Watches this video enjoy Spain erupts in nationwide fiesta as 'dream comes true'
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Monday, 12 July 2010
Sunday, 11 July 2010
The Netherlands have been flawless in their journey to the 2010 World Cup final against Spain
We are enjoy now recent game The Netherlands have been flawless in their journey to the 2010 World Cup final against Spain
The Netherlands' path to Johannesburg's Soccer City for the World Cup final has been flawless, so far, both in qualification and at the finals.
Should captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst lift the trophy on Sunday night, the Netherlands will have become only the second side, after Brazil in 1970, to win all of their matches on the way to the title.
Having finished their qualifying group with eight wins from eight, Holland are bidding to win all seven of their matches here to give them an impressive 15 straight victories if they become the first Dutch team to win the title.
After the famous Dutch sides of the 1970s reached - and lost - the finals of both 1974 and 1978, the current crop seem to have coped under the huge weight of expectation from their Oranje fans.
Before these finals, Holland had a horrible habit of breezing through the group stages at major tournaments with dazzling football, only to be sent home early when it came to the knock-out phase.
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Highlights: Netherlands v Uruguay
Euro 2008 was a classic example as the Netherlands routed France, Italy and Romania in the group stages, but were sent crashing out by Guus Hiddink-coa
Copyright 2010 News Limited
Live feed of Netherlands vs Spain stream from.
We are saw the Live feed of Netherlands vs Spain stream from.
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Coppied by © 2005 - 2010 Dailymotion
Fifa World Cup Finals 2010 South Africa Trailer Promo 1080 HD (Holland/Netherlands Vs Spain/España)
watched being video this Fifa World Cup Finals 2010 South Africa Trailer Promo 1080 HD (Holland/Netherlands Vs Spain/España)
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Netherlands Vs Spain: World Cup Final Preview
Watches this Netherlands Vs Spain: World Cup Final Preview
Netherlands vs Spain
Final, 2010 FIFA World Cup
Soccer City, Johannesburg
Sunday, 11th July 2010
19:30 (BST) / 20:30 (Local Time)
And lo, here we are.
The culmination of a month of toil, jubilation and heartbreak is set to come to a showpiece head in the magnificent surroundings of Soccer City in Joburg on Sunday, as both the Netherlands and Spain will compete to be crowned world champions.
One certainty that lies in store is that there will be a new name engraved on the World Cup trophy come Sunday evening, as both countries – despite their continued prominence in world football – have never lifted that 6 kilograms of 18 carat gold before – despite their rich histories.
Watch the Final of the 2010 World Cup between Netherlands and Spain live online. Click here to sign up.
Another surprising statistic is that neither side have ever met in major international tournament football before, so there is no tangible previous form to draw conclusions from – leaving us with a very unique prospect on our hands.
Bert Van Marwijk’s men were faced with the unenviable task of having to make their way past perennial underdogs Uruguay in the semi-finals, and eventually did so at a relative canter after a barren opening period.
After taking a breath-taking lead through Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s superb angled drive, the Dutch (as we’ve seen throughout their World Cup campaign) once again laboured to capitalise on their advantage – looking decidedly short on ideas in the process.
The Netherlands’ struggled to come up with anything convincing in their bid to put Uruguay to the sword, and La Celeste duly pulled themselves back into the tie when Diego Forlan’s 25-yard effort ‘knuckled’ it’s way past Maarten Stekelenburg with just five minutes of the first-half remaining.
Although they had been markedly better in the early stages of the second-half, Van Marwijk’s men were still struggling to make in-roads through the staunch Uruguayan defense, that was until the increasingly stagnant flow of the game was altered tellingly in the 70th minute.
Just as during their 2-1 quarter-final victory over Brazil, the Dutch had to wait to be spurred into action by a timely piece of serendipity – and again it was their midfield talisman Wesley Sneijder that benefited.
After looking up to see his route to goal littered with sky blue shirts, the Inter Milan star fired off a speculative effort that was heavily deflected twice and just managed to evade the touch of the offside Robin Van Persie before nestling tamely in the far corner of Fernando Muslera’s net.
With the game now swung in their favour, the Dutch regained possession almost immediately after the restart and pushed in search of a third goal to effectively neuter Uruguay’s latent threat.
Just three minutes after Sneijder had restored the Netherlands’ lead, Arjen Robben extended it – leaping to head Dirk Kuyt’s pinpoint cross home via the far post.
Uruguay resolved to notch a well-worked 92nd minute consolation goal through midfielder Maxi Pereira, but it was a case of too-little-too-late for Oscar Tabarez’s side – who were forced to watch on as the pulsating hordes of Oranje-clad supporters celebrated at the final whistle.
Spain, who are incidentally vying to become only the third team in history to hold both the European and World champions title at the same time (after West Germany in ‘72 and ‘74 and France in ‘98 and ‘00), come into the final off the back of an (almost) exemplary run of results – but not necessarily on a high.
Their intrinsic predilection to score ‘the perfect goal’ every time has been more of a burden than a boon to Vicente Del Bosque’s side, as they have time-and-time again monopolised the possession statistics without ending games with much to show their dominance – but, when you have David Villa at your disposal, it rarely tends to matter.
The prolific striker has already netted five goals at this World Cup (tying at the top of the goal-scoring chart with the somewhat fortuitous Sneijder) and has repeatedly proved to be the difference between his side and their opponents by virtue of a series of crucial strikes – a run you’d expect that he is eager to keep going.
It was Germany that stood before them in the semi-finals, but La Furia Roja eased past Joachim Loew’s resurgent young team by registering a deceptively narrow 1-0 victory (thanks to a powerful Carles Puyol header) over Die Mannschaft after again dominating the proceedings with their self-indulgent passing display.
The Netherlands will be without Demy De Zueew (suspected broken jaw) for the final, but seeing as though he was only brought in as a replacement for the temporarily suspended Nigel De Jong, that shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Highly-rated right-back Gregory Van der Wiel will also be returning after serving a one-match ban, meaning that Khalid Boulahrouz will be demoted back down to the bench.
Vicente Del Bosque will face a tough decision on the fitness of Fernando Torres, after the Liverpool striker again looked leggy despite only coming on for the last ten minutes of the Germany game.
Torres’ replacement in the first string, Pedro, did his chances of securing a starting berth in the final no harm after putting in a lively shift but some late-stage wastefulness may be enough to persuade Del Bosque to go with a more experienced option.
This upcoming final should be (on paper, at least) a delight for all connoisseurs of football the way it should be played, but if this South African World Cup has taught us one thing and one thing alone, it is to expect the unexpected.
With so much riding on the game for both countries, I predict a cagey affair. If neither team manages an early goal, then we could be in for a pretty drawn-out encounter.
A single goal may be enough to swing it either way, but with so much attacking talent on display, it shouldn’t be too optimistic to hope for an entertaining game for the millions and millions of neutrals tuning in worldwide.
Netherlands vs Spain Betting
Spain rose to the occasion when they needed to in the semifinal after a shaky start to their campaign followed by mediocre results against mediocre teams. With the immense talent in the squad they are still the favorites with the bookies but the Dutch can overturn the tide and grab their first ever World Cup trophy at 14/5. Click here to bet on this and other World Cup games.
© 2006-2010 Soccerlens - Football News
Netherlands vs Spain
Final, 2010 FIFA World Cup
Soccer City, Johannesburg
Sunday, 11th July 2010
19:30 (BST) / 20:30 (Local Time)
And lo, here we are.
The culmination of a month of toil, jubilation and heartbreak is set to come to a showpiece head in the magnificent surroundings of Soccer City in Joburg on Sunday, as both the Netherlands and Spain will compete to be crowned world champions.
One certainty that lies in store is that there will be a new name engraved on the World Cup trophy come Sunday evening, as both countries – despite their continued prominence in world football – have never lifted that 6 kilograms of 18 carat gold before – despite their rich histories.
Watch the Final of the 2010 World Cup between Netherlands and Spain live online. Click here to sign up.
Another surprising statistic is that neither side have ever met in major international tournament football before, so there is no tangible previous form to draw conclusions from – leaving us with a very unique prospect on our hands.
Bert Van Marwijk’s men were faced with the unenviable task of having to make their way past perennial underdogs Uruguay in the semi-finals, and eventually did so at a relative canter after a barren opening period.
After taking a breath-taking lead through Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s superb angled drive, the Dutch (as we’ve seen throughout their World Cup campaign) once again laboured to capitalise on their advantage – looking decidedly short on ideas in the process.
The Netherlands’ struggled to come up with anything convincing in their bid to put Uruguay to the sword, and La Celeste duly pulled themselves back into the tie when Diego Forlan’s 25-yard effort ‘knuckled’ it’s way past Maarten Stekelenburg with just five minutes of the first-half remaining.
Although they had been markedly better in the early stages of the second-half, Van Marwijk’s men were still struggling to make in-roads through the staunch Uruguayan defense, that was until the increasingly stagnant flow of the game was altered tellingly in the 70th minute.
Just as during their 2-1 quarter-final victory over Brazil, the Dutch had to wait to be spurred into action by a timely piece of serendipity – and again it was their midfield talisman Wesley Sneijder that benefited.
After looking up to see his route to goal littered with sky blue shirts, the Inter Milan star fired off a speculative effort that was heavily deflected twice and just managed to evade the touch of the offside Robin Van Persie before nestling tamely in the far corner of Fernando Muslera’s net.
With the game now swung in their favour, the Dutch regained possession almost immediately after the restart and pushed in search of a third goal to effectively neuter Uruguay’s latent threat.
Just three minutes after Sneijder had restored the Netherlands’ lead, Arjen Robben extended it – leaping to head Dirk Kuyt’s pinpoint cross home via the far post.
Uruguay resolved to notch a well-worked 92nd minute consolation goal through midfielder Maxi Pereira, but it was a case of too-little-too-late for Oscar Tabarez’s side – who were forced to watch on as the pulsating hordes of Oranje-clad supporters celebrated at the final whistle.
Spain, who are incidentally vying to become only the third team in history to hold both the European and World champions title at the same time (after West Germany in ‘72 and ‘74 and France in ‘98 and ‘00), come into the final off the back of an (almost) exemplary run of results – but not necessarily on a high.
Their intrinsic predilection to score ‘the perfect goal’ every time has been more of a burden than a boon to Vicente Del Bosque’s side, as they have time-and-time again monopolised the possession statistics without ending games with much to show their dominance – but, when you have David Villa at your disposal, it rarely tends to matter.
The prolific striker has already netted five goals at this World Cup (tying at the top of the goal-scoring chart with the somewhat fortuitous Sneijder) and has repeatedly proved to be the difference between his side and their opponents by virtue of a series of crucial strikes – a run you’d expect that he is eager to keep going.
It was Germany that stood before them in the semi-finals, but La Furia Roja eased past Joachim Loew’s resurgent young team by registering a deceptively narrow 1-0 victory (thanks to a powerful Carles Puyol header) over Die Mannschaft after again dominating the proceedings with their self-indulgent passing display.
The Netherlands will be without Demy De Zueew (suspected broken jaw) for the final, but seeing as though he was only brought in as a replacement for the temporarily suspended Nigel De Jong, that shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Highly-rated right-back Gregory Van der Wiel will also be returning after serving a one-match ban, meaning that Khalid Boulahrouz will be demoted back down to the bench.
Vicente Del Bosque will face a tough decision on the fitness of Fernando Torres, after the Liverpool striker again looked leggy despite only coming on for the last ten minutes of the Germany game.
Torres’ replacement in the first string, Pedro, did his chances of securing a starting berth in the final no harm after putting in a lively shift but some late-stage wastefulness may be enough to persuade Del Bosque to go with a more experienced option.
This upcoming final should be (on paper, at least) a delight for all connoisseurs of football the way it should be played, but if this South African World Cup has taught us one thing and one thing alone, it is to expect the unexpected.
With so much riding on the game for both countries, I predict a cagey affair. If neither team manages an early goal, then we could be in for a pretty drawn-out encounter.
A single goal may be enough to swing it either way, but with so much attacking talent on display, it shouldn’t be too optimistic to hope for an entertaining game for the millions and millions of neutrals tuning in worldwide.
Netherlands vs Spain Betting
Spain rose to the occasion when they needed to in the semifinal after a shaky start to their campaign followed by mediocre results against mediocre teams. With the immense talent in the squad they are still the favorites with the bookies but the Dutch can overturn the tide and grab their first ever World Cup trophy at 14/5. Click here to bet on this and other World Cup games.
© 2006-2010 Soccerlens - Football News
WORLD CUP 2010: Holland 0 Spain 1 - Dirty Dutch whine over Webb 'bia
Watches this games enjoy WORLD CUP 2010: Holland 0 Spain 1 - Dirty Dutch whine over Webb 'bias'
Holland coach Bert van Marwijk astonishingly accused English referee Howard Webb of being biased towards Spain after the Dutch tried and failed to kick their way towards World Cup glory.
Webb was forced into dishing out 13 yellow cards and one red, with eight bookings and the dismissal of Everton's John Heitinga shaming the Dutch and five cautions for Spain. It was a record for a World Cup final.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1293917/WORLD-CUP-2010-Holland-0-Spain-1--Dirty-Dutch-whine-Webb-bias.html#ixzz0tUGvvZxy
Flashpoint: Holland coach Bert van Marwijk (left) argues with referee Howard Webb
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1293917/WORLD-CUP-2010-Holland-0-Spain-1--Dirty-Dutch-whine-Webb-bias.html#ixzz0tUHIyFdm
But Van Marwijk came out fighting, claiming that the Spanish were just as culpable for the foul play that ruined the game as a spectacle and suggesting that Webb had leaned towards Vicente del Bosque's team after they criticised his handling of their opening group game against Switzerland.
The Holland coach said: 'I don't think the referee controlled the match well. I read a few things today about how angry Spain were at the refereeing in the first match against Switzerland.
'If you view the performance of the referee today, you'd almost think now that the first match had an influence on this game.'
Certainly Webb endured a difficult evening at Soccer City, butthe Dutch were the villains of the piece, something that Van Marwijk, who confronted the referee after the game, seemed unwilling to accept as he reflected on a third failed attempt by his country to win a World Cup final.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1293917/WORLD-CUP-2010-Holland-0-Spain-1--Dirty-Dutch-whine-Webb-bias.html#ixzz0tUHN537w
He added: 'It's not our style. Let me put it this way, it's not our style to commit horrible fouls. It's not our kind of football. But I would have loved to have won it with foot the ball that was not so beautiful. It was a World Cup final and people were tense. Look at the rest of the tournament. I think both sides, also the Spaniards, committed terrible fouls.'
To his credit, Van Marwijk did admit Spain had been the better side in a final that fell a long way short as a global showpiece. But having seen the match settled by Andres Iniesta's goal at the end of extra time, Del Bosque declined to put the boot into Holland.
The Spain coach said: 'I should congratulate our opponents. They made it very difficult for us to play comfortably. I'm here to speak about the beautiful things in football. Holland played a good game. It was very intense, balanced and even. It was rough at times, but that's part of football.
'Football is moving forward and, in this World Cup in South Africa - which has been an extraordinary success for this continent - the reward today was for beautiful football.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1293917/WORLD-CUP-2010-Holland-0-Spain-1--Dirty-Dutch-whine-Webb-bias.html#ixzz0tUHeCXFX
With Spain now champions of the world and of Europe - having won Euro 2008 - Del Bosque's team are the undisputed best team on the planet.
Match-winner Iniesta said: 'I can't quite believe this yet. I had the opportunity to score that goal that was so important for my team, and it's incredible.
'I've made a small contribution in a very tough game, a very rough game - there were all sorts of things happening on the pitch - but Spain deserved to win this World Cup. It's something we have to remember and enjoy, and should feel very proud of everyone in this squad.'
Del Bosque took phone calls from the King and Queen of Spain and the Prime Minister as his players celebrated with the trophy. He added: 'The dressing room is delighted, ecstatic.'
More...
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1293917/WORLD-CUP-2010-Holland-0-Spain-1--Dirty-Dutch-whine-Webb-bias.html#ixzz0tUIL84VQv
© Associated Newspapers Ltd
Holland coach Bert van Marwijk astonishingly accused English referee Howard Webb of being biased towards Spain after the Dutch tried and failed to kick their way towards World Cup glory.
Webb was forced into dishing out 13 yellow cards and one red, with eight bookings and the dismissal of Everton's John Heitinga shaming the Dutch and five cautions for Spain. It was a record for a World Cup final.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1293917/WORLD-CUP-2010-Holland-0-Spain-1--Dirty-Dutch-whine-Webb-bias.html#ixzz0tUGvvZxy
Flashpoint: Holland coach Bert van Marwijk (left) argues with referee Howard Webb
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1293917/WORLD-CUP-2010-Holland-0-Spain-1--Dirty-Dutch-whine-Webb-bias.html#ixzz0tUHIyFdm
But Van Marwijk came out fighting, claiming that the Spanish were just as culpable for the foul play that ruined the game as a spectacle and suggesting that Webb had leaned towards Vicente del Bosque's team after they criticised his handling of their opening group game against Switzerland.
The Holland coach said: 'I don't think the referee controlled the match well. I read a few things today about how angry Spain were at the refereeing in the first match against Switzerland.
'If you view the performance of the referee today, you'd almost think now that the first match had an influence on this game.'
Certainly Webb endured a difficult evening at Soccer City, butthe Dutch were the villains of the piece, something that Van Marwijk, who confronted the referee after the game, seemed unwilling to accept as he reflected on a third failed attempt by his country to win a World Cup final.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1293917/WORLD-CUP-2010-Holland-0-Spain-1--Dirty-Dutch-whine-Webb-bias.html#ixzz0tUHN537w
He added: 'It's not our style. Let me put it this way, it's not our style to commit horrible fouls. It's not our kind of football. But I would have loved to have won it with foot the ball that was not so beautiful. It was a World Cup final and people were tense. Look at the rest of the tournament. I think both sides, also the Spaniards, committed terrible fouls.'
To his credit, Van Marwijk did admit Spain had been the better side in a final that fell a long way short as a global showpiece. But having seen the match settled by Andres Iniesta's goal at the end of extra time, Del Bosque declined to put the boot into Holland.
The Spain coach said: 'I should congratulate our opponents. They made it very difficult for us to play comfortably. I'm here to speak about the beautiful things in football. Holland played a good game. It was very intense, balanced and even. It was rough at times, but that's part of football.
'Football is moving forward and, in this World Cup in South Africa - which has been an extraordinary success for this continent - the reward today was for beautiful football.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1293917/WORLD-CUP-2010-Holland-0-Spain-1--Dirty-Dutch-whine-Webb-bias.html#ixzz0tUHeCXFX
With Spain now champions of the world and of Europe - having won Euro 2008 - Del Bosque's team are the undisputed best team on the planet.
Match-winner Iniesta said: 'I can't quite believe this yet. I had the opportunity to score that goal that was so important for my team, and it's incredible.
'I've made a small contribution in a very tough game, a very rough game - there were all sorts of things happening on the pitch - but Spain deserved to win this World Cup. It's something we have to remember and enjoy, and should feel very proud of everyone in this squad.'
Del Bosque took phone calls from the King and Queen of Spain and the Prime Minister as his players celebrated with the trophy. He added: 'The dressing room is delighted, ecstatic.'
More...
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2010/article-1293917/WORLD-CUP-2010-Holland-0-Spain-1--Dirty-Dutch-whine-Webb-bias.html#ixzz0tUIL84VQv
© Associated Newspapers Ltd
World Cup 2010 Final Netherlands vs Spain (REPLAY)
enjoy World Cup 2010 Final Netherlands vs Spain (REPLAY)
After a month of the best football, soccer fans favorite Spain won over The Netherlands 0-1 in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Here are the high quality replay videos of WC2010 Final game between The Netherlands and Spain. Please wait 5 seconds for the videos to fully load. 1st Half 2nd Half Videos courtesy of Loyal
Coppied by theglobeandmail
After a month of the best football, soccer fans favorite Spain won over The Netherlands 0-1 in the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Here are the high quality replay videos of WC2010 Final game between The Netherlands and Spain. Please wait 5 seconds for the videos to fully load. 1st Half 2nd Half Videos courtesy of Loyal
Coppied by theglobeandmail
World Cup Round Up for July 11, 2010
We are enjoy this World Cup Round Up for July 11, 2010
Would that the quality of yesterday’s third place match between Uruguay and Germany had been more in evidence today as the Netherlands met Spain the 2010 World Cup Final. Alas, this was no Dutch treat.
The Beautiful Game? Not today!
The Spanish claimed their first ever World Cup in Johannesburg today with a 0-1 extra-time win over a physical Netherlands squad whose game plan was clearly more about upsetting Spain’s composure than playing good football.
The Dutch showed their intent from early on with the first free kick of the match coming in minute one following a foul on Sergio Busquets by Robin van Persie.
Van Persie was later booked for a foul on Capdevila. It was the first of 14 bookings on the night, as English referee Howard Webb was challenged to maintain order in what became a bad tempered affair.
Try as they might, Spain were often unable to display the lovely short passing game that so delighted football fans everywhere in their semi-final match with Germany. Perhaps the Dutch had learned that the Germans’ sportsmanlike conduct had been detrimental to success.
Midfield bad boys
Netherlands midfielders Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong exemplified the Dutch “take no prisoners” approach. Both men were ultimately booked, and sendings off for them or others seemed an inevitability.
Given the recklessness of the play at times the greatest mystery was how the match progressed through the regulation 90 minutes with no red cards! De Jong should certainly have seen red for thumping his studs into the chest of the oncoming Xabi Alonso in the 28th minute. Perhaps Howard Webb’s view was blocked, for de Jong escaped punishment. Netherlands would see red in due course, though.
During moments when the Spanish were able to practice their tiki-taka passing game they showed themselves the superior team. Yet it was the Oranje who had the most clear cut chances for success. In particular Arjen Robben must now be ruing his missed opportunitie
Robben misses opportunities
In the 62nd minute the Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder split the Spanish defense wide open with a pass down the middle onto which ran the speedy Robben. He had only Spanish ‘keeper Iker Casillas to beat but the Spaniard, despite diving the wrong way, managed to get a foot to Robben’s shot, thus deflecting it wide of goal.
Robben galloped toward the Spanish penalty box with the ball again in the 83rd, while a despairing and outpaced Carles Puyol was able only to throw himself sideways at the Dutchman in a frantic attempt to impede him. Robben stayed on his feet and retained possession but Casillas was once again up to the task, fairly wrapping his body around Robben to harness the ball. The ‘keeper had kept his side in the game twice now.
Spain missed opportunities, too
Spain had opportunities too, though. Sergio Ramos should have done better when he had a free header from six yards midway through the second half. He headed it over the bar.
And in the extra-time period Cesc Fabregas, who had come on for Xabi Alonso late in regulation time, found himself one-on-one with Dutch ‘keeper Stekelenburg, but the big Dutchman made the save.
Down to 10 men following a second yellow card to Johnny Heitinga in the second half of extra-time, the Spanish got the breakthrough they sought in the 116th minute when Jesus Navas brought the ball upfield and fed it to Fernando Torres, who had come on for David Villa. Torres’ cross was intercepted and rebounded to Fabregas who passed to Andres Iniesta on the right.
The little Barcelona man struck an exquisite volley across the front of Stekelenburg and inside the far post.
Spain had their winner, and the better team are now the world champions of football.
Golden Boot for Muller
German striker Thomas Muller takes the Golden Boot award for highest goalscorer in the tournament. Muller had five, which is the same as Netherland’s Wesley Sneijder and Spain’s David Villa.
However, Muller takes the prize due to a greater accumulation of assists.
A double honor for Muller: He was named best young player of the tournament!
Forlan honored
Diego Forlan of Uruguay has been awarded the Golden Ball which is awarded to the player deemed best in the tournament.
Some previous winners: Maradona, Ronaldo, Zidane
© 2010 Live Soccer TV.
Would that the quality of yesterday’s third place match between Uruguay and Germany had been more in evidence today as the Netherlands met Spain the 2010 World Cup Final. Alas, this was no Dutch treat.
The Beautiful Game? Not today!
The Spanish claimed their first ever World Cup in Johannesburg today with a 0-1 extra-time win over a physical Netherlands squad whose game plan was clearly more about upsetting Spain’s composure than playing good football.
The Dutch showed their intent from early on with the first free kick of the match coming in minute one following a foul on Sergio Busquets by Robin van Persie.
Van Persie was later booked for a foul on Capdevila. It was the first of 14 bookings on the night, as English referee Howard Webb was challenged to maintain order in what became a bad tempered affair.
Try as they might, Spain were often unable to display the lovely short passing game that so delighted football fans everywhere in their semi-final match with Germany. Perhaps the Dutch had learned that the Germans’ sportsmanlike conduct had been detrimental to success.
Midfield bad boys
Netherlands midfielders Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong exemplified the Dutch “take no prisoners” approach. Both men were ultimately booked, and sendings off for them or others seemed an inevitability.
Given the recklessness of the play at times the greatest mystery was how the match progressed through the regulation 90 minutes with no red cards! De Jong should certainly have seen red for thumping his studs into the chest of the oncoming Xabi Alonso in the 28th minute. Perhaps Howard Webb’s view was blocked, for de Jong escaped punishment. Netherlands would see red in due course, though.
During moments when the Spanish were able to practice their tiki-taka passing game they showed themselves the superior team. Yet it was the Oranje who had the most clear cut chances for success. In particular Arjen Robben must now be ruing his missed opportunitie
Robben misses opportunities
In the 62nd minute the Netherlands’ Wesley Sneijder split the Spanish defense wide open with a pass down the middle onto which ran the speedy Robben. He had only Spanish ‘keeper Iker Casillas to beat but the Spaniard, despite diving the wrong way, managed to get a foot to Robben’s shot, thus deflecting it wide of goal.
Robben galloped toward the Spanish penalty box with the ball again in the 83rd, while a despairing and outpaced Carles Puyol was able only to throw himself sideways at the Dutchman in a frantic attempt to impede him. Robben stayed on his feet and retained possession but Casillas was once again up to the task, fairly wrapping his body around Robben to harness the ball. The ‘keeper had kept his side in the game twice now.
Spain missed opportunities, too
Spain had opportunities too, though. Sergio Ramos should have done better when he had a free header from six yards midway through the second half. He headed it over the bar.
And in the extra-time period Cesc Fabregas, who had come on for Xabi Alonso late in regulation time, found himself one-on-one with Dutch ‘keeper Stekelenburg, but the big Dutchman made the save.
Down to 10 men following a second yellow card to Johnny Heitinga in the second half of extra-time, the Spanish got the breakthrough they sought in the 116th minute when Jesus Navas brought the ball upfield and fed it to Fernando Torres, who had come on for David Villa. Torres’ cross was intercepted and rebounded to Fabregas who passed to Andres Iniesta on the right.
The little Barcelona man struck an exquisite volley across the front of Stekelenburg and inside the far post.
Spain had their winner, and the better team are now the world champions of football.
Golden Boot for Muller
German striker Thomas Muller takes the Golden Boot award for highest goalscorer in the tournament. Muller had five, which is the same as Netherland’s Wesley Sneijder and Spain’s David Villa.
However, Muller takes the prize due to a greater accumulation of assists.
A double honor for Muller: He was named best young player of the tournament!
Forlan honored
Diego Forlan of Uruguay has been awarded the Golden Ball which is awarded to the player deemed best in the tournament.
Some previous winners: Maradona, Ronaldo, Zidane
© 2010 Live Soccer TV.
Van Bommel set on stopping Spain
Watches this Van Bommel set on stopping Spain
Think back to a friendly against England at White Hart Lane in 2001 and the opening goal of a 2-0 win that Van Bommel scored. It was a truly stunning strike from 35 yards and hinted at a player with a high technical ability.
He retired from international football in September 2006 when Marco van Basten was in charge but returned after a two-year absence following the appointment of Van Marwijk.
Van Bommel now finds himself one victory from becoming a World Cup winner and I expect him to do everything possible to try to shut down the Spanish midfield on Sunday.
However, against the backdrop of so many column inches about the supposedly easy ride he has been given by referees, it will be interesting to watch the approach of Howard Webb at Soccer City.
The Rotherham-born official is the first Englishman to take charge of a World Cup final since Jack Taylor in 1974. He has not stood for any on-field nonsense in South Africa and has made his approach very clear early in the games he has refereed.
Taylor awarded a penalty to the Netherlands after just two minutes of the 1974 final in Munich after a foul on Johann Cruyff by Uli Hoeness. Johan Neeskens scored but the gifted Dutch side that had been coach by Rinus Michels went on to lose 2-1.
They also lost the 1978 final as well and have waited 32 years for their third attempt to lift the trophy that their contribution to the global game surely deserves.
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Casillas admits to Spanish nerves
We are experencience this Casillas admits to Spanish nerves
Is this the end of Spain's World Cup pain?
Spain captain Iker Casillas has admitted they have been suffering from nerves throughout the World Cup finals.
The European champions face the Netherlands in Sunday's final at Soccer City despite not always having been at their brilliant best in South Africa.
"We've felt a bit anxious all the way through the tournament, even the early matches," said the Real Madrid keeper.
"This is a very important match - the most important of our careers - and we do feel nervous."
Spain went into the tournament as favourites to win their first ever World Cup, but lost to Switzerland in their opening group game, before recovering to qualify for the knockout stages as Group H winners.
However, the European champions have still to find their top form and each of their wins against Portugal, Paraguay and Germany in the knockout rounds have come by a single goal.
In contrast, the Netherlands have scored two or more goals against Slovakia, Brazil and Uruguay in the knockout stages to extend their winning streak to 14 matches ahead of what many saw as an unlikely final appearance.
WC 2010: HEAD TO HEAD NETHERLANDS V SPAIN
12--------------Goals-----------------7
74---------Shots on goal---------89
46--------Shots on target--------44
2-----------Clean sheets------------4
14----------Yellow cards-----------3
While the Dutch side lacks the flair of some of it's predecessors - most notably the Total Football side of the 1970s, who were twice losing World Cup finalists - current coach Bert van Marwijk is urging his players to be brave enough to go out and attack Spain, in what is the first ever meeting between the sides in the World Cup finals.
"They have to be themselves and have to have the courage to play football against Spain," said Van Marwijk. "They are two of the best teams and I emphasise the word 'team'.
"We beat Brazil and Spain beat Germany. Spain have played more attractive football than we have but the teams have the intention to play in the same way. Both teams have their own style but they resemble each other.
"We have lots of players who can score a goal and so do Spain. We have got to believe in ourselves and not be afraid. We are convinced we can win."
Spain and Barcelona playmaker Xavi revealed his side are aware things have not quite clicked from an attacking point of view, but is confident they can assert their style on the final and end the country's long wait to become world champions.
© MMX
World Cup 2010 final day: Dutch v Spain
We know this World Cup 2010 final day: Dutch v Spain
The big day is here and in just under 12 hours, the game will kick off. The Dutch take on Spain in the 2010 World Cup final and we will be live all day on Twitter and following it up after the event here.
As for who will win - we think Spain but we would also like to see the Dutch win - but we think it will be too close to call and we wouldn't be surprised if there was very few goals and this game went into extra-time.
Our question of the day to the right suggests it will be Spain - but as we have seen at this World Cup, anything is possible in football and we are not writing off the Dutch and you shouldn't either.
So, this is nearly the end. Thank you and see you later or somewhere else starting next week.
Next World Cup 2010 Matche
Copyright © 2003 - 2010 World Cup 2010 South Africa
The big day is here and in just under 12 hours, the game will kick off. The Dutch take on Spain in the 2010 World Cup final and we will be live all day on Twitter and following it up after the event here.
As for who will win - we think Spain but we would also like to see the Dutch win - but we think it will be too close to call and we wouldn't be surprised if there was very few goals and this game went into extra-time.
Our question of the day to the right suggests it will be Spain - but as we have seen at this World Cup, anything is possible in football and we are not writing off the Dutch and you shouldn't either.
So, this is nearly the end. Thank you and see you later or somewhere else starting next week.
Next World Cup 2010 Matche
Copyright © 2003 - 2010 World Cup 2010 South Africa
Pre-game: Uruguay vs Germany (10 Jul 2010)
Watches this Pre-game: Uruguay vs Germany (10 Jul 2010)
Match Details
Uruguay-Germany, Third Place, Port Elizabeth - Port, Saturday 10 July, 20.30 (local time)
Why Germany would win?
Germany has proven they are a scoring machine and being the third youngest team in the tournament have showed everyone their ability to run, setup plays, counterattack with blinding speed and score four goals in a game, something they have done three times in 2010 FIFA World cup.
Miroslav Klose is a deadly striker and he can put up two goals tonight and expect something from Muller and company to do the same.
Why Uruguay would win?
Uruguay is fielding their best national team in decades and they are powered by Diego Forlan on the scoring end while their defense is a strong wall stopping opponents. This team would be patient for counter attacks and goal scoring opportunities.
Key Takeaway
This may not be the finals but both these teams would want to have a podium finish in the tournament. Germany has beaten Portugal in 2006 finishing third in the tournament and I have my money on this team again.
Liveblogging for this game is found here -- Liveblogging: Uruguay vs Germany (10 Jul 2010)
© 2010 “Headlines Pop v1.
Germany clinches 3rd with late goal
We are know this can be understand Germany clinches 3rd with late goal
PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP)—Germany took third place at the World Cup for the second tournament in a row Saturday with an exciting 3-2 victory over Uruguay.
Uruguay, driven by striker Diego Forlan, almost forced extra time. Forlan’s free kick crashed against the crossbar in injury time, the last kick of the match.
The match was heading for extra time at 2-2 when Sami Khedira scored a late header. The goal ended Uruguay’s hopes of beating Germany for the first time in 82 years, while the Germans finished in the top three for the 11th time.
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“We had hoped for more, and we did everything for it,” Khedira said. “This was some kind of final and we did everything for it. We have a young team and … can reach higher.”
Forlan said after the game that Uruguay had surpassed expectations. “Obviously it’s spectacular to be among the top four,” he said. “If anyone had asked us at the beginning, we would’ve liked it. It’s positive.”
Germany coach Joachim Loew, his voice hoarse from flu, said that his team was going home “with a very good feeling.”
“We achieved more than we perhaps expected,” Loew said. “Immediately after this match there is no reason to be disappointed. After the match against Spain everyone was disappointed. But champions rise again.”
“We have every reason to be fully satisfied with our tournament. There is no room for disappointment.”
Uruguay had come from behind to lead 2-1 when Forlan volleyed in Egidio Arevalo’s 51st-minute cross for his fifth goal of the tournament. Germany defender Marcell Jansen leveled five minutes later with a header after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera misjudged a cross.
“I think the match was a real match. They staged a great show,” Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said.
Loew also thought both teams played with passion.
“It was obvious tonight both teams wanted to win and not go home empty handed. I have to congratulate the teams on the effort they made and particularly my team when they were trailing,” Loew said.
Man-of-the match Thomas Mueller, coming back from suspension in the semifinal, gave Germany the lead in the 18th minute, his fifth goal at the World Cup, sweeping the ball home after Bastian Schweinsteiger’s swerving shot had been blocked but not collected by Muslera, who was at fault in Germany’s first two goals.
Edinson Cavani equalized for Uruguay in the 28th when he slid a shot past goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt.
Uruguay has beaten Germany only once in 10 matches, in 1928. Germany beat Uruguay in the third-place match in 1970—the last time Uruguay reached the semifinals.
“I don’t think it’s too vain to think that if we improve a little we can aspire to certain prominence in future international tournaments,” Tabarez said.
Mueller and Forlan are now even at five goals with David Villa of Spain and Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands, both of whom can increase their total in Sunday’s final.
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Inc.
Germany 3, Uruguay 2
Watched being this Germany 3, Uruguay 2
FINAL 1 2 SCORE
Uruguay 1 1 2
Germany 1 2 3
S SoG OS CK F
Uruguay 16 7 2 6 13
Germany 18 7 3 12 11
Scoring summary
Team: Player goal (assisted by) period, minute
Uruguay: Cavani (Suarez) 2, 28th minute
Uruguay: Forlan (Rios) 2, 51st minute
Germany: Muller 2, 19th minute
Germany: Jansen (Boateng) 2, 56th minute
Germany: Khedira 2, 82nd minute
Misconduct summary
Team: Player (foul type) minute
Germany: Aogo (yellow card) 5th minute
Germany: Cacau (yellow card) 7th minute
Uruguay: Perez (yellow card) 61st minute
Germany: Friedrich (yellow card) 90th minute
Substitution summary
Team: (original player) Replaced By, minute
Germany: (Kiessling) Cacau, 73rd minute
Uruguay: (Gargano) Perez, 77th minute
Germany: (Kroos) Jansen, 81st minute
Uruguay: (Abreu) Cavani, 88th minute
Germany: (Tasci) Ozil, 89th minute
Uruguay lineup
Player
Fernando Muslera, Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Jorge Fucile, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan, Diego Perez, Maximiliano Pereira, Egidio Arevalo Rios, Martin Caceres, Walter Gargano, Sebastian Abreu
Germany lineup
Player
Hans-Jorg Butt, Marcell Jansen, Arne Friedrich, Dennis Aogo, Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Per Mertesacker, Cacau, Jerome Boateng, Stefan Kiessling, Toni Kroos, Serdar Tasci
Copyright 2010 USA TODAY,
FINAL 1 2 SCORE
Uruguay 1 1 2
Germany 1 2 3
S SoG OS CK F
Uruguay 16 7 2 6 13
Germany 18 7 3 12 11
Scoring summary
Team: Player goal (assisted by) period, minute
Uruguay: Cavani (Suarez) 2, 28th minute
Uruguay: Forlan (Rios) 2, 51st minute
Germany: Muller 2, 19th minute
Germany: Jansen (Boateng) 2, 56th minute
Germany: Khedira 2, 82nd minute
Misconduct summary
Team: Player (foul type) minute
Germany: Aogo (yellow card) 5th minute
Germany: Cacau (yellow card) 7th minute
Uruguay: Perez (yellow card) 61st minute
Germany: Friedrich (yellow card) 90th minute
Substitution summary
Team: (original player) Replaced By, minute
Germany: (Kiessling) Cacau, 73rd minute
Uruguay: (Gargano) Perez, 77th minute
Germany: (Kroos) Jansen, 81st minute
Uruguay: (Abreu) Cavani, 88th minute
Germany: (Tasci) Ozil, 89th minute
Uruguay lineup
Player
Fernando Muslera, Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Jorge Fucile, Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan, Diego Perez, Maximiliano Pereira, Egidio Arevalo Rios, Martin Caceres, Walter Gargano, Sebastian Abreu
Germany lineup
Player
Hans-Jorg Butt, Marcell Jansen, Arne Friedrich, Dennis Aogo, Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Per Mertesacker, Cacau, Jerome Boateng, Stefan Kiessling, Toni Kroos, Serdar Tasci
Copyright 2010 USA TODAY,
2010 World Cup Odds Germany 3rd Place Again
Watches this 2010 World Cup Odds Germany 3rd Place Again
If you like to bet soccer the 2010 World cup odds this year have been in Germany’s favour except when they played Spain. Against Uruguay the 2010 World cup odds were Germany -130 take back on Uruguay +300.
With the score tied at 2-2 between Uruguay and Germany, it looked as if it were going to over time but Sami Khedira had something to say about this. Scoring a goal late in the game at the 82nd minute to win the game 3-2 and take third place for the second straight World Cup and for the eleventh time.
Sami Khedira’s goal destroyed all of Uruguay’s hopes and dreams of defeating Germany and they have not been able to beat Germany in the last 82 years. “We had hoped for more, and we did everything for it,” Khedira said. “This was some kind of final and we did everything for it. We have a young team and set an exclamation mark here and can reach more.”
Diego Forlan hit the crossbar with the last kick in the game in the injury time a free kick from the edge of the area. “Obviously it’s something spectacular to be among the top four,” Forlan said. “If someone would’ve asked us at the beginning, we would’ve liked it. It’s something positive.”
“We achieved more than we perhaps expected,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said.
Germany scored first in the game, then Uruguay came back and tied it. Uruguay scored once again to take the lead but Germany made the comeback too and tied the game to 2 a piece. Germany then scored the last goal of the game to win the battle.
Uruguay’s last win over Germany was in 1928 and the last time Uruguay had reached the semi-finals they were defeated by Germany back in 1970. “I don’t think it’s too much vanity to think that if we improve a little we can aspire to certain prominence in future international tournaments,” Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said.
Maybe next time they will get their chance to be Germany, until then get up on the last game before it’s over. You bet soccer? Don’t just sit there you know what to do go get the 2010 World Cup odds on the final game between Spain Holland.
© Copyright 2010,
Blatter touched by Soweto tour
We are know this Blatter touched by Soweto tour
On the eve of the FIFA World Cup™ Final, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter joined South Africa's struggle icons, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Winnie Mandela, on a private visit to the legendary Soweto township this morning.
President Blatter and Archbishop Tutu visited Winnie Mandela at her home in Soweto, before going on a tour of the Hector Peterson Museum, which is just a stone's throw away from Tutu's residence. Danny Jordaan, CEO of the Local Organising Committee for South Africa 2010, and the country's minister of justice Jeff Radebe were also present.
"It is not easy for me to express my feelings," Blatter said. "Knowing all the history of this country including what Madiba did, I'm amazed and touched. Being here today makes me sad to see what human beings could do to other human beings. I was very pleased to be hosted by Winnie earlier today."
Blatter heaped praise on South Africa for its transition from an apartheid state to a free democratic society. "Giving the World Cup to this country has brought a renewed sense of nationalism inside the country, and that will be one of the legacies of the World Cup.
"Today, we are celebrating humanity. For me, it was important to come here and see Winnie Mandela and be here with Archbishop Tutu. It was a great day, a day before the Final. It was beyond my expectations. This will give me another feeling tomorrow when I'm at Soccer City."
Copyright ©1994 - 2010 FIFA.
Friday, 9 July 2010
Who has starred for the finalists?
World Cup 2010: Who has starred for the finalists?
Since the World Cup started, guardian.co.uk users have been rating the players after each match. From our monster list of all ratings, we've extracted Holland and Spain's best individual performances as well as the best showings overall
by Today
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Psychic octopus Paul predicts Spain to beat Holland in World Cup final
Watched this Psychic octopus Paul predicts Spain to beat Holland in World Cup final
The octopus said to have 'psychic powers' after predicting all of Germany's six World Cup games correctly, has had his say regarding the final in Johannesburg on Sunday - and it is good news for Spain. The two-year-old cephalopod, called Paul and based at the Sea Life Aquarium in the western German city of Oberhausen, decided that Spain would win the final by going for the mussel in the box with a Spanish flag rather than the one with a Dutch flag on it.
Before that, he had predicted that Germany will emerge victorious from their third-place play-off against Uruguay on Saturday night.
The Weymouth-born octopus has become an international celebrity after picking the winner in each of Germany's World Cup games in South Africa, including the surprise defeat against Serbia in the group stage and the loss to Spain in the semi-final.
The Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said jokingly yesterday that he was prepared to offer state protection to Paul before today's performance, which was live on German TV. "I am concerned for the octopus ... I am thinking of sending him a protective team," he said.
The Spanish environment and fisheries minister, Elena Espinosa, added: "On Monday, I shall be at the European Council of Ministers and I shall be asking for a [fishing] ban on Paul the octopus so the Germans do not eat him."
See more from Spain • Netherlands • World Cup
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The octopus said to have 'psychic powers' after predicting all of Germany's six World Cup games correctly, has had his say regarding the final in Johannesburg on Sunday - and it is good news for Spain. The two-year-old cephalopod, called Paul and based at the Sea Life Aquarium in the western German city of Oberhausen, decided that Spain would win the final by going for the mussel in the box with a Spanish flag rather than the one with a Dutch flag on it.
Before that, he had predicted that Germany will emerge victorious from their third-place play-off against Uruguay on Saturday night.
The Weymouth-born octopus has become an international celebrity after picking the winner in each of Germany's World Cup games in South Africa, including the surprise defeat against Serbia in the group stage and the loss to Spain in the semi-final.
The Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said jokingly yesterday that he was prepared to offer state protection to Paul before today's performance, which was live on German TV. "I am concerned for the octopus ... I am thinking of sending him a protective team," he said.
The Spanish environment and fisheries minister, Elena Espinosa, added: "On Monday, I shall be at the European Council of Ministers and I shall be asking for a [fishing] ban on Paul the octopus so the Germans do not eat him."
See more from Spain • Netherlands • World Cup
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Uruguay will 'fight to the death' against Germany
World Cup 2010: Uruguay will 'fight to the death' against Germany
Oscar Tabárez says his Uruguay side will 'prepare ourselves to fight to the death' against Germany. Photograph: Rodrigo Arangua/AFP/Getty Images
Oscar Tabárez has insisted Uruguay will take their third-place World Cup play-off against Germany very seriously.
Over the years the clash of the losing semi-finalists has been seen by many as little more than a glorified friendly between two sides predictably deflated after missing out on a place in the final. However, the La Celeste coach is adamant there will be no such sentiments from his team.
"This is a very difficult game," he said. "Yes, fourth position is not the same as others, but we will go in with the same commitment and enthusiasm like we did in the encounter against Holland. We have no assurance that we will win, but we will prepare ourselves to fight to the death."
The South Americans, who surprised many by reaching the last four in South Africa, were finally beaten on Tuesday when they went lost 3-2 to the Dutch.
It has been a memorable competition for the two-times champions, having last reached the semi-finals 40 years ago, but Tabárez is aware Germany will also come out fighting in the game in Port Elizabeth.
He continued: "At the moment, Germany and Uruguay have both secured fourth place by reaching the semi-final. But the challenge for Uruguay is to finish third in the World Cup. I know Germany and they will make it very difficult for us, so we must fight hard to win."
The Uruguayan also tipped Spain to win Sunday's final in Johannesburg. "For this kind of game, I think the defence will be a key element," he said. "And I think Spain is a little better than Holland in this area and they are also very good with possession overall.
"They keep the ball very well. It's a prototype of the Barcelona team - the movement, the style - but this is not to say that Spain does not have its own personality. They play a really special brand of football and I think they can win."
© Guardian News and Media Limited 2010
Oscar Tabárez says his Uruguay side will 'prepare ourselves to fight to the death' against Germany. Photograph: Rodrigo Arangua/AFP/Getty Images
Oscar Tabárez has insisted Uruguay will take their third-place World Cup play-off against Germany very seriously.
Over the years the clash of the losing semi-finalists has been seen by many as little more than a glorified friendly between two sides predictably deflated after missing out on a place in the final. However, the La Celeste coach is adamant there will be no such sentiments from his team.
"This is a very difficult game," he said. "Yes, fourth position is not the same as others, but we will go in with the same commitment and enthusiasm like we did in the encounter against Holland. We have no assurance that we will win, but we will prepare ourselves to fight to the death."
The South Americans, who surprised many by reaching the last four in South Africa, were finally beaten on Tuesday when they went lost 3-2 to the Dutch.
It has been a memorable competition for the two-times champions, having last reached the semi-finals 40 years ago, but Tabárez is aware Germany will also come out fighting in the game in Port Elizabeth.
He continued: "At the moment, Germany and Uruguay have both secured fourth place by reaching the semi-final. But the challenge for Uruguay is to finish third in the World Cup. I know Germany and they will make it very difficult for us, so we must fight hard to win."
The Uruguayan also tipped Spain to win Sunday's final in Johannesburg. "For this kind of game, I think the defence will be a key element," he said. "And I think Spain is a little better than Holland in this area and they are also very good with possession overall.
"They keep the ball very well. It's a prototype of the Barcelona team - the movement, the style - but this is not to say that Spain does not have its own personality. They play a really special brand of football and I think they can win."
© Guardian News and Media Limited 2010
Player ratings - the best and worst performances
World Cup 2010: Player ratings - the best and worst performances
Wayne Rooney's week may get even worse when he sees our table. Photograph: Francois-Xavier Marit/AFP/Getty Images
The 10 best player performances from teams still at the World Cup
Match
Team
Player
Rating
South Africa v Uruguay 2010-06-16 19:30 Uruguay Diego Forlan 8.96
Germany v Australia 2010-06-13 19:30 Germany Mesut Ozil 8.83
Argentina v Mexico 2010-06-27 19:30 Argentina Carlos Tevez 8.62
Spain v Portugal 2010-06-29 19:30 Spain David Villa 8.57
Germany v England 2010-06-27 15:00 Germany Mesut Ozil 8.54
Germany v Australia 2010-06-13 19:30 Germany Thomas Muller 8.54
Uruguay v Korea Rep 2010-06-26 15:00 Uruguay Luis Suarez 8.5
Germany v England 2010-06-27 15:00 Germany Thomas Muller 8.4
Holland v Slovakia 2010-06-28 15:00 Holland Arjen Robben 8.39
Argentina v Korea Rep 2010-06-17 12:30 Argentina Lionel Messi 8.39
The 10 worst player performances from teams still at the World Cup
Match
Team
Player
Rating
Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 Paraguay Edgar Benitez 4
Germany v Serbia 2010-06-18 12:30 Germany Mario Gomez 4.07
Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 Paraguay Oscar Cardozo 4.12
Uruguay v France 2010-06-11 19:30 Uruguay Nicolas Lodeiro 4.15
Portugal v Brazil 2010-06-25 15:00 Brazil Edinaldo Batista Grafite 4.16
Portugal v Brazil 2010-06-25 15:00 Brazil Cesar Julio Baptista 4.17
Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 Paraguay Victor Caceres 4.19
Portugal v Brazil 2010-06-25 15:00 Brazil de Carvalho Felipe Melo 4.22
Paraguay v Japan 2010-06-29 15:00 Paraguay Edgar Benitez 4.32
Germany v Serbia 2010-06-18 12:30 Germany Holger Badstuber 4.34
The 10 best player performances at the World Cup
Match
Team
Player
Rating
Denmark v Japan 2010-06-24 19:30 Japan Keisuke Honda 9.08
South Africa v Uruguay 2010-06-16 19:30 Uruguay Diego Forlan 8.96
Italy v New Zealand 2010-06-20 15:00 New Zealand Ryan Nelsen 8.95
Germany v Australia 2010-06-13 19:30 Germany Mesut Ozil 8.83
Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 New Zealand Ryan Nelsen 8.8
Argentina v Nigeria 2010-06-12 15:00 Nigeria Vincent Enyeama 8.72
Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 New Zealand Mark Paston 8.67
Argentina v Mexico 2010-06-27 19:30 Argentina Carlos Tevez 8.62
Spain v Portugal 2010-06-29 19:30 Spain David Villa 8.57
Italy v New Zealand 2010-06-20 15:00 New Zealand Mark Paston 8.55
Germany v Australia 2010-06-13 19:30 Germany Thomas Muller 8.54
The 10 worst player perfomances at the World Cup
Match
Team
Player
Rating
England v Algeria 2010-06-18 19:30 England Wayne Rooney 2.45
Ghana v Australia 2010-06-19 15:00 Australia Harry Kewell 2.5
Germany v England 2010-06-27 15:00 England Emile Heskey 2.57
Germany v England 2010-06-27 15:00 England Wayne Rooney 2.76
France v Mexico 2010-06-17 19:30 France Sidney Govou 2.77
Germany v England 2010-06-27 15:00 England John Terry 2.89
France v Mexico 2010-06-17 19:30 France Andre-Pierre Gignac 2.89
France v South Africa 2010-06-22 15:00 France Sidney Govou 2.9
France v Mexico 2010-06-17 19:30 France Nicolas Anelka 2.92
England v Algeria 2010-06-18 19:30 England Frank Lampard 2.99
© Guardian News and Media Limited 2010
Wayne Rooney's week may get even worse when he sees our table. Photograph: Francois-Xavier Marit/AFP/Getty Images
The 10 best player performances from teams still at the World Cup
Match
Team
Player
Rating
South Africa v Uruguay 2010-06-16 19:30 Uruguay Diego Forlan 8.96
Germany v Australia 2010-06-13 19:30 Germany Mesut Ozil 8.83
Argentina v Mexico 2010-06-27 19:30 Argentina Carlos Tevez 8.62
Spain v Portugal 2010-06-29 19:30 Spain David Villa 8.57
Germany v England 2010-06-27 15:00 Germany Mesut Ozil 8.54
Germany v Australia 2010-06-13 19:30 Germany Thomas Muller 8.54
Uruguay v Korea Rep 2010-06-26 15:00 Uruguay Luis Suarez 8.5
Germany v England 2010-06-27 15:00 Germany Thomas Muller 8.4
Holland v Slovakia 2010-06-28 15:00 Holland Arjen Robben 8.39
Argentina v Korea Rep 2010-06-17 12:30 Argentina Lionel Messi 8.39
The 10 worst player performances from teams still at the World Cup
Match
Team
Player
Rating
Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 Paraguay Edgar Benitez 4
Germany v Serbia 2010-06-18 12:30 Germany Mario Gomez 4.07
Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 Paraguay Oscar Cardozo 4.12
Uruguay v France 2010-06-11 19:30 Uruguay Nicolas Lodeiro 4.15
Portugal v Brazil 2010-06-25 15:00 Brazil Edinaldo Batista Grafite 4.16
Portugal v Brazil 2010-06-25 15:00 Brazil Cesar Julio Baptista 4.17
Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 Paraguay Victor Caceres 4.19
Portugal v Brazil 2010-06-25 15:00 Brazil de Carvalho Felipe Melo 4.22
Paraguay v Japan 2010-06-29 15:00 Paraguay Edgar Benitez 4.32
Germany v Serbia 2010-06-18 12:30 Germany Holger Badstuber 4.34
The 10 best player performances at the World Cup
Match
Team
Player
Rating
Denmark v Japan 2010-06-24 19:30 Japan Keisuke Honda 9.08
South Africa v Uruguay 2010-06-16 19:30 Uruguay Diego Forlan 8.96
Italy v New Zealand 2010-06-20 15:00 New Zealand Ryan Nelsen 8.95
Germany v Australia 2010-06-13 19:30 Germany Mesut Ozil 8.83
Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 New Zealand Ryan Nelsen 8.8
Argentina v Nigeria 2010-06-12 15:00 Nigeria Vincent Enyeama 8.72
Paraguay v New Zealand 2010-06-24 15:00 New Zealand Mark Paston 8.67
Argentina v Mexico 2010-06-27 19:30 Argentina Carlos Tevez 8.62
Spain v Portugal 2010-06-29 19:30 Spain David Villa 8.57
Italy v New Zealand 2010-06-20 15:00 New Zealand Mark Paston 8.55
Germany v Australia 2010-06-13 19:30 Germany Thomas Muller 8.54
The 10 worst player perfomances at the World Cup
Match
Team
Player
Rating
England v Algeria 2010-06-18 19:30 England Wayne Rooney 2.45
Ghana v Australia 2010-06-19 15:00 Australia Harry Kewell 2.5
Germany v England 2010-06-27 15:00 England Emile Heskey 2.57
Germany v England 2010-06-27 15:00 England Wayne Rooney 2.76
France v Mexico 2010-06-17 19:30 France Sidney Govou 2.77
Germany v England 2010-06-27 15:00 England John Terry 2.89
France v Mexico 2010-06-17 19:30 France Andre-Pierre Gignac 2.89
France v South Africa 2010-06-22 15:00 France Sidney Govou 2.9
France v Mexico 2010-06-17 19:30 France Nicolas Anelka 2.92
England v Algeria 2010-06-18 19:30 England Frank Lampard 2.99
© Guardian News and Media Limited 2010
World Cup 2010 live blog: 8 July
Watches this enjoy World Cup 2010 live blog: 8 July
Spain celebrate. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters
Good morning and welcome to day 645 of the guardian.co.uk's daily live World Cup blog, wherever you are in the world ...
We hope this blog will provide news, predictions, pontifications, colour from our team in South Africa, plus lots of pointing outwards; to your comments below the line, to the best things we've seen on the web and to various World Cup randomania.
The plan is to update the blog from now until around 5pm UK time.
9.02am: Hello and welcome to the blog. Four days to go. A new World Cup winner in the offing. An absolutely intriguing final that, while all-European, still contains enough alluring contrasts of history, style and nation-dom. Even the third place play-off should be a cracker. It's not the usual way, but I have a feeling the World Cup end game could be the best bit this time around.
9.11am: I think the main theme of the day is surely Spain. I have a few things to say about them and I'm sure you do too. Why not email me your gushing and unconditional chorizo-breathed praise/snidey, green-eyed jibes for this team of all the talents/team with one extremely well-developed talent on barney.ronay@guardian.co.uk.
9.14am: Here's a lengthy essay-style kick-off from Jason Molloy, who makes some deft points but is also quite wrong about Argentina: "I used to think that in World Cup football there are 4 really big nations: Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina. But South Africa 2010 has caused me to reconsider the interpretations of past events which support this ranking, and now I think Italy and Argentina should be dropped from the A-list and placed closer to nations like the Dutch, English, French, Spanish, etc. Consider Argentina: in 78 a nice Cup win at home, but even England managed that, and of course a legendary Cup win in 86 inspired by a solo virtuoso, but almost nothing in the last 20 years. The 1990 runners-up were somewhere between a fluke and a disgrace to sport, and there's been England-esque frustration since then. Not much before 78, either, although Argentina did supply the best players for Italy's Cup wins in 34 and 38 [a potential reason for Italy's demotion, by the way]. Looked at this way, Argentina are rather like England or Uruguay: they've got some past glories, some nice memories, and a continuing supply of outstanding players to rich European clubs, but it'd be very noteworthy and rather surprising if they got as far as the semifinals of the World Cup [like Uruguay this year or England in 90]. Or looked at another way, Argentina is an otherwise decent footballing nation with one outstanding tournament under one outstanding player – in other words, rather like Portugal but with a publicity-hogging, light-skinned version of Eusebio in its past. What does anyone else think?"
9.27am: Loved that Puyol header last night. It was a kind of heavy metal power-rock header, a head-bang. I heard power chords as it bulleted into the net. And Paul Jaines heard angry men swearing and the bark of a dog: "Good to see Spain finally adopting a more classical English approach to their goal last night - sticking it in the mixer and hoping for a big lumbering defender to head home. It had Hackney Marshes printed all over it."
9.31am: Some classy and gracious comments from dreamboat drama teacher Jogi Low: ""Compliments to Spain, I believe they will win this tournament. They've been the best team for a few years. They circulate the ball well and you just can't keep up with them. We couldn't play the way we like to." Hard to argue with any of that. Even if it all seems somehow a bit wrong when nobody's blaming the ref/bad luck/being [ahem] tired.
9.43am: Spain then. Here's a nice little video from the excellent 101greatgoals.com. Warning: contains scenes some viewers may find upsetting (mild Iberian perspiration peril).
9.46am: By the way did anyone see the bit on the BBC last night about some England fans who had stayed on to build an orphanage in South Africa? I found my grizzled mask of sneery career cynicism melting into hot wet tears of confused and helpless admiration. There men are saints. albeit, apparently saints without jobs or families to return to. That idiot-bus has finally done something worthwhile.
9.57am: So, Spain. B Maxwell voices a view: "On the Spain issue: there's no doubt they're a fantastic team, the best in the world. But I've honestly never been as bored watching such technically gifted players. They suck the life out of the opposition with their insipid tempo. God forbid someone should spoil the 37 prior passes by having a dig from distance. They're the international Arsenal. Yawn." It's odd isn't it. There is a sense that Spain have been "found out" a little in this World Cup. Not in terms of talent: they are peerless manipulators of the ball. They have sick skills. They have three genuine talents in Villa Iniesta and Xavi. But in temrs of a more visceral appeal, a likability-factor. Are they lovable? Do they make your heart sing in the way, say, Brazil '82 did, as they pootle the ball about expertly? Is this what football is now? And is it enough?
10.02am: On the other hand Guy Hornsby makes a good point about their simpler, more trusty virtues: "So, last night's match didn't live up to the hype or indeed match the first semi, but at least Spain found a way (finally) past their multi-phase attacks to score a good old-fashioned winner. Germany, it seemed, may have looked cautious, but Spain's defence has proven rock-solid at this World Cup, with Pique and Puyol immovable yesterday, and so they were less effective than their England/Argentina games when both sides left them a big door to charge through."
10.04am: I agree with Santi Alonso, although it does also seem oddly faint praise: "I'm sure Pedrito will get a lot of stick for not laying the ball off to Torres but he was on for an amazing record scoring in 7 competitions, who wouldn't go for a bit of glory. Besides he ran nonstop for the entire game and chased every German defender like a demented daschund. He was Spain's best player." Pedrito? Mmmmm. Do they come in Spicy Hot Sweet Chilli Cheese flavour?
© Guardian News and Media Limited 2010
Spain celebrate. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters
Good morning and welcome to day 645 of the guardian.co.uk's daily live World Cup blog, wherever you are in the world ...
We hope this blog will provide news, predictions, pontifications, colour from our team in South Africa, plus lots of pointing outwards; to your comments below the line, to the best things we've seen on the web and to various World Cup randomania.
The plan is to update the blog from now until around 5pm UK time.
9.02am: Hello and welcome to the blog. Four days to go. A new World Cup winner in the offing. An absolutely intriguing final that, while all-European, still contains enough alluring contrasts of history, style and nation-dom. Even the third place play-off should be a cracker. It's not the usual way, but I have a feeling the World Cup end game could be the best bit this time around.
9.11am: I think the main theme of the day is surely Spain. I have a few things to say about them and I'm sure you do too. Why not email me your gushing and unconditional chorizo-breathed praise/snidey, green-eyed jibes for this team of all the talents/team with one extremely well-developed talent on barney.ronay@guardian.co.uk.
9.14am: Here's a lengthy essay-style kick-off from Jason Molloy, who makes some deft points but is also quite wrong about Argentina: "I used to think that in World Cup football there are 4 really big nations: Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina. But South Africa 2010 has caused me to reconsider the interpretations of past events which support this ranking, and now I think Italy and Argentina should be dropped from the A-list and placed closer to nations like the Dutch, English, French, Spanish, etc. Consider Argentina: in 78 a nice Cup win at home, but even England managed that, and of course a legendary Cup win in 86 inspired by a solo virtuoso, but almost nothing in the last 20 years. The 1990 runners-up were somewhere between a fluke and a disgrace to sport, and there's been England-esque frustration since then. Not much before 78, either, although Argentina did supply the best players for Italy's Cup wins in 34 and 38 [a potential reason for Italy's demotion, by the way]. Looked at this way, Argentina are rather like England or Uruguay: they've got some past glories, some nice memories, and a continuing supply of outstanding players to rich European clubs, but it'd be very noteworthy and rather surprising if they got as far as the semifinals of the World Cup [like Uruguay this year or England in 90]. Or looked at another way, Argentina is an otherwise decent footballing nation with one outstanding tournament under one outstanding player – in other words, rather like Portugal but with a publicity-hogging, light-skinned version of Eusebio in its past. What does anyone else think?"
9.27am: Loved that Puyol header last night. It was a kind of heavy metal power-rock header, a head-bang. I heard power chords as it bulleted into the net. And Paul Jaines heard angry men swearing and the bark of a dog: "Good to see Spain finally adopting a more classical English approach to their goal last night - sticking it in the mixer and hoping for a big lumbering defender to head home. It had Hackney Marshes printed all over it."
9.31am: Some classy and gracious comments from dreamboat drama teacher Jogi Low: ""Compliments to Spain, I believe they will win this tournament. They've been the best team for a few years. They circulate the ball well and you just can't keep up with them. We couldn't play the way we like to." Hard to argue with any of that. Even if it all seems somehow a bit wrong when nobody's blaming the ref/bad luck/being [ahem] tired.
9.43am: Spain then. Here's a nice little video from the excellent 101greatgoals.com. Warning: contains scenes some viewers may find upsetting (mild Iberian perspiration peril).
9.46am: By the way did anyone see the bit on the BBC last night about some England fans who had stayed on to build an orphanage in South Africa? I found my grizzled mask of sneery career cynicism melting into hot wet tears of confused and helpless admiration. There men are saints. albeit, apparently saints without jobs or families to return to. That idiot-bus has finally done something worthwhile.
9.57am: So, Spain. B Maxwell voices a view: "On the Spain issue: there's no doubt they're a fantastic team, the best in the world. But I've honestly never been as bored watching such technically gifted players. They suck the life out of the opposition with their insipid tempo. God forbid someone should spoil the 37 prior passes by having a dig from distance. They're the international Arsenal. Yawn." It's odd isn't it. There is a sense that Spain have been "found out" a little in this World Cup. Not in terms of talent: they are peerless manipulators of the ball. They have sick skills. They have three genuine talents in Villa Iniesta and Xavi. But in temrs of a more visceral appeal, a likability-factor. Are they lovable? Do they make your heart sing in the way, say, Brazil '82 did, as they pootle the ball about expertly? Is this what football is now? And is it enough?
10.02am: On the other hand Guy Hornsby makes a good point about their simpler, more trusty virtues: "So, last night's match didn't live up to the hype or indeed match the first semi, but at least Spain found a way (finally) past their multi-phase attacks to score a good old-fashioned winner. Germany, it seemed, may have looked cautious, but Spain's defence has proven rock-solid at this World Cup, with Pique and Puyol immovable yesterday, and so they were less effective than their England/Argentina games when both sides left them a big door to charge through."
10.04am: I agree with Santi Alonso, although it does also seem oddly faint praise: "I'm sure Pedrito will get a lot of stick for not laying the ball off to Torres but he was on for an amazing record scoring in 7 competitions, who wouldn't go for a bit of glory. Besides he ran nonstop for the entire game and chased every German defender like a demented daschund. He was Spain's best player." Pedrito? Mmmmm. Do they come in Spicy Hot Sweet Chilli Cheese flavour?
© Guardian News and Media Limited 2010
World Cup 2010 live blog: 9 July
Howard Webb rejects an appeal from Chile's Alexis Sanchez during the World Cup match against Brazil. Photograph: Andre Penner/AP
OK we are enjoy this World Cup 2010 live blog: 9 July
11.13am: Jorg Hendrick-Bach wisecracks :"I never really understood why they're called "tentacles" when there's only eight of them..." And I do have some breaking news on not knowing about octopus ink. Judging by a phone call taking place next to me the Olympic javelin ace Steve Backley may also have been unaware of this. This is unconfirmed though.
11.10am: Here's some interesting World Cup news from the wires: "Germany midfielder Thomas Muller, Mexico forward Giovani dos Santos and Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew have made the three-man shortlist for the young player of the World Cup." Muller is favourite. Any views? Neuer the German goalie impressed me. He's 24. But he's also a goalie. Er... Wayne Rooney?
11.09am: More wildlife shame. Alex Papakyriacou: "Owing to an ill-judged layout in a book about animals I had as a child, I thought a gazelle was some kind of crocodile until I was in my mid twenties. Still think the animal naming committee got that one wrong. I mean... "gazelle" just sounds vicious, doesn't it?"
11.06am: More embarrassing wildlife mishaps: Ritchie Dunfunk notes "I heard somebody say that a buffoon is some sort of chimp." It could be. It could be a particularly stupid chimp. And Ivan Milatovic confesses: "Embarassing wildlife lapses: until last year, I thought gherkins were cucumbers that grew in the sea. I did not realise about the pickling process. And I am 36..."
10.51am: Another newsflash. Paul Doyle did not know that an octopus can squirt ink. General bafflement at this. Surely this is the one thing everyone knows about the octopus/squid world. Why not send in your own most embarrassing wildlife knowledge lapses? I'll publish the best of them. A prize of a shot glass of octopus ink to the most banal.
10.49am: Shall we just not bother playing the game then?
Good morning and welcome to the guardian.co.uk's daily live World Cup blog, wherever you are in the world ...
We hope this blog will provide news, predictions, pontifications, colour from our team in South Africa, plus lots of pointing outwards; to your comments below the line, to the best things we've seen on the web and to various World Cup randomania.
The plan is to update the blog from now until around 5pm UK time.
Let's kick off with a rather splendid video of Queen Sofia's post-match appearance in the Spain dressing room following their semi-final win. Lucky Carles Puyol had a towel on ...
Coppied by Guardian News and Media Limited 2010
Shakira - Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (The Official 2010 FIFA ...
We are enjoy this Shakira - Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) (The Official 2010 FIFA .
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Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Spain - Germany ( 2010 World Cup Semi-Final Match Simulation)
We are saw this video enjoy Spain - Germany ( 2010 World Cup Semi-Final Match Simulation)
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Watch Germany vs Spain (2010) Live Streaming Online
Watches this new video enjoy Watch Germany vs Spain (2010) Live Streaming Online
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Germany vs Spain • World cup • 2010 • Promo By ZiSOK
Watched being video this Germany vs Spain • World cup • 2010 • Promo By ZiSOK
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Semi-Final Review La Furia Roja
We are saw the Semi-Final Review La Furia Roja
Spain 1 0 Germany Spain can no longer be called “underachieversâ€. Spain topped Germany on Wednesday night, and deservedly reached their first ever World Cup final. La Furia Roja will face the Netherlands on Sunday night because it stopped the German attack that had scored 13 goals. In tense, difficult knockout round wins over Portugal, Paraguay and
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Spain beat Germany 1-0 to gain World Cup Final berth
Interesting this game Spain beat Germany 1-0 to gain World Cup Final berth
Spain have reached their maiden World Cup Final after scoring a deserved 1-0 win against Germany in their 2010 World Cup Semi-Final in South Africa overnight. Played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, Spain never gave Germany a chance to get into the game and it will be a Spain versus Netherlands final next Monday
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Germany-Spain. What To Watch For
We are know this Germany-Spain. What To Watch For
Muller is suspended, Cesc picked up an injury and may not be able to play, but for me this match all comes down to one thing: The team that scores first will win. As I explained in great detail before the quarterfinals, Spain are the hardest team in the world to come from behind against, and if they score first I
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Holland storm into 3rd World Cup final
We are enjoy this Holland storm into 3rd World Cup final
A pair of wonder strikes from Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Diego Forlan in the first half and two other goals from Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, catapulted Holland to a 3-2 semifinal win over Uruguay and a dream place in the final of the World Cup on Sunday.
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Netherlands beat Uruguay and reach World Cup final
Enjoy Netherlands beat Uruguay and reach World Cup final
Celebrating a goal during Holland Uruguay game Holland stamped their passport to the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, by winning the first semi-final against Uruguay by 3-2 in Cape Town tonight. Van Bronckhorst, Sneijder and Robben scored the goals of the “Clockwork Orange†while Forlan and Maxi Pereira scored for the “Celestes† More than
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Germany vs Spain semifinal Mundial Sudáfrica 2010
Watched being video this Germany vs Spain semifinal Mundial Sudáfrica 2010
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Germany Vs Spain World Cup 2010 Semi-Final Live, Highlights, Preview and Team News
Watches this Germany Vs Spain World Cup 2010 Semi-Final Live, Highlights, Preview and Team News
Germany will have a fully-fit squad for the semi-final against Spain, with the suspended Thomas Mueller their only absentee.
Midfielder Sami Khedira has overcome a thigh injury, while Arne Friedrich has recovered from a foot problem. Back-up striker Cacau is also available after missing the last two games with an abdominal muscle injury.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque must decide whether to persist with misfiring striker Fernando Torres, who lasted less than an hour against Paraguay before being substituted.
His replacement, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, is a doubt after injuring his right leg in training. An x-ray has revealed no bone damage but the midfielder is also nursing a shoulder injury.
Centre-back Carles Puyol has been given the all-clear after suffering from blurred vision. (BBC Sport)
Highlights of this match will be posted on this site as soon as the final whistle is blown. You can also see every World Cup goal Live the moment its up online and you can do that by CLICKING HERE.
Joachim Low and Vicente del Bosque’s teams go head to head in Durban for the right to take on Holland in the World Cup Final and both sides will feel they have what it takes to edge this European encounter. Germany have been in sparkling form and the under performing Spanish side will know they still have a gear or two to move into.
The absence of Thomas Muller may be a concern for Low, seeing as the youngster has been instrumental in their recent big wins over England and Argentina but the form of misfiring striker Fernando Torres may be more of an issue for the Spaniards who will have to decide if they select the Liverpool man for action tonight.
Highlights of previous 2010 World Cup games these two teams have taken part in.
Argentina 0-4 Germany
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Germany will have a fully-fit squad for the semi-final against Spain, with the suspended Thomas Mueller their only absentee.
Midfielder Sami Khedira has overcome a thigh injury, while Arne Friedrich has recovered from a foot problem. Back-up striker Cacau is also available after missing the last two games with an abdominal muscle injury.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque must decide whether to persist with misfiring striker Fernando Torres, who lasted less than an hour against Paraguay before being substituted.
His replacement, Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, is a doubt after injuring his right leg in training. An x-ray has revealed no bone damage but the midfielder is also nursing a shoulder injury.
Centre-back Carles Puyol has been given the all-clear after suffering from blurred vision. (BBC Sport)
Highlights of this match will be posted on this site as soon as the final whistle is blown. You can also see every World Cup goal Live the moment its up online and you can do that by CLICKING HERE.
Joachim Low and Vicente del Bosque’s teams go head to head in Durban for the right to take on Holland in the World Cup Final and both sides will feel they have what it takes to edge this European encounter. Germany have been in sparkling form and the under performing Spanish side will know they still have a gear or two to move into.
The absence of Thomas Muller may be a concern for Low, seeing as the youngster has been instrumental in their recent big wins over England and Argentina but the form of misfiring striker Fernando Torres may be more of an issue for the Spaniards who will have to decide if they select the Liverpool man for action tonight.
Highlights of previous 2010 World Cup games these two teams have taken part in.
Argentina 0-4 Germany
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Germany vs Spain Live Streaming Semifinal : World Cup Football 2010 Submited By Alok Faridi
Watch the finals of World Cup football match between Germany vs Spain for live streaming videos online game, and highlights the objectives. Spain to Watch Germany vs Spain Online Live Stream Germany.
View the lights of Spain vs Germany video.Free stream: Watch Germany vs Spain Live Streaming Online - Watch the
Free to watch the World Cup Soccer Germany 2010, while Spain Online Live Stream. Do not miss the World Cup semi-final against Germany, Spain, World Cup Final Live Stream Online.
New York, United States ([Probe]) July 7, 2010 - Spain versus Germany - watching the World Cup Soccer Online - Watch the 2010 World Cup Football live online World Cup 2010 Live Online Stream World Cup 2010 Live Online Stream
Today compared to the 2010 World Cup semi-final between Germany and Spain on the air at 20:30 local time in South Africa. Do not miss the work of Spain compared to Germany to live. It will be a football match when the excitement and Germany, who scored the most goals in the whole tournament, face Spain, who conducted the attack more than anyone else. Any teams go in the final of the World Cup, Germany or Spain?
Regardless of the results, and Germany against Spain and promised to bring a lot of excitement for those football fans. Do not miss the opportunity and watch the live broadcast of the World Cup. Cheer Germany or Spain to the World Cup final.
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FIFA World Cup 2010: Germany vs. Spain Semifinal Preview and Predictions
We watched being video this FIFA World Cup 2010: Germany vs. Spain Semifinal Preview and Predictions
Germany and Spain go head to head in the second Semi Final of the World Cup in, quite possibly, the most anticipated match of the tournament, and a rematch of the Final at Euro 2008, which Spain won 1-0.
Germany vs. Spain
Die Mannschaft have scored more goals than any other team in this tournament, while Spain have had more possession than any other team, meaning that this game could be a classic.
Germany: How They Got There, Form PLD-5 W-4 D-0 L-1 GOALS F-13 A-2
Die Mannschaft came through World Cup qualification unbeaten, having pulled off a real coup by beating Russia both home and away.
The nucleus of this current team comes from two different but combined parts, Bayern Munich and their highly successful U-21 team.
Joachim Loew has built a side that possesses all the old German tools of pragmatism, organisation, and functionality.
However, this time around he has built upon Jurgen Klinsmann's, the previous German manager, attacking policies and instilled a certain flair that past sides have never had.
He has also rejuvenated the squad by bringing in some much needed youth, making this current squad the youngest German team since 1930.
They use a highly flexible and mobile 4-5-1 formation which can become a 4-3-3 as quick as a flash, and is one of their main weapons when counter attacking at speed.
Thomas Muller and Lukas Podolski provide the pace and power on the flanks, although the free scoring Muller will be suspended for the clash against Spain.
His replacement will shape the rest of the team, as there is no direct cover for him, Marko Marin, or possibly Cacau may come in.
Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Mesuit Ozil form the central partnership, and are the axis upon which Germany turn.
They cover from each other and work in telepathic tandem and provide the team with a great energy as they attack and defend as a unit.
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Tuesday, 6 July 2010
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP URUGUAY VS NETHERLANDS GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Now watched being video this 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP URUGUAY VS NETHERLANDS GAME HIGHLIGHTS
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Netherlands defeat Uruguay 3-2 in World Cup 2010 semi-final
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst of the Netherlands celebrates his magnificent strike against Uruguay in the World Cup semi-final. Photo: Lars Baron
Source: Getty Images
Again this final participation many years Netherlands defeat Uruguay 3-2 in World Cup 2010 semi-final
THE Netherlands have stormed into their first World Cup final since 1978, beating Uruguay 3-2 to set up a title clash against either Germany or Spain.
Two goals inside three second-half minutes, from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, steered the Dutch into the decider and shattered South American hopes.
Veteran Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave his side the lead on 18 minutes with a stunning 30m strike before Diego Forlan produced an equally memorable goal four minutes before half-time to keep Uruguay alive.
Maxi Pereira got one back for Uruguay in injury time but it was too little too late.
The last time Holland made it this far was 32 years ago, when they fell at the last hurdle to hosts Argentina 3-1 after extra-time.
Coach Bert van Marwijk will be desperate to avoid a similar fate in the final on Sunday as the Dutch bid to lift the World Cup for the first time in their history.
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"Of course I am very, very happy and proud that such a small country is in the final of a world championship, it is hard to comprehend," van Marwijk said.
"It is something I started working on two years ago and I always said that to achieve something you really have to believe in it and do it. It's been a long process."
Sneijder, who has been one of the stars of the tournament, was over the moon. "This is unforgettable," he said. "It was a tough fight and toward the end we complicated matters. Sunday we play in the World Cup final. I have to get used to that."
Despite losing, Uruguay did their small nation proud with coach Oscar Tabarez guiding them to their first semi-final in 40 years.
It was a massive achievement for a country with a population of just 3.4 million, and they must now put their disappointment behind them for a third-place play-off on Saturday.
Tabarez said Forlan played throughout the match with an injury and he was finally forced to substitute him in the 85th minute.
"From the first minute he had a problem. I'm not dumb enough to take him out at 3-1 when the match wasn't lost," Tabarez said. "He was injured and could not continue."
"The Dutch can create a goal from any situation," added Tabarez, whose team had conceded only two goals heading into the match. "These were beautiful goals for football but rather unexpected for us."
Both teams were forced to make changes with players suspended and in chilly conditions at Green Point Stadium it was the Dutch who adapted the best.
They had a decent chance as early as the third minute when Robben whipped in a teasing cross which Fernando Muslera punched straight to Dirk Kuyt on the edge of the box, but the Liverpool winger skied his shot.
The dangerous pair created another opportunity soon after when Kuyt sent in a cross that the Bayern Munich star headed at the keeper.
With the pressure on, it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken and it was their hugely experienced captain who did it with a contender for goal of the tournament.
The 35-year-old van Bronckhorst picked up the ball some 35 yards out and let rip with a stunning drive that tore into the top corner of the net past the outstretched fingertips of Muslera.
It should have been 2-0 on the half-hour when Arsenal's Robin Van Persie made an excellent turn to pick out Robben on the edge of the box, but Martin Caceres made a timely intervention.
Uruguay were struggling to create openings before Forlan produced his own piece of magic with a left-foot screamer that swerved past keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who should have done better.
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Dutch coach says Van can be the Man on world stage
Now we are saw the Dutch coach says Van can be the Man on world stage
Robin Van Persie was last night tipped to explode on the World Cup scene this evening – and help make the tournament his own.
Oranje coach Bert van Marwijk believes the Arsenal striker is ready to show he is among the game’s top talents by guiding Holland past Uruguay to their first World Cup Final since 1978.
Van Marwijk said: “Robin is extremely talented and I would say he is one of the best football players on this planet.
“He was injured for a very long time this season and I was very happy to see him fit just in time.
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Netherlands vs. Uruguay FIFA World Cup: Finally,
Now watches this enjoy Netherlands vs. Uruguay FIFA World Cup: Finally,Bottoms Up For Robben, Dutch
Aarjen Robben won’t let Holland lose the World Cup final. It’s as simple as that. Caught with his trousers down (see great Getty Images picture) after an epic 3-2 semi-final win over Uruguay in Cape Town last night, Robben has no intention of dropping his guard in the final at Soccer City on Sunday.
Haunted by memories of their two successive World Cup final defeats at Germany 74 and Argentina 78, losing is simply not an option for Robben, who was unable to prevent Bayern Munich going down to Inter Milan in the Champions League showdown seven weeks ago.
Robben, who scored a glorious header to seal last night’s epic semi, said, “This Dutch team is simply a great squad. We had a good look at each other before the game... and I was convinced we'd win."
"We’re nearly there. We need only one more victory now. I’ve already lost a big final with Bayern and I won't let that happen again.
"If Germany turn out to be our next opponent, I'll be even more motivated. I can't afford to lose against Germany, because my teammates at Bayern will make fun of me all season."
Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium was awash with Orange by the time Robben scored the third goal, his second of the tournament after his late arrival with a hamstring injury. By then, Wesley Sneijder and captain Gio van Bronkhorst had already given the Dutch a slender 2-1 advantage after Diego Forlan’s equaliser.
Uruguay pulled back a late goal but Forlan had been recklessly substituted and Uruguay had given up the fight.
Two of the smallest nations in the world—Holland are ranked 134th in the world on land mass while Uruguay are 90th—contrived to produce a fitting showdown in Cape Town, the city established by Dutchman Jan van Riebeeck in 1652.
South Africa, boasting over ten million people who still speak Afrikaans or “kitchen Dutch”, were unanimously behind the Oranjes after Uruguay’s cynical efforts had deprived both Bafana Bafana and BaGhana BaGhana of an African representative at this glorious tournament.
The last surviving Latin American nation were at it again last night, diving about, falling over, generally making a nuisance of themselves. But credit to Uruguay, who only qualified for this tournament on a play-off against Costa Rica after finishing fifth in the CONMEBOL qualifying group, they gave it a good shot.
With big guns Brazil and Argentina out, they fought hard to end the Dutch record of 25 successive unbeaten outings. But as I said two months ago, this Dutch side—with Sneijder and Robben the form players in Europe last season—were always a good outside bet at 12-1.
Cape Town, treated to awful 0-0 draws between Uruguay and France followed by England and Algeria early in the tournament, can now boast the highest-scoring venue of this World Cup. And the men in orange, unbeaten in qualifying, have now set a new record of 14 games without defeat in a single tournament, not to mention ten wins on the trot.
Unheralded coach Bert van Marwijk said, “Unbelievable. When I took this job two years ago, I said to the players, 'we're on a mission, and we just have to believe in ourselves'. We're only a small
Coppied by 2010 Bleacher Report,
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