2010 FIFA World Cup

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Germany Score 24 Goals in Friendly

Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose scored five times each in Germany's 24-0 victory over an under-20 selection of South Tirol on Wednesday.

Gomez and Klose each played one of the 30-minute halves in Germany's World Cup training camp.

Germany coach Joachim Loew used 20 players. Other scorers were Piotr Trochowski (3), Cacau (2), Stefan Kiessling (2), Andreas Beck (2), Toni Kroos (2), Arne Friedrich (1), Sami Khedira (1) and Lukas Podolski (1).

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/germans-score-24-goals-in-wc-warmup

 

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World cup managers

Group A

South Africa - Parreira
Mexico - Javier Aguirre
Uruguay - Oscar Tabarez
France - Raymond Domenech

Group B

Argentina - Diego Maradona
Nigeria - Lars Lagerbäck
Greece - Otto Rehhagel
Korea Republic - Huh Jung-Moo

Group C

England - Fabio Capello
United States - Bob Bradley
Algeria - Rabah Saadane
Slovenia - Matjaž Kek

Group D

Germany - Joachim Löw
Autralia - Pim Verbeek
Serbia - Radomir Antić
Ghana - Milovan Rajevac

Group E

Netherlands - Bert van Marwijk
Denmark - Morten Olsen
Japan - Takeshi Okada
Cameroon - Paul Le Guen

Group F

Italy - Marcello Lippi
Paraguay - Gerardo Martino
New Zealand - Ricki Herbert
Slovakia - Vladimír Weiss

Group G

Brazil - Dunga
Korea - Kim Jong-Hun
Ivory Coast - Sven
Portugal - Queiroz

Group H

Spain - Del Bosque
Honduras - Reinaldo Rueda
Chile - Marcelo Bielsa
Switzerland - Ottmar Hitzfeld

 

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Shakira - WAKA WAKA - Official World Cup 2010 Song

 

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Obama wishes US soccer team luck in World Cup

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama gave the U.S. World Cup team a presidential sendoff, greeting players at the White House on Thursday along with Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton.

"I just want to say how incredibly proud we are of the team," Obama said. "Everybody's going to be rooting for you. And although sometimes we don't remember it here in the United States, this is going to be the biggest world stage there is. And you're going to be representing all of us."

Biden intends to attend the U.S. opener against England on June 12 in Rustenburg, South Africa. Clinton is honorary chairman of the bid committee trying to bring the World Cup back to the U.S. in 2018 or 2022.

"We're going to be proud of what you do when you get to South Africa, and you will have somebody in the Oval Office who's going to be watching ESPN to make sure that things are going OK," Obama said.

Biden also gave the players a tour of the White House.

"I had been there once before with the Olympic team. This time around, it was pretty awesome." goalkeeper Tim Howard said.

While their soccer skills got the players into the White House, it was their fashion sense that caught the eye of the leaders. Clinton told the players he wants to join the team just for their stylish tan dress shoes. Obama agreed they were "good-looking" shoes.

"They had a sense of humor and gave us a real nice tour," forward Jozy Altidore said. "Overall, it was just an exciting part of the day."

After the White House visit, the team traveled to Philadelphia and worked out at the Eagles' NovaCare Complex ahead of Saturday's exhibition against Turkey at Lincoln Financial Field. The team leaves the following day for South Africa.

More than 48,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday's game, the next-to-last warmup before the U.S. opens against England.

"We've been working really hard to get ready for the World Cup," midfielder Clint Dempsey said. "I think the team is confident. It would be nice to go into South Africa with a solid performance against Turkey. We'll be ready to play Saturday, and I think the guys on this team believe in each other and what we're trying to accomplish."

While Howard, Dempsey and Landon Donovan were given the night off for Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Czech Republic in East Hartford, Conn., the lineup Saturday should be closer to the team's first-choice selection.

The other first-round games, against Slovenia on June 18 and versus Algeria on June 23, are too far off to think about.

"We're focused on Saturday, first and foremost," Howard said. "Then we're focused on England. We can't worry about what might happen beyond that. I think we're in the right frame of mind as we get ready to start the World Cup."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/7025437.html

 

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Group A Squad

South Africa

Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Defenders: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth), Bryce Moon (PAOK Salonika), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Siyabonga Sangweni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Franklin Cale (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Steven Pienaar (Everton), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Forwards: Benni McCarthy (West Ham United), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvete (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (Twente Enschede).

Mexico

Goalkeepers: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara)

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (VfB Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia)

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo Coruna), Jonathan dos Santos (Barcelona), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray)

Forwards: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham United)

Uruguay

Goalkeepers: Fernando Muslera (Lazio), Juan Castillo (Deportivo Cali), Martin Silva (Defensor Sporting)

Defenders: Diego Lugano (Fenerbahce), Diego Godin (Villarreal), Andres Scotti (Colo Colo), Mauricio Victorino (Universidad de Chile), Martin Caceres (Juventus), Jorge Fucile (Porto), Maximiliano Pereira (Benfica)

Midfielders: Sebastian Eguren (AIK Stockholm), Alvaro Pereira (Porto), Walter Gargano (Napoli), Diego Perez (AS Monaco), Alvaro Fernandez (Universidad de Chile), Alvaro Gonzalez (Nacional), Jorge Rodriguez (River Plate, Uruguay), Nicolas Lodeiro (Ajax), Jorge Martinez (Catania), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Penarol), Ignacio Gonzalez (Levadiakos)

Forwards: Luis Suarez (Ajax), Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Sebastian Abreu (Botafogo), Edinson Cavani (Palermo), Sebastian Fernandez (Banfield)

France

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux), Mickael Landreau (Lille)

Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Rod Fanni (Stade Rennes), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Adil Rami (Lille), Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux), Gael Clichy (Arsenal), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon)

Midfielders: Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Alou Diarra (Girondins Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Yann M'Vila (Stade Rennes)

Forwards: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Marseille), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille), Jimmy Briand (Stade Rennes)

Group B Squad

Argentina

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Juan Insaurralde (Newell's Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes de La Plata), Nicolas Burdisso (AS Roma), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle United), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle United), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Juan Sebastian Veron, Jose Sosa (both Estudiantes de La Plata), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Jesus Datolo (Olympiakos), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli)

Nigeria

Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyegnugba (Bnei Yehuda), Bassey Akpan (Bayelsa United), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petach Tikva), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv)

Defenders: Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Salzburg), Onyekachi Apam (Nice), Elderson Echiejile (Stade Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Danny Shittu (Bolton Wanderers), Terna Suswan (Lobi Stars), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille), Joseph Yobo (Everton)

Midfielders: Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev), ****son Etuhu (Fulham), Sani Kaita (Alania Vladikavhaz), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Haruna Lukman (Monaco), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Ike Uche (Real Zaragoza), Kalu Uche (Almeria), John Utaka (Portsmouth)

Forwards: Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Anichebe (both Everton), Ideye Brown (Sochaux), Obafemi Martins (VfL Wolfsburg), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Peter Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow), Peter Utaka (Odense)

South Korea

Goalkeepers: Lee Woon-jae (Suwon), Kim Young-kwang (Ulsan), Jung Sung-ryong (Seongnam)

Defenders: Cha Du-ri (Freiburg), Hwang Jae-won (Pohang), Kwak Tae-hwi (Kyoto), Kim Hyung-il (Pohang), Lee Jung-soo (Kashima), Lee Young-pyo (Al Hilal), Kang Min-soo (Suwon), Oh Beom-seok (Ulsan), Cho Yong-hyung (Jeju), Kim Dong-jin (Ulsan)

Midfielders: Kim Chi-woo (Seoul), Kim Nam-il (Tom Tomsk), Cho Won-hee (Suwon), Ki Sung-yong (Celtic), Kim Jung-woo (Gwangju), Park Ji-sung (Manchester United), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton), Shin Hyung-min (Pohang), Kim Jae-sung (Pohang), Kim Bo-kyung (Oita Trinita), Koo Ja-cheol (Jeju)

Forwards: Lee Seung-yueng (Seoul), Ahn Jung-hwan (Dalian Shide), Park Chu-young (Monaco), Lee Keun-ho (Jubilo Iwata), Lee Dong-guk (Jeonbuk), Yeom Ki-hun (Suwon)

Greece

Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika).

Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika), Giorgos Tzavellas (Panionios), Kostas Manolas (AEK Athens), Giorgos Galitsios (Olympiakos), Stergos Marinos (Panathinaikos)

Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Panathinaikos)

Forwards: Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic), Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos)

 

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Group C Squad

England

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), Leighton Baines (Everton), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur), Scott Parker (West Ham United), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Darren Bent (Sunderland), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur).

United States

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton)

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (rebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Stuart Holden (Bolton), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Jos Torres (Pachuca)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Herculez Gomez (Puebla), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)

Algeria

Goalkeepers: Faouzi Chaouchi (Entente Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Rais Ouheb Mbouli (Slavia Sofia), Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (Mouloudia Algiers)

Defenders: Habib Belaid (Boulogne-sur-Mer), Nader Belhadj (Portsmouth), Majid Bougherra (Rangers), Rafik Halliche (Nacional), Abdelkader Laifaoui (Entente Setif), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio), Mohamed Meftah (JS Kabylie), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce), Hocine Metref (Entente Setif), Antar Yahia (VfL Bochum)

Midfielders: Djamel Abdoun (Nantes), Lazhar Hadj Aissa (Entente Setif), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Fouad Kadir (Valenciennes), Medhi Lacen (Racing Santanader), Khaled Lemmouchia (Entente Setif), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient), Mourad Meghni (Lazio), Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth), Karim Ziani (VfL Wolfsburg)

Forwards: Amri Chadli (Kaiserslautern, Germany), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens), Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena), Karim Matmour (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Rafik Saifi (Istres)

Slovenia

Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam), Jan Koprivec (Maribor).

Defenders: Bojan Jokic (Chievo Verona), Marko Suler (Ghent), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble), Branko Ilic (Lokomotiv Moscow), Matej Mavric (Koblenz), Dejan Kelhar (Cercle Brugge), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor), Miso Brecko (Cologne), Aleksandar Rajcevic (Koper), Suad Filekovic (Maribor).

Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisla Krakow), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Rene Krhin (Inter Milan), Mirnes Sisic (Giannina), Darjan Matic (Rapid Bucharest), Dare Vrsic (Koper), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem), Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa), Valter Birsa (Auxerre).

Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne), Zlatko Dedic (VfL Bochum), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Ghent), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional), Miran Burgic (AIK Solna), Tim Matavz (Groningen).

Group D

Germany

Goalkeepers: Hans-Joerg Butt (Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Schalke 04), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)

Defenders: Dennis Aogo (Hamburg SV), Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Jerome Boateng (Hamburg SV) Arne Friedrich (Hertha BSC), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg SV), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (VfB Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04)

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Sami Khedira (VfB Stuttgart), Toni Kroos (Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen) Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Christian Traesch (VfB Stuttgart), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg SV)

Forwards: Cacau (VfB Stuttgart) Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Stefan Kiesling (Bayer Leverkusen) Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Cologne)

Australia

Goalkeepers - Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Adam Federici (Reading), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United)

Defenders - Lucas Neill (Galatasaray), Craig Moore (unattached), Scott Chipperfield (Basel), David Carney (Twente Enschede), Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa), Mark Milligan (JEF United), Jade North (Tromso), Michael Beauchamp (Al-Jazira)

Midfielders - Tim Cahill (Everton), Mark Bresciano (Palermo) Vince Grella (Blackburn) Brett Emerton (Blackburn), Jason Culina (Gold Coast), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar), Carl Valeri (Sassuolo), Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor), Richard Garcia (Hull), Nick Carle (Crystal Palace), Tommy Oar (Utrecht), Dario Vidosic (Nuremberg), James Holland (AZ Alkmaar)

Forwards - Josh Kennedy (Nagoya), Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough), Nikita Rukavytsya (Twente Enschede)

Serbia

Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Sporting), Zeljko Brkic (Vojvodina Novi Sad), Bojan Isailovic (Zaglebie Lubin), Andjelko Djuricic (Uniao Leiria).

Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Antonio Rukavina (Munich 1860), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Jagos Vukovic (PSV Eindhoven), Ivan Obradovic (Real Zaragoza), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio), Slobodan Rajkovic (Twente Enschede).

Midfielders: Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Gojko Kacar (Hertha Berlin), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (VfB Stuttgart), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow), Zoran Tosic (Manchester United), Milos Ninkovic (Dynamo Kiev), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Nemanja Tomic (Partizan Belgrade).

Forwards: Nikola Zigic (Valencia), Marko Pantelic (Ajax Amsterdam), Danko Lazovic (Zenit St. Petersburg), Dejan Lekic (Red Star Belgrade), Miralem Sulejmani (Ajax Amsterdam), Dragan Mrdja (Vojvodina Novi Sad).

Ghana

Goalkeepers: Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professional), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars), Stephen Aholu (Heart of Lions), Richard Kingson (Wigan Athletic)

Defenders: Eric Addo (Roda JC Kerkrade), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek), Samuel Inkoom (FC Basle), John Mensah (Sunderland), Jonathan Mensah (Udinese), John Paintsil (Fulham), Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim)

Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg), Stephen Appiah (Bologna), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese), Dede Ayew (Arles Avignon), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth), Haminu Dramani (Lokomotiv Moscow), Michael Essien (Chelsea), Laryea Kingston (Hearts of Midlothian), Bernard Kumordzi (Panionios), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan), Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Al Sadd)

Strikers: Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda), Derek Boateng (Getafe), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes), Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim)

 

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Group E Squad

Netherlands

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam), Sander Boschker (Twente Enschede), Michel Vorm (Utrecht)

Defenders: Vurnon Anita (Ajax Amsterdam), Khalid Boulahrouz (VFB Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg SV), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax Amsterdam)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Otman Bakkal (PSV Eindhoven), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Wout Brama (Twente Enschede), Orlando Engelaar (PSV Eindhoven), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), David Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax Amsterdam)

Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Eljero Elia (Hamburg SV), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (AZ Alkmaar), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)

Denmark

Goalkeepers: Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City), Stephan Andersen (Brondby), Kim Christensen (IFK Gothenburg), Jesper Christiansen (FC Copenhagen),

Defenders: William Kvist (FC Copenhagen), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn Rovers), Simon Kjaer (Palermo), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina), Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Patrick Mtiliga (Malaga), Leon Jessen (FC Midtjylland), Simon Poulsen (AZ Alkmaar), Anders Christensen (OB Odense),

Midfielders: Martin Jorgensen (AGF Aarhus), Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Jakob Poulsen (AGF Aarhus), Michael Silberbauer (FC Utrecht), Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax), Christian Eriksen (Ajax), Thomas Enevoldsen (FC Groningen), Mikkel Beckmann (Randers), Thomas Kahlenberg (VfL Wolfsburg), Jesper Gronkjaer (FC Copenhagen), Mikkel Thygesen (FC Midtjylland), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Brondby)

Forwards: Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal), Soren Larsen (MSV Duisburg), Morten Rasmussen (Celtic).

Japan

Goalkeepers - Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus), Eiji Kawashima (Kawasaki Frontale), Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata)

Defenders - Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F-Marinos), Tulio (Nagoya Grampus), Yasuyuki Konno (FC Tokyo), Daiki Iwamasa (Kashima Antlers), Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Kashima Antlers)

Midfielders - Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama F-Marinos), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Junichi Inamoto (Kawasaki Frontale), Yuki Abe (Urawa Reds), Makoto Hasebe (VfL Wolfsburg), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow), Daisuke Matsui (Grenoble)

Forwards - Shinji Okazaki (Shimizu S-Pulse), Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus), Yoshito Okubo (Vissel Kobe), Takayuki Morimoto (Catania), Kisho Yano (Albirex Niigata)

Cameroon

Goalkeepers: Guy Roland N'Dy Assembe (Valenciennes), Idriss Carlos Kameni (Espanyol), Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor), Patrick Tignyemb (Bloemfontein Celtic)

Defenders: Patrick Abouna (Astres Douala), Benoit Assou Ekotto (Tottenham Hotspur), Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham Hotspur), Gaetan Bong (Valenciennes), Aurelien Chedjou (Lille), Geremi (Ankaragucu), Boukar Makadji (Al Nahdha), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco), Rigobert Song (Trabzonspor)

Midfielders: Achille Emana (Real Betis), Enoh Eyong (Ajax Amsterdam), Jean Makoun (Olympique Lyon), Georges Mandjeck (Kaiserslautern), Joel Matip (Schalke 04), Patrick Mevoungou (Canon Yaounde), Marcel Ndjeng (Augsburg), Landry Nguemo (Celtic), Alexandre Song (Arsenal)

Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar (Coton Sport), Eric Choupo-Mating (Nuremburg), Paul Alo'o Efoulou (Nancy), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan), Mohamadou Idrissou (Freiburg), Dorge Kouemaha (Club Bruges), Achille Webo (Real Mallorca), Jacques Zoua (Basle)

Group F Squad

Italy

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo).

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan).

Forwards: Marco Borriello (AC Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal).

Paraguay

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Real Valladolid), Aldo Bobadilla (Independiente Medellin), Diego Barreto (Cerro Porteno)

Defenders: Denis Caniza (Leon), Paulo Da Silva (Sunderland), Claudio Morel (Boca Juniors), Julio Cesar Caceres (Atletico Mineiro), Carlos Bonet, Julio Manzur (both Olimpia), Dario Veron (Pumas UNAM), Aureliano Torres (San Lorenzo), Antolin Alcaraz (Club Bruges), Marcos Caceres (Racing Club)

Midfielders: Edgar Barreto (Atalanta), Cristian Riveros (Cruz Azul), Osvaldo Martinez (Monterrey), Jonathan Santana (VfL Wolfsburg), Victor Caceres (Libertad), Enrique Vera (LDU Quito), Sergio Aquino (Libertad), Eduardo Ledesma (Lanus), Nestor Ortigoza (Argentinos Juniors)

Forwards: Marcelo Estigarribia, Jorge Achucarro (both Newell's Old Boys), Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Nelson Haedo Valdez, Lucas Barrios (both Borussia Dortmund), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica), Edgar Benitez (Pachuca), Rodolfo Gamarra (Libertad)

New Zealand

Goalkeepers - James Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory) Mark Paston (Wellington Phoenix)

Defenders - Andy Boyens (New York Red Bulls), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Ryan Nelsen (captain, Blackburn Rovers), Winston Reid (FC Midtjylland), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Tommy Smith (Ipswich Town), Ivan Vicelich (Auckland City)

Midfielders - Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy Brockie (Newcastle Jets), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Jeremy Christie (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Aaron Clapham (Canterbury United), Simon Elliott (unattached), Michael McGlinchey (Central Coast Mariners), David Mulligan (unattached)

Forwards - Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion)

Slovakia

Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui), Lubos Kamenar (Nantes), Dusan Permis (Dundee United).

Defenders: Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg), Martin Petras (Cesena), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Lubomir Michalik (Leeds United), Jan Durica (Lokomotiv Moscow), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz), Marek Cech (West Bromwich Albion), Tomas Hubocan (Zenit St. Petersburg), Kornel Salata (Slovan Bratislava).

Midfielders: Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Timisoara), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Prague), Miroslav Karhan (Mainz), Marek Sapara (Ankaragucu), Mario Pecalka (MSK Zilina), Stanislav Sestak (Vfl Bochum), Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea), Dusan Svento (Salzburg), Zdeno Strba (Skoda Xanthi).

Forwards: Erik Jendrisek (Schalke), Robert Vittek (Ankaragucu), Martin Jakubko (Saturn Ramenskoye), Filip Holosko (Besiktas).

 

[plugwater]

Group G Squad

Brazil

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg).

Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (VfL Wolfsburg).

North Korea

Goalkeepers: Kim Myong-gil (Amrokgang), Kim Myong-won (Amrokgang), Ri Myong-guk (Pyongyang City)

Defenders: Cha Jong-hyok (Amrokgang), Nam Song-chol (April 25), Pak Chol-jin (Amrokgang), Pak Nam-chol (Amrokgang), Ri Jun-il (Sobaeksu), Ri Kwang-chon (April 25), Ri Kwang-hyok (Kyonggongop)

Midfielders: An Yong-hak (Omiya Ardija), Ji Yun-nam (April 25), Kim Kyong-il (Rimyongsu), Kim Yong-jun (Pyongyang City), Mun In-guk (April 25), Ri Chol-myong (Pyongyang City), Pak Nam-chol (April 25), Pak Sung-hyok (Sobaeksu),

Forwards: An Chol-hyok (Rimyongsu), Choe Kum-chol (April 25), Hong Yong-jo (Rostov), Jong Tae-se (Kawasaki Frontale), Kim Kum-il (April 25)

Ivory Coast

Goalkeepers: Vincent Angban (ASEC Abidjan), Boubacar Barry (Lokeren), Aristides Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya), Daniel Yeboah (ASEC Abidjan).

Defenders: Souleymane Bamba (Hibernian), Arthur Boka (VfB Stuttgart), Benjamin Brou Angoua (Valenciennes), Guy Demel (Hamburg SV), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal), Abdoulaye Meite (West Bromwich Albion), Steve Gohouri (Wigan Athletic), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes), Kolo Toure (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Emerse Fae (Nantes), Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Monaco), Abdelkader Keita (Galatasaray), Emmanuel Kone (International Curtea Arges), Gervais Yao Kouassi (Lille), Christian Koffi Ndri (Sevilla), Cheik Ismael Tiote (Twente Enschede), Yaya Toure (Barcelona), Gilles Yapi Yapo (Young Boys Berne), Didier Zokora (Sevilla).

Forwards: Kanga Akale (Racing Lens), Aruna Dindane (Racing Lens), Seydou Doumbia (Young Boys Berne), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea), Bakary Kone (Olympique Marseille).

Portugal

Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Braga), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Beto (Porto).

Defenders: Miguel (Valencia), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica).

Midfielders: Pedro Mendes (Sporting), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ze Castro (Deportivo Coruna), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Miguel Veloso (Sporting).

Forwards: Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg), Liedson (Sporting), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Nani (Manchester United).

Group H Squad

Spain

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), David de Gea (Atletico Madrid).

Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona). Forwards: Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Mata (Valencia), Pedro (Barcelona), Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia).

Switzerland

Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (VfL Wolfsburg), Johnny Leoni (FC Zurich), Marco Woelfli (Young Boys Berne).

Defenders: Mario Eggimann (Hanover 96), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt), Steve Von Bergen (Hertha Berlin), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria).

Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen), Valon Behrami (West Ham United), Gelson Fernandes (St Etienne), Benjamin Huggel (FC Basel), Marco Padalino (Sampdoria), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Goklan Inler (Udinese).

Forwards: Eren Derdiyok (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexander Frei (FC Basel), Blaise Nkufo (Twente Enschede), Hakan Yakin (FC Luzern), Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel), Marco Streller (FC Basel).

Honduras

Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Donis Escober (both Olimpia), Ricardo Canales (Motagua)

Defenders: Sergio Mendoza, Emilio Izaguirre (both Motagua), Mauricio Sabillon (Hangzhou Greentown), Osman Chavez (Platense), Johnny Palacios, Boniek Garcia (both Olimpia), Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic), Victor Bernardez (Anderlecht)

Midfielders: Danilo Turcios, Ramon Nunez (both Olimpia), Hendry Thomas (Wigan Athletic), Edgard Alvarez (Bari), Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards), Amado Guevara (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham Hotspur), Julio Cesar de Leon (Torino)

Forwards: Walter Martinez (Marathon), Georgie Welcome (Motagua), Carlos Pavon (Real Espana), David Suazo (Genoa)

Chile

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Miguel Pinto (Universidad de Chile), Luis Marin (Union Espanola)

Defenders: Waldo Ponce (Universidad Catolica), Gonzalo Jara (West Bromwich Albion), Gary Medel (Boca Juniors), Mauricio Isla (Udinese), Pablo Contreras (PAOK Salonika), Ismael Fuentes (Universidad Catolica)

Midfielders: Marco Estrada, Manuel Iturra (both Universidad de Chile), Roberto Cereceda, Rodrigo Millar, Jose Fuenzalida (all Colo Colo), Arturo Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen), Carlos Carmona (Reggina), Jorge Valdivia (Al Ain), Matias Fernandez (Sporting Lisbon), Jean Beausejour (Club America), Pedro Morales (Dinamo Zagreb), Gonzalo Fierro (Flamengo), Charles Aranguiz (Colo Colo), Jaime Valdes (Atalanta), Rodrigo Tello (Besiktas)

Forwards: Humberto Suazo (Real Zaragoza), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo), Hector Mancilla (Toluca), Alexis Sanchez (Udinese), Fabian Orellana (Xerez), Mark Gonzalez (CSKA Moscow)

 

[plugwater]

England touch down in South Africa

Come On England

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/wo...ORLD-CUP-2010-England-touch-South-Africa.html

 

[A.V.]

brazils midfield looks weak this time kaka will be the key,

spain is the favourite , portugal will do well to get out of the poor form

england will be a story for the tabloids as always no better ...

i want cameroon and serbia to do well want the fast paced games back ...

 

[plugwater]

brazils midfield looks weak this time kaka will be the key,

spain is the favourite , portugal will do well to get out of the poor form

england will be a story for the tabloids as always no better ...

i want cameroon and serbia to do well want the fast paced games back ...

Brazil without superstars but they are playing well and in good form and considered as joint favorites with Spain.

England as usual hyped but can they do this time? I don't think so. They can reach semis if they play well but winning the WC is a whole another thing.

Argentina might surprise everybody and Portugal, Germany, Holland are underdogs.

I want serbia to do well coz of vidic. FIFA will try to get a African nation to semis like they did with korea in 2002 world cup.

 

[plugwater]

Great World Cup calender.

http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mundial/sudafrica-2010/calendario-english.html

 

[plugwater]

The 10 Things That Happen at Every World Cup

It barely seems believable that the World Cup is just over a week away. Four years of preparation for the next four to five weeks.

One thing we all have in common is that none of us know what is going to happen between now and mid July.

At least, that's the general wisdom.

Here are 10 things that are definitely going to happen between now and then. You can check them off as we go if you like.

Players, Especially Goalkeepers, Will Complain about the Ball

This year's World Cup sees the introduction of the Adidas Jabulani, billed as the world's first perfectly round football.

This does, of course, beg the question of what shape all the previous balls were?

Regardless, this questionable innovation will have players pointing fingers within days. Indeed, Marcus Hahnemann has already had a moan, claiming that "it's a nightmare."

Getting his excuses in early, the USA goalkeeper continued by explaining that "if you get no spin on the ball, it's supposed to knuckle. If you get spin on it, it's supposed to bend. This ball you don't know what's going to happen with it."

This is of course nothing new. In 2006 Paul Robinson described the Temgeist ball as "like a water polo ball," which may be a little more illustrative if you're one of the few hundred people who have ever played Water Polo.

In 2002, Brazil won the World Cup, despite complaining in the build up that the ball was "too big and too light."

As far back as 1994 Tony Meola complained that the ball was "too light," and other tournaments are not immune, with Spain describing the Euro 2004 Roteiro as "a beach ball."

Of course, despite all the furor to come, you will be surprised to discover that all 32 teams at the World Cup will be using the same ball.

Someone Will Violently Assault Someone Else's Face

In 1994, the cultured and demure TV pundit and AC Milan coach Leonardo was one of Brazil's best players. After 43 minutes of their game against the USA, he became Tab Ramos's worst nightmare.

Ramos spent three and a half months in hospital after Leonardo connected with an elbow. Was it deliberate? Only Leonardo will ever know. But it was gruesome. Very, very gruesome.

The 1998 tournament was passing by without serious incident until the Argentina vs. Holland quarterfinal.

Literally moments before Dennis Bergkamp won the match with one of the greatest goals ever scored at the World Cup, Ariel Ortega had been sent off for headbutting Edwin van der Sar in the jaw.

Quite how he got that high, we don't quite know.

The 2002 World Cup saw another brutal attack, Turkey's Hakan Unsal blasting the ball from point blank range into the face of poor Rivaldo. Or so he would have you believe. Make up your own mind.

In the 2006 World Cup, it was Brian McBride's turn to be the unlucky American. He came off marginally better than Ramos having been elbowed in the head by Daniele De Rossi, and was able to play on.

He could only help the USA to a draw against the 10 men of Italy, partly because they themselves were eventually reduced to nine men, Mastroeni and Pope following.

So who's turn is it this year? Cristiano Ronaldo? Kaka? Or just some random Slovakian?

Some Minnows, Likely African, Will Beat Someone Good

It's amazing how many people claim that they predicted Senegal would beat France in the 2002 curtain raiser.

Even more alarming is how few and far between they were before the game began.

You won't find many honest people who will claim that they knew Cameroon would beat Argentina in 1990 before Nery Pumpido spilled a tame header into his own net.

Nigeria beat Spain in a pulsating 1998 match, with another Latino goalkeeper, this time Andoni Zubizarreta, conceding the decisive own goal.

In 2006, Ghana escaped a group of death by beating the much fancied Czech Republic 2-0.

In 1994 the Republic of Ireland salvaged their tournament by beating the eventual runners-up Italy.

And South Korea reaching the 2002 semifinals, even at home?

Could this be the year their Northern neighbours write a footnote of World Cup history?

England Will Go Out and It Won't Be Their Fault

It will be Chris Waddle.

Or Diego Pablo Simeone.

Or Darius Vassell.

Or that referee who disallowed a Sol Campbell header.

Or David Batty.

Or Cristiano Ronaldo winking at the referee.

Or the Hand of God.

Or Gareth Southgate.

Or Ronaldinho scoring a fluke accidental free kick.

But never because they were beaten fair and square.

Spain Will Flop, Regardless of How Good They Are

Spain do badly at World Cups.

No matter how good their team, they somehow find a way to throw things away.

Be it their inability to gel their attacking talent into a coherent unit, as with pretty much every Spain team Raul played in.

Or their goalkeepers liking of own goals, as in 1994.

Or their inability to beat vastly inferior opponents, as in 2002, before going down on penalties (a trick they also managed in Euro '96).

Indeed, the all conquering Spain side are so good that their inevitable failure to perform will be all the more crushing to their fans.

The Dutch Will Lose a Penalty Shoot-Out

Forget England.

Until Euro 2004, Holland were held under the ultimate penalty curse. In 1998, they went out to Brazil in the semifinals, Ronald de Boer and Phillipe Cocu missing the decisive kicks.

Although this is their only defeat on penalties in the World Cup, they have never won a World Cup shoot-out. And it gets worse.

Oh, does it get worse.

In Euro 1992 they also suffered semifinal heartbreak against eventual shock winners Denmark, Marco van Basten of all people being the unlucky man to miss as the Danes converted all five penalties.

Euro '96 saw another legend, Clarence Seedorf, fail to find the net, as Zidane, Djorkaeff, Lizarazu, Guerin, and Blanc all made no mistake.

And their 2004 win was all for nothing, as they were put out by a Maniche wonder-strike in the next round.

Their crowning glory, however, must surely be their display at the Amsterdam Arena in Euro 2000. Not only did they miss three of their four penalties in their shoot-out defeat to Italy, but they had also missed two penalties in open play.

Penalty heartbreak for a solid if unspectacular Dutch side? A strong possibility.

Someone Relatively Unheralded Will Challenge For or Win the Golden Boot

In 2002, Ronaldo won the Golden Boot. It is the only time in recent memory that one of the pre-tournament favourites has gone on to claim that particular title, and he was run close until the final by Miroslav Klose.

The underrated Klose was back in 2006 to take home the Golden Boot ahead of the likes of Fernando Torres, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Hernan Crespo, and Ronaldo.

In 1998, the goals of Davor Suker, six to be precise, helped Croatia come from under the radar and into third place.

The 1994 World Cup was notable for the fact that the joint top scorer, Oleg Salenko, was eliminated in the group stage. Despite hammering in five against Cameroon (the only time this has ever been done at a World Cup) and scoring from the spot against Sweden, he only won a further six caps for this country.

Plus, the other top scorer to everyone's surprise wasn't Romario. It was Hristo Stoichkov of Bulgaria.

The 1994 World Cup was set alight by the Sicilian Toto Schillachi, whose six goals put him just one ahead of Czechoslovakia's Thomas Skuhravy.

However, if we go back further, we see more what we would expect. Top scorers included Lineker, Muller, Pele, Kempes, and Eusebio.

A Ludicrously Unrealistic Goal Will Be Scored

In 1986, moments after dragging his name through the dirt, Diego Maradona elevated it to the heavens by breezing past five or six English players, effortlessly skirting Shilton, and sliding the ball into the unguarded net.

In 1990, the much heralded Roberto Baggio played a one-two near half way and weaved his way towards goal, twisting and turning, before wrong footing the keeper and finding the near post.

In 1994, a mysterious Saudi Midfielder called Said Al Owayran ran the length of the field before clipping the ball over the bemused Belgian keeper.

1998 saw Michael Owen announce himself on the World stage by controlling a Beckham pass before terrorising Chamot and Ayala and beating Carlos Roa.

In 2002 Uruguay served up a wonder strike. The Danes thought they had cleared a corner, but it went just as far as a Uruguayan midfielder, who juggled the ball three times before teeing up left back Dario Rodriguez, who fired a scorching volley into the net.

And the 2006 World Cup was lit up by Maxi Rodriguez's extra-time winner against a brave Mexican side. A better volley, you are never likely to see.

The Referees Will Be Panned

It is a cliche to suggest that a foul "would have been red at the World Cup."

But the facts bare out the supposition—there really are more red cards at the World Cup than any other form of top football.

But sometimes even World Cup referees take things to the extreme.

The 2006 World Cup was blighted by two referees in particular. Mr. Ivanov of Russia went home notorious for dishing out 16 yellow cards and four reds in one fairly good spirited last 16 match between the Netherlands and Portugal.

Whilst the 16 yellows only matched Mr. Lopez Nieto's record from the 2002 World Cup, four reds was a new record.

Mr. Larrionda's performance in the match between the USA and Italy was also criticised. Whilst he was right to send off De Rossi for the aforementioned foul on McBride, his decisions to send off Mastroeni and Pope garnered far more negative press.

And let's not forget any referee who has ever disallowed an England goal, or sent off an England player.

Someone Will Cry

Football is a deeply emotional game, both to watch and participate in. It connects with people the world over on a level unmatched by any other sport.

It can make players cry with frustration, as when Gascoigne picked up his second yellow of the 1990 World Cup in the semifinal.

It can make players cry tears of joy, as the Brazilians did in 1994.

It can make players cry tears of anger, as with the Portuguese in 2002, when a Zidane golden goal penalty put them out.

And when the players cry, the fans cry along with them.

But that it can make people cry tears at all is testament to power of the beautiful game.

Never is that power any stronger than at the World Cup.

 

[plugwater]

Rio Ferdinand out of England World Cup squad

England captain Rio Ferdinand will miss the World Cup after suffering ligmament damage to his left knee in the team's first training session in South Africa.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8722236.stm

 

[plugwater]

France lose to China in final warm-up game

France slumped to a surprise 1-0 loss against China in their final World Cup warm-up match.

Well done china. Lets all laugh at France

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3252579,00.html

 

[A.V.]

france will peak at the right time .... i think ...now is too early to show all the cards..

 

[plugwater]

france will peak at the right time .... i think ...now is too early to show all the cards..

I want France to lose very badly. They cheated on their way to world cup.

 

[A.V.]

new pepsi advertisement on wc 2010

 

[plugwater]

.......................................

 

[plugwater]

Nani ruled out for World cup

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8728478.stm

Spain rout Poland 6-0

2nd goal is sexy

2 days to go