World Cup tickets will be hard to come by

From Business Day

CAPE TOWN — Only about 1-million South Africans will be able to watch football matches in stadiums during the 2010 World Cup, regardless of what price the tickets sell for.

This emerged yesterday when a high-powered delegation from the Fifa’s South African office and the local organising committee briefed Parliament’s two committees dealing with sport.

The briefing comes on the back of fears that the tickets will be too expensive for ordinary South African football lovers.

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World Cup talks underway

From Sportal

Football Federation Australia chief John O'Neill has revealed preliminary discussions have begun regarding Australia making a bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Speaking to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, O'Neill said FFA had held discussions with FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohammed Bin Hammam.

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I still think that it is unfair to allow Australia to join Asian Football Confederation because the other Oceania countries will be residualized.

World Cup in Brazil? Hah

From Daily News & Analysis

The country is expected to be awarded the 2014 event but former players and fans alike believe that it is not fit for it.RIO DE JANEIRO: Local fans digesting Brazil's World Cup debacle in Germany have been confronted with more bad news in the form of doubts as to whether the country is fit to stage the event in 2014.

Brazil are expected to be formally awarded the 2014 event by football's ruling body FIFA but national icon Pele leads the chorus of those warning against such an expensive event.

"We cannot sacrifice people," warned Pele. He said that a World Cup in Brazil is only tenable if it is financed privately and not by the state.

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I understand that the high investment cost of World Cup. It is really a burden for a developing country but it is possible to increase the using rate after the tournament ???

Lawyer aims to force final replay

From The Age

A FRENCH lawyer plans to seek court intervention that he believes could force a replay of the World Cup soccer final.

Lawyer Mehana Mouhou is challenging the sending off of France skipper Zinedine Zidane after he headbutted Italy's Marco Materazzi in the final.

Doubts over whether a match official relied on video evidence of Zidane's headbutt meant the final should be replayed, Mouhou said.

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World Cup bid for 2018 gets political clout

From The Age

FOOTBALL Federation Australia has welcomed government support for a bid to host the 2018 World Cup, but warned that winning the right to stage the event would be a huge task.

Prime Minister John Howard yesterday said all governments would support a bid, if one came, for Australia to host the event in 2018.

"All governments agreed enthusiastically that if the national body, the Football Federation of Australia, put in a bid for the 2018 World Cup, then all governments would support that bid, and support that bid very enthusiastically," Howard said.

FFA's head of operations Matt Carroll said the process would be tougher than winning the rights to host an Olympic Games and that Australia must first lift its profile in the soccer world.
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Europe is victor in World Cup of language

From The Age

SAMMY runs the bar and bistro next to The Age's former World Cup domicile on the outskirts of Stuttgart. Sammy is from Tunisia, but has lived in many places. About 30 years ago, he worked for a while at the vast US army base in the Black Forest and struck up lasting friendships there. Now he lives in Steinenbronn with his adult son, his Vietnamese-born partner and his 1100 bottles of wine.

Sammy speaks six languages and can read in three scripts: Western, Arabic and, oddly enough, Hebrew. His sunny disposition is only ever clouded by one topic. He loathes war.
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Africa seeks extra World Cup spot

From Sunday Times
BERLIN - Labelling it as "premature" in the glow of Germany's 2006 World Cup tour de force, Fifa officials here have remained mum over Africa's exact representation when the tournament is staged in South Africa in 2010.

African nations were awarded five positions in the 32-team field in Germany, with only Ghana qualifying for the last 16 and The Ivory Coast, Angola, Tunisia and Togo all eliminated in the first round.

It hardly seems a criterion for canvassing for greater representation in 2010, but with South Africa qualifying automatically as the host nation, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) are intent on securing five qualifying places as well - and increasing the continent's overall representation to six.

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There are a lot of high potential teams in Africa but the African teams performed quite poor in this tournament.

Thus, it is difficult to seek more quota.

The fact of Zidane head-butted Materazzi to the ground

Zidane head-butted Materazzi to the ground is a hot topic after the World Cup final. Mass media had different speculation in the last few days. Zidane has told to the public that Materazzi insulted his mother and sister with at least 3 times.

He say sorry to the public especially children and teenager but he don't think he did any wrong action at that moment.

Italian, German Team Coaches Resign Following World Cup

By VOA Sports

The Italian Football Federation says national team coach Marcello Lippi has resigned, just three days after guiding Italy to its fourth World Cup title.

Lippi said Italy's defeat of France in the final in Berlin on Sunday was a historic result that will live on in the hearts of Italian fans.

The coach says the two years he spent leading the Italian national team was "an extraordinary professional and personal experience" with "an exceptional group of players."

His successor has not yet been named.

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It is not surprised that these two coaches resign after the World Cup but many people must very disappointed to loose these two talent coaches for national team.

Kenya wins football World Cup too!

From Daily News and Analysis
BERLIN: When France and Italy were fighting it out for the FIFA World Cup, Kenya was enjoying their own cup of glory after winning the first street football world championship in the same city.

Kenya beat South Africa 4-3 in a penalty shootout to walk away with their World Cup trophy in Berlin on Saturday.

The winners received the Copa Andres Escobar, named after the Colombian international who scored an own goal in the 1994 World Cup and was murdered on his return home.

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I never heard the street football campionship but still feel great to this African team.

The only Dark Horse: Ukraine

The FIFA World Cup first-timers did extremely well in reaching the last eight, but found Italy too tough an opponent in Hamburg.

In the semi-final, all teams are traditional strong teams including Italy, Germany, France and Portugal. I think the result showed that the traditional strong teams did not underestimate other weak teams.

I hope Marcello Lippi will stay in the national team

Marcello Lippi has successfully changed the Italy's style. Italy becomes both strong in defense and attack. I think the change is the key element for winning the World Cup.

I think Lippi is the best Italy coach compared with the recent ex-coach.

Jurgen Klinsmann is the key person to Germany football revival

Even Jurgen Klinsmann is a young and inexperience coach, he leaded the national team very well during the tournament. The citizens, supporters, players and the members of football association also want Jurgen to continue coaching the national team.

Actually, he did very well because Germany does not have superstar and talent players (I mean compare to Rooney, Messi and etc) before the start of tournament. He can organize a normal team becoming a world-class team.

Great !!!!!

Italy's Padoa-Schioppa says World Cup victory to positively impact economy

From Forbes
MILAN (AFX) - Italy's World Cup victory on Sunday will have a positive impact on the Italian economy, but the phenomenon is impossible to quantify, said Economy Minister Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa.

Speaking after a meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels, Padoa-Schioppa said the victory will boost the country's image abroad and increase domestic confidence, but also prove that Italy can reach 'ambitious' objectives, the news agency Radiocor reported.

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Actually, Germany is the most beneficial nation as the host country. The other country also benefit from World Cup in term of economy.

France keeps Domenech

From Canoe

PARIS (AP) - The contract for France coach Raymond Domenech has been extended, two days after his team lost the World Cup final to Italy.

French soccer federation head Jean-Pierre Escalettes said Tuesday that the federation proposed the renewal unanimously, "considering the excellent performance of the France team during the World Cup 2006."

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I think it is a good idea to sign a new contract with Domenech. The new challenge is reforming the France national team because several experienced players will retire from international match.

FIFA to Investigate Zidane Head-Butt in World Cup Soccer Final

From Bloomberg

July 11 (Bloomberg) -- FIFA will investigate France captain Zinedine Zidane's head-butt on Italy's Marco Materazzi in soccer's World Cup final two days ago.
The probe will allow FIFA ``to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident as exactly as possible,'' the ruling body said in an e-mailed statement today.

The 34-year-old former three-time world player of the year received a red card in his last ever game for butting Materazzi in the chest during extra time in the match in Berlin. Italy secured its fourth world title with a 5-3 victory in a penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1.

Brazil's TV Globo and the U.K.'s Times newspaper hired lip- readers to try to ascertain what the Italian said to provoke Zidane. Globo said Materazzi insulted Zidane's sister, while the Times said it was his mother. He called Zidane a terrorist, Spain's Marca newspaper said. Materazzi denied abusing Zidane's family, Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport said today.

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In my opinion, FIFA should penalize Zidance to ban for several matches even he has retired from football career. Even it is a meaningless action for a retired player, it showed that the action is intolerable for the other players. Also, the audience will understand this action is unacceptable especially children.

Of course, I think Zidance should apologize for his behavior even Materazzi was wrong.

Do you think ZIDANE Zinedine worth to win the Golden Ball Award

I think ZIDANE Zinedine does not worth to win this Award.

Firstly, he did not perform very well in the group stage.

Secondly, he and Materazzi had a conflict in the final. Zinedine did a stupid action to cope with the conflict among him and Materazzi.

Thus, I think CANNAVARO Fabio is the best and the only player worth to win the Golden Ball Award.

Besides, I think the FIFA should start the voting system after the end of all matches for the Golden Ball Award and Best Young Player. It is much fair to reflect the performance within the whole tournament.

Buffon collects Lev Yashin Award

It is no doubt that Buffon is the best goalkeeper in this tournment. Loosing two goals because of own goal and penalty only.

KLOSE Miroslav is the Golden Shoe Award Winner

He got 5 goals in the tournament. CRESPO Hernan and RONALDO are silver and Bronze winners respectively.

ZIDANE Zinedine is the Golden Ball Award winner

French playmaker Zinedine Zidane has received the adidas Golden Ball award after being voted player of the tournament by the accredited journalists present at the Final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ on 9 July. CANNAVARO Fabio and PIRLO Andrea are the Silver Ball Award Winner and Bronze Ball Award Winner respectively.

Zidane's dismissal in extra-time

Zidane's dismissal in extra-time because of his head hit MATERAZZI Marco. As a result, he got a red card. It will be a bad memory to Zizou's career.

Italy hold their nerve to claim fourth crown

From FIFA World Cup Official Website

THE FINAL DAY REPLAYED: Fabio Cannavaro, a player who has belied his diminutive stature with some giant performances this past month, fittingly closed the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ by holding the biggest prize in football aloft. Fireworks proclaiming a fourth FIFA World Cup for Italy exploded into the black skies above the Olympiastadion as the Azzurri party began, leaving France – and a disconsolate Zinedine Zidane – to their own thoughts.

What an occasion the 18th Final produced with excitement at the start and incredible drama at the end as Zidane, on his farewell to the game he has graced for so long with his graceful skill, was shown the red card. On it went to a penalty showdown and five unerring Italian spot-kicks delivered them the title of world champions, with David Trezeguet the luckless player to miss. With Fabio Grosso converting, his country edged one Trophy behind Brazil in the pantheon of FIFA World Cup winners.

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5 reasons for Italy wins the title

(1) the overall quality of Italian players is higher than France
(2) Remove the image of scandal
(3) The France's goalkeeper is not stable
(4) The ageing problem of France
(5) Only 1 goal condemn (an own goal)

Germany gets the third place in the World Cup 2006

Even Germany cannot get the title in the World Cup 2006, they also get a respectful result as the third place team.

Compared with the Korea/Japan World Cup, third place may not be a good result but Germany has a lot of youngsters in this tournament.

Well Done Germany ~

Prediction: Final - Italy vs France

Teddy's Prediction: Italy 2:0 win over France

These two teams are the best defense teams in the tournament. However, France's goalkeeper is not stable enough.

Besides, the ageing problem of France may affect their performance.

For Italy, the players want to win the title and recover from the scandal incident. In fact, Italy's performance is much better than France averagely.

The dominate of All Star Team can reflect the success of Italy.

Azzurri prominent in All Star Team

Goalkeepers
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Jens Lehmann (Germany), Ricardo (Portugal)

Defenders
Roberto Ayala (Argentina), John Terry (England), Lilian Thuram (France), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal)

Midfielders
Ze Roberto (Brazil), Patrick Vieira (France), Zinedine Zidane (France), Michael Ballack (Germany), Andrea Pirlo (Italy), Gennaro Gattuso (Italy), Francesco Totti (Italy), Luis Figo (Portugal), Maniche (Portugal)

Forwards
Hernan Crespo (Argentina), Thierry Henry (France), Miroslav Klose (Germany), Luca Toni (Italy)

Lukas Podolski gets Gillette Best Young Player award

Lukas Podolski have gotten the Gillette Best Young Player award in the World Cup 2006. Actually, his fantastic performance helps Germany qualifying the semi-final. However, I think CRISTIANO RONALDO is much better than him in the tournament. It is because the role of C.Ronaldo in Portugal is much important than Podolski in Germany.

As Germany is a strong team, he got more support than C.Ronaldo.

However, he still worth to win the award

KLOSE Miroslav must win the adidas Golden Shoe Award

KLOSE Miroslav have 5 goals and HENRY Thierry and PODOLSKI Lukas have goaled third. However, it seems that Henry is not possible to goal twice or above in Italy-France match because Italy only looses an own goal in the tournament.

Prediction: Third Place - Germany vs Portugal

Teddy's Prediction: Germany 3:1 win over Portugal

As we known, the third place competition always has a lot of goals because both teams do not have pressure in obtaining the title. Even they win or not, the result is third place only. Therefore, there is motivation to attack.

As Germany is the host country and the quality of the players is higher, they should be able to win Portugal on their soil.

KAHN Oliver will replace LEHMANN Jens as the first team goalkeeper but it doesn't mean LEHMANN Jens's performance is poor. What we worry is that FRIEDRICH Arne and MERTESACKER Per will not play in the third place competition as injury. However, the other players should able to defend Portugal's attack as their forwards are not strong enough.

Even LUIS FIGO, DECO and CRISTIANO RONALDO make Portugal's midfield strong, the forward PAULETA performs below his standard.

World Cup a boom for German image

Via CNN
BERLIN, Germany (AP) -- Like their freewheeling soccer team, Germans showed the world -- and themselves -- a new and more relaxed face during the World Cup, shedding a taboo about waving their flag while welcoming foreigners to a peaceful, international party.

In many ways, the past month has been a success story of what didn't happen -- there were no major outbreaks of hooligan violence, attention-getting neo-Nazi disturbances, terrorism or floods of trafficked prostitutes, contrary to fretting ahead of time.

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Blatter worried World Cup could be lowest scoring ever

Via Globeandmail Associated Press

Berlin — FIFA President Sepp Blatter is worried that this year's World Cup might end up the lowest scoring ever, and he wants to figure out ways to "make football more attractive again."

The 2006 World Cup has seen 2.27 goals per contest so far, just a shade above the record low of 2.21 from 1990. This year's average would dip below that if no goals are scored in Saturday's Germany-Portugal third-place game and the France-Italy final Sunday.

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Teddy's Opinion: I think the referee's mistakes also affect the number of goals. It is because the speed of attacking was interrupted.

Nesta ruled out of World Cup final

Although Nesta is one of the best defender at all time, it will not affect the Italy's performance because he will not good form enough to be a first team member in the final.

CRISTIANO RONALDO and ROONEY Wayne, who wrong ?

Do you think C. Ronaldo made W. Rooney Expulsions ?

In my opinion, W. Rooney was violated the rule and C. Ronaldo should not be able to affect referee's decision.

In fact, there were a lot of arguable decision from referees because of the tough guideline announced by FIFA before the start of the tournament.

As a result, there were a lot of yellow and red cards in this tournament.

Japan star Hidetoshi Nakata retires

Hidetoshi Nakata, who is 29 year-old, have announced that he retires. The midfielder is a fashion icon in Japan and was twice voted Asia's player of the year. He is the first Asian player success in Europe but his career prospect is dropping during these few years.

I feel regret for his action because he can contribute to Japanese football development if he came back J. League. He must be a first team member in any J. League teams.

Prediction: Semi-final - France vs Portugal

Teddy's Prediction: France 1:0 win over Portugal

Deco and Costinha can play in this match after the ban. These two players can create menace to France but the other Portuguese players played 120 minutes against England. Therefore, their stamina is doubtful.

ZIDANE Zinedine's wonderful performance makes France becomes better and better in the tournament. As Zizou will retire after the World Cup, it motivates him to show that he is one of the greatest players of all times and the best in his generation.

MAKELELE Claude and VIEIRA Patrick also benefit to the defense and attack during the match. Aging problem does not affect France at all. Their young players such as RIBERY Frank and MALOUDA Florent always use their speed and vitality to create menace.

For defense, both teams have strong defending power, However, the Portugal does not have strong menace in attack because their forwards do not have great performance in the tournament. Their attacking and shoot may be created by midfielder such as Figo and MANICHE.

Grosso got a winning goal for Italy - Italy won 2:0 in extra time

Grosso is the hero of Italy. He got an important in extra time of Italy-Germany match. He also got a penalty in Italy-Australia match. He is a great player. I hope Toni and Totti will have a good job in the final.

World Cup: German midfielder Torsten Frings suspended

Via ABC online
HAMISH ROBERTSON: Now to the World Cup, where the Italians have once again been accused of dodgy dealings, this time by German commentators

Germany faces Italy in the semi-final tomorrow, with one man down following the suspension of the key German midfielder Torsten Frings.

FIFA banned Frings from the match for throwing a punch against an Argentinean player, in a brawl that erupted after the quarter-final match on Saturday that saw Germany win 4-2 on penalties.

The football governing body had initially cleared the German players from any misconduct, but reopened the investigation after the Italian media broadcast footage of the German midfielder punching another player.

As Jennifer Macey reports, German fans are outraged over the suspension, with the team more determined than ever to beat Italy and qualify for the final

JENNIFER MACEY: There's been outrage and disappointment in Germany following the suspension of Torsten Frings. The key midfielder won't be playing in the World Cup semi-final against Italy tomorrow.

FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) has fined Frings and suspended him for one game, following the post-match brawl that marred the quarter-final between Germany and Argentina.

Germany's team manager is Oliver Bierhoff.

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Teddy's Opinion: It is a good news for Italy. Frings, who is not replaceable, is a key defensive midfielder in Germany.

Prediction: Semi-final - Italy vs Germany

Teddy's Prediction: Italy 2:0 win over Germany

Italy had a big win against Ukraine while Germany won by shoot out against Argentina. German attacking style is monotonous and Italy has more variety.

Besides, TONI Luca got two goals in the previous match. Therefore, it can build up his confidence. Germany will be knocked out even they are host country.

Only European Teams

In the semi-final, only four European Teams remain in this stage. All South American teams are knocked out. Without S.American teams, it was 1982 previously.

Italy's Nesta could sit out vs. Germany

Via AZcentral Associated Press Jul. 2, 2006 12:00 AM

Italy defender Alessandro Nesta is still recovering from a right thigh injury and remains in doubt for Italy's semifinal with Germany.

Nesta will undergo a new round of medical exams today. Italy faces the World Cup hosts Tuesday in Dortmund, Germany.

Nesta has missed Italy's past two games, a second-round win over Australia and Friday's 3-0 quarterfinals rout of Ukraine. Inexperienced Andrea Barzagli replaced Nesta against Ukraine and performed well, although he was never really tested. Marco Materazzi returns from a one-game suspension and could step in vs. Germany, as he did vs. Australia.

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Teddy's Opinion: Nesta is a irreplaceable defender in the team. However, Andrea Barzagli is better than Marco Materazzi as a replacement. It is because Marco Materazzi always violates the rule and get cards.

Italy find strength in sorrow

Via Scotslman
THE flags were out even before Italy's players unfurled one of their own. "Gianluca, pensiamo voi", we are thinking of you, read one at the Italy end, while another simply read, "Gianluca". After Friday night's 3-0 win over Ukraine, Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro was given another flag, an Italian tricolore with the words, "Pessottino, siamo con te", we are with you, on it. When the crowd saw it, they burst into applause.

The spirit within the Italian camp is no longer as strong as it is because of the parallels to their last World Cup success, in 1982: back then, they started slowly, were facing a match-fixing scandal back home and their main striker Paolo Rossi failed to score for four games before he burst into life from the quarter-finals onwards to win the Golden Boot.

No, everything changed in the Italian squad on Tuesday afternoon, when their former Juventus and Italy team-mate Gianluca Pessotto jumped 50 feet from the roof of the Juventus HQ and landed on former vice-president Roberto Bettega's Alfa car in an apparent suicide attempt. Cannavaro left that day's press conference in tears while his country and club-mates Alex Del Piero and Gianluca Zambrotta flew back to Turin to visit the critically-ill former defender

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Teddy's Opinion: The scandal and Pessotto's jump seem to have positive effect to Italy. They want to win the title to overcome the unhappiness

Zindedine Zidane performed great against Brazil

According to FIFA Technical Study Group analysis, "Zindedine Zidane turned back the clock and showed the form that won him three FIFA World Player of the Year awards as he led France to a 1-0 quarter-final victory over Brazil in Frankfurt."

Actually, he is the leader in France. I think France may even win the title if he will not get yellow card in the next match. (He has one yellow card and will be banned if got one more card).

Portugal won England by Penalty shoot out

It was a exciting match because both teams performed very well and created a lot of attack. RICARDO had saved 3 shoots during shoot out. He is the hero of Portugal.