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FIFA World Cup 2010

From 11th June, 2010 - 11th July, 2010

Spain are world football champion

Triumphant: Spain celebrate adding the World Cup to their European Championship crown.

Champions: Iker Casillas lifts the World Cup trophy as Spain celebrate being world champions.

Euro 2008 winners add World Cup to their trophy cabinet with 1-0 win over Netherlands.

Andres Iniesta scored with four minutes of extra time remaining to give Spain a 1-0 win over the Netherlands and a first World Cup title. With the teams facing a penalty shootout in a game of few clear chances, Iniesta collected a sliding pass into the area from substitute Cesc Fabregas and smashed the ball across goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.Spain had the best of the play in a bruising game in which nine players were shown yellow cards by English referee Howard Webb in the first 90 minutes, a World Cup final record. Dutch defender John Heitinga was sent off for a second yellow in the second half of extra time, which also saw the Dutch furious at not being awarded a clear corner from a deflected Wesley Sneijder free kick moments before Iniesta's strike at the other end. Neither team has won the World Cup before, though the Dutch were playing in their third final.

FIFA world Cup 2010 Results & Schedule

Round 16

From June 26, 2010 to June 29, 2010

                          

Quarter Finals: From July 2, to July 3, 2010

Semi Finals: From July 6 - July 7, 2010

3rd Plays Playoff

FIFA world Cup 2010 Final

 

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. The bidding process for hosting the tournament finals was open only to African nations; in 2004, the international football federation, FIFA, selected South Africa over Egypt and Morocco to become the first African nation to host the finals.

The matches were played in ten stadiums in nine host cities around the country, with the final played at the Soccer City stadium in South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg. Thirty-two teams were selected for participation via a worldwide qualification tournament that began in August 2007. In the first round of the tournament finals, the teams competed in round-robin groups of four teams for points, with the top two teams in each group proceeding. These sixteen teams advanced to the knockout stage, where three rounds of play decided which teams would participate in the final.

In the final, Spain, the European champions, defeated third-time finalists the Netherlands 1–0 after extra time, with Andrés Iniesta's goal in the 116th minute giving Spain their first world title, the first time that a European nation has won the tournament outside its home continent. Host nation South Africa, 2006 world champions Italy and 2006 runners-up France were eliminated in the first round of the tournament.

Awards

There are currently six awards:

• the Golden Ball (currently commercially termed "adidas Golden Ball") for best player;
• the Golden Boot (also known as the Golden Shoe, commercially termed "adidas Golden Shoe" from 1982, although now referred to again as the Golden Boot) was first awarded in 1930 for top goal scorer;
• the Golden Glove Award for best goalkeeper (first awarded in 1994);
• the Best Young Player (currently commercially termed as "Hyundai Best Young Player") award for best player under 21 years of age at the start of the calendar year, first awarded in 2006.
• the FIFA Fair Play Trophy for the team with the best record of fair play (first awarded in 1970);
• the Most Entertaining Team award for the team that has entertained the public the most, during the World Cup final tournament, as determined by a poll of the general public, first awarded in 1994.

An All-Star Team (currently commercially termed "Mastercard All-Star Team") comprising the best players of the tournament, is also announced for each tournament since 1990.

Golden Ball

The Golden Ball award is presented to the best player at each FIFA World Cup finals, with a shortlist drawn up by the FIFA technical committee and the winner voted for by representatives of the media. Those who finish as runners-up in the vote receive the adidas Silver Ball and Bronze Ball awards as the second and third most outstanding players in the tournament respectively.

World Cup Golden Ball Silver Ball Bronze Ball

1930 Uruguay	José Nasazzi	Guillermo Stábile	José Leandro Andrade
1934 Italy	Giuseppe Meazza	Matthias Sindelar	Oldřich Nejedlý
1938 France	Leônidas	Silvio Piola	György Sárosi
1950 Brazil	Zizinho[1]	Juan Schiaffino	Ademir
1954 Switzerland	Ferenc Puskás	Sándor Kocsis	Fritz Walter [4]
1958 Sweden	Didi[2][3][4]	Pelé	Just Fontaine
1962 Chile	Garrincha[5]	Josef Masopust	Leonel Sánchez
1966 England	Bobby Charlton	Bobby Moore	Eusébio
1970 Mexico	Pelé	Wolfgang Overath	Carlos Alberto Torres
1974 West Germany	Johan Cruijff	Franz Beckenbauer	Kazimierz Deyna
1978 Argentina [6]	Mario Kempes	Paolo Rossi	Dirceu
1982 Spain	Paolo Rossi	Falcão	Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
1986 Mexico	Diego Maradona	Harald Schumacher	Preben Elkjær
1990 Italy	Salvatore Schillaci	Lothar Matthäus	Diego Maradona
1994 United States	Romário	Roberto Baggio	Hristo Stoichkov
1998 France	Ronaldo	Davor Šuker	Lilian Thuram
2002 Korea/Japan	Oliver Kahn	Ronaldo	Hong Myung-Bo
2006 Germany	Zinedine Zidane	Fabio Cannavaro	Andrea Pirlo
2010 South Africa	Diego Forlán	Wesley Sneijder	David Villa

Read more.......

Germany Wins Bronze in 2010 World Cup

Germany beat Uruguay at the FIFA World Cup 2010 in Port Elizabeth and took bronze for the fourth time. Germans repeated their success in the third place match in the last FIFA World Cup. Germans beat Uruguay by 3-2 in a match which was an impressive game of football with both the teams raining with goals but it was Sami Khedira’s winning header in the last eight minutes that led Joachim Low’s side take the bronze.

Germans started their goaling attack when Thomas Muller strikes his teams’ first in the 19th minute of the game soon to be repeated by the Uruguay’s Edinson Cavani in the 28th minute. The second half was again fiery with both the teams trying to strike and take the lead but it was Uruguay that gave a nervous moment to the Germans when Diego Forlan studded one more on the Germans in the 51st minute but their joy was short lived as the ever aggressive German answered with an equalizer by Marcell Jansen in the 56th minute of the game when Muslera missed Jerome Boateng’s deep cross and Jansen headed home.
The game between Germany and Uruguay was now wide open with both the teams chasing their third. Butt kept out a flying strike from Suarez and came out to save at the feet of Forlan on the other hand it was Muslera who beat away a shot from Germany’s Stefan Kiessling who missed two other chance. Now it was the moment for the wining goal when it came, followed an Ozil corner. The ball bounced off Friedrich and then to Lugano before Khedira headed it to the net. Germans defeated Uruguay in the game for third place here in Port Elizabeth Stadium on July 10th. Thomas Muller won the man of the match title.
The elated German coach Joachim Low looked thrilled and joyous after Germany’s victory at the third place. He said later in an interview, “After tonight, we’re not going home empty –handed. My team deserved to win based on the second half alone. We played well and fought hard. Taking the tournament as a whole my team has been magnificent.”

World Cup 2010: England's Howard Webb to referee World Cup final

UK Premier League referee, Howard Webb, has been appointed, amid unease from Spain, to referee the World Cup final in Johannesburg tomorrow Sunday, 11th July, 2010. He will be assisted by Darren Cann and Micheal Mullarkey.

Referee Howard Webb in action e

 

World Cup 2010 - Match facts: Uruguay v Germany

All the key facts and stats ahead of the third-place play-off.

No World Cup third place play-off has ever ended in a draw. South American sides have met European teams in six third-place play-offs so far, with both continents picking up three wins. This will be the Uruguayans’ third third place play-off, having lost to Austria (3-1 in 1954) and Germany (1-0 in 1970). Four of Diego Forlan’s five goals overall in the World Cup have come from outside the box, with the other from the penalty spot. Since 1966, no player has ever scored more long-range goals in a single World Cup than Forlán in 2010 (three). Uruguay are without a win in their last 14 World Cup matches against European sides, a run that started with a 1-0 defeat to Germany in the third place play-off in 1970. Uruguay are without a win in three World Cup meetings with Germany, losing twice. Germany have played in four third-place play-offs, winning three. The Germans have scored three goals in three of their four third place play-offs. The last seven third place play-offs have been won by a side from Europe. Miroslav Klose needs just one more goal to equal Ronaldo’s all-time record of 15 World Cup goals. With 13 goals, Germany are the highest-scoring team at this World Cup so far. Uruguay’s shooting accuracy from outside the box at this World Cup has been higher (49%) than from inside (48%).

 

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Capello - I won't resign

Sunday, June 27, 2010. Fabio Capello insists he will not 

resign as England coach in the wake of their

World Cup exit at the hands of Germany. England saw their World Cup clinically extinguished by Germany after a 4-1 defeat in Bloemfontein as the Three Lions suffered their worst defeat at a World Cup. Capello's position is sure to come under scrutiny after a disappointing showing in South Africa and the Italian has revealed he is seeking urgent talks with Club England chairman Sir David Richards about his future. Before the tournament Capello had a clause removed from his £6million-a-year deal that would allow either party to terminate after the World Cup and there are bound to be questions asked about the former AC Milan boss following an inquest into England's demise in South Africa. "I want to speak with the chairman and then decide my future," said Capello.

"I need to know whether the FA have confidence in me or not."

When asked if he would resign, he replied: "Absolutely not."

Fabio Capello insists he will not resign as England coach.

Criticism

Capello is expecting criticism, but he believes his side did not play too badly in South Africa despite only winning one of their four games."When you lose the manager gets criticised," added Capello.

"We didn't play too badly in the first game against USA, just made a big mistake. "We played a bad game against Algeria but we played well against Slovenia. "Today, if the referee had whistled for the goal, it would have been different. It was too big a mistake."

Impressive Germany power past England

Thomas Muller, left, celebrates with his team-mate after scoring against England while the head boy: Everton's Jack Rodwell (No 15), right, is congratulated by his England team-mates after scoring the equaliser against Germany

Sunday, June 27, 2010, Germany's youthful side delivered a striking statement of intent by overwhelming old rivals England 4-1 in Bloemfontein to take their place in the last eight of the FIFA World Cup. Joachim Low's side built a two-goal lead through early goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski and although Matthew Upson reduced the deficit before the break, the Germans made sure of their quarter-final place when Thomas Muller concluded two lightning breakaways with a quick-fire double midway through the second half. While Germany can look forward with confidence to a quarter-final meeting with Argentina or Mexico, England will go home to lick their wounds and reflect on yet another FIFA World Cup defeat by their old nemesis.

It was a lapse of concentration which allowed Germany to take the lead in the 20th minute, the goal coming after a spell of prolonged England possession. Manuel Neuer's long goal-kick upfield should have been dealt with by England’s central defenders, but Klose got between John Terry and Upson, outmuscling the latter before poking the ball past James with his outstretched right boot.

While having plenty of the ball, England were creating little in the way of genuine scoring opportunities, with only a Gareth Barry shot from distance which went straight at Neuer. Indeed, Germany should have doubled their advantage on the half-hour when Sami Khedira combined well with Muller to set up Klose, who fired straight at James. Yet Die Nationalelf did not have to wait too long for their second goal when Muller floated a delightful ball into the path of the unmarked Podolski. With England's defence stretched, the Cologne man had the time to recover from a poor first touch and produce a left-footed finish that squeezed through the legs of the goalkeeper and just inside the far post.

England pulled a goal back in the 37th minute when a short Lampard corner from the right was played to Gerrard who crossed into the box. Upson, atoning for his earlier error, rose highest above the Germany defence and with Neuer stranded, powered a header into the net. Meetings between these two sides often provide talking points and this one's came 60 seconds after Upson's goal when Lampard's shot from the edge of the box struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced down, with the referee ruling the ball had not crossed the goalline.

England started the second half strongly with Gerrard hitting a right foot shot just wide in the opening minutes and Lampard rattling the crossbar with a free-kick 30 yards from goal. However, Germany increased their advantage in the 67th minute through a counter-attack. Lampard's free-kick hit the German wall and with England having committed men forward, they were left exposed as Schweinsteiger broke quickly before playing a delightful ball for Muller, who had started the breakaway, to fire past James.

Germany's fourth was more or less a carbon copy of their third. With England deep in their opponents' half, searching for a way back into the game, Germany won possession on the edge of their box and sprayed the ball to Ozil on the left. The midfielder outpaced Barry and played in Muller to sidefoot home from close range. England, to their credit, never gave up and only a fine one-handed save by Neuer from Gerrard stopped them from reducing their deficit – the heaviest in their FIFA World Cup history.

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South Africa 2010 Match Results & Schedules by 26th June, 2010

Group A

Match	Date - Time	Venue - Group	A		Results
1	11/06 16:00	Johannesburg - JSC		South Africa	1:1	Mexico
2	11/06 20:30	Cape Town		Uruguay	0:0	France
17	16/06 20:30	Tshwane/Pretoria		South Africa	0:3	Uruguay
18	17/06 20:30	Polokwane		France	0:2	Mexico
33	22/06 16:00	Rustenburg		Mexico	0:1	Uruguay
34	22/06 16:00	Mangaung/Bloemfontein		France	1:2	South Africa

Group B

Match	Date - Time	Venue - Group	B		Results
3	12/06 16:00	Johannesburg - JEP		Argentina	1:0	Nigeria
4	12/06 13:30	Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth		Korea    Republic	2:0	Greece
19	17/06 16:00	Mangaung/ Bloemfontein		Greece	2:1	Nigeria
20	17/06 13:30	Johannesburg - JSC		Argentina	4:1	Korea Republic
35	22/06 20:30	Durban		Nigeria	2:2	Korea Republic
36	22/06 20:30	Polokwane		Greece	0:2	Argentina

Group C

Match	Date - Time	Venue - Group	C		Results
5	12/06 20:30	Rustenburg		England	1:1	USA
6	13/06 13:30	Polokwane		Algeria	0:1	Slovenia
22	18/06 16:00	Johannesburg - JEP		Slovenia	2:2	USA
23	18/06 20:30	Cape Town		England	1:1	Algeria
37	23/06 16:00	Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth		Slovenia	0:1	England
38	23/06 16:00	Tshwane/Pretoria		USA	1:0	Algeria

Group D

Match	Date - Time	Venue - Group	D		Results
7	13/06 20:30	Durban		Germany	4:0	Australia
8	13/06 16:00	Tshwane/Pretoria		Serbia	0:1	Ghana
21	18/06 13:30	Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth		Germany	2:2	Serbia
24	19/06 16:00	Rustenburg		Ghana	1:1	Australia
39	23/06 20:30	Johannesburg - JSC		Ghana	0:1	Germany
40	23/06 20:30	Nelspruit		Australia	2:1	Serbia

Group E

Match	Date - Time	Venue - Group	E		Results
9	14/06 13:30	Johannesburg - JSC		Netherlands	2:0	Denmark
10	14/06 16:00	Mangaung/ Bloemfontein		Japan	1:0	Cameroon
25	19/06 13:30	Durban		Netherlands	1:0	Japan
26	19/06 20:30	Tshwane/Pretoria		Cameroon	1:2	Denmark
43	24/06 20:30	Rustenburg		Denmark	1:3	Japan
44	24/06 20:30	Cape Town		Cameroon	1:2	Netherlands

Group F

Match	Date - Time	Venue - Group	F		Results
11	14/06 20:30	Cape Town		Italy	1:1	Paraguay
12	15/06 13:30	Rustenburg		New Zealand	1:1	Slovakia
27	20/06 13:30	Mangaung/ Bloemfontein		Slovakia	0:2	Paraguay
28	20/06 16:00	Nelspruit		Italy	1:1	New Zealand
41	24/06 16:00	Johannesburg - JEP		Slovakia	3:2	Italy
42	24/06 16:00	Polokwane		Paraguay	0:0	New Zealand

Group G

Match	Date-Time	Venue - Group	G		Results
13	15/06 16:00	Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth		Côte d'Ivoire	0:0	Portugal
14	15/06 20:30	Johannesburg - JEP		Brazil	2:1	Korea DPR
29	20/06 20:30	Johannesburg - JSC		Brazil	3:1	Côte d'Ivoire
30	21/06 13:30	Cape Town		Portugal	7:0	Korea DPR
45	25/06 16:00	Durban		Portugal	0:0	Brazil
46	25/06 16:00	Nelspruit		Korea DPR	0:3	Côte d'Ivoire

Group H

Match	Date - Time	Venue - Group	H		Results
15	16/06 13:30	Nelspruit		Honduras	0:1	Chile
16	16/06 16:00	Durban		Spain	0:1	Switzerland
31	21/06 16:00	Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth		Chile	1:0	Switzerland
32	21/06 20:30	Johannesburg - JEP		Spain	2:0	Honduras
47	25/06 20:30	Tshwane/Pretoria		Chile	1:2	Spain
48	25/06 20:30	Mangaung/ Bloemfontein		Switzerland	0:0	Honduras

NB: Key: ====== - Match & date already played (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html)

The FIFA World Cup 2010 group tables & fixtures

From June 11, 2010 - July 11, 2010

FIFA World Cup : Group A Table Tuesday, 22 June 2010 17:11 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Uruguay	3	2	1	0	4	0	4	7        OK
2	Mexico	3	1	1	1	3	2	1	4        OK
3	South Africa	3	1	1	1	3	5	-2	4      OUT
4	France	3	0	1	2	1	4	-3	1       OUT

Group A fixtures

Thursday, 17 June 2010 France v Mexico, Gp A, 19:30

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 France v South Africa, Gp A, 15:00 Mexico v Uruguay, Gp A, 15:00

FIFA World Cup : Group B Table Tuesday, 22 June 2010 21:51 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Argentina	3	3	0	0	7	1	6	9        OK
2	Korea Republic	3	1	1	1	5	6	-1	4        OK
3	Greece	3	1	0	2	2	5	-3	3       OUT
4	Nigeria	3	0	1	2	3	5	-2	1        OUT

Group B fixtures

Thursday, 17 June 201 Argentina v South Korea, Gp B, 12:30 Greece v Nigeria, Gp B, 15:00

Tuesday, 22 June 2010 Greece v Argentina, Gp B, 19:30 Nigeria v South Korea, Gp B, 19:30

FIFA World Cup : Group C Table Wednesday, 23 June 2010 21:25 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	USA	3	1	2	0	4	3	1	5        OK
2	England	3	1	2	0	2	1	1	5        OK
3	Slovenia	3	1	1	1	3	3	0	4       OUT
4	Algeria	3	0	1	2	0	2	-2	1       OUT

Group C fixtures                                                                                                           

Friday, 18 June 2010 Slovenia v USA, Gp C, 15:00 England v Algeria, Gp C, 19:30; Wednesday, 23 June 2010 Slovenia v England, Gp C, 15:00 USA v Algeria, Gp C, 15:00

FIFA World Cup : Group D Table Wednesday, 23 June 2010 21:26 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Germany	3	2	0	1	5	1	4	6        OK
2	Ghana	3	1	1	1	2	2	0	4        OK
3	Australia	3	1	1	1	3	6	-3	4       OUT
4	Serbia	3	1	0	2	2	3	-1	3       OUT

Group D fixtures

Friday, 18 June 2010 Germany v Serbia, Gp D, 12:30-  Saturday, 19 June 2010 Ghana v Australia, Gp D, 15:00; Wednesday, 23 June 2010 Australia v Serbia, Gp D, 19:30 Ghana v Germany, Gp D, 19:30

FIFA World Cup : Group E Table Thursday, 24 June 2010 21:28 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Netherlands	3	3	0	0	5	1	4	9        OK
2	Japan	3	2	0	1	4	2	2	6        OK
3	Denmark	3	1	0	2	3	6	-3	3       OUT
4	Cameroon	3	0	0	3	2	5	-3	0       OUT

Group E fixtures 

Saturday, 19 June 2010 Netherlands v Japan, Gp E, 12:30 Cameroon v Denmark, Gp E, 19:30 Thursday, 24 June 2010 Cameroon v Netherlands, Gp E, 19:30 Denmark v Japan, Gp E, 19:30

FIFA World Cup : Group F Table Thursday, 24 June 2010 16:59 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Paraguay	3	1	2	0	3	1	2	5        OK
2	Slovakia	3	1	1	1	4	5	-1	4        OK
3	New Zealand	3	0	3	0	2	2	0	3       OUT
4	Italy	3	0	2	1	4	5	-1	2       OUT

Group F fixtures

Sunday, 20 June 2010 Slovakia v Paraguay, Gp F, 12:30 Italy v New Zealand, Gp F, 15:00    Thursday, 24 June 2010 Paraguay v New Zealand, Gp F, 15:00 Slovakia v Italy, Gp F, 15:00

FIFA World Cup : Group G Table Monday, 21 June 2010 17:06 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Brazil	3	2	1	0	5	2	3	7        OK
2	Portugal	3	1	2	0	7	0	7	5        OK
3	Côte d'Ivoire	3	1	1	1	4	3	1	4       OUT
4	Korea DPR	3	0	0	3	1	12	-11	0       OUT

Group G fixtures

FIFA World Cup : Group H Table Monday, 21 June 2010 21:26 UK

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Spain	3	2	0	1	4	0	2	6        OK
2	Chile	3	2	0	1	3	2	1	6        OK
3	Switzerland	3	1	1	1	1	1	0	4       OUT
4	Honduras	3	0	1	2	0	3	-3	1       OUT

Group H fixtures

England players are finally allowed to spend time with their WAGs (and they're offered a sup of beer too)

Joe and Carly Cole made the most of their reunion today as they and baby daughter Ruby spent time together in South Africa today. The Chelsea and England midfielder looked pleased to have his wife by his side and they went for a stroll round the Palace Hotel in Sun City near Rustenburg. After yesterday's win against Slovenia which sent England through, the relief on Joe's face was all too apparent as he relaxed with his family, later spending time with them by the pool.

And he wasn't the only player allowed to spend time with his other half today after manager Fabio Capello gave the nod to allow the team to spend time with their WAGs. A source has informed the MailOnline that the Italian manager, who turned 64 last week, relaxed his strict regime to give players permission to take visits from the wives and girlfriends who are currently in South Africa. This may explain why we've seen several England WAGs - including Fabio's own wife Laura Ghisi - in the African nation over the last few days.

Left, Coach Fabio Capello praised the spirit shown by England after they booked a berth in the World Cup knockout stages with a 1-0 win over Slovenia. Right, striker Jermin Defoe celebrates after his first-half goal which gave England the win.

Striker Jermain Defoe's first-half goal gave England the win but they finished second in Group C behind the United States and now face Germany on Sunday.  "This is what I wanted to see - the spirit and to see them fight together," said Capello.  "We'll now go forward. Their minds are free and they can play without fear."  The 64-year-old Italian added that he was happy he had "rediscovered the team he knew from qualification".  Captain Steven Gerrard, who played predominantly on the left, had been confident England would get the required result, despite being under immense pressure.  "We showed passion, fight and team spirit - we're delighted to go through," stated the Liverpool midfielder. "We've done it before when our backs have been against the wall but we need to do it all the time.  "We need to find consistency, especially in the knockout stages. If we perform like we did against Algeria then we won't get another chance.  "If we can keep this togetherness and work-rate going who knows what can happen, hopefully we can go all the way."  Gerrard also backed Wayne Rooney to rediscover his form after the Manchester United striker was substituted for Joe Cole in the second half.  Rooney, 24, has yet to score at the finals in South Africa, although he went close when his shot was tipped on to the post by keeper Samir Handanovic.  Capello later revealed that the striker was brought off because his ankle was "not so good" but Rooney is expected to be fit for the game against Germany in Bloemfontein. "Wayne's had criticism but today he worked his socks off and I know goals are around the corner for him," added Gerrard.  The 30-year-old midfielder also called on his fellow players to "listen to Capello" during the remainder of their campaign.  His comments follow reports of a meeting between the players and management to discuss why the team had underperformed against the US and Algeria.  "We need to listen to the manager because his ideas are spot on," he stated.  "The mood is 110% better than it was a few days ago. We go again on Sunday and we don't care who we play. It's all about us now. If we turn up and play close to our potential then we're a match for anyone."  Defender Matthew Upson, who came in for the suspended Jamie Carragher and made several key interventions, concurred with Capello and Gerrard that the win had everything to do with the players' spirit.  "The key to winning - forget everything else, tactics, the lot - it's about you as a human being, it's about what you are willing to commit and your attitude and we did that really well," said Upson.  "The key is to give everything you've got, leave all your fear and inhibitions in the changing room and let go and give it a rip. Everyone's buzzing and the manager's on top of everything."  Goalscorer Jermain Defoe said it was a dream come true for him to score the winning goal.  The Tottenham striker pounced in the 22nd minute to convert James Milner's cross from the right.  "I'm lost for words - what a moment," enthused Defoe. "You dream about this as a young lad. I was focused but we won the game, which was the important thing.  "It was a must-win game, a cup final. The lads were fired up and to get the goal early was great.  "The support was brilliant - it has been difficult for them recently."  Midfielder Gareth Barry drew parallels with the 1990 World Cup, when England also drew their first two group games before scraping through to the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Egypt and going on to reach the semi-finals.  "We'd be delighted if we could go that far and maybe one further but it's early days still," said the Manchester City player. "But confidence is growing and momentum is massive - hopefully we can keep gaining it."  And looking ahead to the rest of the tournament, substitute Joe Cole senses England will only get better and could even win the World Cup. "I believe we can do it - I've felt it from six months ago," said Cole. "I just believe if everyone in the country thinks the same and if the players do their job, the World Cup starts here."

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World Cup 2010 - France players may boycott game

Some of the France team may not want to play against South Africa in their final Group A game following a row over the expulsion of striker Nicolas Anelka, beleaguered coach Raymond Domenech said.

                                                                      

France players

Domenech said that he backed the French Football Federation's decision to expel Anelka after the player insulted him and attacked the "imbecility" of the squad for boycotting training on Sunday. "It is a possibility" that some players may not want to play against the hosts in Bloemfontein, said Domenech, who has faced a rebellion from his players over the past 48 hours.

"We will have to take it into account when I compose the team with my staff," the 58-year-old told a packed news conference tent outside the Free State stadium.

One of the players missing from Domenech's starting line-up could be captain Patrice Evra, who did not attend the pre-match news conference that normally features both the coach and the skipper.

That could be an indication that Evra, who led the players' protest against the FFF's decision to kick Anelka out of the squad after he crudely insulted Domenech at half-time of a 2-0 defeat by Mexico last week, might not play on Tuesday.

"The sanction was absolutely justified and I fully support the Federation's decision (to send Anelka home)," Domenech said. "Nobody can allow himself to behave that way."

Domenech had harsh words to denounce the players' decision not to train: "It was an aberration, an imbecility, a stupidity with no name," he said.

The coach urged his players, facing scorn and derision from fans and media for bringing shame to their sport and country, to show pride against South Africa.

"The reputation of the France team is at stake in that next match," said Domenech, looking combative but not angry. "The image we will leave behind much depends on what will happen tomorrow (Tuesday) on the pitch," he added.

France, who have frustrated their fans with uninspired performances since a Euro 2008 flop and needed a controversial playoff win over Ireland to win a ticket to South Africa, are in great danger of making another early exit.

Only if they score a big win against the hosts on Tuesday and Mexico and Uruguay do not draw at the same time will they stand a chance of reaching the knockout stages.

===================

 

The junk food generation: British children getting fatter at twice the rate of Americans

A shocking picture of the way children are gorging themselves on sweets, chocolates and snacks was revealed yesterday. They are getting fat almost twice as quickly as American youngsters as they eat double the amount of sugary and savoury treats. The disturbing figures suggest that Government efforts to turn back the tide of obesity overwhelming the country's children are failing. 

Obese: British children eat double the amount of sugary and savoury treats as their American peers (file picture). Independent research company Datamonitor said average annual spending on sweets and chocolates for children in this country is £372 - equivalent to around 850 Mars bars. That is more than double the £150 for American youngsters. The amount spent on savoury snacks such as crisps is put at £73.24 in the UK, compared with £39.51 in the U.S. British children also eat more sugary breakfast cereals, ice cream and ready meals. More than one in three British children aged five to 13 are already overweight or obese. But that figure is predicted to soar at a rate of 2.1 per cent a year through to 2014, far higher than the 1.3 per cent annual rise expected for the U.S. And by 2014, some 38.6 per cent of UK youngsters - a total of 2.5million - will be too heavy. The study comes despite a series of promises by food companies to improve their ingredients and reduce portion sizes of chocolate bars, fast food and crisps. It will reawaken fears after MPs warned in 2004 that children were 'choking on their own fat' and said they would be 'the first generation to die before their parents as a consequence of obesity'.

The MPs on the Health Select Committee painted a woeful picture of large numbers of people being disfigured and blinded by weight-related diseases such as diabetes. 'The sight of amputees will become much more familiar in the streets,' it said. 'There will be many more blind people. There will be huge demand for kidney dialysis.' Kidney failure, blindness and amputations can all result from diabetes.

Green Tea Leaves

Green Tea Leaves are the latest weight loss fad. These so called Super Herbs that you take as a supplement to lose weight have been getting a lot of international attention. And like you have probably already seen; they are all over the internet in blogs and success stories of people who have apparently used the pills and lost a ton of weight. But we here at Consumer Review Daily are a little skeptical and aren‘t sure that we‘ve seen any real proof that these herbs work for weight loss. So we decided to put these products to the test. What better way to find out the truth than to conduct our own study?       Read on.......

Five killed in Kenyan rally crush

At least five people have died and dozens been injured in a stampede at a rally in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The stampede followed two explosions, the cause of which is unknown. The rally was organised by Christian groups opposed to a draft constitution because it retains recognition of existing Islamic courts and includes a clause on abortion. Kenyans are due to vote on the new constitution in a referendum in August. The Kenyan police say the explosions were small and left no debris. Police are investigating the possibility that a home-made device was detonated. As part of a power-sharing deal to end deadly riots following elections in December 2007, it was agreed that a new constitution would be written. The document provides for greater checks on presidential powers and more regional devolution.

 

At least 20 people were injured in the Nairobi blast.

However, Christian church leaders are campaigning for a "No" vote after an amendment to abolish abortion on medical grounds failed. They also oppose the continued recognition of Islamic family courts. The Islamic Kadhi courts - set up under British colonial rule - mainly deal with matters of marriage and inheritance for Kenya's Muslim minority. Supporters of the new constitution deny that it opens the door to legalised abortion

Race - McLaren one-two in Montreal thriller

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (R) of Britain and teammate Jenson Button of Britain celebrate with champagne after winning the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix on June 13, 2010 in Montreal. Right, crowd in Montreal during the race.

MONTREAL - Lewis Hamilton drove a superb tactical race to hold off his McLaren team mate Jenson Button and win Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix from pole position and jump to the top of the Formula One drivers’ championship. 
 In a repeat of the last race in Turkey, Hamilton crossed the line just 2.2 seconds ahead of his fellow-Briton to leapfrog Australian Mark Webber and world champion Button at the top of the standings. 
 Spain’s Fernando Alonso finished third for Ferrari to join the two McLaren men on the Montreal podium while Germany’s Sebastian Vettel was fourth and his Red Bull team mate Webber fifth after a thrilling race. 
 "Woohooh! Yes! Great job guys!" Hamilton told his team bosses after taking the chequered flag. 
 "Thank you so much for this weekend. There was a lot of pressure on our shoulders, but we stood up to it."  
 Hamilton’s second win in a row took him from third to first place in the championship with a total of 109 points. Button remained second on 106 while Webber dropped to third on 103 ahead of Alonso (94) and Vettel (90). 
 "It is one of the toughest races so far. It’s another one-two and Jenson did an incredible job. I am very happy and proud of the team," said Hamilton, the 2008 world champion. 
 "This is a special day for me because I obviously won my first Grand Prix here so to come back and do that three years later is a real pleasure."
 
 STRATEGIC BATTLE
 
 While there were no major crashes during the 70-lap event, which was back on the calendar after being left off last year, there was no shortage of drama as Canada lived up to its reputation as one of the most enthralling races. 
 Five different drivers held the lead as teams were forced into a strategic battle to keep their tyres from falling apart on the demanding street circuit which features long straights and tight corners. 
 The different tyre strategies produced a riveting tactical race with the leading five all in contention at different stages but swapping places during extra pit stops, high-speed wheel-to-wheel racing and some breathtaking overtaking, which has been absent from Formula One in recent years. 
 "It was a very difficult race," said Button, who won last year’s title with Brawn (now Mercedes) before switching to McLaren. 
 "The tyres are so important and you are never sure if you are looking after them enough. It was a great race, really enjoyable - you had to think about every situation."  
 While Hamilton became the fifth different leader of the championship this season, Alonso was also buoyed by the improved performance of his Ferrari. 
 The double world champion has struggled to keep pace with Red Bull and McLaren since winning the season-opening race in Bahrain but believed he was back on the pace. 
 "I think it was good day for us, the car was very competitive," Alonso said. "We are moving in the right direction and I think we are back in the fight."  
 It was poor result for Red Bull, who had dominated the early part of the season, claiming pole position in each of the first seven races before Hamilton broke the sequence in Montreal. 
 Webber’s chances of winning were diminished even before the race started when he had to change a faulty gearbox and was forced to drop back five places on the grid from second to seventh. 
 He still managed to weave his way through traffic to lead for a large part of the race but his advantage was eaten away as his tyres started to deteriorate and he began sliding all over the course before returning to the pits for fresh rubber. 
 "I wanted to get some champagne today but in the end it didn’t happen," said the Australian. 
 Vettel also had his turn in front but, struggling with a gearbox problem, could not catch the cars in front of him once he had pitted for a second time — despite persistent urgings from his crew to go faster. 
 "Seriously, how do you expect me to pass, we are going slower and slower!" he told them.

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Global day of Prayer

Come and join thousands of Christians for a national day of prayer at West Ham United Football Club, Green Street in London (nearest tube:  Upton Park on the District Line) to day Sunday, 13 June from 3pm to 6pm.

Confirmed lead worshippers include Noel Robinson, Godfrey Birtill, Graham Kendrick, Dave Bilborough, Mark Beswick, Muyiwa and Lara Martin.  There will be a special guest performance by X-Factor Finalist Beverley Trotman.

There will also be music by the All Souls Orchestra, the GDOP Choir and the Kingdom Worship Movement Singers and Band.

Event Details

Date:

• To day, Sun 13 Jun 2010

Time:

• Doors open/Worship from 2pm

Location:

• West Ham United Football Club

Cost:

Children 10 years and older and Adults: £5 ... Children under 10: Free (but still require a ticket) Address:

• Green Street
  London
  E13 9AZ Phone

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY BOOKED

Your ticket will tell you which gate (turnstile) you are to enter the stadium by, once inside the stadium please follow the signs and directions of the stewards to reach your allocated seating block, which is also listed on your ticket.     Lost Tickets If your tickets have gone astray in the post then please report to the Ticket Enquiries Window at the on-site Box Office with details of your order and you will be issued replacement tickets.  The Box Office opens at 11am.    Tickets on the day There are still tickets available for the event which can be purchased on the day using a credit/debit card at the on-site Box Office, or by cash at the turnstiles.  Please continue to invite friends and relatives.      Children's Tickets Everyone attending the event needs a ticket to enter the stadium, additional children's tickets will be available on the day at no-charge.    Venue and Travel The Venue is West Ham Stadium, Green Street, London E13 9AZ, click here for map.   Public Transport Please note, there will be no District line services to or from East Ham on Sunday. If you are travelling from Central or South London, please use Jubilee line services to Canning Town and then use bus routes 5, 147 or 330. From North London, please use Central line services to Stratford, then bus route 104. From East London, please use c2c services into Barking, then bus route 5.  Click here for the TFL journey planner for your own route.   Car Parking around the stadium is limited either to the NCP carpark opposite or in the various side streets. We do want to ensure that we are gracious to the local residents, so would ask that you travel either by coach or public transport where ever possible. If you need to come by car then take North Circular (A406) to A124 (East Ham), then on Barking Road for approximately 1.5 miles until you approach traffic lights on crossroads. Turn right into Green Street, the ground is on your right hand side. Click here for the AA Car Journey Planner.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By purchasing through Premier Tickets you are agreeing to our terms and conditions, please click here to read them. Please do not continue with your purchase without reading these first.

South Africa carries the standard for a continent

Colourful: thousands of fans take to the streets for trhe procession by the South African team through Sandton, Johannesburg

Friday, 11th June, 2010. In the 20 years since Nelson Mandela walked from prison South Africa has defied the predictions of racial violence and chaos many predicted would follow. Starting on Friday, when the hosts take on Mexico in the opening game of Africa’s first World Cup, this remarkable nation hopes to use a month of football to bury such fears forever.

The ambition tethered to this tournament is staggering. For its architects, it is nothing less than an opportunity to redefine perceptions of a nation and a continent, around the world and among its own people. It is a chance to drag prejudices out of the 19th century, haul the national infrastructure into the 21st and to unite a population still reconciling decades of racial division.

The World Cup has helped redefine national self-image before, but never on the scale South Africa is asking of it. In 1998, France’s victory, inspired by players of African descent, led by Zinedine Zidane, helped change notions of what it meant to be French. Four years ago, Germany staged a celebratory tournament that was the first legitimate expression of national pride since the Second World War, and helped cement unification.

The burden of expectation carried by South Africa 2010 exceeds both, and perhaps only in a country that has repeatedly chosen optimism over conflict would it be possible.

Danny Jordaan, chief executive of the organising committee, has been lobbying to bring the tournament to South Africa for 16 years, and is in no doubt that all these ambitions can be realised.

Having watched hundreds of thousands of South Africans, black and white, throng the upmarket streets of the Johannesburg suburb Sandton to greet the national team on Wednesday, he compares today’s kick-off to Mandela’s release and the granting of universal suffrage four years later.

“Yesterday, those who saw Bafana Bafana just driving by brought the whole of Sandton to a standstill, it shows that this moves people. That was the effect Nelson Mandela had when he walked out of prison,” Jordaan said. “We have always said the World Cup must be a celebration; it must help an image makeover of the country; it must show the world who we really are, that we are people driven by what drives human beings, to socialise, celebrate and show the goodness in our people and our people’s ability to embrace other people, because that is not always the story that is told about us.”

Delivering the infrastructure Fifa demanded, but which many doubted South Africa was capable of, has been crucial to changing perceptions.

“You come to South Africa now and you see the infrastructure, the stadiums, the roads, the airport, you see the hotel accommodation, you see our street trains, the buses, then you begin to understand that what we promised was not just talk, but a determination to present the best World Cup ever, and we worked hard to do that.”

Step inside Soccer City, the towering 90,000-seat stadium on the industrial edge of Johannesburg that hosts today’s opening game, and the achievement is obvious.

Even empty, save for technicians and ground-staff making final preparations, it looks the equal of any in the developed world. The pitch is perfect, the sightlines faultless, the executive boxes comfortable and the big screens enormous. It could, in short, be anywhere in the world, but happens to be on the southern tip of the most impoverished continent on the planet.

“This can have a profound effect on the whole African continent,” Jordaan says. “This tournament has shown that Africa can make promises and deliver on them. This is a psychological barrier that has been crossed, it is a historic moment, it is an extension of who we are as Africans, our abilities and what we can do.’’

Jordaan’s optimism will not prevent problems in the next month. The spotlight that he hopes will transform perceptions could also highlight the manifest problems of a country that remains deeply troubled.

Transport remains a major headache and there is genuine nervousness that provision and planning for some of the major stadiums, including Soccer City, is inadequate.

Security is also an ever-present concern. Journalists and supporters have already been robbed a gunpoint in Johannesburg this week and the threat of fatalities is undeniable. More than 50 people are murdered every day in South Africa. Last night’s crush injuries to six people in the Cape Town fan zone was also a blow to confidence.

Ticketing also remains an issue, with fears that the collapse of the global hospitality market may leave empty seats in some stadiums. With the majority population excluded by price, that would be an unforgivable outcome for tournament built on the promise of inclusion.

It also remains to be seen whether the white population will fully embrace the national side in a sport that has traditionally been the preserve of black South Africa.

The early signs are encouraging, at least in the cloistered streets of Sandton, where every 4x4 and Mercedes on the school run appears to have sprouted South African flags, bumper stickers and wing-mirror covers.

Wednesday’s parade was also genuinely mixed, with bankers and office workers slipping the national shirt over their suits and ties to follow the bus on their lunch-break.

They, of course, are also most likely to get into games for which tickets are beyond the reach of half the population, who live on wages of around £30 a month. For the black supporters who thronged every bridge on the bus route, that swift glimpse of the players may be their last, but their enthusiasm was no less authentic for that.

South Africa has come a long way extremely fast. When Mandela was released his country remained a sporting pariah, banned by Fifa and with separate leagues for black and white teams. This afternoon he will watch Bafana Bafana play in a home World Cup.

The next month will not be entirely smooth, but there is no doubt it will help South Africa continue the journey he began.

Everything positive apart from result - England manager Fabio Capello

Saturday, 12th June, 2010. Three Lions boss bemoans bad luck...

Wayne Rooney vs Jay Demerit (England vs USA)

England will have to be content with a point from their opening World Cup group C encounter with the USA after their match finished 1-1.
The Three Lions took the lead early through Steven Gerrard, but a bad goalkeeping error in the second half from Robert Green ensured the United States took something from the game.
After the match, England manager Fabio Capello said that he was pleased with the performance of his side, but bemoaned the back luck which cost his side from taking three points in the group.
"We played a good game. But one mistake cost us [from goalkeeper Robert Green]. They shoot once at the goal, and they score one goal," Capello told ITV.
"This is football. I am really happy for the performance of the team. We are in a good moment and I think the next time we will be better. But only the result is not good."
When questioned about the goalkeeping error from Green, who allowed a tame Clint Dempsey shot to squeeze under him, the Italian was reluctant to criticise the England No.1 shot-stopper, although he did not guarantee the player will start  the next match against Algeria on Friday.
"Sometimes a keeper makes mistakes. This is football. I spoke with some players and sometimes the flight of the ball changes at the last moment."
"The second half he played very well. I am really happy for him." he said.
The Three Lions put the USA under a lot of pressure in an impressive second half but could not find the winner and Capello was happy from the display given by his midfield.
"Everything is positive, only the result not positive. [Steven] Gerrard and Frank [Lampard] played really well. We had some chances to score goals and I hope enxt time we will be more lucky [in front of goal]." he said.
Lastly, Capello gave an update on Ledley King, who had to be withdrawn at half-time injured.
He said: "Probably he can play [next week]. He has only one little problem."

Baby attacked by fox 'a lot better' in hospital

                                                                                                   Fox was photographed by a Met officer at the house on Saturday

One of the twin nine-month-old girls attacked by a fox in London is "a lot better", relatives have said. Lola Koupparis is in a stable condition in the Royal London Hospital, where she is being treated for facial injuries and puncture marks to her arm. Her sister Isabella is under sedation after surgery at Great Ormond Street on arm injuries she received when the fox entered the bedroom in Hackney. Police later saw a fox at the family's home and took a picture of it. An officer spotted it through the glass of a sliding patio door as he

walked around the house.

He used his mobile phone to record the encounter before the fox ran away into the garden.

The image has been released by Scotland Yard but it is not clear whether it is the animal which attacked the babies.

'Funny cry'

On Monday the twins' mother Pauline, told BBC London 94.9 that she and her husband Nick had been watching television when she heard her "a funny cry" and went to check on the girls.

She described the "living nightmare" of switching on the lights to see them covered in blood and the fox in the room.

The twins' four-year-old brother, who was also sleeping upstairs, was not hurt.

The fox is thought to have crept in through the patio door, which had been left open because of the hot weather.

After the attack, pest controllers set fox traps in the back garden.