not fit together but now from the first to the last member of the squad everyone is important. There has not been any friction in 40 days together and as Pedro showed in the semi-final anyone can step forward and play.

"Del Bosque is doing a fabulous job. I have worked with him before and he is the same as always. He does not want to appear in the photos, he does not want the praise, he does not want to be the star. He is charismatic, intelligent and noble. This success is also down to him because he has known exactly how to guide us through the tournament."

There are fears in the Spain camp, however, that the Dutch may abandon their more attacking, creative style in order to contain their opponents. Even Arjen Robben said yesterday that Holland would be prepared to win "ugly" if that was the difference between winning or losing the country's third World Cup final. "I'd rather play an extremely ugly game and win, instead of a beautiful one and lose," Robben said. "In the past, we heard often how beautiful it was, but there was no payback. So far, it [the more defensive football this team are playing] has produced. We have yet to show our most beautiful football. But we have always been able to fall back on a good organisation."

The Spanish are concerned that because the referee, Howard Webb, is English he will be more lenient on fouls than an official from another European country, or South America. However, Casillas said he believed the Dutch would be true to their roots as an attacking team.

He said: "I don't think they will close-up. They have quick players and individuals who are in spectacular form. They will be like us – true to their style. I know how quick, and how strong Robben is. It worries me that he could pose a threat shooting from distance but we have to make sure that we block him. Holland are a lot more than Robben. They are strong at the back, and in midfield they have Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt who are both very dangerous."

Fifa was warned of Nigeria World Cup match-fixing fears

2010-07-10T11:09:00.000+02:00

Fifa was warned before this year's World Cup of fears that Nigeria's team could be vulnerable to match-fixing.
An investigator for Uefa raised concerns, including suspicions over betting patterns.
Nigeria went out of the tournament in the first round, losing to Greece.
World governing body Fifa does not deny receiving a warning but say it has "no indication" of match-fixing in any World Cup matches.

Investigator working with Uefa first became suspicious during qualifying rounds of the World Cup.
It is alleged that certain Nigerian players came forward and said their team was vulnerable to manipulation.
On the morning of Nigeria's first match, he alerted Fifa's new Early Warning System, set up to look for signs of match-rigging, of his concerns.
After Newsnight was aired Fifa responded, saying no information provided by any informant relating to potential match-fixing at the tournament has had any substance.
A statement said: "Fifa and the Early Warning System (EWS) have a network of informants from which we receive information.
"Of course, as you may understand, we will not disclose the identity of the informants. What we can say is that at least until today no information provided by the informants to Fifa in relation to any potential match-fixing activities during the 2010 Fifa World Cup have proved to have any substance.
"Furthermore, we can also say that there is no indication whatsoever until today of any match-fixing situations during any of the matches of the 2010 Fifa World Cup."
German journalist Christian Bergmann also had a call just before the first Nigerian game of the tournament from a Uefa contact who said there were suggestions that "some players from the Nigerian team are actually involved in some form of manipulation".
In their second game of the tournament, Nigeria were strong favourites to beat Greece and took an early 1-0 lead.
But after just 33 minutes Nigeria had a man sent off and Greece subsequently scored their first ever World Cup goals to win 2-1.
After their elimination, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan was so angry with the poor performances that he suspended the whole team from international competition. He later reversed that decision following a complaint from Fifa.
The Uefa Disciplinary Unit is already working with German Police on the biggest investigation into the rigging of games.
Hundreds of matches across Europe - from Champions League qualifiers to domestic cup and league games - are being scrutinised and match fixers are being held in jail.
There are no English Premier League games on the list of suspect matches, but the BBC has learnt that German police believe many of the bets on fixed games were placed through a London office.
The chief suspect is a Croatian professional gambler and bar owner called Ante Sapina who is currently being held in Germany awaiting trial.
In the past he posed at his bar with footballing greats such as Lionel Messi of Argentina to give himself credibility, but Messi and others were unaware of his secret life as a match-fixer.
It is alleged that he made a fortune by placing bets on matches and then bribing players to get the required result.
This is not the first time Ante Sapina has been accused of fixing matches.
In 2006 he was sentenced to nearly three years in jail for bribing German referee Robert Hoyzer to fix games.
The German police claim that soon after his release Sapina began fixing matches again on an industrial scale.
They say that Sapina bet millions of euros on fixed games and that many of those bets were placed by a company called Samvo, based just off the Hangar Lane Gyratory System in West London.
Samvo promotes itself as a betting broker which places billions of pounds worth of bets each year on behalf of "high-rollers" and "professional betting syndicates".

German police papers name a senior Samvo employee called Eric Ho as the man who placed bets on allegedly fixed games and then passed on the winnings, which were in the region of 100,000 euros a game, to Ante Sapina and others.
Mr Ho has not responded to repeated BBC requests to clarify what he knew.
The BBC has learned that Samvo was raided by City of London police and a German detective at the same time as Sapina was arrested in November 2009.
The officers who were armed with a search warrant discovered that over a million pounds of Sapina's winnings were in an Isle of Man bank account and according to the German detective's report,Samvo agreed not to hand over those winnings to Sapina.

Platini released from hospital

2010-07-10T10:57:00.000+02:00

French football legend and UEFA President Michel Platini was released from hospital on Saturday morning after being rushed there on Friday evening having complained of feeling unwell, FIFA and UEFA announced in a statement.

The 55-year-old, president of the European football federation since January 2007, had undergone tests and been kept in overnight as a precaution after being taken ill during dinner at Johannesburg's Le Pigalle restaurant in the Sandton business district

"Michel Platini left hospital at nine o'clock (0700GMT) this morning where he had been admitted on Friday evening having complained of being unwell," read the statement.

"All the results of the medical tests were normal and Mister Platini can attend the World Cup final on Sunday at Soccer City."

According to witnesses, a restaurant client gave Platini cardiac massage before a doctor arrived.

Platini, who has been in South Africa since the start of the World Cup on June 11, was taken to the Morningside medi-clinic, its spokeswoman Natalie Jackson said.

The World Cup ends with the final between the Netherlands and Spain in Johannesburg on Sunday night.

Spain Coach Vicente Del Bosque Wary Of 'Dangerous' Netherlands

2010-07-09T23:47:00.000+02:00

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is wary of the talent the Dutch possess ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday.

The Furia Roja can make history if they win the final in Johannesburg as they would lift the trophy for the first time ever.

Del Bosque, though, is not getting carried away as he is well aware of the Dutch threat

"They're very similar to us, players of great technical ability in midfield," he told AP. "Players of great quality and very fast that don't improvise as much as we do, but play a more dangerous direct game. A very dangerous team."

The former Real Madrid coach is not known for showing his emotions in public and insisted that he plans to be calm, cool and collected should la Furia Roja win the World Cup on Sunday.

"I don't know what my reaction will be. These are spontaneous things, not prefabricated, and I take an enormous amount of satisfaction every time we score a goal.
"I'm not much for showing external emotion anyway."

Del Bosque also refused to say whether Fernando Torres, who was dropped against Germany in the semi-finals, would start on Sunday.

"I don't know if he will be in the line-up," Del Bosque said, according to the Daily Express. "It was a difficult choice. Torres has been helping us all along. His work is important even if it is not noticed. He is good at occupying the centre-backs.

"I didn't talk to him before I announced the line-up (against Germany). But he is a very important part of the team. He is one of the key members of the squad and a lovely guy."

Uefa president Michel Platini collapses in Johannesburg!

2010-07-09T23:43:00.000+02:00

Uefa president Michel Platini was taken to hospital on Friday after reportedly fainting in a Johannesburg restaurant.
A spokesman said Platini, who had been suffering from flu, was undergoing precautionary tests but was "fine".

Initially there were fears that Platini had suffered a heart attack but the Uefa source said that was not the case.
The 55-year-old Platini, who became Uefa president in 2007, was in Johannesburg ahead of the World Cup final, which takes place on Sunday.
"He is fine. He had been suffering from a cold and a bit of flu and he fainted before eating in a restaurant," said Uefa spokesman William Gaillard.

'flu strikes Germany squad ahead of third place play-off

2010-07-09T20:01:00.002+02:00

Germany's squad have been hit by a 'flu virus and have worries over the fitness of star striker Miroslav Klose ahead of Saturday's World Cup third place play-off against Uruguay.

Coach Joachim Loew is suffering as are captain Philipp Lahm, striker Lukas Podolski – though it is hoped both will be fit for the play-off in Port Elizabeth.

Goalkeeper Tim Wiese has a knee injury, while Klose – who would break Ronaldo's record of 15 World Cup goals were he to score twice on Saturday – has a back problem as the Germans recover from the disappointment of losing Wednesday's semi-final.

"Last night, some flu virus hit us hard, maybe to do with the flights, air conditioning and maybe the disappointment (of losing to Spain)," said team manager Oliver Bierhoff, who hinted Lahm may not start.

"Low has a serious case of flu, but we are trying to get him fit and on the bench for Saturday.

"It remains to be seen if Klose will play, likewise we don't want Lahm to get injured and then carry that into the new Bundesliga season."

Assistant coach Hansi Flick will step in for Friday afternoon's press conference in Port Elizabeth, but Low is expected to take his place in the dugout on Saturday. Flick also took Friday training.

Fresh from the disappointment of Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to Spain in Durban, Bierhoff says Germany are determined to win the play-off to finish the World Cup on a high.

Germany also finished third at the 2006 World Cup, but Bierhoff said other members of the squad may be given their chance against Uruguay.

"For us, this World Cup is anything but over, we will be 100 per cent focused and dedicated," he said.

"We want to play with the same fresh, free-flowing football we have shown so far here.

"Sometimes it is good to field unspoilt players, as we did in 2006."

Germany will fly home on Sunday evening – at the same time Spain and Holland are due to contest the final at Soccer City – on an A330 Airbus.

"I do hope it has the technology so we can watch the game, but I am not sure," said Bierhoff.

"It won't hurt us too much to not be able to see it, it is not a must-see thing, it would only add to the pain for us."

Loew, Flick, Bierhoff and goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke are all out of contract after the World Cup, but Bierhoff would only say they will sit down and discuss their future in the tournament's aftermath.

(source: telegraph.co.uk)

Ref a World Cup final? Howard Webb can't even control his own children, says wife

2010-07-09T19:55:00.002+02:00

Howard Webb is set to take charge on the biggest stage of all in Sunday's World Cup final in South Africa - but, according to his wife, the Yorkshireman struggles to keep control of his own children at home.

Webb achieved a lifetime's dream after being named as the first English referee of a World Cup final for 36 years.

The 38-year-old from Rotherham will take charge of Sunday's final between Spain and Germany at Johannesburg's Soccer City along with his assistants Darren Cann and Michael Mullarkey.

He will become the first Englishman to referee the final since Jack Taylor in 1974 - who awarded the first World Cup final penalty, to Holland, just a minute into the match against West Germany - and follows in the footsteps of Bill Ling in 1954 and George Reader in 1950.

Webb is currently on a five-year break from South Yorkshire Police where he was serving as a sergeant in the force.

The Yorkshireman, a miner's son who grew up in the shadow of the Orgreave Colliery, will become the first person to have refereed the Champions League or European Cup final and the World Cup final in the same year.

Webb, however, is 'completely different' at home with wife Kay, children Jack, Holly and Lucy.

Mrs Webb told GMTV: 'I don't know how he does it. He can't take charge of his own children. I don't know how he manages it on a football pitch.'

Webb refereed his first game at 19, and his father Billy revealed he had encouraged his son to give up after watching him take charge.

Billy Webb, himself a referee for 35 years, added: 'It's in my blood. I encouraged my son to take it up. I encouraged him to take his first game. When I watched his first game, I encouraged him to pack up.

'My brother was with me at the time, he was a referee, and he said 'I can see something in this young lad.' History has proven him right and me wrong.'

Mr Webb, a former miner, said every time he thinks about the final he gets goosepimples.

'The whole thing is jaw-dropping. I just can't imagine my son reffing the World Cup final.'

Webb's mother Sylvia, meanwhile, admits it is sometimes difficult to watch her son deal with all the flak from a heated encounter.

'When he first started out in smaller football, then he used to, but I think as they go up it's not too bad,' she said. 'I don't like it if anybody puts him down, obviously, as a mum. I don't like to hear it.'

The appointment of Webb and his assistants is seen as a major coup for the English game.

Premier League referees chief Mike Riley, general manager of Professional Match Game Officials, said: 'It's not only recognition for their excellent tournament in South Africa so far, but also the progress they have made internationally over the last four years.

'Their appointment is fantastic recognition for English refereeing and should act as an inspiration for all young referees wanting to enter into the game. It just shows what you can achieve if you work hard.'

(source: dailymail.co.uk)

VIDEO: Harassed Cristiano Ronaldo Tells UK Journalist "Someday, Someone's Gonna Kill You!"

2010-07-09T19:53:00.001+02:00

Love him or hate him, Cristiano Ronaldo certainly knows how to keep himself in the full glare of the media.

It's been a trying week for the Real Madrid star as he holidayed in New York following his poor World Cup, after news broke that he'd fathered a secret child and news and pictures also broke of C-Ron's latest love interest, Irina Shayk.

With so much tabloid interest in the latest Ronaldo developments, one British journalist got a little too close to the world's most expensive footballer as the pair got into a war of words which was captured on film.

Badgering Ronaldo over whether he'd "come forward and release the mother's name" of his child, soon Ronaldo snapped back as he was waiting to catch a lift. The 25-year-old fired back "Someday, someone's gonna kill you! Be careful."

The hack was quick to respond though, countering with the line "Someone's probably gonna break your legs in a nasty tackle! Could be Rooney. You never know!"

(source: goal.com)

Holland v Spain: match preview

2010-07-09T19:45:00.002+02:00

World Cup final

Holland v Spain
Soccer City Stadium
Kick-off: Sun July 11, 7.30pm BST
TV: BBC, ITV.

At last, and in what ought to be a delight to all lovers of fine football, it is time for one of the two greatest footballing nations never to have won the World Cup to join the exclusive club of ‘magnificent seven’ winners alongside Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina and France.

Not before time, they will doubtless tut in Holland, where Johan Cruyff’s lovely 1974 side and their 1978 successors, both finalists, would have made handsome champions – so too the 1998 semi-finalists.

Bert van Marwijk’s current bunch, now unbeaten in 25 games, could cast off all the old ‘nearly men’ clothes by emulating the peerless 1970 Brazilians as the only team to have a 100 per cent record in both qualifying and the tournament itself.

Spain, home to arguably the two greatest clubs in football history, famously boast a dismal World Cup record, having never finished higher than fourth, their previous best being in Brazil 60 years ago.

Yet having won Euro 2008 and on a wondrous run themselves, with two defeats in 25 games under Vicente del Bosque, the coach believes their time has arrived.

Strangely, for two of the great footballing nations and bearing in mind the historic links between players such as Cruyff and Barcelona, Spain and Holland have met only nine times over 90 years of international football, and only three times in championships.

Perhaps their biggest clash, ironically, was their very first when they met in Brussels in an Olympic medal match.

Being the ‘nearly men’ of the modern game, though, it is no surprise to learn they were not actually playing for the gold, but for the consolation of silver, with Spain prevailing 3-1.

Their only ‘modern’ competitive matches came in qualifying for the 1984 European Championships, where they shared a win apiece, with Ruud Gullit scoring the winner for Holland in Rotterdam and Juan Antonio Señor converting a penalty to give Spain a 1-0 win in Seville.

Touchline duel

In a sitcom, you would cast Lambertus 'Bert' van Marwijk as Victor Meldrew figure - grumpy, sighing, never quite satisfied with anything - while Vicente del Bosque would be reprising René in ’Allo ’Allo with a whispered aside to Xavi: “I will say zees only once - pass, pass, pass!”

Van Marwijk, who was seen as uncharismatic and untested, was not really wanted by many when Marco van Basten’s reign ended but has yet to put a foot wrong, while Del Bosque, a double Champions League winner with Real Madrid, has been the most comforting safe pair of hands, preaching continuity after taking over from the man who won the European Championship, Luis Aragonés.

Key clashes:

Wesley Sneijder v Xavi:
The brains of the respective teams, and what brains. Sneijder has enjoyed a stellar year, guiding Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan to a unique treble, topped by their Champions League triumph, and enjoying a blinding — and, on occasion, blessed — tournament in South Africa. He can also be encouraged that when he went head to head with his Xavi in the Champions League tie with Barcelona, he prevailed.

Maarten Stekelenburg v Iker Casillas:
If it comes down to a penalty shoot-out, you would have to favour Casillas, who has been Spain’s shoot-out hero a couple of times, earning victory with two saves against Ireland in the 2002 World Cup round of 16 (when he was 21) and also when he kept out two to beat Italy in Euro 2008.

Stekelenburg has no such experience but is not short of confidence, as his text calling Ajax team-mate Luis Suarez the “Lev Yashin goalkeeper of the tournament” suggests.

Arjen Robben v Joan Capdevila:
Robben, after his fine season for Bayern Munich, has enjoyed a big tournament here too, with crucial goals against both Slovakia and Uruguay. He could turn out to be Sunday’s match-winner as he marauds in from the right flank with the goal in his sights.

A major responsibility rests on Capdevila, the Villarreal defender who, at the age of 32, is not the most agile any longer and may have to rely on his experience to try to neutralise Holland’s single most potent threat.

Probable teams

Holland: Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst (capt); Van Bommel, De Jong; Kuyt, Sneijder, Robben; Van Persie.

Spain: Casillas (capt); Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Capdevila; Busquets, Alonso; Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro; Villa.

Referee: Howard Webb (Eng)
Assistants: Mike Mullarkey (Eng), Darren Cann (Eng). Fourth official: Yuichi Nishimura (Jpn)

Previous meetings

P8: Holland 4 wins, Draws 1, Spain 3 wins
1957 (Madrid, Friendly): Spain 5 Holland 1
1973 (Amsterdam, Friendly): Holland 3 Spain 2
1980 (Vigo, Friendly): Spain 1 Holland 0
1983 (Seville, ECQ): Spain 1 Holland 0
1983 (Rotterdam, ECQ): Holland 2 Spain 1
1987 (Barcelona, Friendly): Spain 1 Holland 1
2000 (Sevilla, Friendly): Spain 1 Holland 2
2001 (Rotterdam, Friendly): Holland 1 Spain 0

FACTS:

David Villa has scored six of Spain’s last eight goals at World Cup finals. And he is on 43 goals, just one goal away from joining Raul as Spain’s top scorer of all time.

Spain have been the good boys of the World Cup, receiving just three yellow cards, the fewest in this summer’s finals. Holland, by contrast, have had 15 bookings.

Xavi, of Spain, has created 25 goalscoring chances – an impressive eight more than any other player.

And if Spain win the World Cup they will become the first team ever to be World champions after losing their opening game.

Expect Spain to use Carlos Marchena at some stage. The veteran now holds the World record for consecutive appearances without loss, his latest against Germany in the semi-final being his 54th game without tasting defeat.

Interestingly, either Holland or Spain will make history. No European team has previously won the World Cup outside of Europe.

Holland are on a roll: The Oranje have won their last 14 games in the World Cup qualifiers and finals, an all-time record.

PREDICTION: Spain are bidding to copy their success at Euro 2008 and, in David Villa and Xavi, they have two of the best players at the tournament. But the new-look Oranje know how to win games and may just have enough, albeit by one goal. Paul the octopus disagrees.

Death threats for Paul, the psychic octopus

2010-07-09T19:40:00.001+02:00

Word on the street is that Paul, the psychic octopus, had better watch his back - wherever that is.

Death threats have been pouring in for the clairvoyant critter since he, er, predicted that Spain would beat the Netherlands in the World Cup, CNN is reporting.

Paul made his prediction Friday from the aquarium tank that serves as his home in Oberhausen, Germany. His caretaker, Oliver Walenciak, claimed he is unfazed by the threats to grill him and the like.

"There are always people who want to eat our octopus, but he is not shy and we are here to protect him as well," the website LiveStreetJournal quoted Walenciak as saying.

Paul picks his teams by choosing to eat from a jar bearing the flag of the team's country. He has predicted all of the winners in Germany's games in this World Cup with 100% accuracy, NPR reports.

(source: usatoday.com)

Paul the psychic octopus predicts Spain will beat Holland

2010-07-09T19:34:00.001+02:00

Paul the psychic octopus has predicted Spain will beat Holland and win World Cup 2010 while Germany shall be triumphant in the third and fourth place play-off.

The news will come as a boost to Spain ahead of the World Cup final against Holland at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg on Sunday.

The psychic octopus has not made a mistake when predicting the outcome of a football match for two years. On that occassion Paul said Germany would beat Spain in the Euro 2008 final but Luis Aragones' team came out on top, winning 1-0.

At this World Cup Paul has predicted all of Germany's results correctly even including the defeats against Serbia in the group stages and Spain in the semi-finals.

Since correctly predicting Spain's victory over Joachim Löw's team Paul has been on the recieving end of a backlash from Germany fans.

However the octoped has got in support in the unlikely form of Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero who has joked he will provide Paul with a team of boduguards.

Zapatero said: "I am concerned for the octopus. I am thinking of sending him a protective team."

Spanish environment and fisheries minister Elena Espinosa has also sworn to protect the octopus.

"On Monday, I shall be at the European Council of Ministers and I shall be asking for a [fishing] ban on Paul the octopus so the Germans do not eat him," Espinosa said.

The octopus had already made its prediction for the third and fourth place play-off opting for the mussel in the Germany box. It took Paul just a couple of minutes to decide its adopted nation will beat Uruguay to take third place in the tournament.

(source: telegraph.co.uk)

Larissa Riquelme Sexy Model- video

2010-07-08T20:38:00.000+02:00

Serbia's Milan Jovanovic to completes Liverpool switch

2010-07-08T20:34:00.000+02:00

Liverpool have completed the signing of Serbia international striker Milan Jovanovic from Standard Liege on a three-year contract.
A deal for the 28-year-old was agreed in February, and he arrives at Anfield on a free transfer.

At the time, Jovanovic said: "I opted to sign for Liverpool because they're one of the biggest teams in Europe - definitely in the top 10."
He turned down Real Madrid last year fearing a lack of first team chances.
Jovanovic joined Standard in 2006 and helped them win back-to-back titles in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
He has also played for Shakhtar Donetsk and Lokomotiv Moscow, and made his international debut for Serbia in a 2-0 win over Finland in June 2007.
By default, he becomes the first arrival under Roy Hodgson, who took over as Liverpool boss on 1 July.
Liverpool made their move for Jovanovic under previous boss Rafael Benitez, who is now the manager of Inter Milan.

Philipp Lahm Hopes To Emulate Spain In The Future

2010-07-08T20:06:00.000+02:00

Germany captain Philipp Lahm says that the national team will try to follow Spain and keep on improving in the future.

Die Mannschaft suffered a 1-0 loss to the Roja in the semi-finals on Wednesday night. This was the second successive time that the Germans had failed in the last-four stage of the World Cup.

However, skipper Philipp Lahm says that Spain's march to the final has shown what the Germans can achieve by improving in the future.

"I am a little surprised by the margins of victory against England (4-1) and Argentina (4-0). But I have been training with these guys for a long time, and I knew what they were capable of," the Bayern Munich full-back told FIFA.com.

"We were able to believe in our future. Spain proved that there is always room for improvement. Three to four weeks ago, they had the same players, and then they gained in confidence. We too can do similar things.

"I am 26 and therefore I have some years of football at this level in front of me. There will be other semi-finals. But it is true, it will never be easy to think back on [the defeat]. But then again Italy and France were knocked out really quickly.

"One day, I am convinced that we will be up there with the best. And then also to lose a semi-final is not a mark of dishonour, that doesn't happen every day either."

Lahm also gave his prediction of the final.

"I see Spain winning it," he said. "But if not I will be happy to see my clubmates [Mark van Bommel and Arjen Robben] return to Bayern with the trophy. The trophy would give us a boost at Bayern."

Blatter rules out 'penalty goals'

2010-07-08T19:47:00.000+02:00

Blatter did say however that any law changes being considered as a result of the Uruguay striker's actions would be discussed at the International FA Board in October.
Apart from 'penalty goals' there have also been calls for tougher disciplinary action for deliberate handballs.

Blatter also clarified that the October meeting would be the first discussion of goal-line technology rather than, as initially suggested by Fifa, later this month.
Blatter told a press conference in Johannesburg: "That meeting in October is when we will discuss the question of goal-line technology and take on such situations as we have witnessed in this competition with Suarez in the last minute of the match between Uruguay and Ghana.
"You have seen in this competition and in others that it's so difficult to say if a ball is in or out.
"But if it is not in then no referee can declare it is a goal, this is definite."
Blatter back-tracked on goal-line technology following Frank Lampard's disallowed goal against Germany, when the ball was clearly over the line.
"The international board will reopen the discussion on the goal-line technology but this is not just to satisfy problems that have come up during this competition," he said.
"We have already received from different parties new approaches to how such technology could be installed and the easiest way [to do so].
"We will have a meeting on July 20 in Cardiff and this meeting will not deal with goal-line technology but will put it on the agenda for the normal business meeting in October."
Blatter also said he would back a bid by a South African city for the 2020 Olympics - the country's president Jacob Zuma has already hinted that one is likely, a move that has been welcomed by IOC president Jacques Rogge.
He continued: "I think that the IOC president has made a good move, after having witnessed the success of the World Cup here, to say 'now it's also time for Africa to organise the Olympic Games.
"If a country can organise Ffia's World Cup it can also organise the summer Olympic Games as they are mostly confined only in one city.
"I would fully support the candidature of one of the cities here in South Africa for the Olympic Games in 2020."

Paul the psychic octopus will predict winner of Holland-Spain clash

2010-07-08T19:42:00.000+02:00

Paul has become an international phenomenon after correctly forecasting the results for all six of Germany's World Cup games.
However, the octopus shocked Germany on Tuesday by picking Spain to win - a result, as it turns out, that was correct. Some Germans now want to see Paul publicly barbecued.

Paul will also make his prediction for the third-place play-off match between Germany and Uruguay.
Paul's handlers will follow the now familiar routine. Two boxes will be lowered into his tank, each containing his favourite seafood food as well as the flags of the two opposing teams.
Whichever box Paul picks food from first is adjudged the winner.
Afterwards, Paul will be offered boxes with Spain and Holland flags on the front.
However, this will only happen if he is deemed not too tired and still hungry.
A spokesman for his aquarium said. "We do not want to overburden him."

Heartbroken Gyan vows to bounce back

2010-07-03T12:53:00.001+02:00

Striker Asamoah Gyan brushed off his last-minute penalty heartache and vowed to bounce back after Ghana lost to Uruguay and failed to become the first World Cup semi-finalists from Africa.

France-based Gyan had a chance to win a match deadlocked at 1-1 with the final kick of extra time after Uruguay striker Luis Suarez handled a Dominic Adiyiah header on the line to prevent a certain goal.

But Gyan crashed his penalty against the crossbar and although he netted in the shoot-out, goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saved two tame kicks and the South Americans won 4-2 to clinch a Tuesday showdown with Netherlands.

"I'll bounce back, I'm strong mentally. I had the courage to take the penalty, but that's normal as I'm the penalty taker," said Gyan.

"Now he (Suarez) is the hero in his country. The ball was going in, he stopped it and I missed the penalty. That's the way it is."

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez defended Suarez, who was red carded by the Portuguese referee only to celebrate in the tunnel after watching Gyan fail to give Africa a first World Cup semi-finalist.

"It was instinctive, he instinctively put his hand out to the ball and was red carded and will miss the next game," Tabarez said.

"He has paid for the consequences of his actions. He was not to know that Ghana would miss the resulting penalty. It is not fair to say that we cheated our way to victory."

Argentina and Germany reignite a great rivalry on Saturday while Spain are expected to overcome Paraguay in the last quarter-final.

When they met at the same stage four years ago, hosts Germany went through 4-2 on penalties in Berlin after over-cautious Argentina left Lionel Messi on the bench.

"The players are thinking about going on to the pitch, in getting their revenge," warned Argentina coach and former midfield maestro Diego Maradona.

Germany will be boosted by the presence of Chancellor Angela Merkel in Cape Town and coach Joachim Loew hopes his young team can impress her by riding the wave of beating England.

"There is a very positive feeling in the team. We have gained a lot of confidence from taking a victory against England. We have found weaknesses in the Argentine side, but I will keep that information for my players."

A Spanish concern is that Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has yet to find the net, but coach Vicente Del Bosque brushed aside any criticism.

"Fernando is our centre forward. He has put in a lot of minutes in four matches and will continue to do so and we have absolute confidence in him," the coach insisted.

Paraguay have not conceded a goal in three matches since a 1-1 draw with then reigning champions Italy in their opening group game.

But they have scored only three times, needing penalties to squeeze past Japan in the second round following a woeful 0-0 stalemate.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk reacted furiously over suggestions that Arjen Robben cheated in the thrilling 2-1 defeat of Brazil in Port Elizabeth.

The midfielder was accused of deliberately diving to win a free kick which resulted in the Dutch drawing level with Brazil eight minutes after the break.

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar came off his line to try and punch the kick clear but collided with Felipe Melo and the ball skimmed off the the head of the midfielder into the net.

In another match-turning incident, Melo was shown a red card for a stamp on Robben.

"Our opponents tried to provoke us more than we tried to provoke them. You could see that from the beginning," insisted Van Marwijk.

(source: iol.co.za)

Dunga confirms will not stay with Brazil

2010-07-03T12:27:00.002+02:00

The Brazil coach Dunga said today he would not continue in the job after his side lost 2-1 to Holland in their quarter-final. "We knew when I started that I would be here for four years," he said. "It's sad, it's difficult, nobody prepares to lose."

Dunga replaced Carlos Alberto Parreira in July 2006, immediately after the last World Cup. He now faces a grilling from 200 million Brazilians, many of whom believe he brought the wrong players to South Africa. "We're all extremely sad and we didn't expect this," he said. "Our players looked on this World Cup as a great opportunity to do well. We played well in the first half but we weren't able to maintain the same rhythm and level of concentration in the second half. Obviously if you play with only 10 men against a team like Holland that makes it very difficult."

Felipe Melo, who was sent off 17 minutes from time, insisted: "There's no way I'm the villain of the 2010 World Cup. It was a collective mistake. When I was sent off, it was already 2-1. I accept my share of the blame."

Dunga sympathised, saying: "It would be unjust to blame Felipe Melo now. When we win, everyone shares the credit. It's the same when we lose." Nevertheless, Melo is no stranger to the red card, having been sent off six times – twice each with Fiorentina, Juventus and Brazil.

"If you can eliminate Brazil, one of the biggest and best teams of this World Cup, the feeling is relief," said Wesley Sneijder, the 5ft 7in midfielder who headed the winner midway through the second half after a Brazilian own-goal had neutralised Robinho's strike in the opening period. "It was my first headed goal and I don't think it will happen again. It just slipped off my bald head and went in. A great feeling.

"It's a fantastic effort. We always believed in it. That's what we said at half-time: 'We always score goals, so let's just go and enjoy it.' It doesn't really matter which opponent it was. But it was Brazil, one of the best, and you have to savour it."

His head coach, Bert van Marwijk, remembered the mockery when he announced, on taking the job two years ago, that the squad would be trying to win the World Cup. "But if you want something, you have to believe it," he said.

"Today we didn't start very well. We weren't playing our game, we weren't ourselves. I've told the players time and again: 'You've got to play your own game and not hold back.' I was quite pleased to see after 20 or 25 minutes that it was only 1-0. If we had lost the match, we would have lost it in the first 15 minutes. When we scored the goal, we just became better and better.

"The only thing I can hold against the players is that it wasn't 4-1 or 5-1 because with the lead at 2-1, it's nervous. People reproached us that it wasn't attractive football, but we've shown now that we can play fantastic football and can beat a fantastic team, the favourites for the World Cup."

(source: guardian.co.uk)

Paraguay v Spain: match preview

2010-07-03T12:18:00.001+02:00

Quarter finals

Paraguay v Spain
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Kick-off: Fri July 2, 7.30pm BST
TV: BBC1, BBC1 HD

Spain are ready to make history. Almost unbelievably, they have never won a World Cup quarter-final before, only having reached the last four in 1950 when the tournament was decided on group results.

They start overwhelming favourites against a Paraguay team who’ve only scored three goals but have been tough to break down, having conceded just one.

Paraguay will be carried on “lots of heart and the lure of a unique opportunity,” says their coach Gerardo Martino.

Both teams are set to be unchanged, with Vicente Del Bosque likely to ignore the clamour for Fernando Llorente to replace Torres. Martino is desperate for his strikers to break their goalscoring duck here.

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas has backed Spain team-mate Torres to play a key role against Paraguay.

Torres is without a goal at the finals and has so far failed to live up to expectations, earning criticism from home.

“He’s accustomed to all these situations because he’s been under pressure ever since he was a little boy,” Fabregas said. “He is very much at ease. He can showcase his talents in the quarter-final.”

Fabregas has made only two brief second-half appearances at the finals but will be ready if called against Paraguay. “Many of these players play in Europe, we know them,” he said. “It is a very competitive team. They are going to fight to the end.”

Teams

Spain (4-4-2): 1 Casillas; 15 Ramos, 3 Pique, 5 Puyol, 11 Capdevila; 6 Iniesta, 8 Xavi, 16 Busquets, 14 Alonso 9 Torres, 7 Villa
Subs: 4 Marchena, 10 Fabregas, 12 Valdes, 13 Mata, 17 Arbeloa, 18 Pedro, 19 Llorente, 20 Martinez, 21 Silva, 22 Navas, 23 Reina
Paraguay (4-3-3): 1 Villar; 4 Caniza, 21 Alcaraz, 14 Da Silva, 3 Morel; 13 Vera, 6 Bonet, 16 Riveros; 9 Santa Cruz, 18 Valdez, 19 Barrios
Subs: 2 Veron, 5 J Caceres, 7 Cardozo, 8 E Barreto, 10 Benitez, 11 Santana, 12 D Barreto, 15 V Caceres, 17 A Torres, 20 Ortigoza, 22 Bobadilla, 23 Gamarra

Key clash

Paraguay’s strikers have been firing blanks all tournament and, without a goal between them, both Nelson Valdez and Roque Santa Cruz need to improve dramatically to get the better of Barcelona’s twin pillars, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique

Touchline duel

After their false start against Switzerland, Del Bosque’s calm demeanour has helped Spain’s bandwagon slide smoothly back on the rails. The Argentine Martino, though, has already become a national hero in Paraguay by leading them to the last eight for the first time.

Talking tactics

All the pre-match talk from the Paraguay camp has been about trying to stop Spain rather than attacking them. “Their way is about creating and ours is more about stopping them and then taking our chances," admits Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar of their planned negative approach. The South Americans will try to hound the fulcrum, Xavi. Easier said than done.

What they say

Nelson Valdez: "We mustn’t let Spain play. In midfield you can't allow them to move because we are talking about one of the favourites to win the Cup."

Del Bosque: “We shall not underestimate Paraguay and we’ll prepare for them with great respect. We can't take anything for granted.”

Previous Meetings

Played: 3 Paraguay 0 wins, Draws 2, Spain 1 win

1998: (St-Etienne, WC): Spain 0 Paraguay 0
2001: (Logrono, Friendly): Spain 0 Paraguay 0
2002: (Jeonju, WC): Spain 3 Paraguay 1

Fact: Spain are in the quarter-finals for the fourth time since 1986, reaching the last eight in alternate years. But they have failed to progress further.

Prediction: This time Spain are looking good; easy win.

(source: telegraph.co.uk)

Argentina v Germany: match preview

2010-07-03T12:15:00.001+02:00

Quarter final

Argentina v Germany
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: Sat July 3, 3pm
TV: BBC 1

It could have been the ultimate grudge match had England overcome Germany to face Argentina in Cape Town, but with bitter memories of the Germany 2006 quarter-final in Berlin being evoked, there will still be plenty of animosity to go around at Green Point.

The post-match brawl which marred Germany's penalty shoot-out victory over the Argentines four years ago has provided the backdrop for this renewal of hostilities, with the Germans talking of Argentine aggression and similar jibes from the South American camp.

But on the pitch, it will be German youth against dazzling Argentine flair, Mesut Ozil versus Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain against Miroslav Klose.

Two thoroughbreds battling it out for one place in the semi-final. England could have been here, but their absence will not detract from the occasion.

Touchline duel

Diego Maradona v Joachim Low: Poles apart in their background and temperament, Maradona versus Low is a classic encounter between a star-player-turned-manager and a cerebral coach.

While Maradona was winning World Cups single-handedly (no pun intended) with Argentina, Low's career as an attacking midfielder failed to scale peaks higher than that of a journeyman professional in Freiburg, Frankfurt and other unremarkable German cities.

Low's tactical plan overcame England emphatically in Bloemfontein last week, however, and this game will be a battle between his nous and Maradona's inspiration.

Talking tactics

Neither team is set up to defend, but it will be a case of which team is best equipped to repel the attacking qualities of the opposition.

Both lack pace in central defence, but Germany ruthlessly exposed a similar weakness at the heart of England's back fourin Bloemfontein last week.

Yet while England did not do enough to capitalise on the limitations of Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich, Argentina will surely exploit their deficiencies through the talents of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain.

Key clash

Martin Demichelis v Miroslav Klose: Argentina centre-half Demichelis insisted he would not be allowed to return home if he deals with Klose as poorly as John Terry during England's 4-1 humiliation in Bloemfontein.

But with Demichelis now living in Munich, he will receive a rapturous welcome in Bavaria if Bayern team-mate Klose repeats his second round heroics in Cape Town.

Both men lack pace, but Klose's tenacity and aerial prowess give him the edge against the inconsistent Demichelis.

What they say

Argentina forward Carlos Tevez said: "Why not think I can be a champion?

Every night, I do. I have a hunger for glory so great that I can not imagine the great sadness there would be without the cup. I could not bear to lose on Saturday."

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer: “It won’t be easy against a team packed with superstars like Argentina, but we mustn’t show any weakness. We should perhaps even walk out with a touch of arrogance, especially if it goes to penalties."

Teams

Argentina (4-3-3): Romero; Otamendi, Demichelis, Burdisso, Heinze; Maxi, Mascherano, Di Maria; Tevez, Higuain, Messi
Subs: Pozo (g), Rodriguez, Bolatti, Veron, Garce, Samuel, Aguero, Gutierrez, Milito, Palermo, Pastore, Andujar (g). Germany (4-4-1-1): Neuer; Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Boateng; Schweinsteiger, Khedira; Ozil, Podolski; Muller; Klose.Subs: Wiese (g), Butt (g), Aogo, Tasci, Badstuber, Jansen, Trochowski, Kroos, Marin, Kiesling, Gomez.
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

Previous Meetings

Played: 18 Argentina 8 wins, Draws 5, Germany 5 wins

1958: (Malmo, WC): Argentina 1 West Germany 3
1966: (Birmingham, WC): West Germany 0 Argentina 0
1973: (Munich, Friendly): West Germany 2 Argentina 3
1977: (Buenos Aires, Friendly): Argentina 1 West Germany 3
1979: (Berlin West, Friendly): West Germany 2 Argentina 1
1980: (Montevideo, Friendly): Argentina 2 West Germany 1
1982: (Buenos Aires, Friendly): Argentina 1 West Germany 1
1984: (Dusseldorf, Friendly): West Germany 1 Argentina 3
1986: (Mexico City, WC): Argentina 3 West Germany 2
1987: (Buenos Aires, Friendly): Argentina 1 West Germany 0
1988: (West Berlin, Friendly): West Germany 1 Argentina 0
1990: (Rome, WC): West Germany 1 Argentina 0
1993: (Miami, Friendly): Argentina 2 Germany 1
2001: (Stuttgart, Friendly): Germany 0 Argentina 1
2005: (Dusseldorf, Friendly): West Germany 2 Argentina 2
2005: (Nuremburg, Confederations Cup): Argentina 2 Germany 2
2006: (Berlin, WC): Germany 1 Argentina 1 (aet, Germany win pens)
2010: (Munich, Friendly): Germany 0 Argentina 1

Fact: Germany are in the quarter-finals for the eighth World Cup in succession.

Prediction: Germany have had nothing to beat so far and Argentina have impressed more. Diego Maradona to march into the semi-finals.

(source: telegraph.co.uk)

Uruguay 1:1 Ghana; Uruguay win 4-2 on pens: match report

2010-07-03T12:11:00.001+02:00

Too, too cruel. Africa’s heart was broken here at Soccer City when Ghana’s dream of becoming the first team from the continent ever to reach the semi-final of a World Cup died the most dramatic death after a penalty shoot-out.

In the most sensational, heart-rending finish to any game at this tournament, it just seemed impossibly unfair that Asamoah Gyan, the most magnificent and tireless of all Ghana's Black Stars, should blow their historic opportunity by missing a penalty with the last kick after 120 minutes of compelling drama.

Instead, even though Gyan showed extraordinary courage to then convert Ghana’s first spot kick in the shoot-out, there seemed a painful inevitability about them then losing 4-2, courtesy of two excellent saves from Uruguay’s Lazio keeper Fernando Muslera to thwart John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah.

So, football’s new frontier was eclipsed by one of its oldest international guardians as South America’s two-time champions Uruguay celebrated wildly their first semi-final appearance for 40 years. And they deserved it.

But once the Uruguayan euphoria died down, they had to face the reality that they must take on Holland in Tuesday’s semi-final at Cape Town without their star striker Luis Suárez, who was sent off after deliberately handling on the line which led to Gyan’s missed penalty, and their best defender, Jorge Fucile, suspended after picking up a booking.

What an extraordinary occasion this was. The ANC chairwoman, Baleka Mbete, had sent a message on the eve of the game that “on your shoulders rest the football dreams of mother Africa”. And, even bearing that sort of pressure, these heroes let nobody down.

Even Sulley Muntari, who was almost sent home after a row with the coach Milovan Rajevac two weeks ago, was transformed from saint to sinner with the magnificent 30-yard strike on the stroke of half-time which put Ghana ahead.

It was answered by a Diego Forlán free-kick after 55 minutes. No surprise, there. Once again, the Atlético Madrid man offered a performance of the highest class, which was sealed when his free-kick bent one way then the other in a classic Jabulani jumble, leaving Richard Kingson utterly befuddled.

Yet nobody out there was more splendid than Gyan, who has, like Forlán, been one of the outstanding players in the tournament.

Once again, he gave everything, ploughing his lonely furrow up front, a thorn in the streetwise Uruguyan defence and when his moment came, it felt fitting that he would have the chance to steer his side to glory.

As both sides never stopped chasing victory in a compelling period of extra time, astonishing last second drama descended.

Adiyiah’s first shot was kicked off the line by Suárez but the striker was given a red card when he punched Adiyiah’s follow-up header off the line.

Yet, to his horror, Gyan’s penalty kick struck the bar and he could only hold his head in his hands. There could be no time for self-pity, though. Minutes later, he fearlessly converted his shoot-out kick.

The force had disappeared, though. Sunderland’s Mensah hit a weak one which Muslera saved with a dive to his left and, though Maximiliano Pereira’s wild miss gave them hope, the Uruguayan keeper made a wonderful one-handed stop off Adiyiah.

All it then needed was for Uruguay to seal victory with an outrageous dinked chip down the centre of the goal from substitute Sebastián Abreu, which sparked mad celebrations and a new dream that the original World Cup winners really could prevail 80 years on.

(source: telegraph.co.uk)

Holland 2:1 Brazil: match report

2010-07-03T12:07:00.001+02:00

With a stunning comeback, Holland sent Brazil, the favourites, crashing out of the World Cup. Two second-half goals – including an own goal by Felipe Melo – over-turned Brazil’s comfortable lead at the interval when they appeared to be re-capturing the football of old.

Melo proved to be the villain of the piece, sent off for a stamp on Arjen Robben, though the Dutch’s at-times cynical tactics infuriated their opponents who stared in disbelief at the end at their exit.

They had appeared in complete control after Robinho, capitalising on poor marking, with Andre Ooijer a late replacement in central defence, running through to meet Melo’s pass to easily beat Maarten Stekelenburg.

The Dutch were swamped with the movement from the Brazilians carving out opportunities for Robinho in particular. Juan should have added a second but shot over while Luis Fabiano wasted a chance with a header.

Robinho’s quick feet then set up Kaka whose curling shot was clawed away by Stekelenburg. The game began to become tetchy and bad-tempered, with cautions accumulated, and Arjen Robben angering the Brazilian by continually going to ground easily.

However the contest switched with an horrendous error by goalkeeper Julio Cesar who failed to reach Wesley Sneijder’s cross as it brushed off Melo’s headed and landed in the net. Brazil were stung into action and Kaka went close with a side-footed shot but then from Robben’s corner, Dirk Kuyt flicked on and Sneijder, probably the smallest player on the pitch, headed home.

Moments later and Brazil’s tournament fell apart with Melo dismissed for a straight red card after stamping on Robben.

(source: telegraph.co.uk)

Miroslav Klose as hungry as ever

2010-07-02T17:07:00.000+02:00

"After whatever match, or success, or goal he remains very modest and even after 100 caps he has a burning ambition," Germany coach Low told reporters before their World Cup quarter final against Argentina on Saturday.
Klose, who has scored 12 World Cup goals in three finals to draw level with Pele, three behind top scorer Ronaldo on 15, came into the tournament on the back of his worst scoring season ever after netting only three league goals for Bayern Munich

"When someone wins 100 caps then that speaks volumes about the quality of the player," said Low.
"In the past few years Klose has not allowed himself to get out of his rhythm during a bad phase even if his body language painted a different picture," said Low, who is expected to deploy the 32-year-old as his lone striker for the third time in this tournament.
Low was criticised for picking Klose for the World Cup after he had fired mainly blanks all season but the striker paid back his trust in the first group match, scoring the opening goal in their 4-0 win over Australia.
Klose then grabbed the opener in their 4-1 win over England in the second round.
"He deserves a big compliment because he has scored 50 goals. Scoring in every second match means very high level of play. I think what he has been able to do as well is be self-critical and be extremely modest," Low said.
The Poland-born striker scored on his first international appearance, netting the winner two minutes from time in their 2-1 victory over Albania in March 2001.
"100 caps is something superb," said Klose on the German federation website (www.dfb.de). "The best thing is that it is not yet over."

Beckenbauer calls for goal-line technology

2010-07-02T16:58:00.000+02:00

Franz Beckenbauer has expressed sympathy for the controversial manner in which England bowed out of the World Cup and called for the introduction of technology to prevent such injustices in future.

Although Beckenbauer has repeatedly criticised England's tactics during the World Cup, at one stage labelling Fabio Capello's men a "kick and rush" team who had gone backwards under the Italian, he admits he felt sorry for them after Frank Lampard's strike was not given.

The inexplicable decision not to award Lampard's 'goal', after the ball bounced off the underside of the bar and landed a clear two feet over the line, has been described in some quarters as German revenge for England's third goal, scored by Geoff Hurst, in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley.

Yet Beckenbauer, who was the victim on that occasion, does not see the comparison.

He accepts there will never be a definitive answer to whether Hurst's shot crossed the line or not. Everyone knows Lampard's did.

"I was sorry for England that Lampard's goal was not spotted," Beckenbauer told the South African Times.

"There is no comparison here to the famous Wembley goal scored by England in 1966 in the final against West Germany.

"Whether or not that shot from Geoff Hurst crossed the line is something you can still debate today, even if computer projections have shown that it wasn't a goal.

"That Lampard's shot landed behind the line is much clearer."

Having ruled out the use of technology to assist match officials, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has conceded the matter has to be looked at again.

The influence of outside forces may end up being strictly limited, but any assistance is a good thing as far as Beckenbauer is concerned.

"I am pleased that the FIFA president wants to open the discussion again on perhaps using videos or microchip technology in the ball," said Beckenbauer.

"There is also talk of additional match officials behind the goal.

"Whatever helps the cause of justice is also good for football. Just as long as it doesn't get too complicated."

Fabio Capello to remain England manager!

2010-07-02T16:53:00.000+02:00

Fabio Capello is to continue as England manager despite England's disastrous World Cup campaign, the Football Association has confirmed.
The Italian, 64, found himself under pressure after England's campaign culminated in a 4-1 loss to Germany.
On Monday he was told he would learn his fate in two weeks, only to be given full FA backing four days later.

"We remain convinced that Fabio is the best man for the job," said Club England chairman Sir Dave Richards.
And Capello hinted that some of the players who underperformed in South Africa might find themselves replaced as he looks to blood younger players during the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers.
"I can assure the fans I am now fully focused on our European qualifying fixtures, starting with the friendly against Hungary in August," he stated.
"We will look to introduce new players to give the team new energy and I will use all my experience to take England forward.
"I am extremely proud to be the England manager, it means so much to me and I am determined to succeed."
Capello's position had appeared to be in the balance after his side were humbled by Germany to end a World Cup campaign that never truly got going.
In the immediate aftermath of the exit there were calls for a new man to take charge, with Alan Shearer among those suggesting Capello would be replaced by the time England face Hungary in August.
However, Capello stated that he was keen to remain in the post at a media conference on Monday and, with senior FA members including David Sheepshanks and Phil Gartside publicly backing him this week, the association has decided Capello is still the right man for the job.
"We are all still extremely disappointed at our performance in South Africa, and we believed it was important that we took some time to reflect on everything in a calm and considered manner back in England," Richards added.
"He went into the World Cup with a reputation as one of World football's finest managers and we are confident Fabio will benefit from his first international tournament experience and this will undoubtedly make us all stronger for the Euro 2012 campaign."

Nigeria president suspends team

2010-06-30T17:58:00.000+02:00

Nigeria's president has suspended his nation's football team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.
Special presidential adviser Ima Niboro told reporters the decision by Goodluck Jonathan will "enable Nigeria to reorganise its football".

The Nigerian Football Federation is to be dissolved and an interim board appointed, the BBC understands.
Nigeria were knocked out in the group stages without winning a game.
Niboro said: "President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdraws from international competition for two years to enable the country to put its house in order.
"This directive became necessary following Nigeria's poor performance in the ongoing World Cup."
The president also plans an audit of the country's World Cup organising committee.
"If any financial misappropriation is discovered, all officials responsible will be held accountable," Niboro added.
The NFF released a statement apologising to "all football-loving Nigerians" for the country's early exit from South Africa.
"No previous board has qualified Nigeria for all major tournaments internationally," the statement read, adding that officials wanted Swedish coach Lars Lagerbeck to remain at the helm.
Rotimi Amaechi, head of a special presidential task force on the World Cup campaign, said Nigeria would write to football's world governing body Fifa to explain its decision.
"We went to the World Cup and found all sorts of problems and we felt we should sit back and look inward," Amaechi told reporters.
Under Fifa rules, government interference with national teams is strictly forbidden.
"At the time of writing, we have no official information on this matter," a Fifa statement read.
"However, in general, Fifa's position regarding political interference in football is well known. Our statutes do not allow for any political interference."
Nigeria's risks their national and club teams, plus referees, being banned from all international competitions - and their officials would not be allowed to attend meetings or events.
Nigeria were set to begin their bid to qualify for the 2012 African Nations Cup finals in September against Madagascar.

Gartside: 'Capello is still right man for England'

2010-06-30T09:23:00.001+02:00

Fabio Capello was given the first ray of hope yesterday that the Football Association will keep him on in the England manager's job when Phil Gartside, a key member of the FA's main board, broke cover and gave his backing to the Italian staying on.

The Independent also understands that, despite his low-key performance in Monday's press conference, 24 hours after the 4-1 humbling at the hands of Germany, Capello genuinely wants to stay in the job and is prepared to put aside the indignity of the FA telling him to wait for two weeks while his position is reviewed.

The 64-year-old will take most encouragement from the words of Gartside, who – as well as being on the FA board – is a close friend of Sir Dave Richards, the man who has the ultimate responsibility for deciding Capello's fate. Gartside, who has remained in South Africa on holiday, said: "I'm saying he's the right man for the job. He has lost one game of football. That's my opinion.

"I'm in South Africa and he's back in England. I don't know what the outcome will be. I don't know that there's a decision to be made, is there? He has got a contract and that's it.

"It's my personal opinion that he should carry on. Yes, I get on very well with Dave Richards, but I'm not speaking on anyone else's behalf. Personally, I don't think his future is up in the air."

While Gartside is only one member of the 11-man FA main board to whom Richards will have to report, he is one of the five professional game representatives and regarded as a leading voice. The other representatives of the professional game, including Manchester United chief executive David Gill and former Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks, will also be crucial to Richards's decision on Capello.

Last night, sources close to Capello said the England manager wanted to stay in the England job for the Euro 2012 campaign because he wanted revenge for the defeat to Germany. The source also said Capello believed that if he was sacked, two and a half years of work and knowledge he had accrued would be wasted.

Capello is prepared to overlook the fact the FA would not back him in the aftermath of defeat to Germany and would be prepared to carry on working for the organisation. Last night, the FA said privately that it was committed to its review of Capello's position. The governing body also said it had not approached any other manager.

Roy Hodgson, the main candidate for the England job should Capello be sacked, is expected to tie up the last few details of his move to Liverpool today. The window of opportunity for the FA would have been yesterday if it was to try to hijack the deal but it has not made contact with Hodgson. The FA is thought to have now discounted Hodgson as an option.

Gartside's comments are the most encouraging news for Capello that he may yet have a future with England in the 72 hours that followed the team's exit from the World Cup finals. However, it should be stressed that Gartside is only one voice among many that Richards will be obliged to listen to. If he were to sack Capello, then the £10m payable to the Italian in compensation would have to be approved by the FA main board.

Another factor that could yet convince Richards to keep Capello – thus cutting short the uncertainty around the England manager – is the pressure Richards himself has come under. Richards is the Premier League chairman and senior figures at the league itself are concerned he has become so heavily involved with the FA and the England team that he is danger of blurring the boundaries between the two bodies.

Richard Scudamore, the Premier League chief executive, has always taken care to distance himself from the more chaotic elements of the FA but now there is concern that the public perception will be the Premier League is running the England team. Richards has a number of influential positions at the FA, including being chairman of Club England, the FA body now charged with running the national team.

However, all Richards' power – Club England, his seat on the FA main board and the chair of the FA's international committee – flows from the fact he is Premier League chairman. He no longer has a club affiliation. If he was in danger of losing his Premier League position, he would also endanger his career.

Hodgson, meanwhile, has only a few small contractual issues to resolve with Liverpool and will take the manager's job at Anfield despite the possibility of the England position opening up.

Hodgson will seek reassurances about outgoings from the current squad before taking the job, but that will not create a stumbling block and Hodgson also knows he has the support of senior players, several of whom were informed last week of his imminent appointment.

His salary is agreed. The length of contract may be one of the few outstanding issues to resolve, plus compensation payable to Fulham. Hodgson is on a one-year rolling contract at Fulham, though, and the compensation will therefore not be an impediment. Though there is a chance he will be unveiled as manager on Thursday, that target is slightly ambitious given the contractual details still to be ironed out.

What changing the England manager can cost

£2.5m The cost the FA incurred paying off the rest of Steve McClaren's contract after the team failed to qualify for Euro 2008. The former Middlesborough received his payout after he refused to resign.

£6m The amount paid to Sven Goran Eriksson after an agreement was reached for him to step aside after the 2006 World Cup, after he was caught in the "fake sheikh" sting. He had been handed a contract to 2008 at £5m a year just two years earlier after being seen discussing the Chelsea management post with Peter Kenyon.

£12m The amount it is expected the FA would have to pay to Fabio Capello in order to pay off his contract. This comes after an escape clause was removed when his contract was amended.

Current World Cup wages

Fabio Capello (England) £6m p/a (the highest)

Marcelo Lippi (Italy) £3m

Joachim Löw (Germany) £2.5m

Dunga (Brazil) £800k

Diego Maradona (Argentina) £800k

Kim Jong-Hun (North Korea) £170k (the lowest)

(source: independent.co.uk)

Real Madrid lining up mega £50m double swoop for Liverpool star Steven Gerrard and Chelsea's Ashley Cole

2010-06-30T09:20:00.001+02:00

Real Madrid want to conclude their summer transfer business by capturing Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard.

Real director general Jorge Valdano yesterday said they intend to bring in two more players, following the arrival of Argentina winger Angel di Maria from Benfica in a £20million deal.

The Spanish giants will now step up their efforts to sign the Premier League pair following England’s exit from the World Cup and could even try to finalise deals before Mourinho starts work in earnest on July 14.

Sportsmail understands that Real sent Chelsea a formal document registering their interest in Cole before the World Cup and are now set to follow up with a firm bid in the region of £25m.

Real have already made an offer of £20m for Gerrard, rated at £35m. But with Liverpool saddled with debts of £472.5m, any increased offer for their skipper will be hard to resist.

'Devastated' Portugal Captain Cristiano Ronaldo Explains 'Innocent' Comments About Carlos Queiroz

2010-06-30T09:16:00.001+02:00

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has explained his post-match criticism of coach Carlos Queiroz, after Spain dumped his side out of the World Cup in the final round of 16 tie in Cape Town.

The Real Madrid star has insisted that his comments after the defeat were misconstrued and insisted that there is nothing more to it.

"When I said to ask the coach it was simply because Carlos Queiroz was at a press conference and journalists could hear his explanations and because I did not feel in the right condition to explain what happened," he is quoted as saying by Marca before adding that he is devastated by Portugal's exit from the tournament.

"I never thought that these simple and innocent words could cause so much controversy. So I ask you not to look for ghosts where none exist. There is no case whatsoever.

"I am suffering and I have the right to suffer alone. I am devastated, completely devastated, frustrated and with unimaginable sadness."

(source: goal.com)

Spain 1:0 Portugal: match report

2010-06-29T23:00:00.001+02:00

David Villa struck a blow for kaleidoscopic football against the suffocating tactics that have threatened to stifle this World Cup by edging Spain to victory against a negative Portugal in Cape Town.

While the stellar talents of Fernando Torres and Cristiano Ronaldo were once again dimmed, Villa moved level on four goals with Gonzalo Higuain and Robert Vittek in the race to claim the Golden Boot in this competition.

Portugal, reduced to 10 men with the 89th minute dismissal of Ricardo Costa for striking Joan Capdevila with his arm, placed all their hopes on the talents of Ronaldo, yet his anonymity was as stark as the brilliance of Villa, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Ronaldo’s frustration was borne out at the final whistle when he appeared to spit at a camera as he left the pitch.

This may have been the second anniversary of Spain’s Euro 2008 triumph against Germany in Vienna, but the marauding attacking machine that destroyed all in its path two years ago has only fired sporadically in South Africa.

The rapier passes of Xavi and Iniesta remain as incisive as ever, but without a fully-fit Torres to provide the cutting edge alongside Villa, the Barcelona playmakers have seen much of their work go to waste

Portugal, despite going into this fixture without having conceded a goal so far during the World Cup, certainly found it more difficult to contain Xavi and Iniesta than the attacking talents of Brazil, who failed to breach the Portuguese defences in Durban last Friday.

Three times inside the opening ten minutes, the Portugual back-line had been cut open by the brilliance of Xavi or Iniesta, but neither Torres nor Villa was able to take full advantage of their platinum service.

For that, Portugal owed a debt to their goalkeeper Eduardo, who repelled Spain’s forwards with three crucial saves.

The save from Torres, just 59 seconds into the game, was a spectacular full-length effort that kept the Liverpool striker’s curling shot out of the top corner.

Spain must have viewed the Braga goalkeeper as Portugal’s weak-link judging by the manner in which they peppered his goal and Villa’s two efforts were shots that were destined for the near post until Eduardo smothered them both.

While Spain passed through Portugal at will, with balls being threaded around full-backs and behind centre-halves, their Iberian neighbours relied on percentage balls to Ronaldo, few of which actually reached the Real Madrid forward.

Ronaldo, as is his way, was clearly desperate to claim centre-stage against the country which he now calls home.

But whether he played on the left or the right - and he switched between both flanks in an increasingly desperate attempt to influence the game - the game passed Ronaldo by.

It was left to Tiago and Fabio Coentrao to provide Portugal’s best first-half openings, all of which were wasted by the one-dimensional forward Hugo Almeida.

Spain controlled the second-half, however, and Fernando Llorente, a replacement for the struggling Torres, was denied an opener when Eduardo kept out his 61st minute diving header.

But the dam burst two minutes later. Iniesta’s pass was flicked on by Xavi and Villa, looking suspiciously offside, saw his first shot blocked by Eduardo before he ruthlessly converted the rebound.

Barcelona have just paid Valencia £34.5 million to take the forward to the Nou Camp. For less than half of Real’s investment in Ronaldo, Barca have bought themselves a goal machine.

Paraguay 0:0 Japan; Paraguay win 5-3 on pens: match report

2010-06-29T22:55:00.002+02:00

There were extraordinary scenes at the end with the Paraguayans flooding the field, the Japanese slumped in despair. There were inevitable tears from Yuichi Komano – who had slammed his penalty against the bar, the only player to miss in the shoot-out – but also from the victorious coach, Gerardo Martino.

Amazingly, the Argentinian sat in the dug-out sobbing his heart out, his glasses askew, steamed up and in the arms of one of his back-room staff. It was relief and pride - surely - but there were a few people inside this stadium who had felt like crying during the previous two hours. Tears of tedium, that is.

Martino’s nickname is Tata but this was tatty. A rag-tag, shapeless match in which the only victor, before substitute Oscar Cardozo rolled in the winning penalty, calm as you like, had been nerves. Both teams were gripped by them and although there was an excuse – the stakes, the occasion – it was a blight.

With hindsight it should have gone straight to penalties and although the Japanese coach Takeshi Okada beat the ground in frustration at the final whistle his tactics appeared set to stifle.

Paraguay now move forwards into the quarter-finals, for the first time in their history, affirming once again the dominance of South American nations at this tournament, making up half of the last eight countries. It’s hard to see them going much further but they have a teak-tough defence and a desire to succeed. They won’t roll over.

The fear of losing was greater than the desire to win. There were few signs of Japan’s attacking verve which has lit up this World Cup.

They played deep and hoped which, given their goal threat and their energy, was desperately disappointing while Paraguay didn’t know whether to stick or twist. Chances were at a premium and the ones that came were squandered in haste.

The relentless Japanese midfielder Diasuke Matsui went closest. In the first-half, the ball broke to him from a tackle, and he struck a dipping, first-time shot that crashed off the crossbar from 25 yards.

Then he sped in from the right to tee up Keisuke Honda whose effort from just outside the area was sliced wide.

For Paraguay, the dancing feet of Lucas Barrios carved out an opening – a clever drag back taking him through only for his poked shot to be saved by Eiji Kawashima with his legs – while Roque Santa Cruz fired wide, under pressure from Honda. But it stopped there.

And that was it for the first 45 minutes. The second-half was even more cagey, even more incident-free although it was the South Americans who pushed, only for their ambition to ebb as the minutes ticked by.

A Cristian Riveros header, a Edgar Benitez shot which was blocked and, in extra-time, substitute Nelson Valdez forced his way through only for Kawashima to rush from goal and block bravely.

In fairness both defences are strong, all four central defenders commanding.

But it was thin fare and was summed up by two passages of play – Claudio Morel inexplicably over-hitting a simple free-kick, straight out of play, and then Keiji Tamada breaking away, on goal, only for him to clip his pass behind the onrushing Shinji Okazaki.

The penalties brought on the lottery but none of the supporters here felt they had a winning ticket as they left the stadium on Tuesday night.

England football team arrive home weary and humiliated

2010-06-29T12:37:00.005+02:00

The England team arrived back on British soil under a cloud on Tuesday morning after their humiliating exit from the World Cup.

The players, who appeared tired and weary, arrived back at Heathrow Airport at 6.20am on a Virgin flight which had been specially chartered by the Football Association.

As they arrived home after the 11-hour flight the players, many of whom were dressed in official England team suits, could barely smile as they walked across the tarmac to waiting cars.

There were glum faces and few smiles as David Beckham led the team off the plane, with Jamie Carragher and Michael Carrick just behind him. Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard barely smiled.

An entourage of players' wives, girlfriends and children also followed them onto the tarmac.

Others including Christine Bleakley, 31, the girlfriend of England midfielder Frank Lampard, Joe Cole’s wife 26-year-old wife Carly Zucker and Toni Poole, 28, wife of former England captain John Terry left South Africa on a separate flight.

The players are not expected to have an official reception.

On board the Airbus aircraft the players travelled in Upper Class, Virgin’s equivalent of First Class, while FA officials travelled in Premium Economy and the economy section was empty.

This is in contrast to the French national team who were made to fly home in economy following their woeful showing in the tournament.

Earlier, in stark contrast to the fanfare of their arrival, the team had earlier slipped out of South Africa with barely a murmur.

While the weather in the UK is scorching, the players can expect a frosty reception from fans disappointed at their poor showing in the World Cup.

Before the flight the team arrived at O R Tambo Airport in Johannesburg on a coach bearing the slogan Playing With Pride and Glory, looking downhearted and sombre.

The players led by under fire coach Fabio Capello were driven into a specially designated part of the airport bypassing the public departures lounge and security.

There they were ushered through a security scanner and private passport control before heading to a secluded part of the airfield to board the plane.

There were no fans present and the players did not speak to waiting journalists.

The team were knocked out by their old footballing foe Germany after slumping to a 4 – 1 defeat in Bloemfontein.

It was England’s heaviest ever defeat in the World Cup finals and capped a miserable tournament in which they only scored three goals and won only once.

Ellie Darby the partner of England defender Mathew Upson’s and Glen Johnson’s wife Laura joined them as they arrived at O R Tambo airport in a minibus.

They travelled down from Rustenburg where the players have been based during their stay in South Africa arriving at the airport around half an hour earlier.

While England were soundly beaten by the Germans, the defeat was overshadowed by a perfectly good goal by Lampard which was not given.

The first half shot by the midfielder cannoned down off the crossbar and clearly crossed the line but was not awarded by the Uruguayan official.

Asked what she thought of the decision, which denied her boyfriend a World Cup goal and England, a potentially crucial equaliser, Miss Bleakley smiled but refused to comment.

She would also give no hint as to the mood in the England camp.

On Monday, the Italian manager claimed he wanted to stay at the helm despite the team's thrashing by the Germans.

But the Italian must wait two weeks to learn his fate.

Capello told reporters at a press conference in South Africa: "I spoke this morning with (Club England chairman) Sir Dave Richards and he told me that he needs two weeks to decide."

Asked whether he would like to stay in his role, the Italian said: "Absolutely. I said I can be the manager of England for the next season, but it is for him (Richards) to decide.

"We spoke also about the players that can play for the next qualification and I know what I have to do."

Asked about the performance of his players, Capello said they were tired after their hectic Premier League season.

And he pointed to Frank Lampard's disallowed second goal, suggesting the outcome of Sunday's game might have been different if the referee had got the decision right.

It is not only the England team that will be arriving home today.

Thousands of disgruntled fans will return in the coming days following a shorter than expected South African trip.

At the airport in Bloemfontein, fans were rearranging flights and some were trying to sell off their tickets for the quarter and semi-finals.

Barry Pringle, 51, an administrator from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, said: "We just want to get back to England as soon as possible now.

"I thought we was robbed again, as normal.

"They definitely need to bring in video technology."

But James Richardson, 28, a mechanical engineer from Chelmsford, Essex, said: "The Germans deserved it. They took their chances and we didn't. We never look like a team, we are always individuals."

But asked if manager Capello deserved to go, he said: "Who else is going to do it? I would stick with him."

The Uruguayan referee blamed for the "goal that never was" smiled but offered no comment when a plucky Fifa volunteer asked if he knew Lampard's shot crossed the line.

Jorge Larrionda and his assistant Mauricio Espinosa failed to spot that the midfielder's shot crossed the line after crashing off the underside of the crossbar.

Unnoticed by England fans, the match officials passed through the airport in Bloemfontein yesterday where a young Fifa volunteer, who normally welcomes fans to the airport, asked if he knew the goal should have been allowed.

Charlotte Molakeng, 22, from Kroonstad, said: "I just asked if he knew there was a goal.

"But I got no comment, just a smile."

(source: Telegraph.co.uk, photo/The Sun)

Sepp Blatter warns Nicolas Sarkozy not to interfere in soccer‎

2010-06-29T12:33:00.003+02:00

FIFA President Sepp Blatter warned the French government on Tuesday not to interfere in the affairs of its soccer association or the sport's governing body could suspend France's football federation.

Blatter's threat came a day after French Football Federation (FFF) president Jean-Pierre Escalettes resigned in the wake of France's World Cup fiasco.

French Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot had said last week Escalettes's resignation was "unavoidable".

"In France they have made an 'affaire d'Etat' with football, but football remains in the hands of the federation," Blatter told reporters on Tuesday.

"French football can rely on FIFA in case of political interference even if it is at presidential level, it is a clear message.

"We will help the national association and if cannot be solved by consultation then the only thing we have is to suspend the federation."

France's group stage exit, marred by the players' decision to boycott a training session in support of expelled striker Nicolas Anelka, has sparked soul-searching and high-level meetings in the country.

Such was the national angst in France that President Nicolas Sarkozy urged a soccer shakeup and met former team captain Thierry Henry.

The debate will continue with the news on Tuesday that both coach Raymond Domenech and Escalettes would be heard by a parliamentary commission of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The players' boycott came after Anelka was kicked out of the squad by the FFF for insulting Domenech at halftime of a 2-0 defeat by Mexico.

France ended bottom of Group A with a draw and two defeats. Domenech will be replaced by Laurent Blanc.

(source: Reuters Africa)

FIFA chief Blatter apologises for referee errors at World Cup

2010-06-29T12:28:00.002+02:00

FIFA president Sepp Blatter apologized Tuesday for the refereeing mistakes that have blighted the World Cup and said soccer's governing body would look again at introducing goalline technology.

"It is obvious that after the experiences so far at this World Cup it would be a nonsense not to re-open the file on goalline technology," Blatter said at a briefing with selected media Tuesday.

"We cannot change anything with 10 games to go in the World Cup, but we will look again at technology, goalline technology, at the business meeting of the (law-making) International Football Association Board in Cardiff, Wales in July."

England and Mexico were the victims of blatant mistakes in their second round matches Sunday and Blatter said he had spoken to representatives of the two teams to express his regret.

"I have apologized to the two delegations," Blatter said on Tuesday.

He added: "I deplore when you see the evident referees' mistakes. It has not been a five-star game for referees. I am distressed by the evident referees' mistakes. I have expressed my apologies."

Blatter made clear his personal opposition to the use of goalline technology or video replays to help decide on marginal calls after the International Board, the sport's lawmaking body, voted against its introduction in March.

"The game must be played in the same way no matter where you are in the world," Blatter said in a statement on FIFA's website (www.fifa.com) at the time. "The simplicity and universality of the game is one of the reasons for its success.

"No matter which technology is applied, at the end of the day a decision will have to be taken by a human being. This being the case, why remove the responsibility from the referee to give it to someone else?"

The decision taken by IFAB in March was just the latest rejection of technology in soccer.

FIFA have examined various technology systems using either cameras or a chip in the ball for years. After experiments in junior competitions the systems were rejected as FIFA decided none was 100 per cent accurate.

TWIN MISTAKES

Blatter's re-think comes after two important decisions at World Cup matches in South Africa Sunday were shown by instant replays to be incorrect.

First, a shot from England midfielder Frank Lampard clattered against Germany's crossbar and bounced down well over the line when England, chasing a comeback, were 2-1 down.

The goal was not given and Germany went on to win the second round match 4-1.

In the later game, Mexico had been enjoying the better of the game against Argentina when Carlos Tevez opened the scoring from a clearly offside position, setting Diego Maradona's side on their way to a 3-1 win.

The twin mistakes highlighted the fact that soccer has become isolated, with other major international sports using video replays or infrared systems to decide on close calls or to track the ball.

(source: Reuters Canada)

Watch Spain v Portugal Live Streaming Online for Free

2010-06-29T11:49:00.000+02:00

Watch Spain v Portugal Live Streaming Online for Free

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Watch Paraguay v Japan Live Streaming Online for Free

2010-06-29T11:48:00.000+02:00

Watch Paraguay v Japan Live Streaming Online for Free

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Spain v Portugal: match preview

2010-06-29T11:45:00.001+02:00

Round of 16

Spain v Portugal
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: Tue June 29, 7.30 BST
TV: BBC1

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso sprained an ankle in the 2-1 win over Chile and if he is ruled out Vicente del Bosque is expected to bring in Javi Martinez though the former Liverpool star should be fit.

Chelsea full-back Paulo Ferreira returns for Portugal in place of Miguel with striker Liedson starting in place of defender Duda.

Simao Sabrosa is also likely to come in for attacking midfielder Danny.

Interestingly, Spain are the only team who have yet to receive a yellow card, while tournament joint-top scorers Portugal are the only team yet to concede a goal.

Touchline duel

Vicente Del Bosque v Carlos Queiroz

The pressure is on Del Bosque to lead Spain to their first ever World Cup success, particularly as many believe he has one of the best ever squads at his disposal.

Del Bosque was the man at the helm when Madrid could last realistically claim to be Europe's leading footballing force, yet he was sacked after four years in the job before being sacked a day after leading Real to their 29th title.

In opposition is another former Real Madrid coach, with Carlos Queiroz determined to impress, having taken South Africa to the finals in 2002 he fell out with the authorities and was denied the chance to lead them.

Talking tactics

Both teams are expected to use a 4-3-3 formation and, on paper, Spain’s front three is potent, yet Fernando Torres has yet to complete a full 90 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo finally scored for Portugal, against North Korea, after a barren 16-month spell, but this is a much bigger test for the former Manchester United favourite.

Key clash

Fernando Torres v Eduardo

Eduardo’s rise to become Portugal’s first choice goalkeeper began when he was in his mid-twenties. But he conceded only 20 goals in 30 Portuguese League games last season and in three games at the World Cup he has yet to be beaten.

The Liverpool striker, who underwent surgery on a troublesome knee injury in April, came off the bench in the defeat by Switzerland then started against Honduras and Chile, but in 154 minutes at the finals the player nicknamed El Niño - The Kid - has yet to find the net.

What thay are saying

Vicente Del Bosque: "We've seen how Portugal controlled the game against Brazil, hitting them on the counter-attack. I take no satisfaction from the fact we're up against Portugal instead of Brazil. They are both great national teams."

Carlos Queiroz: "We can't go into the round of 16 simply on reputation or statistics. The players now have to deliver the goods.”

Teams (probable)

Spain (4-3-3): Casillas; Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila; Busquets, Xavi, Xabi Alonso; Iniesta, Torres, Villa.
Portugal (4-3-3): Eduardo; Ferreira, Alves, Carvalho, Liedson; Meireles, Pepe, Tiago; Sabrosa, Ronaldo, Coentrao.
Referee: Hector Baldassi (Argentina).

Previous Meetings

Played 32: Spain 15 wins, Draws 12, Portugal 5

WCQ: Spain 3 wins, Draws 1, Portugal 0 wins

Last five meetings

1991: (Castellon De La Plana, Friendly): Spain 1 Portugal 1
1992: (Torres Novas, Friendly): Portugal 0 Spain 0
1994: (Vigo, Friendly): Spain 2 Portugal 2
2001: (Barcelona, Friendly): Spain 1 Portugal 1
2003: (Lisbon, Friendly): Portugal 0 Spain 3
2004: (Lisbon, EC): Spain 0 Portugal 1

Fact: This is Spain’s 50th game in the World Cup finals.

Prediction: Both are capable of winning the World Cup but Spain should win.

Paraguay v Japan: match preview

2010-06-29T11:43:00.001+02:00

Round of 16

Paraguay v Japan
Loftus Versfield Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: Tue June 29, 3pm BST
TV: ITV1

Gerardo Martino, the Paraguay coach, could replace the suspended holding midfielder Victor Caceres with the versatile Carlos Bonet. Antolin Alcaraz, who missed the goalless draw with New Zealand with a minor injury, returned to training at the weekend and could feature at some stage.

Japan coach Takeshi Okada fielded the same starting line-up for his side's three group matches and with no injuries or suspensions he has no reason to make any changes.

Touchline duel

Gerardo Martino v Takeshi Okada

Two very different cultures clash in Pretoria and two very different coaches will attempt to out-wit each other with the prize a place in the quarter-finals for the first time for both nations.

Martino, an Argentine, learned his trade under Marcelo Bielsa while Okada is in his second spell as coach having lost all three games at the 1998 World Cup.

Talking tactics

Both teams are likely to operate with just one man in attack as they both bid for a piece of sporting history.

Paraguay won a group that included World Champions Italy while Japan lost just 1-0 to Holland before overwhelming Denmark.

Key clash

Roque Santa Cruz v Eiji Kawashima

Santa Cruz could be key to Paraguay’s success. The Manchester City forward had an indifferent season in the premier League but he is timing his return to form well.

England experienced the qualities of Kawashima in the pre-World Cup friendly in Graz when the Kawasaki Frontale stopper made a series of good saves before blocking a penalty from Frank Lampard.

What they ae saying

Gerardo Martino: "Fundamentally they are a team who get back into their defensive positions very well, using a back-line of four and practically five midfielders, with Honda generally up front.”

Takeshi Okada: “Of course, I think we have to play with extra pride as we are now the only Asian representatives. My desire to beat Paraguay is even more resolute."

Teams (probable)

Paraguay (4-3-2-1): Villar; Caniza, J Caceres, Da Silva, Rodriguez; Riveros, V Caceres, Vera; Santa Cruz, Valdez; Cardozo.
Japan (4-1-4-1): Kawashima; Nagatomo, Nakazawa, Tanaka, Komano; Abe; Hasebe, Matsui, Endo, Okubo; Honda.
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).

Previous meetings

Played 6: Paraguay 2, Draws 3, Japan 1 win

1995: (Tokyo, Friendly): Japan 1 Paraguay 2
1998: (Tokyo, Friendly): Japan 1 Paraguay 1
1999: (Asuncion, Continental Final): Paraguay 4 Japan 0
2001: (Sapporo, Friendly): Japan 2 Paraguay 0
2003: (Saitama, Friendly): Japan 0 Paraguay 0
2008: (Saitama, Friendly): Japan 0 Paraguay 0

Fact: Japan have won just four of 13 games in the World Cup finals.

Prediction: Paraguay have impressed, but so have Japan. Tight; Japan on penalties.

Brazil 3:0 Chile: match report

2010-06-29T11:41:00.001+02:00

Dunga’s terminators are stampeding their way towards a sixth World Cup, offering an impression of football’s most ruthless killing machine en route. There may have been lovelier versions of Brazil’s Selecao, but surely none quite as chillingly efficient as this.

Poor old Chile came for the fight at Ellis Park, came to attack, but they were softened up, shredded by goals from Juan, Luís Fabiano and Robinho and then toyed with as Brazil, quite as hard-nosed as their boss, effortlessly booked their quarter-final spot against Holland in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

On this evidence, the Oranje will not savour the taste. For here was evidence that Brazil might just be the team with everything.

Dear old Dunga gets slated for his supposedly pragmatic ways but if pragmatism means a magnificent back four, experienced holding midfielders of streetwise excellence, a creator of Kaká’s touch, which he is regaining by the game, and a lightning strike force headed by a razor sharp predator such as Fabiano, then who needs romanticism?

Yes, Dunga likes his security blankets; yes, his team’s success is built on hard pressing labour. But you have to give the man credit where it is due.

Some of his team’s football remains a quicksilver delight, their solidity suddenly and intermittently illuminated by shafts of brilliance. Take Fabiano’s goal; this was team play at its finest. By the end last night, Dunga had his tormentors in the 800-strong Brazilian media corps eating out of his hand. Not one word of criticism could be heard as they were not about to argue with his verdict: “We played a nice game; we have to go forward and play open football — that’s what people want to see.” It is all gelling quite handsomely. There was a little alarm for Dunga in Kaka, just back from his red card suspension, picking up another yellow from Howard Webb for a foul but that was offset by the evidence that, bit by bit, he is looking like his old self after his thigh injury.

“Yes, the yellow card is a problem because I don’t want Kaká to be left suspended,” said Dunga. “But we have built him up very carefully to be able to play here and now we’re seeing the benefit.” Yes, like the beautiful cushioned first-time pass which set up Fabiano’s goal.

You had to feel for Chile. If you come to take on this Brazil with the defensive attitude that Portugal did, you may survive; if you come to take the game to them, you are liable to be filleted. Even a team who have graced the tournament as impressively as Marcelo Bielsa’s.

On an evening mild enough even for Dunga to discard his U-boat captain polo neck, Chile provided more warmth with their neat interplay, even if the most striking sight early on was that of Gilberto Silva forcing a fine save with a 25-yard shot. He does not get noticed often but the old Arsenal midfielder, these days at Panathinaikos, is still doing a grand holding job.

The lively Jean Beasejour had one strike deflected for a corner while Pablo Contreras almost connected with a header from a corner, but it always felt as if Brazil were playing on a leash, ready at any moment to slip it.

When they did, they simply flew away. First, Maicon’s corner sailed beyond the penalty spot for the Roma centre-back Juan to head home with ferocity.

Then a couple of minutes later, Robinho careered on the break down the left, offered a precise pass to Kaká, whose touch was so perfect it enabled Fabiano to round Bravo and tap into an empty net. Supreme.

The game was already over. In days of Rivelinho yore, we may have imagined a Brazilian side two up to go dancing. Not Dunga’s mob. Discipline and concentration reigned, with just the odd cavalier moment to savour as when the mad and magnificent Lúcio went galumphing 80 yards downfield and slipped a lovely ball to Robinho, whose lack of control earned him a look which could have killed from his captain.

Brazil’s third was superb too, a marvellous interception and slaloming run from Ramires, who surged forward and laid off a simple pass for Robinho to curl home. It could have been more – Dani Alves almost scored from 35 yards, Kaká shot just over and Robinho almost added another on the break — but it would have been hard on Chile.

Then, one final demonstration of Brazil’s complete all-round quality. When Humberto Suazo thought he had scored with an exceedingly rare shot, Júlio César was equal to it, just a reminder that they have the best goalkeeper in the world, too.

Who in the name of Maradona can stop them?

Holland 2:1 Slovakia: match report

2010-06-29T11:38:00.001+02:00

Unlike so many of the contenders for this World Cup, Holland certainly seem to have the advantage of knowing their best team.

In what was a first for any country in the entire tournament, the Dutch fielded players yesterday with the squad numbers one to 11 on their backs and duly delivered a performance to underline their status as one of the most settled and cohesive teams in the competition.

The nation of Johan Cruyff and 'total football’ could hardly be described as dark horses but, considering they are the only team apart from Argentina to have reached the quarter-finals with four straight wins, the efficiency of their progress has slipped under the radar.

Yet that suits Holland. Having started Euro 2008 with a bang before going home with a whimper, there is a sense of gathering momentum about this campaign. “We are here for one reason, and one reason only; at the World Cup you have to believe you can win it, people can laugh at us but we are third in the world rankings,” said manager Bert van Marwijk.

The inclusion yesterday of Arjen Robben, who was unable to start any of the previous matches due to his hamstring injury, certainly felt like the final piece in the Dutch jigsaw. Their progress through Group E had attracted criticism in Holland for being just a bit too functional, yet Robben adds a creative unpredictability to what was already a very firm base. Considering his lack of match fitness, his general contribution yesterday was staggering. “You need to be explosive; I was pretty free in this game but I know I am not yet at my top level,” he said. Vladimir Weiss, the Slovakia coach, simply called Robben a “genius”.

Robben took just 18 minutes to mark his first start of the World Cup with the crucial first goal. A 40-yard cross-field pass from Wesley Sneijder had put Robben clear in space, but he still needed to cut inside two Slovakian defenders and then drill his finish through the narrowest of gaps inside Jan Mucha’s near-post.

The second half began with a further moment of outstanding skill from Robben. He collected the ball on the edge of the Slovakian penalty area, cut inside Radoslav Zabavnik and Jan Durica then forced an excellent save from Mucha.

While Robben weaved his magic, the solidity of the Dutch midfield also caught the eye. On the rare occasions that Slovakia did gain possession, the shield of Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong broke up just about every attack before it got started.

The only area of doubt in the Dutch team surrounds Robin van Persie, who cut a dejected and petulant figure when he was substituted after another game without a goal. His general link-up play was good, but he missed three chances and exchanged words with Van Marwijk as he left the pitch. Van Persie later said he wanted to stay on because he recognised the need to score for his confidence.

Holland did add a second within three minutes of Van Persie’s departure. Dirk Kuyt made one of his typically selfless runs and beat Mucha to the ball before pulling it back for Sneijder to apply the finishing touch.

There was one final twist in stoppage time when Robert Vittek was upended by Maarten Stekelenburg and converted the resulting penalty with what proved to be the last kick of the match.

England players robbed by hotel staff!!!

2010-06-28T18:01:00.001+02:00

Several England players had shirts, a medal and underwear stolen from the luxury hotel that served as their base during the World Cup.

Police in Rustenburg said cleaning staff from the hotel were responsible for the thefts.

Police spokeswoman Junior Metsi said only about £500 in cash was taken, as the thieves were more keen on grabbing souvenirs such as shirts worn during matches.

The thefts were only reported on Saturday, although it's thought they began on June 21.

Metsi said police solved the case in a day after searching the homes of hotel staff.

"Everything that was stolen was recovered and they (the thieves) are now behind bars," she said.

On Sunday, a special World Cup court convicted five hotel workers of the thefts. They were sentenced to three years in prison and fined.

The players who had items stolen were not named.

(source: mirrorfootball.co.uk)

The wives and girlfriends despair as they watch their loved ones humbled by Germany in the World Cup

2010-06-28T17:46:00.005+02:00

Christine Bleakley could not disguise the agony as she watched boyfriend Frank Lampard and his England team-mates get dumped out of the World Cup.

The TV presenter was joined in the stadium by John Terry's wife Toni Poole, Matthew Upson's girlfriend Ellie Darby and Glen Johnson's wife Laura at the game in Bloemfontein.

Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger was also in the crowd put through a rollercoaster of emotions before England were eventually beaten 4-1 by Germany.

The Germans went 2-0 up early in the first half, but Upson pulled one back for Fabio Capello's men with a header.

Then, less than a minute later, Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda denied Frank Lampard a perfectly good goal when his shot bounced off the crossbar and over the line.

Things went from bad to worse in the second half when the Germans scored two breakaway goals as England chased the game.

The post mortem began at the final whistle, with English fans who paid a small fortune to follow their team in South Africa left wondering why none of the highly paid stars was able to perform.

Many will seek to blame Capello, whose disciplinarian regime appears to have rubbed some of the players up the wrong way and created a mood of ill-feeling in the camp.

Before the tournament, the Italian paid £6m a year, had told the players he did not want wives and girlfriends to be a distraction from the serious business of football.

In Baden Baden four years ago, the WAG sideshow was blamed for disrupting the team.

But the women couldn't be stopped from being in the crowd, even though Bleakley had previously said she wouldn't go.

'I'm not going to South Africa, sadly,' she said. 'So of course I'll miss Frank, but he's got a job to do.

'I'll be watching all the matches and supporting him from home though.'

But maybe the 31-year-old', who is leaving the BBC to join former One Show co-host Adrian Chiles at ITV, had a change of heart after signing her new contract.

She said: 'I am looking forward to a brand new experience at ITV albeit with an old friend'

One WAG who sensibly decided to stay at home was Coleen Rooney. She was pictured at Chester Races and looking after five-month-old son Kai, who at least should put a smile on the face of his father when he gets home.

'I have had the most wonderful three years at the BBC and The One Show.

'It has consumed my life in that time and I would not have had it any other way.'

Carly Cole is currently in Sun City with husband Joe and their three-month daughter Ruby, making the most of her time in the warm weather ahead of the match.

But Coleen Rooney decided to stay in England, after deeming the twelve-hour flight too much of an ordeal for her seven-month-old son Kai.

Alex Curran, wife of Steven Gerrard, also made the decision to stay in England.

Meanwhile, WAG Chantelle Tagoe offered support to the Three Lions today - as well as a lion cub and a cheetah.

While England fans were hoping to see the England team roar against Germany, Emile Heskey's fiancee was making the cats purr.

She paid a visit to the Cheetah Experience sanctuary in Bloemfontein, where she stroked a white lion cub and played with a two-year-old cheetah as it stretched out on the ground.

(source: dailymail.co.uk)

Who could replace Fabio Capello after World Cup exit?

2010-06-28T10:01:00.000+02:00

As Fabio Capello prepares to hold talks with members of the Football Association regarding his future as England manager, Duncan White looks at possible replacements for the Italian following the side's elimination from the World Cup.

Martin O’Neill
He was the public’s choice to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2006, but failed to impress in his interview with the FA. Has built a team based around young English players at Aston Villa and is an excellent motivator.
Stuart Pearce
The Football Association sought Pearce’s inclusion in Capello’s team in order to groom him as a future coach. He has been successful with the Under-21s, but there remain doubts about his aptitude and experience.
Arsène Wenger
An outsider for the job, but the Frenchman knows English football inside out, has an outstanding track record at Arsenal and would be able to coordinate the development of a new generation of talented players.
Roy Hodgson
The former Inter Milan manager would be favourite to succeed Capello after guiding Fulham to their highest Premier League finish and the final of the Europa League in consecutive seasons. Has international experience having managed Switzerland, UAE and Finland.
Harry Redknapp
Popular and gregarious man-manager who handles the media well and has worked with many of the England players at club level. Football Association may be concerned that he comes with too much baggage, what with a court case pending over alleged tax evasion.

Team need to relax ahead of match against Germany, says Carlos Tevez

2010-06-28T09:58:00.000+02:00

Goals by Manchester City's Tevez and Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain, his fourth at the World Cup to become the tournament's top-scorer, means Diego Maradona's Argentina will now meet Germany in Cape Town on Saturday in the last eight.
Mexico forward Javier Hernandez gave his side brief hope when he turned his marker in the 71st minute and smashed his shot past Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero, although it was too little, too late.

"This was an important step, we're in the quarter finals and that's what matters, that we played well," he said.
"The first couple of minutes were really difficult for us. We were not able to run the match. That made life hard for us. After that, it only got better.
"We need to rest and enjoy this victory, which wasn't easy against Mexico. As for my goals? Well, I just want to be effective.
"Now we have to relax a little ahead of going up against the Germans in the quarter-finals, four years after losing to them" also in the last eight, when the Germans won on penalties.

Javier Aguirre refuses to blame referee for World Cup defeat

2010-06-28T09:55:00.000+02:00

Tévez scored two goals and Gonzalo Higuain added another Sunday to give Argentina a 3-1 win over Mexico and a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Tévez was clearly offside when he headed in a chipped pass from Lionel Messi in the 26th minute at Soccer City. The referee awarded the goal after a lengthy consultation with his linesman as the pair was surrounded by angry Mexicans and Argentine players.

However, a mistake by Mexico defender Ricardo Osorio allowed Gonzalo Higuain the opportunity to make it 2-0 soon after.
Mexico coach Javier Aguirre refused to dwell on the opening goal by Tévez.
"I won't say too much about the refereeing. We lost our concentration after that offside goal. We were suddenly 2-0 behind, that was too much to catch up," said Aguirre.
"We have a lot of young players, many are only 21. They will do even better in four years," he added

Lampard calls for technology

2010-06-28T09:43:00.000+02:00

Frank Lampard has demanded the introduction of goal-line technology after being denied a goal against Germany as England crashed out of the World Cup.

England were trailing 2-1 when Lampard's 20-yard strike hit the underside of the bar and bounced down around a yard over the goal-line

However, the officials failed to spot the ball had crossed the line and allowed play to continue.

Germany took full advantage of their lucky escape by going on to win 4-1 and Lampard is amazed his goal was not allowed to count.

"I haven't seen the goal again but I didn't need to see it again," insisted Lampard.

"I knew straight away that my shot was over the line, clearly a yard or so.

Fabio Capello blasts linesman Mauricio Espinosa

2010-06-27T21:27:00.001+02:00

The Uruguayan official denied a goal by Frank Lampard, which took place as England were lagging behind by 2-1.

Replays, however, showed that it clearly crossed the line.

In the end, England were defeated by 4-1 but Capello insisted things would have been different if Lampard's goal had been allowed.

Capello said: "It was one of the most important things in the game."

"The goal was very important. We could have played a different style."

"We played I think well at 2-1, but after the third goal it was a little bit disappointing."

"We played well. Germany is a big team. They played a good game. We made some mistakes when they played the counter-attack."

"The referee made bigger mistakes. Little things decide the result always."

(source: metro.co.uk)

Jorge Larrionda was booted off the 2002 World Cup list and also missed a 'goal' in 2004 qualifying

2010-06-27T21:23:00.002+02:00

Referee Jorge Larrionda's decision not to award England a goal after Frank Lampard's deft effort clipped the cross-bar and bounced a yard behind the line is not the first glaring error made by the Uruguayan official.

The 42-year-old South American, once suspended for six months by his country's Football Association for alleged 'irregularities', was at the centre of a World Cup storm on his continent six years ago for just the same reason.

In a vital qualifying clash between Brazil and Columbia, Larrionda deprived the world champions a winner midway through the second half when Adriano saw his close-range shot bounce down off the underside of the crossbar and land half a metre behind the line.

It caused as much anger in Brazil as it did disbelief elsewhere yet the man in the middle was still selected to officiate at the 2006 World Cup.

In this year's tournament, where he has refereed three games, Larrionda has already attracted criticism for his failure to spot Tim Cahill's clear handball for Australia which ultimately cost Serbia a place in the last 16.

In his final match at the 2006 tournament, the semi-final between France and Portugal he gave a penalty against Ricardo Carvalho which ultimately decided the match.

Larrionda, who lists breeding animals as his main hobby, has the highest red card per match ratio in international matches, 94 in 140 or two reds every three games. It seems he comes with baggage.

The most damaging allegation against him, though, came in 2002. The 42-year-old was suspended along with four other Uruguayan officials for unspecified 'irregularities', a decision which cost him a place at the 2002 World Cup.

England might wish a similar ban had prevented his presence in South Africa this time around.

(source: dailymail.co.uk)

Keeper Manuel Neuer relieved at Frank Lampard's disallowed goal

2010-06-27T21:20:00.001+02:00

With England 2-1 down, Frank Lampard was convinced he had equalised when his shot beat Neuer before hitting the underside of the bar.
The ball bounced down and TV replays showed it had gone about two feet over the line. To Lampard's astonishment, Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda disallowed his effort.

It was a pivotal moment in the World Cup last-16 match as Germany went on to win 4-1 at the Free State Stadium.

Neuer was all smiles at the end of the game as England prepared to pack their bags and head home.

Neuer said: "I tried not to react to the referee and just concentrate on what was happening - it was difficult. I knew it was close.

"Then I saw it on the television in the doping control office and what actually happened. I knew it was tight - probably about two metres."

(source: telegraph.co.uk)

England 1:4 Germany: match report

2010-06-27T21:10:00.001+02:00

History just refuses to leave England v Germany alone. England crashed out of the World Cup amid controversy in Bloemfontein.

Fabio Capello's team went two goals down in the first half an hour but pulled one back through Matthew Upson’s header. A minute later Frank Lampard appeared to have levelled as his shot came down off the bar and clearly crossed the line. The Uruguayan linesman failed to give the goal. Revenge for the most famous goal in World Cup history?

It was a huge mistake to make in such an important game. While it is still impossible to say for sure whether Geoff Hurst’s second and England’s third had crossed the line in 1966, this was a clear goal. For Tofik Bakhramov read Mauricio Espinosa. He won't be allowed to forget that.

Germany also took vengeance for the 5-1 defeat in Munich, adding two counter-attacking goals in the second half to leave England humbled. For all the righteous English anger about the officials’ error, they were outclassed by Germany.

Capello had spent the night mulling over the decision of whether to recall Jamie Carragher, back from suspension, or retain Upson, who had played ably against Slovenia. In the end he decided to stick with his winning team and retain Upson. It was a resonant decision.

For the first half an hour England slipped effortless into their bad old habits. Gone was the intensity of the Slovenia performance and back was the timidity and ponderousness of the game against Algeria. The tempo was slow and too often they tried to hit overly-ambitious passes.

England were given early warning of the German threat. With just four minutes played, Mesut Ozil got in behind Ashley Cole. He had a tight angle to shoot from and tried to squeeze it between David James’s legs. The England goalkeeper managed to deflect it behind. He didn’t get so lucky next time.

Manuel Neuer, the German goalkeeper, hit a huge punt downfield and John Terry was caught out of position, too far up the field. As the ball sailed over him, Upson was slow to react and Klose pounced, getting ahead of the West Ham defender, holding him off and poking the ball beyond a hesitant James.

Ten minutes later and the German’s cut through the English defence again. Thomas Muller surged forward on the right and found Sami Khedira whose clever flick back to Muller allowed the Bayern forward to slip the ball through to Klose. James was out fast to block.

The German second was another beguiling, fluid move – or at least was made to look that way by England’s static defending. Again it came from the German right as Ozil and Klose combined to put Muller clear. He in turn passed the ball across to Podolski, sprinting forward down the left German left, and he shot underneath James and inside the far post.

Two goals down and facing a heavy defeat, England woke up. James Milner beat Jerome Boateng on the right and sent in and excellent low cross to the near post. Lampard came sprinting in and made good contact but Neuer, whether he was aware of it or not, managed to get a glove to it.

Eight minutes before the break and England pulled a goal back. Lampard went bursting forward and won a corner, took it quickly to Milner, who in turn dished off to Gerrard. The England captain curved in a fine cross which Upson met with a cushioned header past the stranded Neuer.

Just before the German second Defoe had hit the bar after being wrongly flagged offside. That was nothing compared to what Espinoza had in store. Just a minute after scoring Lampard superbly guided a shot against the underside of the bar. It came down and clearly bounced over the line. The England players celebrated. Capello celebrated. The fans celebrated. Espinoza remained unmoved. Rooney led the protests at half-time, with David Beckham waiting to confront the officials at the entrance to the tunnel.

Lampard must have wondered what he had to do. Having been denied by a superb save and the myopia of the linesman, the woodwork was next. From 30 yards he hit a dipping free kick that thumped against the bar.

England were pushing hard but could not quite find the equaliser, Boateng blocking Milner’s shot after Rooney had slipped him in.

Germany, though, killed the game with two counter-attacks that embarrassed the English defence all too easily. They just could not live with the movement of Ozil and, especially, Muller.

The German third came from a Lampard free kick which came back off the wall to Barry. He lost it to Boateng who played it to Muller, running clear. The Bayern player hit a terrific pass out to Schweinsteiger on the German left and he ran forward before cutting inside the retreating Johnson and lay the ball back into the path of Muller. He smashed his shot in at the near post, James diving out of the way.

The fourth echoed the third. The ball was cleared down the German left where Ozil had scampered off in anticipation, leaving Barry in his wake. The German playmaker had plenty of time to pick his pass and found Muller, who converted his second gleefully. This was a landmark performance from the 20 year-old.

Even as Germany chased a fifth, England’s attacking players refused to give up. Gerrard picked up on a cute Rooney lay-off, burst into the box and tried to curl the ball around Neuer. The German keeper made another fine save.

While the English players were understandably angry about the injustice of Lampard’s disallowed goal, this was an impressive performance from this young Germany side. They ruthless exposed England’s weaknesses and will meet either Mexico or Argentina in Cape Town on Saturday.

(source: telegraph.co.uk)

The wives and girlfriends arrive in South Africa to back England

2010-06-27T13:51:00.002+02:00

Christine Bleakley, the girlfriend of England midfielder Frank Lampard, was the latest to arrive in the country, joining Chantelle Tagoe, Emile Heskey's fiancée, and Carly Cole, the wife of Joe Cole, who were already there.

Bleakley, the television presenter who last week clinched a lucrative three-year deal to switch from the BBC to ITV, landed at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg sporting a warm smile and wearing a gold, satin blouse and dark blue, skinny jeans.

Fabio Capello, the England manager, has discouraged WAGS from joining their husbands and partners in South Africa, but some have made the trip regardless – others also in the country include Ellie Darby, the girlfriend of Matthew Upson, and Glen Johnson's wife Laura.

Although Capello is known as an authoritarian, he has already softened his hard-line approach at the tournament. Ahead of last week's victory over Slovenia, he permitted players to drink alcohol although, in the end, it is not thought any player had so much as a single beer.

Unlike at the World Cup in Germany four years ago, the Football Association is not paying for the WAGS to travel to South Africa. They were seen as an unwelcome distraction for the team in 2006.

Today the WAGS are expected to do some "good works" in the morning – possibly a visit to a township or an orphanage – before watching the match in Bloemfontein, the winner of which will go through to the tournament's quarter finals.

Back in Britain, the television audience for the game is expected to beat the 19 million who watched England lose to Portugal in the World Cup in 2006. Millions will watch the match in pubs and cafés and on big screens in public areas.

Sainsbury's said it expected to sell five million pints of lager this weekend – up 30 per cent up on last week – 300,000 pizzas and enough sausages and burgers to stretch from London to Johannesburg.

Retail sales are projected to rise by £1.3 billion if the team reaches the quarter final and by over £2 billion if England win the World Cup, according to a survey by the Centre for Retail Research.

(source: telegraph.co.uk, photo/dailymail.co.uk)

Germany's players offered £1million to beat England!

2010-06-27T13:48:00.001+02:00

Germany's players have been offered an astonishing £1 MILLION bribe to beat England in today's make or break World Cup clash.

The extraordinary bonus was yesterday sanctioned by German football bosses - on the same day our players were subjected to a string of vile, personal attacks in the German press.

Germany's manager Joachim Loew - who last night skipped a press conference as pressure built on the eve of today's clash - announced the win bonus to his country's players.

The three-time world champions are so desperate to beat Fabio Capello's men in Bloemfontein today that they have agreed to make a one-off payment of almost £50,000 to every member of their 23-man squad.

The Germans have spent the week trying to portray England's players as the bad boys of the World Cup where, in fact, Fabio Capello's squad have agreed to give their appearance fees for today's game to charities.

But that did not stop the string of savage attacks on our boys in Germany's media.

Captain Steven Gerrard was labelled a bar-room brawler and star striker Wayne Rooney is described as a 'Freier' - a man who pays for sex.

And in a further sign the Germans were running scared they yesterday failed to send a player to the pre-match press conference.

They said it was in protest for the not being allowed to train on the Bloemfontein pitch.

The mud-slinging against our players appeared yesterday in the country's biggest selling newspaper - Bild - in an article under the headline: "Now our good German boys take on the English rowdies."

The article said: "They play the same game, but are completely different people.

"The best lesson for the English scoundrels? Send them home. No later than Monday."

German player Thomas Müller, who faces England defender Ashley Cole, is described as a faithful husband whereas Cole is labelled as a serial adulterer.

Wayne Rooney comes in for stick when the Germans drag up the details of his visits to massage parlours as a very young man six years ago. Jermain Defoe is described as a cross dresser, famous for getting his leg over.

And the Germans shamefully denounce captain Gerrard as a barroom brawler - a reference to an incident two years ago he was, in fact, cleared of. But his opposite number German captain Philipp Lahm is, you guessed it, a serious campaigner on AIDS issues and helps children in need.

John Terry is described as a man who loves to dabble with the girlfriend of another player while Miroslav Klose, the German striker, is described as a model footballer and keen angler.

But England's heroes rose above the mud-slinging yesterday - with Steven Gerard telling his teammates they were set to play the biggest game of their lives.

England's skipper said today's clash with the Germans was "massive" and vowed to have "no regrets" when the final whistle is blown.

Gerrard, 30, said: "We're ready. The mood is good. We've worked hard and we will do whatever it takes to get into the last eight."

And the Liverpool midfielder vowed t that fellow Scouser Wayne Rooney would break his World Cup scoring drought.

Speaking last night, Gerrard said: "I have no doubt that Wayne will score tomorrow.

"He's under pressure but the pressure is on the whole team. Top players put themselves under pressure. I'm sure that is what Wayne is doing.

" Manager Fabio Capello also revealed that Rooney has scored a hatful of goals in training since qualifying for the last 16.

"Rooney is training well and scoring lots of goals," he said. "He is very important for us. It is only a matter of time befor he scores in a match.

"We all expect that to be against Germany."

Yesterday the huge travelling army of Three Lions fans started their 20,000-strong descent on Bloemfontein -desperate to play a noisy, colourful part in our epic clash.

Our diehard supporters displayed glorious St George spirit as they packed sold-out flights from all corners of South Africa, slept all night on train carriage floors and drove for up to 10 hours in hire cars and minibuses.

And as they flocked to the 44,000-seat Free State Stadium in South Africa's remotest province, they were praying that our Three Lions would finally roar.

Countdown to crunch time

(local South African times) 4pm

Yesterday: The team board the coach from their Rustenburg training camp for Sun City airport, before an hour-long flight to Bloemfontein. They check in at the Bloem Spa Lodge in sight of the Free State Stadium.

7pm: Coach Fabio Capello and captain Steven Gerrard speak to the world in their last press conference before the game.

7.30pm: The squad tuck into a nutritional dinner of pasta, chicken, fish, vegetables and rice.

8.30pm: They relax in the hotel and watch last night's game between Ghana and the USA before drifting off to their rooms at around 10.30.

9am TODAY: The players assemble for the match-day breakfast of fruit, yoghurt, poached eggs and toast.

11am: The players gather for a group stretching session with physio Gery Lewin before a morning of relaxation.

12.30pm: Lunch of fresh pasta, steamed vegetables and fish.

2pm: They board the coach and drive past thousands of cheering fans as they sweep into the stadium.

3pm: They find their place in the dressing room and change into their warm-up kits before heading on to the pitch for the first time.

4pm: Captain Gerrard leads the team out. The stadium erupts. Come on England!

(source: mirror.co.uk)

Bet of the Day: Germany - England

2010-06-27T13:38:00.001+02:00

Match Odds: Germany 2.85, Draw 3.05, England 2.65

Kick-Off: Sunday, June 27, 15:00 BST.
Free State Stadium, Mangaung/Bloemfontein.

Matches like Sunday afternoon's is the reason the World Cup was invented. The mere mention of both Germany and England evokes memories of controversial goals, late comebacks and the dreaded penalty shoot-out. Yes, we did manage to go a full sentence before mentioning spot-kicks.

Let's take a look at the betting options for the clash.

England trudged their way through the group eventually finishing second with five points. A goalkeeping howler prevented the Three Lions taking maximum points over the United States and they were simply dreadful against Algeria labouring to a point.

Things got back on track with a 1-0 win over Slovenia which saw a vast improvement in performance. Winning their last match has given England a much needed confidence boost, but let's not get carried away as Slovenia are an average side.

On the plus part, England are unbeaten while Sunday's opponents are not. They've only shipped one goal and that was the result of a mistake. History indicates that England will raise their game when they play a better team and there are certainly no rivals more fierce than the three times World Champions.

Germany lit up the early part of the group stage thumping Australia 4-0, which was assisted by their knowledge of the Jabulani ball. The controversial football was introduced into the Bundesliga earlier in the season so German players could get acquainted with it. A 1-0 loss to Serbia followed where the Nationalmannschaft played with 10 men for 50 minutes and (frame now) missed a penalty. Ghana were beaten 1-0 in a match where the European side rarely looked troubled.

"It would be a terrible mistake to underestimate them [England] just because they had a few problems in their group. They may well raise their game for the knockout matches. We have no need to be in awe, and we certainly have no reason to fear them. We respect them of course, but we're not afraid," Lukas Podolski told FIFA.com.

England Tips
Considering their lousy record against Sunday's opponents you may be surprised to find that England are slight favourites at 2.65. Don't be. This is mainly fuelled by patriotic fans backing their team and bookies are savvy to this. In reality, Germany are the favourites.

Jermain Defoe will be given another opportunity after bagging the winner against Slovenia. The Tottenham Hotspur striker is not one of the world's top forwards but a confident, happy Defoe could cause Germany problems. He is an excellent 3.0 to score at anytime and 8.0 to score first as he did last time out.

Wayne Rooney does not look fit, or sharp, for that matter so odds of 2.37 to score at anytime look too short from this angle. His last goal came against German opposition when he scored against Bayern Munich. Wazza is 6.0 to score first.

A better bet is Steven Gerrard, who scored a long ranger in England's 5-1 thumping back in 2001, who is 4.0 to score at anytime and 9.0 to score first. The Liverpool skipper is captaining his country for the first time in the knockout stages and he has a tendency to roam, making shooting opportunities very likely. He's already scored in the tournament...

Germany Tips
At 2.85 Germany are superb value to win in 90 minutes. They have the hex over England in the World Cup eliminating them in 1970 and 1990.

Miroslav Klose returns for Germany after serving his suspension. Klose performs much better for his country than his club and coach Joachim Low is an enthusiastic supporter. With 11 goals already in his World Cup career, Klose is generously priced at 3.0 to score during the 90 minutes and 7.0 to score first.

Mesut Oezil has been identified by many as the key player for the Germans. Having scored arguably the goal of the tournament, Oezil is a very worthwhile 4.50 to score at anytime.

Germany have been very strong in the second-half of games recently, scoring ten goals after the break in their last six matches. In five of those games they won the second-half, so there is a lot of merit in Germany doing the same on Sunday afternoon and winning the second-half at stunning value of 3.03.

Extra Time
Don Fabio will want to avoid penalties like the plague just like Marcello Lippi did with Italy against Germany in the semi-finals four years ago.

* England to win in extra time - 12.0

* Germany to win in extra time - 12.0

Penalties
We had to mention it sometime and it certainly makes for dismal reading for the Three Lions. Italia '90 and Euro '96 eliminations were from the spot, and that was just against the Germans. France '98, Portugal '04 and Germany '06 were the scenes for more penalty heartbreak.

Jermain Defoe has missed six of his last 11 penalties, while Frank Lampard aimed his most recent one wide in the FA Cup Final. Germany have thrown England a bone thanks to Lukas Podolski's miss against Serbia - his nation's first in a World Cup since 1982 - or to put it another way, before Jermain Defoe was even born.

* England to win on penalties - 10.0

* Germany to win on penalties - 9.50

Betting Verdict
A draw after 90 minutes is the most sensible bet as the last four times these teams have clashed in a knockout tournament they have been level pegging making extra-time a necessity. At much better than even money this is most definitely worth shelling out a little Sterling or Euro on.

* Draw after 90 minutes - 3.05

In all the knockout games so far both teams have scored and Sunday should be no different. England have a makeshift defence, while as Serbia have demonstrated, Germany can be got at. You can't afford to be conservative with elimination staring you in the face.

* Both teams to score - 2.0

Local Insight
Dennis Weinacht, Goal.com Germany

"It will be a very exciting game which I suspect will have plenty of goals. In the end Germany will go through with some luck because Miroslav Klose will return to great form and score twice.

"Wayne Rooney will do the same for England. Only in the last minutes of the match will the game be decided. Maybe the teams have to play more then 90 minutes but there won't be a penalty shoot-out.

"It will also be important for Germany that the defence around Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker finally plays very well. We are relying on them."

Prediction: Germany 3-2 England

Odds on 3-2 Germany win: 34.0

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com UK Chief Editor

"It may not be the prediction expected, but my honest instinct is that the German team looks to have goals from more areas, and while their defence hasn't been as strong as it used to be, it has remained fairly solid throughout the tournament so far.

"Plus, the battle of Oezil vs Barry is not one I imagine ending in England's favour. It may go to extra-time, but Germany are the more likely to produce a winner. Penalties would also be likely to end in their favour. That being said, this, along with Spain vs Portugal, is the closest round of 16 tie there is."

Prediction: Germany 2-1 England

Odds on 2-1 Germany win: 11.0

Match Odds: Germany 2.85, Draw 3.05, England 2.65

(source: goal.com)

England v Germany: match preview

2010-06-27T10:47:00.002+02:00

Round of 16

England v Germany
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: Sun June 27, 3pm BST
TV: BBC One 2.30pm

It was, perhaps, inevitable England would meet Germany in South Africa, but few expected it so early on. Germany have impressed more than England at the World Cup so far, particularly against Australia. Yet they have lost, against Serbia, while England remain unbeaten.

The last time these teams met in the finals was back in 1990, when England suffered the cruelty of a penalty heartache. But on the previous occasion they met in the qualifiers England record their best ever win over their rivals, a remarkable 5-1 victory in Munich.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Jerome Boateng and Mesut Ozil all picked up knocks against Ghana but Germany anticipate the trio to be fit. The Germans will also have Miroslav Klose available after suspension.

England, meanwhile, are expected to keep faith with Matthew Upson alongside John Terry even though Jamie Carragher is available after suspension. There is, though, a slight double over Wayne Rooney and his ankle problem.

Key Clash

John Terry v Miroslav Klose: Terry was immense against Slovenia, having received a verbal lashing from Capello.

Now he faces one of the most successful strikers in world football and has to produce another superlative performance, aided by Matthew Upson.

Klose is one short of 50 international goals and his return, from suspension, against England will be his 99th appearance for Germany.

Touchline duel

Fabio Capello v Joachim Low: Two cool customers will stand side by side in Bloemfontein and both have points to prove.

Low has been criticised for fielding such a young side but the fact Germany have qualified again suggests the future is bright.

Capello’s hold over discipline showed cracks but now he has the support of his players again and confidence has returned.

Talking tactics

Capello has resisted calls to play Wayne Rooney as a lone striker with Steven Gerrard playing just off him. Gerrard started on the left against Slovenia, though he did drift inside.

James Milner impressed on the right in that game and will continue, while Matthew Upson will be expected to deliver another good display alongside John Terry.

Germany have used a 4-2-3-1 formation for all three games, with Cacau replacing Klose against Ghana.

Fabio Capello: “The players needed the victory against Slovenia and I needed it. They can play against all the teams and I am sure the performance will always be at this level with this spirit.”

Hansi Flick (assistant manager): “We have a very young team and England are certainly the favourites. But beating Ghana made us mentally stronger.”

Teams

Germany (3-2-3-1): Neuer; Lahm, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Boateng; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Podolski, Ozil; Klose.
England (4-4-2): James; Johnson, Upson, Terry, A Cole; Milner, Lampard, Barry, Gerrard; Rooney, Defoe.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay)

Previous meetings

Played: 27 Germany 10, Draws 5, England 12

1930: (Berlin, Friendly): Germany 3 England 3
1935: (London, Friendly): England 3 Germany 0
1938: (Berlin, Friendly): Germany 3 England 6
1954: (London, Friendly): England 3 West Germany 1
1956: (West Berlin, Friendly): West Germany 1 England 3
1965: (Nuremburg, Friendly): West Germany 0 England 1
1966: (London, Friendly): England 1 West Germany 0
1966: (London, WC): England 4 W Germany 2 (aet)
1968: (Hanover, Friendly): West Germany 1 England 0
1970: (Leon, WC): W Germany 3 England 2 (aet)
1972: (London, EC): England 1 West Germany 3
1972: (West Berlin, EC): West Germany 0 England 0
1975: (London, Friendly): England 2 West Germany 0
1978: (Munich, Friendly): West Germany 2 England 1
1982: (Madrid, WC): W Germany 0 England 0
1982: (London, Friendly): England 1 West Germany 2
1985: (Mexico City, Friendly): England 3 West Germany 0
1987: (Düsseldorf, Friendly): West Germany 3 England 1
1990: (Turin, WC): W Germany 1 England 1 (West Germany 4-3 pens)
1991: (London, Friendly): England 0 Germany 1
1993: (Detroit, Friendly): Germany 2 England 1
1996: (London, EC): England 1 Germany 1 (Germany 5-6 pens)
2000: (Charleroi, EC): England 1 Germany 0
2000: (London, WCQ): England 0 Germany 1
2001: (Munich, WCQ): Germany 1 England 5
2007: (London, Friendly): England 1 Germany 2
2008: (Berlin, Friendly): Germany 1 England 2

Fact: Miroslav Klose has scored 11 goals in World Cup finals, just four behind all-time record scorer Ronaldo, who has 15.

He is only three behind Germany’s most prolific World Cup scorer, Gerd Müller. England’s highest scorer is Gary Lineker (10) while, in the present squad it is Steven Gerrard, with three.

Meanwhile, Germany have drawn only one of their last 15 games, keeping nine clean sheets in that spell.

All four previous knockout matches between England and Germany in major tournaments have gone to extra time.

Prediction: The time has come for England to beat Germany, and do it in regular time without penalties. England will win.

Argentina v Mexico: match preview

2010-06-27T10:37:00.001+02:00

Round of 16

Argentina v Mexico
Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg
Kick-off: Sunday June 27 2010, 7.30 BST
TV: BBC1

A lovely-looking last 16 encounter with two of the great adverts for the rise of Latin American football here trying to pass each other into oblivion.

Argentina, along with Holland the only team with a 100% record here, will start favourites, but Mexico, even coming off their poorest performance with the defeat by Uruguay, are determined to avenge their quarter-final loss to Los Albicelestes in Germany.

Walter Samuel is set to miss out for Argentina through injury while Liverpool’s Maxi Rodriguez is tipped to replace Juan Sebastian Veron, while Arsenal’s injured Carlos Vela has shown enough improvement to come into contention again.

Key clash

Stopping Lionel Messi, who has not scored at this World Cup yet but has done everything but, has to be the number one priority of any opponents of Argentina and Mexico could have no better man to organise the shackling.

The assured Rafael Marquez, Messi’s Barcelona teammate, may find himself either the last line of defence or trying to stop the number 10 at source in a holding midfield role.

Talking tactics

After all the adventure of his group matches, could it be time for Maradona to look for more security in defence, with the more fragile Jonas Gutierrez perhaps giving way to the accomplished Nicolas Otamendi? Argentina, surging forward, simply cannot afford to be caught napping by the pace of Giovanni dos Santos and/or Javier Hernandez

Touchline duel

The novice Maradona has great respect for Mexico’s hero Javier Aguirre, whose reputation back home is soaring even more. “I respect Aguirre deeply.

This gentleman has had a great career. He’s a great coach,” Maradona enthused.

What they say

Javier Aguirre: “This could be a nice opportunity to take revenge for what happened four years ago"

Diego Maradona: “With the likes of Marquez and Dos Santos, Mexico has quite a number of players who have us worried”

Teams

Argentina (4-3-1-2): 22 Romero; 4 Burdisso, 2 Demichelis, 13 Samuel, 6 Heinze; 8 Veron, 14 Mascherano, 7 Di Maria; 10 Messi; 11 Tevez, 9 Higuain
Substitutes: 15 Otamendi, 3 Rodriguez, 5 Bolatti, 16 Aguero, 19 Milito, 1 Pozo (G), 21 Andujar (G), 12 Garce, 20 Maxi, 23 Pastore, 18 Palermo, 17 Gutierrez
Mexico (4-3-3, r-l): 1 Perez; 5 Osorio, 2 Rodriguez, 4 Marquez, 3 Salcido, 16 Juarez, 6 Torrado, 7 Barrera; 16 Guardado, 9 Franco, 17 Giovani
Substitutes: 13 Ochoa (G), 23 Michel (G), 12 Aguilar, 15 Moreno, 19 Magallon, 20 Torres, 11 Vela, 8 Castro, 10 Blanco, 14 Hernandez, 21 Bautista, 22 Medina
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)

Previous meetings

Played: 25 Argentina 9 wins, Draws 12, Mexico 4 wins

1930: (Montevideo, WC): Argentina 6 Mexico 3
1956: (Mexico Df, Friendly): Mexico 0 Argentina 0
1960: (San Jose, Friendly): Mexico 0 Argentina 2
1960: (San Jose, Friendly): Mexico 2 Argentina 3
1962: (Buenos Aries, Friendly): Argentina 1 Mexico 0
1967: (Mexico City, Friendly): Mexico 2 Argentina 1
1973: (Mexico Df, Friendly): Mexico 2 Argentina 0
1984: (Monterray, Friendly): Mexico 1 Argentina 1
1984: (Buenos Aries, Friendly): Argentina 1 Mexico 1
1985: (Los Angeles, Friendly): Mexico 1 Argentina 1
1985: (Puebla, , Friendly): Mexico 1 Argentina 1
1990: (Los Angeles, Friendly): Mexico 2 Argentina 0
1991: (Buenos Aries, Friendly): Argentina 0 Mexico 0
1993: (Guayaquil, South American Champs) Mexico 1 Argentina 1
1993: (Guayaquil, South American Champs) Argentina 2 Mexico 1
1999: (Los Angeles, Friendly): Argentina 0 Mexico 0
1999: (Chicago, Friendly): Mexico 2 Argentina 2
2000: (Los Angeles, Friendly): Mexico 0 Argentina 2
2003: (Los Angeles, Friendly): Mexico 0 Argentina 1
2004: (Chiclayo, South American Champs) Argentina 0 Mexico 1
2005: (Los Angeles, Friendly): Mexico 1 Argentina 1
2005: (Hanover, Confederations Cup): Mexico 1 Argentina 1 (Argentina win 5-6 pens)
2006: (Leipzig, WC): Argentina 1 Mexico 1 aet
2007: (Puerto Ordaz, South American Champs): Mexico 0 Argentina 3
2008: (San Diego, Friendly): Mexico 1 Argentina 4

Fact: Argentina have failed to score with three of their last five penalties at World Cup finals.

Prediction: The Mexican have impressed but their record in this fixture is poor: Argentina win.

Cristiano Ronaldo gets engaged to Irina Shayk

2010-06-26T22:36:00.005+02:00

Cristiano Ronaldo has proposed to his beloved Russian-born model Irina Shayk. Shayk has already received her parents’ blessing.

Shayk revealed the information about the engagement in an interview to Portuguese tabloid Lux that was published with a photograph of the smiling couple on the cover with the caption “I’m a bride!”

Observers of the Portuguese newspaper Correio de Manha have learned that Ronaldo struggled for the heart of the Tatar green-eyed brunette. Twenty-four-year-old Irina Shayk, known for her career as a lingerie model with Victoria's Secret and Intimissimi, was chased by the Portuguese half-back of Spanish Real Madrid for over four months. The girl persistently refused to give out her cell phone number, but eventually succumbed to his charms.

“He had to beat around the bush for a long time, which is generally a rarity for him”, says the footballer’s ex, 27-year-old model Rute Penedo. “If there was no struggle, Ronaldo would not be as enthusiastic about this girl.”

In the past, Cristiano Ronaldo has had relationships with Americans Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, and Spain’s Nereida Gallardo.

At the moment the groom is occupied with the World Cup in South Africa where he recently scored a goal in the match against North Korea.

The relationship was made public in May this year when the couple was noticed together on vacation in Corsica.

Irina Shayk (Irina Shaikhlislamova) was born in the city of Yemanzhelinsk in the Chelyabinsk region. In 2005 she moved to Paris. She has worked with Armani, Guess, Lacoste, La Perla. Before her acquaintance to Ronaldo she was in a relationship with Linkin Park rock band drummer Rob Bourdon.

(source: rt.com)

Wayne Rooney issues rallying cry as defiant star aims to knock out the Germans

2010-06-26T18:27:00.000+02:00

The defiant striker promised the Three Lions would draw on all their fighting spirit to knock our old foe out of the contest and warned Joachim Loew’s side: “We’re not scared of you.”

As thousands of excited England fans poured into Bloemfontein ahead of the last 16 knockout match, Roo – who was a keen boxer in his youth – said: “I thought the Germans looked good in their first match, but they are beatable and I am confident.

“Winning, that’s why I love football so much, it is all about winning. I have seen nothing to be afraid of.”

Rooney, 24, may have failed to sparkle in the competition so far, but England fans hope he will rediscover the blistering form that terrifies defenders. And veteran goalkeeper David James is convinced Roo, who last scored for England in September’s Wembley 5-1 qualifing rout against Croatia, will use tomorrow’s match as the springboard to do just that.

He said: “This is the platform for him, I am sure Wayne would like to make this his game.
“It is about the team winning, but Wayne’s contribution in our match against Slovenia was superb.”

James is also confident England can dump Germany out of the contest in 90 minutes, meaning we won’t face a dreaded penalty shoot-out against the most clinical spot kickers in the world. But he said he will be closely studying the penalty techniques of our opponents so he is 100% ready should the match end in a draw.

The 39-year-old added: “It is all about doing the homework.

“I watched the videos on three sides we have faced already.

“In a shoot-out there will be five of their regular penalty takers and I will be looking at that. I will be ready.

“Germany have not lost in a shoot out, but it is our intention to win in 90 minutes. We have confidence. We went to Berlin a couple of years ago and won 2-1, we can do it.”

England's World Cup hopes dealt a blow by psychic octopus

2010-06-26T18:22:00.000+02:00

Paul the octopus has correctly predicted all of Germany's wins and defeats in the World Cup so far - and he is tipping them to beat Fabio Capello's team tomorrow.

To get his predictions, food is lowered into Paul's tank in two containers with the flag of each country on the front. The one he goes for is his tip to win.

For this last 16 clash in Bloemfontein, Paul opted for a mussel in a glass of water marked with the black, red and yellow flag of our fierce rivals.

To rub salt in England's wounds, twoyear-old Paul lives in Oberhausen Sea Life centre in Germany but is originally from Weymouth, Dorset.

The centre's Tanja Munzig, who looks after the creature, said: "For the European Championship in 2008 Paul's success rate was more than 80% for Germany games.

"And for this World Cup, he has had a 100% success rate so far." She'll probably shell out a few squid on the result.

America starting to believe in American World Cup dream

2010-06-26T18:18:00.000+02:00

The USA’s do-or-die victory over Algeria on Wednesday put them in a position they haven’t been in for 80 years since their very first World Cup in 1930: winners of their group.
It certainly came as a huge relief to the team, and provided a massive boost back home where the sport still lags behind.
The 2010 World Cup has drawn plenty of US fans, however, and the results haven’t hurt. First up, they drew 1-1 with a fancied England team, a game which attracted a record number of American viewers for a group game with nearly 13 million. That ranks as the fifth most watched FIFA telecast, lagging behind the women’s World Cup final in 1999 amongst others.

But the 13 million is still a far cry from the 106 million who watched the Super Bowl in February.
Fans across the US, however, are starting to tune into their team’s story. A poor call in their 2-2 draw with Slovenia on June 18 denied the US a winner having come from two goals behind. The outrage stemming from that incident and the perseverance of the players in dramatically grabbing a winner in stoppage time against Algeria have finally brought football into the spotlight and onto the front page of newspapers.
Even former President Bill Clinton showed up for Wednesday’s match supporting the red, white and blue.
US Soccer President Sunil Gulati said after the game: “It is so trite to say but so true – the American spirit came through… To come back from being down 2-0 in the last game, to give up a goal early against England and come back, that’s the American spirit.”
And fans in the United States are starting to believe it.
“We’ve had unbelievable support here,” Landon Donovan said about US fans at a press conference earlier this week. “It’s not something I’ve experienced since I’ve been a part of the team, not to this level.”
American fans will surely be fully behind the players in their second round match on Saturday against Ghana. Donovan is set to be a presence as the tournament continues – the star midfielder has two goals already and has been close to many more. With midfielder Clint Dempsey and striker Jozy Altidore, the US have plenty of attacking options if they can hold up defensively.
They have already been down early twice, to England and then 2-0 to Slovenia.
This World Cup has been massive for football in the USA, and the team will fight for their American dream. The last 16 game on Saturday will go some way towards showing if their team is up to the task.

Best Germany - England clashes from the past!

2010-06-26T16:44:00.000+02:00

England star Wayne Rooney had already expressed his desire to lock horns with Germany earlier this month and the Manchester United forward will get his wish to face the Nationalelf in the first knock-out round of the 2010 World Cup on Sunday.

The Germans topped their group after beating Ghana 1-0 in the last match of the group stage, while the Three Lions had to settle for second spot in their group, despite beating Slovenia 1-0 on Matchday 3.

English Victories

The clash between Germany and England has quite an impressive history and previous meetings have led to some controversial moments. The most famous game between both nations is without a doubt the final of the 1966 World Cup at Wembley. Englishmen and Germans still don't agree on whether Geoff Hurst's goal had indeed crossed the goal-line. However, what counts most is that the referee awarded England a goal, eventually leading to the Three Lions' biggest success in history, winning the World Cup.
The 4-2 triumph for England was only one out of two victories for the Three Lions over their bitter rivals in a match of substance. The Nationalelf won't exactly have sweet memories of their 5-1 defeat in the qualification campaign for the 2002 World Cup either. Michael Owen netted a hattrick back then to humiliate Germany in Munich. Aside from these two matches, Germany have been the dominant side against England.

First German Win In 1968

Only two years after their controversial loss in the World Cup final, the Germans bounced back and beat England for the first time in history. Franz Beckenbauer was the one who led Germany to their first ever win against England after failing to record a victory in their previous 12 meetings.

Der Kaiser's goal was the start of a new era, in which the Germans proved to be too strong for England in important matches. Uwe Seeler headed the Nationalelf to victory against at the 1970 World Cup, while the Three Lions were also eliminated by 'ze Germanz' at Euro 1972, the 1982 World Cup, the 1990 World Cup and at Euro 1996.

Waddle And Southgate - 'The Donkeys'

One of Germany's favourite ways to beat their bitter rivals was via the penalty shoot-out. During Germany's triumph at the 1990 World Cup, Chris Waddle was the one who failed to convert his spot kick when it mattered most, thus ending England's World Cup hopes.
Six years later at the European Championships in England, the Three Lions' title ambitions were once again frustrated from twelve yards. Gareth Southgate was his side's 'donkey' this time when he failed to find the net from the spot in England's semi-final against Germany.

Lineker: "In The End Germany Always Win"

"Normally, every team could beat their opponent when it comes to spot kicks, unless England play against Germany," as English legend Gary Lineker once said.

"Football is a game for 22 people that run around, play the ball, and one referee who makes a slew of mistakes, and in the end Germany always win."

It remains to be seen though whether the English will be in tears again after Sunday's match...