With the final round of qualification now sorted, I think we'd have to be quietly confident of making it to South Africa. By my reckoning Japan and us will be fighting it out for the top 2 places in Group A, with Uzbhekistan as the dark horses. Qatar and Bahrain shouldn't be too much trouble...
Socceroos mauled by Germany MICHAEL LYNCH June 14, 2010 - 8:23AM
Australia have a mountain to climb if they are to stay alive in this World Cup after their campaign opened in the worst possible fashion when Tim Cahill was sent off and Pim Verbeek�s team was completely outclassed 4-0 by a slick and skilful Germany.
The Germans handed out a footballing lesson and had enough chances to double their winning margin, such was their domination.
Australia must now win their next match against Ghana, victors over Serbia earlier in the day, to have any hope of staying alive in this tournament. On this effort that looks a forlorn hope. Early blow ... Lukas Podolski celebrates scoring Germany's opening goal after only nine minutes.
Cahill, who had little impact on the match, was shown a straight red card in the 57th minute after a foul on Bastian Schweinsteiger when Australia were 2-0 down.
Cahill broke down in tears after the game as he was asked about his controversial sending off.
Moments earlier Schweinsteiger stopped, tapped him on the shoulder and said : "That was not a red card." A clearly moved Cahill said: "Coming from him, that meant a lot."
The Socceroos never looked likely to threaten a German team which played with pace, power and precision and made good on their threat to rip Australia apart down the wings, particularly in the first half, when their movement and mobility caused constant problems for Australia�s ageing defence.
Australia�s best moment came just after kick off, when a Cahill header from a Luke Wilkshire corner was cleared and Richie Garcia�s shot from the rebound was blocked.
But that was as good as it got.
Germany soon found their rhythm, and took the lead after eight minutes when Lukas Podolski produced a slashing drive to finish off a terrific move. Mesut Ozil rounded Jason Culina to set up Thomas Mueller whose cross was met first time by Podolski.
Germany took Australia apart down the right, with captain Phillip Lahm combining with Mueller and Ozil to create numerous opportunities.
Miroslav Klose put Germany two up in the 26th minute, bravely getting his head to a Lahm cross from the right before Mark Schwarzer�s flailing fist to nod home.
Ozil should have made it three when he sprung the Australian defensive line after Klose's through ball, his clever chip over Schwarzer just a little too casual, allowing Lucas Neill to get back and clear off the line.
Substitute Brett Holman shot wide shortly after the restart, but Australia�s agony only intensified following Cahill�s dismissal.
Mueller, who had taunted Australia on the wing, came inside to fire home in the 68th minute, and two minutes later substitute Cacau, set up by the hugely impressive Oezil, made it four and complete Australia�s humiliation.
Klose, top scorer in the 2006 World Cup, said: "Everything worked well and it is important that things went well in the first game.
"We have earned some respect. You could see that we had fun playing football out there. I know what I can do. I feel great."
Germany coach Joachim Loew was delighted too.
"I am very happy about the performance, we showed some quick passing and good speed," he said.
It was the first time this combination has been used for Australia. Absolute craziness. So many blokes playing out of position against one of the best-drilled teams in world sport. My jaw hit the floor when I saw the team structure come up on the screen this morning. Bloody hell, what was Verbeek thinking. I thought it would be a given that Josh Kennedy would be up front, given the panic his height caused German defenders when he played in the Bundesliga. And what were they thinking in having two slow defenders on the left (Chipperfield and Moore) when it's a known Germany favours quick ring-wing attacking forays. For some crazy reason we went in with six defensive midfielders (Chipperfield, Garcia, Valerie, Grella, Cullina, Wiltshire). How negative is that. I'm glad Verbeek is moving on after this World Cup.
I thought New Zealand did quite well and they should be proud of themselves. They're on a high right now but it would have been great if they were taking this momentum up against Paraguay next but unfortunately they've got the sleeping giant Italy who are just starting to wake up and are apparently a bit peeved they only beat Paraguay 1-0 so only god knows what they're gonna do to New Zealand.
So far the first round of matches seem to be a bit of a wait and watch affair, especially with the bigger teams going head to head first up. Even Portugal were extremely cautious and that must have been hell for them but I guess no one wants to lose the all important first match.
I hear this morning that it is good news for New Zealand! Congratulations NZ!
Let's hear what people think of this years Soccer World Cup. Did Pim make the correct decision regarding players early Monday morning Australia time? Did Tim Cahill deserve a red card? Was there bias by the ref's? Give us your input on the Soccer World Cup.
well....I admit to watching the first half of NZ v Slovakia last night but went to bed about half time when the score was 1/O and first thing I did this morning was turn on the computer to see who won .....a draw.
GOODBYE fellow eBlah's .....it sure has been nice meeting yo'all here and I will miss everyone of you
Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley has emphatically denied any Socceroos team disharmony or claims of player dissatisfaction with coach Pim Verbeek.
Buckley described as "nonsense" reports that there were problems in the camp following the Socceroos' 4-0 World Cup drubbing by Germany in Durban last Monday morning (AEST).
He denied claims several senior players were unhappy with Verbeek's tactics and had approached him to voice their concerns.
"It's insulting to the professionalism of the players that there is speculation on speculation," Buckley said.
"It's disrespectful to the players. In no way is there any form of disunity."
When asked whether any players had approached him about Verbeek's questionable tactics in the Germany match, Buckley said: "Absolutely none whatsoever".
"All the speculation is just speculation on a very ill-informed rumour."
The outcry over the Socceroos' loss - and particularly the meek manner of it - have prompted speculation from media pundits and ex-internationals that there could be team harmony issues.
Former Socceroo and media commentator Craig Foster even went as far as to call for Verbeek's sacking immediately.
But Buckley stood by Verbeek and ruled out any summary dismissal of the Dutchman during the tournament.
"I have the utmost confidence in the team and Pim and his staff," Buckley said.
"I don't comment on coach's tactics or coach's selections. But what I can say is the team is 100 per cent absolutely focused on this weekend's result."
The Socceroos must win their Group D clash with Ghana in Rustenburg on Saturday to stay alive in the tournament.
The fact that Ben Buckley feels the need to emphatically deny any "Socceroos team disharmony or claims of player dissatisfaction with coach Pim Verbeek" suggests something is wrong.
It doesn't matter We're on 1 point, they're on 0 with a rather embarrassing loss They have the easy match next and we face the last times winners so.. it will be even then xD
Switzerland has pulled off the first major upset of the 2010 World Cup with an unlikely 1-0 defeat of European champion Spain in their Group H opener in Durban.
The Spaniards fired 24 shots on target but could not land a killer blow as Gelson Fernandes wrapped up three valuable points against the run of play in the second half.
Fernandes prodded home the winner following a goal-mouth scramble with Iker Casillas and Gerard Pique on 52 minutes, leaving Pique with a nasty facial cut and Spain equal last in Group H.
Switzerland joins Chile on three points after the South Americans earlier defeated Honduras 1-0 in Nelspruit.
"We tried in an orthodox way and in an heroic way but we were not able to score," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.
"It wasn't our day. We dominated almost all the match.
"This defeat means that we have to win the other two (group) matches," he added.
Spain won Euro 2008 and, with a side boasting some of European football's biggest names, was widely tipped as one of the favourites to win the World Cup in South Africa.
La Furia completely dominated possession and conjured chance after chance, the best of which saw Xabi Alonso smash the crossbar with a fierce drive from 20 yards in the second half, but they were held by a desperate Swiss defence.
Switzerland's goal came seemingly from nothing as Fernandes carved an opening following a knockdown from a long goal kick deep into Spanish territory and the Saint-Etienne frontman produced the telling blow.
Del Bosque introduced Fernando Torres, Jesus Navas and Pedro Rodriguez from the substitutes' bench in the second half but Switzerland hung on for a famous World Cup victory.
Liverpool ace Torres missed the last two months of the English Premier League season through injury and was not handed a start as new Barcelona signing David Villa was thrust into a lone striking role.
Villa had a strong chance to put Spain ahead late in the first half when he made a foray into the left channel of the penalty area but his lob across goal went astray.
Earlier, Pique had been played in on goal with a slide-rule pass and demonstrated great skill to spin his body and fashion an opening before his shot on goal was thwarted by Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.
Spain continued to dominate play in the second half and Torres lashed a hot chance over the bar on 68 minutes when he turned to shoot after having to check his run to take a pass from Villa under pressure.
Once more against the run of play, this time capitalising on a swift counterattack, the Swiss went agonisingly close to doubling their lead with 15 minutes remaining.
Eren Derdiyok fired a shot at Casillas and Benjamin Huggel followed up before Barcelona captain Carlos Puyol arrived in the nick of time to clear penalty box.
IT is D-Day for Australia's fading World Cup hopes, with whatever chance the Socceroos have of progressing to the second round to be decided today - and it could all hinge on a voice recording.
FIFA will hold its disciplinary hearing into Tim Cahill's controversial red card against Germany on Sunday.
Aware their World Cup future is on the line, the Socceroos have called in their legal heavyweights to compile a comprehensive dossier in a bid to fight a two-game charge, which would effectively end Cahill's World Cup campaign - and also Australia's.
The Socceroos play Ghana on Saturday night and almost certainly must win - and then again when they play Serbia next Wednesday - if they to have any chance of progressing to the next round.
Cahill is crucial to their chances as the team's No.1 goal scorer.
The dossier includes various witness statements and Socceroos management believes it is so strong they have refrained from calling in German midfielder Bastian Schweinstager, who was the player Cahill cut down in the controversial tackle.
However, after the match AAP senior correspondent Doug Conway was interviewing Cahill when Schweinsteiger went past and sought out the Everton midfielder, saying: "It wasn't a red card".
Conway picked up the exchange clearly on his digital recorder and has been asked by Socceroos officials to provide a written submission to FIFA, along with a recording of what Schweinsteiger said.
The team's technical analysts have also broken down video to form part of the submission, which they believe will save Cahill from the two-game suspension.
The Socceroos will also refute the evidence given by Mexican Marco Rodriguez.
''The referee has reported that, in an attempt to win the ball, the player used excessive force in tackling an opponent from behind, thereby causing danger," a Socceroos spokesman said.
The Socceroos will fight this vigourously, arguing it was not a dangerous tackle.
They will show that Cahill's leg was never straightened and there was no contact with the boot.
They will also state there was no malice in the tackle and it was not intentional.
The red card left Cahill in tears and, according to coach Pim Verbeek, ended any chance of Australia coming back from 2-0 down to force a draw against the World Cup heavyweights, which he believed they were about to do.
Under FIFA rules, Cahill can be suspended for one or two games.
"As it was a direct red card (and not two yellow cards), additional disciplinary sanctions may be imposed on the player," the Socceroos spokesman said.
Instead of an extra game's suspension, it could be in the form of a fine.
"The FFA has been requested to submit any comments or evidence in connection with this incident," the spokesman said.
"The FFA is preparing a case which includes video evidence, a statement by Tim Cahill and others, and legal submissions directed towards showing that the incident involved was not one which used excessive force, caused danger or led to injury.
"It will also rely on Tim Cahill's good record, and his lack of intention to cause harm or injury."
While Cahill is resigned to a certain one-match suspension, there is room for appeal if a two-match suspension is handed down.
The Socceroos will argue that a one match suspension
Switzerland beats European Champ Spain - David vs. Goliath, what a game ! ! And that was not by accident - these guys can really play.
We love you Ottmar Hitzfeld, we really do ! Respect ! Hitzfeld as a fooball player btw. won 2 x the European Champions League with 2 different teams. He's been coaching Bayern München very sucessully for many years and Borussia Dortmund as well. And last but not least, he btw. is an educated man, he's been studying sports and maths. I'm soo proud of him and our team.
Korea dismantled as Argentina ignites Cup By James Maasdorp
A late purple patch has seen Argentina triumph 4-1 over South Korea at Soccer City in one of the most enthralling encounters of the tournament thus far.
An even affair peppered with dominant spells from both sides finally came to a head when Lionel Messi broke down Korea's flank, forcing a good save from 'keeper Jung Sung-Ryong, but his parry found Messi again, who returned a shot off the post for Gonzalo Higuain to finish.
Argentina broke again minutes later and a deft chip found Sergio Aguero, who crossed perfectly for Higuain to nod in for his hattrick.
Higuain and Messi earlier combined to put Argentina two goals up in the first half, but South Korea stunned the South Americans with a goal out of the blue that changed the contest into an end-to-end carnival of football.
Korea then had a golden second-half opportunity to equalise when Yeom Ki-Hun was put clean through, but contrived to miss with the goal at his mercy.
Lining up to shoot, the midfielder shanked the ball as he went for the near post when shooting across the keeper was the better option.
It was part of a long spell of dominance from South Korea who took the game to Argentina in the second half, only to have the game ripped away from them late on.
While Korea battled hard and was far from embarrassed, Argentina was ultimately on another level with lethal finishing and incisive use of the ball.
By the time Higuain had completed his goal trio, Argentina was rampaging at will through the centre of the park, with Messi thrilling Soccer City with his mazy dribbling.
The match has provided the perfect tonic to a World Cup which has had more tense, cagey affairs than thrilling football.
First half wonder
Argentina was a footballing force of nature in the first half, camping in South Korea's half for the majority of proceedings.
Messi and Carlos Tevez dominated the best of Argentina's play with their darting runs and dribbles which gave their previous opponents Nigeria so much trouble.
Relentless pressure paid dividends on 16 minutes when Korean forward Park Chu-Young inexplicably put the ball in his own net amid a crowd of players after Messi swung in a free kick from the left wing.
South Korea almost responded immediately after it broke to the other side of the pitch and Ki Sung-Yueng hit a dipping shot which went narrowly over the crossbar.
But Argentina asserted its dominance on 32 minutes when a cross, again from the left, was flicked on to Higuain, who nodded in his side's second goal.
The Koreans had 'keeper Jung Sung-Ryong to thank for a number of eye-catching saves, most notably when palming away a drilled cross before Angel Di Maria looked to finish from the rebound, only to be denied by the shot-stopper in the same move.
Minutes later, Korea was back in the match after Martin Demichelis made a glaring error at the back, allowing Lee Chung-Yong to ghost in and clip the ball past Sergio Romero.
The goal in first half added time came at the perfect moment for the Koreans who had been under the cosh for much of the half.
Socceroos midfielder Vince Grella has joined Tim Cahill on the sidelines for this weekend's must-win World Cup clash against Ghana.
Grella sprained the medial ligament in his knee at Socceroos training and has been ruled out of the match in Rustenburg.
An FFA spokesman said Grella will only miss the Ghana game at this stage and had not been ruled out of the final World Cup Group D clash with Serbia on June 24 (AEST).
Grella was substituted after 45 minutes in the 4-0 hammering by Germany in Durban.
It continues a terrible run of niggling injuries to plague the Blackburn Rovers midfielder.
The setback is likely to mean Carl Valeri and Jason Culina pair up in the holding midfielder roles for the Socceroos.
The Socceroos were already without Cahill, who was red-carded against the Germans.
FIFA earlier confirmed that he would be banned for just one match, meaning he will return for the Serbia fixture.
Argentina and Korea articles aren't about Socceroos. It is important LB, on my computer I have all my files organised into heaps of sub-folders and folders and everything is categorised. It's annoying having 2 threads and the wrong things in each thread.
PS - Serbia won over Germany so "uh oh" for Australia
Serbia stun Germany, Milan Jovanovic scores to make Socceroos' task tougher By staff writers June 19, 2010 Serbia have stunned Germany in Port Elizabeth, winning 1-0 to blow 2010 FIFA World Cup Group D wide open - and making the pointless Socceroos' task that bit harder.
Germany still top the Group D standings on goal difference, but Serbia and Ghana also have three points.
Australia, without a point as they prepare to play Ghana in Rustenburg on Saturday night, now must defeat the Black Stars if they are to retain any hope of making the round of 16.
Follow the action and have your say when foxsports.com.au blogs the Socceroos' must-win FIFA World Cup match against Ghana from 11pm (EST) on Saturday, June 19.
Milan Jovanovic scored the only goal of the game, seven minutes before half-time, after Serbia had cut the Germany defence apart on the right flank.
Milos Krasic sent a high ball in from the sideline, Nikola Zigic headed the ball down from past the left post, and Liverpool-bound Jovanovic, unmarked in the six-yard box, flicked the ball past Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Serbia scored barely one minute after Germany striker Miroslav Klose had been sent off for a second bookable offence, for a tackle from behind on Serbia captain Dejan Stankevic.
Germany were hot favourites to defeat Serbia having produced an impressive performance to embarrass Australia 4-0 in the opening round of matches, but they were clearly second-best in Port Elizabeth and were beaten more comfortably than the scoreline suggests.
Serbia coach Radomir Antic said the shock win would give Serbia back their self-belief for the match against Australia after their opening loss to Ghana.
"We, too, can decide our own fate now," Antic said.
"This is a victory for our people, who for sure will know how to celebrate it.
"Klose's red card was obviously a big handicap for Germany, but we were very positive and energetic after me and my players were under a great deal of pressure from the defeat in our opening game."
Germany had a mountain to climb to get back into the match, but they almost grabbed a first-half stoppage-time equaliser when Sami Khedira's shot hit the crossbar.
And they were gifted a better opportunity to equalise in the second half, awarded a penalty of Serbia centre-back Nemanja Vidic was penalised for deliberate handball.
Lukas Podolski shot to his right, but Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic comfortably beat the ball away.
Germany continued to attack as they desperately sought the equaliser, and they peppered the Serbia goal, but they failed to trouble Stojkovic while leaving gaps at the back.
Jovanovic hit the woodwork, and Zigic should have done better when he climbed high above Germany captain Philipp Lahm in the six-yard box - with his header grazing the crossbar with Neuer beaten.
Germany coach Joachim Loew acknowledged that his side had produced a disappointing overall performance, but he insisted they would still progress to the last 16.
"We were not as dominant as we had planned," Loew said.
"Klose should have had to be more careful there.
"Still we have enough quality to get through and we must not let our heads go down. We still have our fate in our own hands to reach the last 16."
Klose, meanwhile, said the referee had over-reacted in giving the striker a second yellow card.
"I tried to play the ball and it was no foul," he said.
"The referee should have given me a ticking off instead of showing me the yellow.
"The team tried everything in the second-half, they played well and fought hard."
Podolski said that he was at fault for missing his penalty.
"I didn't strike the penalty so badly ... but I have to hold my hand up to the miss," he said.
"The defeat is quite bitter, of course.
"We could have done with a win which would have taken us a step closer to the last sixteen."
Radevac, meanwhile, said that Australia, whom Serbia play in their final Group D game, had been unfortunate with the way their match with Germany evolved.
"Plenty of negative things happened to Australia," he said.
"It does not show what they can really do on the pitch.
"They are good side, in good shape and if they go for a win it is going to be different game."
Grrrrr NOT happy with tonights result... I dunno, it seems that the refs are always against us... soft red card for Cahill in the Germany match, and Kewell sent off for deflecting the ball with his shoulder/upper arm in Ghana match. We're gonna need miracles in the last match!
Harry Kewell sent off in Australia's controversial 1-1 draw with Ghana
June 20, 2010 The Socceroos need a win in their last match and favours from others after a gutsy 1-1 draw with 10 men against Ghana left their FIFA World Cup on a knife-edge.
Harry Kewell's send-off for handball after 25 minutes left Australia playing a man down for most of the match and changed the momentum of the game.
But in a courageous effort, the Socceroos kept fighting, defended bravely, and nearly pinched a victory against the odds.
Instead Australia must now beat Serbia in their final Group D match in Nelspruit on Thursday (EST) and hope for the result in the Ghana-Germany match to go their way.
If the Socceroos win, victory for Ghana over the Germans may be enough to give Australia second in the group and qualification for the next stage.
They could also get there if they beat Serbia, and Germany hammer Ghana by enough goals so Australia can make up their goal difference.
With four changes to the starting line-up beaten by Germany including Kewell and reverting to their customary 4-2-3-1 formation, the Socceroos took a surprise 1-0 lead through a Brett Holman goal in the 11th minute.
But the game changed complexion when Kewell was marched for handball.
The striker blocked a goalbound Jonathan Mensah shot in the goalmouth with his upper arm, and Italian referee Roberto Rosetti had no hesitation in brandishing red.
As a livid Kewell left the field, striker Asamoah Gyan slotted home the penalty to equalise and give Ghana a chance to exploit a 10-man Australia for the rest of the match. Kewell wasn't the only person livid with the decision.
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek questioned the call, saying it was impossible for Kewell to get out of the ball's way.
"It was a mistake," Verbeek said of the red card.
"What is he supposed to do, cut his arm off?"
But Verbeek paid tribute to the effort of his team.
"I am very pleased with my players and their spirit today," he said.
"They have spoken about the Australian spirit, and it was good that they were doing what they are talking (about)."
The Socceroos looked far more likely to pinch a winner in the second half.
Their best chance was after 72 minutes when Luke Wilkshire was put through on goal, but goalkeeper Richard Kingson jutted out a knee to clear his shot away.
Four minutes earlier, Holman had put a header over the bar.
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was forced into two good second half saves, while Gyan shot wide on 71 minutes with possibly Ghana's best chance.
Ghana now sit top of the group with four points, Germany and Serbia are on three, while the Socceroos prop up the table with one.
Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill would not give up hope the Socceroos could still progress despite the result.
"There is unbelievable belief within the team," Neill said.
"We are obviously hurt and we've given ourselves a mountain to climb in the first game, but we're still here and the nation shouldn't give up on us because we haven't given up."
Neill said Australia still have two ways of fighting their way out of the group, despite finishing a second match at the tournament a player down after red cards.
"We want Germany to go out and perform the way they did against us, create opportunities, be clinical and score lots of goals and then hopefully that will bring Ghana's goal difference into the minuses," he said.
"And we need to get goals against Serbia and create chances to finish them off.
"If Germany win 3-0 and we win 2-0 or 3-0 and if Ghana win just 1-0 and we just win, that's two ways of fighting our way out of the group."
Yeah I am so angry, it's ridiculous, NO WAY was that a red card.
Three successive World Cup matches. Three massive refereeing decisions. Every one against Australia. It's time for the conspiracy theorists to come out.
First came Fabio Grosso's infamous "dive" over Lucas Neill, which gave 10-man Italy a hotly disputed last-minute penalty to sink Australia's 2006 campaign.
Then the 2010 mission opened with Australia's most influential player, Tim Cahill, sent off against Germany for a late but far from malicious challenge, which even the player on the receiving end, Bastian Schweinsteiger, said shouldn't have warranted a red card.
And now Australia's finest talent, Harry Kewell, is dismissed and suspended for a match after a ball blasted from close range hit him on the upper arm on the goal line in the fighting 1-1 draw against Ghana.
The resultant penalty meant the difference between victory and defeat.
How much can one nation bear? The conspiracy theorists don't necessarily claim that anyone cheats.
It's just that the really big decisions always seem to favour the powerhouses of the game, the Italy's and Germanys and Brazils, or the host nations, or in this case an African country when nations from the host continent aren't faring too brilliantly.
Maybe it's something buried deep in the subconscious minds of officials who have to make difficult snap decisions.
Whatever the case, the Socceroos were furious with Italian whistleman Roberto Rosetti's call which deprived Australia of Kewell's services for all but 25 minutes in Rustenburg and led to the equalising penalty.
"The guy has killed my World Cup," said a devastated Kewell.
"He is the referee, he's the judge, jury and executioner.
"Unless I detach my arm and put it somewhere else, there's no other way I can move my arm."
Defender Craig Moore said: "I didn't think it was a red card and I didn't think it was a penalty."
Captain Lucas Neill said: "When the ball goes 100 miles an hour at you and you're standing on the line, it's got to hit you somewhere, and it happened to hit Harry on the upper arm/shoulder."
Coach Pim Verbeek said: "It was a mistake. What can you do with your arm? You cannot cut it off. As far as I know in the rules it has to be intentional to send a player off."
The Australians are livid that Kewell received a red card for an unintentional act while Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic got off with a yellow against Germany for a clearly deliberate handball.
"Serbia has conceded two hand-to-ball penalties," said Neill, "but this could only be interpreted as ball-to-hand." Kewell asked: "Why's is this one different?"
"It's confusing because one minute they (the referees) are saying this and next minute they're saying that."
Neill said refereeing decisions usually evened out like "swings and roundabouts".
But when it was put to him that Australia only seemed to get swings, he replied: "OK, let's pray for a roundabout."
If the football gods have consciences, that roundabout must come against Serbia in Nelspruit on Wednesday.
And if it isn't too much to ask, also when Ghana and Germany meet at the same time in Johannesburg in a match which must also produce a favourable outcome for Australia.
Argentina and Korea articles aren't about Socceroos. It is important LB, on my computer I have all my files organised into heaps of sub-folders and folders and everything is categorised. It's annoying having 2 threads and the wrong things in each thread.
PS - Serbia won over Germany so "uh oh" for Australia
The France players boycotted a training session on Sunday in support of Nicolas Anelka, a day after he was kicked out of the World Cup for insulting Raymond Domenech.
The France coach read out to reporters a statement by the players in which they explained they had decided not to train to protest against the decision to send the striker home.
Anelka was removed after insulting Domenech at halftime of a 2-0 defeat by Mexico on Thursday in Polokwane.
"The players are unanimously against the French Football Federation's decision to expel Nicolas Anelka", said the statement.
Sunday's public session had already been halted after a furious row between captain Patrice Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne, leading to the immediate resignation of the team director.
France, facing an early exit, still plan to play their final Group A game against South Africa on Tuesday in Bloemfontein.
"They will do everything individually and in a collective spirit" on the pitch on Tuesday, the statement read.
Heated dispute
The session at France's base in Knysna, Western Cape, was about to begin when a heated dispute started at the centre of the pitch between Evra and Duverne.
Domenech had to move in to separate them. Duverne angrily threw his stopwatch on to the pitch and left.
The players then walked towards their bus following the incident.
"They don't want to train, it's a scandal," France team director and FFF managing director Jean-Louis Valentin said as he also left the pitch.
"It's a scandal for French people, for the youngsters who came here to watch them train. I'm resigning, I'm leaving the Federation. I have nothing more to do here. I'm going back to Paris."
The new scandal came a day after Evra told reporters a "traitor" within the team had leaked Anelka's insults to the press.
French sports daily L'Equipe put them on their front page and a few hours later, Anelka was kicked out of the squad.
Asked by a reporter on Sunday if he was the "traitor", Valentin replied "no, no, no" and appeared close to tears.
Henri Guaino, advisor to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, described the situation as "distressing".
"It's no longer football, it's no longer sport, it's no longer a team," he said.
When asked whether a political intervention from Sarkozy would calm down the situation, he replied: "I am not convinced that a political intervention would be likely to solve this kind of problem."
Heroic New Zealand holds off Italy By James Maasdorp
New Zealand has pulled off one of the all-time World Cup shocks in holding Italy to a 1-1 draw at the Mbombela Stadium.
Italy had to rely on a dubious penalty to cancel out Shane Smeltz's seventh-minute opener as the Kiwis' backline withstood an Azzurri battering ram.
Smeltz shocked Italy and the global footballing establishment when Fabio Cannavaro touched on Simon Elliott's freekick into the path of the Gold Coast United striker, who sent New Zealand into ecstasy with his finish.
But Italy responded and its immense pressure paid off when Daniele De Rossi made the most of Tommy Smith's shirt-tug to win a very generous penalty, duly dispatched by Vincenzo Iaquinta.
For the rest of the match, the All Whites withstood a barrage of Italian attacks and its hero of the night was undoubtedly goalkeeper Mark Paston.
Paston was alert to see off Antonio Di Natale's flamboyant turn-and-volley as Italy probed an All Whites defence sitting deep, and then kept New Zealand hopes alive when he brilliantly kept out Riccardo Montolivo's rocket shot.
Mauro Camoranesi played Montolivo in before the winger unleashed a lightning strike from distance, but Paston bettered it with an acrobatic save.
Camorenesi was involved again as he deftly chipped a ball in the path of Iaquinta, but Smith got back just in time to block the shot.
New Zealand hearts fluttered momentarily when Ivan Vicelich hit a solid volley that breezed past the Italian post as the All Whites looked to profit from long throws into the box.
Yet even a below-par Italy was always a threat and again Paston pulled off a scintillating save when Camoranesi arced a searing shot from 30 yards.
It was almost a fairy-tale ending moments earlier when Chris Wood, on 82 minutes, bungled the ball past Cannavaro and shot agonisingly wide.
After the match, there was no taking the smile off New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert's face.
"I think that has stopped our nation of four million people," Herbert said.
"It's an incredible result and it's way above anything we have achieved before against the stature of our competitors.
"Anything is possible and we're doing OK for a team who some say shouldn't be playing at this World Cup."
Pinned back
The All Whites were pinned back for almost the whole of the first half as Italy looked to recover from the shock of Smeltz's goal.
The Azzuri were visibly fired up after conceding and looked determined to equalise as Montolivo's freekick evaded a host of players in the box.
New Zealand looked nervy at the back as spaces opened up for Italy on the right, with Gianluca Zambrotta hitting an angled shot inches wide of goal.
Space opened up for Montolivo who cracked a curving shot against the bar which caught Paston ball-watching as it bounced to safety.
De Rossi finished the half with a long-range shot which was too hot for Paston to handle, forcing Winston Reid to concede a corner.
With Paraguay topping Group F on 4 points, New Zealand finds itself in dreamland, sitting level with Italy on 2 points.
Brazil shellshocked as Dutch turn it around By James Maasdorp
The Netherlands has caused a seismic World Cup shock, beating ten-man Brazil 2-1 after a dramatic second-half turnaround in the quarter finals. A costly mistake from 'keeper Julio Cesar gifted the Netherlands the momentum before Wesley Sneijder dealt the killer blow, heading in unmarked as the tournament's top side disintegrated.
The turnaround was stunning. Brazil was undoubtedly the best side in the first half, mixing awesome skill with physical defence to shut out the Dutch and score an incisive opener.
But Arjen Robben gradually came into the game in the second half and made the Netherlands look a totally different side, eventually unsettling Brazil's defenders who had no answer but to concede fouls.
But it could have been all so different were it not for an amateur mistake from 'keeper Julio Cesar.
Coming out for Sneijder's looping freekick, the stopper failed to reach the ball with his punch, bumping into Felipe Melo who got the last touch of the ball into the net.
Disaster had struck and suddenly the Selecao were coming apart at the seams. Robben, who had been effectively shut out in the first half, was finding plenty of space down the right to torment substitute Gilberto Melo.
The Dutch winger was relentless as he forced a string of corners for the Netherlands. Robben's corner was flicked on by Dirk Kuyt towards the unmarked Sneijder, who profitted on poor organisation at the back to give his side the lead.
Robben bore the brunt of some rough challenges in the first half but none nearly as bad Felipe Melo's, who after a tussle on the byline, put in a nasty stamp on the winger's thigh to be sent off on 72 minutes.
Brazil should have already had Michel Bastos sent off for a second yellow - given in the first half for persistent fouling on Robben - when he scythed down the winger on the flank. The referee's leniency meant Bastos was subbed off for Gilberto Melo.
Minutes later, Robben was hauled down again by a trip in the corner, sparking the fury of Robinho who did not hesitate to give the Netherlands star a vocal dressing down.
Brazil's implosion and frustration were evident as Kaka lashed out after being fouled by Andre Ooijer.
But the Netherlands still showed plenty of nerves having to defend their lead in the dying stages when Lucio's volley was deflected behind, before Maarten Stekelenburg fumbled the corner on his line, only for the ball to be desperately hacked away.
On the other side of the pitch, Brazil were a mess as a mixup between Maicon and Julio Cesar nearly ended in disaster with Robben lurking.
Kaka tried vainly to weave some magic as the seconds ticked by, but the Netherlands' collective defending had all the answers as the Dutch pulled off the upset of the tournament to dump Brazil and give themselves every chance of reaching the final.
Robinho electric, Robben targeted
Brazil were gifted their first-half opener when a mistake at the back put Robinho clean through to finish on 10 minutes.
Andre Ooijer, starting his first game of the World Cup in place of the injured Joris Mathijsen, and John Heitinga got their lines mixed up when Heitinga advanced prematurely to disrupt the offside trap, as Robinho finished Felipe Melo's throughball with consumate ease.
The early setback sparked an immediate response from the Netherlands. Kuyt combined with Mark van Bommel to force a smart save at the near post before Kuyt pickpocketed Maicon to cross for Robben.
Robben seemed to be targetted by Brazil's defenders as the forward came in for some rough treatment by Michel Bastos. The fullback totted up the fouls before finally being carded on 35 minutes.
But while Robben could not quite spark the Dutch into life, Robinho was an everpresent danger going forward and was at the heart of many attacks after his goal.
Robinho held off three defenders down the left flank before supplying Kaka, who curled an effort at the top corner only to be denied by the acrobatic Stekelenburg.
Netherlands: 2 (Felipe Melo [OG] 53', W Sneijder 68')
Ghana heartbroken as penalties rescue Uruguay By James Maasdorp
Uruguay has eliminated Ghana from the World Cup and moved into the semi-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout win after both teams drew 1-1 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
Sebastien Abreu calmly netted the winning penalty after Uruguay almost lost the match at the death of extra-time when Luis Suarez was sent off for handballing on the line, but Asamoah Gyan missed the spot kick that would have sent Ghana through.
Fernando Muslera came to the fore to save John Mensah and Dominic Adiyah's penalties and despite Maxi Pereira's miss over the bar, Uruguay held on to win the shootout 4-2 and deny Ghana the first World Cup semi-final berth for an African team.
It was heartbreak for Gyan who missed what would have been the winning penalty in extra-time after Suarez blatantly handballed on the line as Ghana laid siege to the Uruguay goal.
Ghana had a header hacked off the line first by Muslera, before firing the ball straight back to be cleared off the line again, only by Suarez's flailing hands.
The referee issued a straight red card for the same offence for which Harry Kewell was sent off, ironically against Ghana, as a tearful Suarez left the field having seemingly cost his side the match at the death.
But one more twist came when Gyan stepped up for the penalty, ready to send Ghana through to the semi-finals, only to smack the ball against the crossbar as Suarez's pain turned visibly to relief on the touchline.
It capped a huge spell of pressure applied by Ghana at the tail-end of extra-time after Gyan headed over Steven Appiah's right wing cross, before a long throw found Kevin Prince Boateng, whose header also missed.
Uruguay will now meet the Netherlands in the Cape Town semi-final.
End to end
The second half had earlier been an end-to-end affair with both sides exchanging spells of superiority.
On 55 minutes, Jorge Fucile, who copped a brusing in the first half, was bungled over outside the box as Ghana conceded a free kick.
It proved incisive for Uruguay as Diego Forlan lined up and struck a majestic free kick which swerved in the air past Richard Kingson.
Forlan's goal cancelled out Sulley Muntari's stunning opener, after the Inter Milan midfielder marked his first tournament start with a magnificent strike in first-half injury time.
Turning in midfield, Muntari bent the ball from 35 yards past the flatfooted Muslera to send the partisan crowd into ecstasy.
Having conceded the equaliser, Ghana kept its head up as Gyan collected Boateng's pass to fire at Muslera, who spilled his catch, but Muntari could not finish from the rebound.
Mensah hit a weak header behind which Forlan latched onto before whipping a cross to Suarez whose volley failed to hit the target.
Suarez was put through minutes later only to be denied by a reflex Kingson save before the forward again headed at the 'keeper from a Forlan free kick.
Kingson's barrier
Ghana had 'keeper Kingson to thank for keeping it in the game in the first half with a string of saves.
Suarez put Kingson to the test on 10 minutes before Forlan rifled a free kick from distance, forcing an uncertain punch sent skywards from the 'keeper.
Edinson Cavani put Forlan free through the middle, who arrowed a shot wide of goal before Suarez brought out another save from Kingson just a minute later.
But Ghana broke free from the siege when, on 29 minutes, Isaac Vorsah's header missed by a hair's breadth from a corner, before Boateng counter-attacked to set up Asamoah Gyan, who also shot wide.
Boateng dinked a ball into Gyan's path four minutes later but Muslera cut out the forward's run.
Uruguay had already lost captain Diego Lugano when he was forced to withdraw on 37 minutes before Jorge Fucile was knocked out cold when leaping for a header.
The full-back landed painfully on his head and required medical attention after landing motionless on the floor.
But more pain was to follow for Uruguay when, in added time, Sulley Muntari turned in centre midfield to hit a swerving shot past the wrong-footed Muslera from 35 yards.
Ghana: 1 (S Muntari 45'+2, PENS:A Gyan, S Appiah, J Mensah [miss], D Adiyah [miss])
Uruguay 1 (D Forlan 55', PENS: D Forlan, M Victorino, A Scotti, M Pereira [miss], S Abreu)
Yes! *pumps air with fist Dynamic Dutch fly into World Cup final By Chris Paine
The Netherlands have qualified for their first World Cup final in 32 years after edging out Uruguay 3-2 in their semi-final at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
Goals from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben during a four-minute flurry in the second half broke a 1-1 deadlock and gave the Dutch an opportunity to win their first World Cup after finishing runners-up in 1974 and 1978.
Defender Maxi Pereira scored a late consolation goal for Uruguay when he got a touch from a free kick in stoppage time, and the Dutch hung on grimly in some nervous final moments to secure their win.
The Netherlands will face either Germany or Spain in a July 12 (AEST) final guaranteed to deliver a first ever World Cup for Europe from a tournament outside the continent.
Uruguay's exit meanwhile ends the South American interest in the World Cup following the quarter-final failures of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
The Dutch qualified for the World Cup Finals first out of all the European nations with eight victories and now boast a 25-match unbeaten dating back to 2008 when they lost to Australia.
The match was evenly poised until the 70th minute when Sneijder netted his fifth goal of a wonderful personal World Cup campaign, before partner-in-crime Robben finished the job moments later as he nodded home Dirk Kuyt's precise cross.
Those goals breathed life into a contest that was levelled in the 41st minute when Uruguay captain Diego Forlan cancelled out Giovanni van Bronckhorst's stunning opener (18') for the Dutch.
Jabulani lets fly
Van Bronckhorst produced perhaps the finest goal of the tournament as he unleashed a fierce left-footed drive from 30 yards that flew past Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera into the very top-right corner of the net.
Then, after a period of Dutch dominance, Forlan found level terms late in the half with a thumping goal of his own - conjuring an equaliser with his left peg that went through Maarten Stekelenburg's gloves.
Forlan toyed with the complacent Dutch defence from outside the box and checked back onto his left, bending the Jabulani towards Stekelenburg and its unpredictable flight got the better of the Dutch goalkeeper.
Forlan's fourth goal of this World Cup kept him in contention for the golden boot, level with Germans Miroslav Klose and Thomas Mueller, and one behind Sneijder and Spanish sharpshooter David Villa.
Forlan did brilliant deputising for injured skipper Diego Lugano and took sole charge of Uruguay's attack in the absence of Luis Suarez, who was suspended for his deliberate handball that cruelly denied Ghana a passage to the semi-finals.
His mazy runs and eye for goal led to his deserved equaliser and Forlan threatened to add more, with his dead eye from set pieces also providing more nervous moments between the sticks for Stekelenburg.
Besides van Bronckhorst's fierce drive, the Netherlands failed to show off their natural creative brilliance and their cagey gameplan truly invited the South Americans back into the contest.
It was not until Sneijder's stalemate-snapping goal 25 minutes into the second half that the Dutch found their rhythm as the Oranje mounted quick attacks through the middle with supporting pace from the wing.
Sneijder has proven at times the World Cup's most threatening playmaker, having shone to prominence in the Netherlands' perfect Group E campaign before his side swept aside Slovaki and five-time champion Brazil.
The Inter Milan schemer delivered the winner against the shocked Brazilians and again provided the decisive goal in the semi-final, before Bayern Munich star Robben sealed victory with a pinpoint header into the left side of the goal.
Pereira's late strike gave the Uruguayans the faintest of hopes and the South Americans nearly found a way through the fatiguing Dutch defence, which clung on desperately to shut out numerous raids at the death.
Netherlands: 3 (G van Bronckhorst 18', W Sneijder 70', A Robben 73')
Spain beat Germany to reach World Cup final MICHAEL LYNCH July 8, 2010
Spain will now seek to add the World Cup to their European Championship and fulfil the destiny of a passionate footballing nation when they take on the Netherlands in the World Cup final in Johannesburg in the early hours of Monday morning (AEST).
A wonderful header from a Xavi corner by veteran centre-half Carles Puyol 17 minutes from time was enough to break stubborn German resistance and give Spain a 1-0 victory in a semi-final in which they comprehensively emphasised their credentials to be acclaimed the world's best team.
The scoreline gives no clue to Spanish superiority against a German team that looked a shadow of its earlier self. Spain had the chances to ease their nerves and put the game beyond doubt well before Puyol's goal, but didn't take them.
Rarely can a game of this magnitude have been so one-sided, at least in the first half.
Spain did not just dominate possession - at times it seemed as if they had brought their own ball and only players in a red shirt were allowed to touch it, such was their monopoly of the action.
Germany, who had played with such pace, power and precision as they demolished Australia, England and Argentina, were forced to chase shadows trying to get hold of the ball, especially in the first half hour when the Spaniards set the tone for the game. Goal hero ... Spain's Carles Puyol scores the only goal of the game. Click for more photos Spain v Germany
In their sporadic forays forward, the Germans, so assured in earlier matches, lost posession, played passes that were too long, too short, or directionless, as Spain pressed and harried them in midfield, won the ball back and started another attack.
But for all the intricacy, the delicate approach work, the flicks and the nudges, the European champions were unable to break through a stubborn German rearguard for far too long.
Still, it wasn't for the want of trying, and it provided plenty of entertainment as the football world's pass masters moved the ball forwards and backwards, sideways, diagonally and through all permutations of 360 degrees as they retained possession and pushed and probed to try to find a chink in the German defence.
Spain's man of the moment David Villa, playing as the central striker following the axing of the disappointing Fernando Torres, almost made the breakthrough inside six minutes as he fastened onto Pedro's ball only to be denied by Manuel Neuer.
Barcelona captain Puyol then went close with a header over the bar from Andres Iniesta's cross and Sergio Ramos followed suit, blasting high with a shot from the right.
Spain moved the ball beautifully, working in tight groups, playing angled passes with clever running off the ball and Germany looked rattled.
Bastian Schweinsteiger could not stamp his personality on the game, while Mesut Ozil, so influential in earlier matches, was subdued. Hardly surprising when every time Germany cleared the ball it went straight to Xabi Alonso, or Joan Capdevila, or Sergio Busquets, or any one of their teammates.
Germany didn't really get into the game until just after the 30-minute mark, and then not much. Sami Khedira and Ozil linked well to force a corner, while Piotr Trochowski, in for the suspended Thomas Mueller, tested Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas with a long-range shot that the Spanish captain turned round the post.
The half-time interval did not break Spain's rhythm and they once again laid siege to the Geman goal.
Alonso shot wide after being set up by a brilliant run from Pedro, and the Real Madrid midfielder did the same thing again shortly afterwards after a move involving Pedro and Xavi.
The diminutive Pedro, brought into the starting XI at Torres's expense, was causing havoc down the left and Geman coach Joachim Loew had had enough after barely 10 minutes of the second period, replacing Jerome Boateng with Marcell Jansen.
But still it was Spain that continued to monopolise possession and create chances. Villa shot wide from a Xavi pass, and then Pedro drew a good diving save from Manuel Neuer. Iniesta's cross from the rebound only needed a touch at the far post to break the deadlock but the sliding Villa could not make contact.
And still the shots rained in, from Pedro and Alonso, while rampaging full-back Ramos strained to get on the end of Alonso's cross just after the hour mark.
But while the game remained goalless the Germans were always a chance, and Spain got a warning when Casillas had to dive to keep out substitute Toni Kroos's volley in the 68th minute.
Puyol struck five minutes later and justice was served.
Spain have reached their first World Cup final, and the Germans will contend with Uruguay in the match for third place.
Well here we are on the verge of a Spain v Nederlands Soccer World Cup Final Match. The Octopus AKA Paul is very accurate. I have Spanish heritage so am leaning that way BUT love the Dutch so am leaning that way. Hell you all know I am fickle. Nice couple of weeks for Spain if they can win with Wimbledon and SWC under their belts
Can't find a permalink to the tweet. Reading her tweets though, largely marketing if not entirely, I'm put off from porn for a little bit I think. http://twitter.com/bobbieden
News:
Quoted Text
When Eden initially made her 140-character proposition, she had 3,592 followers. As of this afternoon, she's well over the 75,000 mark, and the numbers are spinning skyward faster than anything this side of the national debt.
I find there's nothing ingenious about it. It certainly doesn't help the team play and its not funny or fun. It disturbing both medically and in turn socially, if not socially all by itself. Its like the woman who went for the world record for the most guys she could screw in 24 hour period... all I can think is "Why?".
I was backing The Netherlands but WOW!!! I mean WTF!!! I'm not really making great associations in regards to who wins, but contempt for the The Netherlands might well have me jumping sides and supporting Spain.
World Cup 2010: Englishman Howard Webb to referee final
Englishman Howard Webb has been chosen to referee the World Cup final between Netherlands and Spain in Johannesburg on Sunday, Fifa has confirmed.
The 38-year-old Yorkshireman has had a good tournament so far, as have his assistants Michael Mullarkey and Darren Cann, who will join him in the final.
Webb is the first Englishman to referee the final since Jack Taylor in 1974.
He has refereed three World Cup matches in South Africa and has neither shown a red card nor awarded a penalty.
However, Webb has handed out an average of 5.67 bookings per games - the second highest tally in tournament.
Webb made his World Cup finals debut in Spain's shock 1-0 defeat by Switzerland.
He was also in charge for Slovakia's 3-2 victory against Italy - which saw the defending champions knocked out of the tournament - and was praised for his handling of a dramatic finale to the match.
In the last-16 stage Webb refereed Brazil's 3-0 win over Chile, but he missed out on the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
Taylor, referee for the 1974 World Cup final between West Germany and Netherlands, said Webb had been "almost perfect" in the three games he has officiated in so far.
"I've known Howard for a long time," Taylor told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I've seen him as a young referee and I've seen him come through, I've seen his ability.
"He's had three games and he's been almost perfect.
"He's fit, he's strong, he's diplomatic, he reads the game terribly well, in my opinion they couldn't pick a better man."
For Webb to be chosen to officiate the biggest game in football in his first World Cup finals is a superb achievement.
It comes off the back of a highly successful season for him and his assistants Cann and Mullarkey, after they officiated the Champions League final in May when Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in Madrid.
Their performances have boosted English officials' standing around the world after the debacle in the 2006 World Cup when referee Graham Poll handed out three yellow cards to one player during the match between Australia and Croatia.
Premier League referees chief Mike Riley says those experiences mean all three men will be more than prepared for such a high-profile match.
"As a team they will be prepared for the challenges and I'm sure they will be more than looking forward to the occasion," he told the BBC.
Webb, a former police officer from Rotherham, started officiating in the Northern Counties League in the mid-1990s.
He has been a Premier League referee since 2003 and took charge of the 2007 Carling Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea - won by the Blues 2-1 - and the 2009 FA Cup final, also won by 2-1 Chelsea, that time against Everton.
One of Webb's assistants, Mullarkey, recently revealed how Fifa training sessions had included preparation for the noise of the vuvuzelas in South Africa.
Mullarkey said: "When we're doing our training exercises Fifa is actually playing recorded sounds of vuvuzelas through the speakers.
"For three hours a day we're exposed to that sound which helps preparation."
You just love to be different MD. As someone who has a tiny drop of Spanish blood I think it best to go for Spain but Paul the Octopus has chosen the Nederlands to win
Mollusc medium picks Spain to win World CupBah! Hope it's wrong!
Germany's oracle octopus Paul has picked Spain to beat the Netherlands in the World Cup final in a live television broadcast watched across Europe.
The two-year-old celebrity octopus, who has accurately picked the outcome of all six of Germany's World Cup matches so far, quickly tipped Spain to beat the Netherlands. It took him only three minutes to make up his mind.
The octopus, considered by some to be the most intelligent of all invertebrates, got the choice of picking food from two different transparent containers lowered into his tank - one with a Dutch flag on it and one with Spain's flag.
Reaction in Spain was swift, with the country's biggest selling sports daily website Marca.com running the headline: "The octopus Paul makes us champions".
The container Paul opens first is regarded as his pick. On Friday he wasted no time in diving for the container on the right side with the Spanish flag on it.
Two German television networks interrupted their programming for live coverage of the octopus's picks. Networks in Spain, the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe also broadcast Paul's decision live.
Earlier on Friday, Germans heaved a sigh of relief when Paul tipped Germany to beat Uruguay in the World Cup match for third place. There were cheers in offices across Germany after crowds of viewers tuned in to watch Paul live.
Normally he only picks Germany matches. But for the final Sea Life made an exception.
The octopus in Oberhausen turned into a global celebrity for correctly picking the winners of all six of Germany's World Cup matches - including their two defeats to Serbia and Spain.
On Friday Paul first settled on top of the Germany container but after a few minutes shifted to the Uruguay container. Then after about 15 minutes he went back to Germany container, quickly opened the lid and ate the morsel of food inside.
Making headlines
Not an ordinarily superstitious people, Germans have become believers in Paul's possible psychic powers. The country was shocked and distraught when he picked Spain to beat Germany after tipping German wins over Argentina, England, Ghana and Australia.
Paul's selections have become top news across Germany and around the world. Some commentators even wondered aloud whether his improbable winning streak might have begun to influence some of the more superstitious players.
But after Paul accurately picked Spain to beat Germany in the semi-final, some Germans called for a public roasting of the oracle octopus. Newspapers and websites were filled with suggestions on how to cook and eat him.
Officials at Sea Life in Oberhausen have installed extra security to protect their octopus.
"Paul is in safe hands with us," said spokeswoman Tanja Munzig.
Spain's prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was quoted in Spanish media reports saying - in jest - he was concerned about Paul's safety.
"I am concerned for the octopus ... I am thinking of sending him a protective team," Mr Zapatero said.
Spain's environment and fisheries minister Elena Espinosa also said: "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 Germans do not eat him."
Yeah well my housemate put me on the wrong path there! She told me Paul chose the Nederlands So he chose Spain, hmmmmmm.
Animal rights group PETA demands release of Germany's psychic octopus From correspondents in Berlin From: NewsCore July 10, 2010 4:00PM PEOPLE for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is demanding the release of Paul the octopus, who has become a global star for predicting World Cup winners. The ABC said the British-born octopus, who is kept in an aquarium in Germany, uses his psychic powers by choosing between two boxes lowered into his tank. Each box contains a tasty morsel of food and the flags of two opposing teams. German fans have said they want Paul fried or turned into a paella for betraying the country by correctly guessing Spain’s victory over Germany last week. PETA Spokesman Bruce Friedrich said the animal rights group was urging people to sign an online petition demanding Paul's release. "No animal deserves to be confined to a tiny tank and we're hoping that Paul's popularity, or in Germany notoriety, will cause people to think a little bit more about the inner lives of octopuses," he said. The move comes after Paul predicted that Spain would win Sunday’s (Monday morning AEST) World Cup final against the Netherlands. The mollusk medium overcame his exhaustion to make two predictions, that Spain will win the World Cup final, and Germany will emerge victorious in the battle for third place over Uruguay. Previously Paul correctly forecast Germany's wins over Australia, Argentina, England and Ghana. Proving he is not just attracted to the German flag, he also correctly predicted losses to Serbia and Spain; the latter live on national television.
No I don't she'd be capable of just the 3500 initial followers she had. Its annoying to see it get picked up by news outlets though. The website in my first post is from one of the major US broadcasting networks. Of major broadcasters, its the same there as it is here, only a few giants, then contributing to the mass of greater choice, there's lesser local and affiliate broadcasters then cable and satellite after that. Its like googling for it and among the top hits is the channel 10 website.
Iniesta puts Spain on top of the world Spain celebrate winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final
Champions of Europe and now champions of the world, Spain captured football's Holy Grail for the first time with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands thanks to Andres Iniesta's 116th-minute strike at Soccer City.
The solitary goal came with penalties looming as substitute Cesc Fabregas played in Iniesta and the little midfielder drove emphatically across Maarten Stekelenburg and into the far corner. With this victory – their fourth successive single-goal win in South Africa – Spain became the eighth name on the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy and also the first European team to have triumphed on a different continent. For the Netherlands, who lost defender John Heitinga to a red card in extra time, there is only the heartache of another tale of what might have been after they completed a hat-trick of Final losses.
This was a match preceded by much talk of two like-minded footballing cultures, of the influence of Dutchmen like Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, of 'tiki taka' and Total Football. In many ways, as the first 116 minutes showed, it was also a case of the irresistible force versus the immovable object. The Dutch had won 14 straight games to get to the Final, in qualifying and the tournament proper, and Spain 15 out of 16, their only slip the defeat by Switzerland in their first game here in South Africa.
It was the Spanish found their stride first, living up to their pre-game billing as favourites. Vicente del Bosque's side dominated possession and created the early chances. With the Dutch penned inside their half, goalkeeper Stekelenburg had to make a save after five minutes, diving low to stop a Sergio Ramos header from Xavi's free-kick from the right. Gerard Pique looked poised to follow up only to be denied by a combination of Joris Mathijsen and Dirk Kuyt.
Ramos came again in the tenth minute, beating Kuyt on the right and driving in a low centre that Heitinga deflected behind. From the corner came another scare for the Netherlands. Xavi played the ball back to Xabi Alonso whose cross went beyond the far post to David Villa but the in-form No7 sliced his volley into the side-netting. After those near things, however, both defences got on top with none of the flair players on either side able to take a grip on proceedings. Instead the yellow-card count began to rise with Nigel de Jong becoming the fifth player in Howard Webb's notebook by the time the half-hour mark arrived.
With the orange sections of the 84,490 Soccer City crowd finding their voice, Bert van Marwijk's men almost gave them something to sing about from a corner in the 37th minute. Robben rolled the ball to Mark van Bommel on the edge of the box and although he failed to make a clean connection he unwittingly diverted the ball on to the unmarked Mathijsen but the defender missed his kick. As half-time approached, Iker Casillas had barely had a save to make but entering stoppage time, he had to be alert to deny Robben at his near post as a spell of Dutch pressure ended with the winger spearing in a low shot from the corner of the box.
Puyol, Spain's semi-final matchwinner, showed his aerial threat once more minutes after the restart when he rose above Heitinga and headed to the far post but Joan Capdevila failed to make contact. The game was gradually opening up and the Dutch spurned a golden opportunity in the 62nd minute when Wesley Sneijder sent Robben running clear. Casillas came to Spain's rescue, deflecting the shot behind with his right foot when falling the wrong way.
Spain coach Del Bosque had already sent on Jesus Navas for Pedro on the hour and the winger helped pick a hole in the Dutch defence in the 70th minute. Xavi sent him flying down the right into the box and when Heitinga failed to deal with Navas's low cross, the ball fell to Villa who looked odds-on to score only to see his effort deflected behind. Ramos was equally profligate after 78 minutes when he headed over a Xavi centre when unmarked, after Villa had forced another corner.
Spain were looking the more likely winners and it took Sneijder of all people to foil Iniesta with a smart tackle after his jinking run into the box. Yet Robben's pace was a persistent threat and the Oranje No11 almost embarrassed Puyol in the 82nd minute, speeding clear of the Spain defender when second-favourite to reach a through-ball. Resisting Pique's attempt to tackle too, he was foiled only by Casillas, the captain saving at Robben's feet as the Dutchman tried to round him.
Extra time began with opportunities for Spain. Xavi failed to connect when well positioned and when the ball ran to Villa, his shot went wide off an orange shirt. Substitute Fabregas then broke clear on to Iniesta's through-ball but was foiled by Stekelenburg. Mathijsen headed wide from a corner but like waves, Spanish attacks kept rolling on to the Netherlands back line and Navas was close with a shot deflected into the side-netting.
Fernando Torres replaced Villa midway through the extra period and Spain gained a man advantage four minutes later with Heitinga's dismissal for pulling back Iniesta on the edge of the box, the offence earning him a second yellow. Iniesta would not be denied, however, and his fine late strike put Spain into the history books and left a Dutch dream shattered. http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=249721/match=300061509/summary.html
Are you trying to imply that I'm giving her attention by googling for her twitter account?
I'll assume LB, that you're refusal to address a fair question when it wasn't put out in a harsh manner means it was indeed to imply that I this little guy <--- was aimed at me. I'll remind you that it wasn't me who brought it up in the thread but you and Candy. I objected to saying the woman was ingenious. She isn't ingenious, she isn't admirable, it isn't funny and the thought of "lubrication" soothing the infected throat she'd get as a result is pretty foul. If I bruised an ego by saying so then that's you're problem. And by the way, the only reason I found the trending hash tag was because I was citing it to my wife as one of the reasons I had playing against me for hoping The Netherlands won since I had so little to go on and the computer was in my lap with this site open to this forum at the time so I clicked to show her when she thought it was a putrid as well. I'd hope that if Candy had wanted to say something, she would have. Perhaps you should keep your cumshot comments to the private messaging system. It would have been a start in your assertion: "Personally I wouldn't give time of day to anything about her....." Bye.
How many people watched the game live? *raises hand*
I'll assume LB, that you're refusal to address a fair question when it wasn't put out in a harsh manner means it was indeed to imply that I this little guy <--- was aimed at me.
I can assure you, MD, that nothing I have posted about this topic has been aimed at you, I was just posting my thoughts on a subject, thats all, nothing personal.
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