Surprises are an integral part of soccer World Cups. In the past World Cups there have been non favorite teams which sprung huge surprises and left the fans baffled with their extraordinary performance. Croatia in 1998, Bulgary in 1994, Cameroon in 1990, Turkey in 2002 – who would be the surprise element in 2010? Here is our pick of four teams to watch out for:
The road to South Africa 2010 is getting narrower. The last four berths to the 2010 FIFA World Cup from the European Zone are set to be booked by Wednesday, 18 November. Everything remains possible across the board, with none of the teams involved leading by more than a single goal!
Algeria and Egypt face a sudden-death play-off in Sudan on Wednesday to decide the last of Africa’s four places at the World Cup finals. Reportedly, thousands of Algerian and Egyptian fans have arrived into Khartoum for a decisive World Cup qualifier between the two Arab rivals.
Nani has spilled the beans about the tyrannical reign of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
(Source: Sun Sports)
In a revealing interview, to the Portuguese paper I, the Portugal winger has charged Fergie for breaking promises and not giving him enough time on the pitch.
(Ref: BBC News)
Tributes have been placed at the scene of Robert Enke’s death.
Germany and Hannover 96 goalkeeper Robert Enke has died after being hit by a train in an apparent suicide on Tuesday, police have confirmed. Enke, 32, was fatally injured at a level crossing north west of Hanover.
The German football federation (DFB) said in a statement: “The German team has learned of the death of Robert Enke with great shock.”
A statement released by the German indicates a suicide- “The victim is apparently national team goalkeeper Robert Enke from Hannover 96. The first police indications are that it was a suicide.”
Enke was reportedly struck by a regional train travelling between Norddeich and Hannover at a railway crossing in Neustadt am Rubenberge and died on the spot.
Enke had played eight times for Germany and also for clubs Carl Zeiss Jena, Borussia Monchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce and Tenerife, before returning to the Bundesliga with Hannover in 2004. He made his international debut aged 29 and became Germany’s number one keeper after Jens Lehmann retired from internationals at the end of Euro 2008.
Robert Enke
Born: 24/8/77, Jena, East Germany
Debut: 1995-96
Clubs: Carl Zeiss Jena, Borussia Monchengladbach, Benfica, Barcelona, Fenerbahce, Tenerife, Hannover 96
Germany debut: 27/3/07 versus Denmark Caps: 8
FIFA has short listed 23 players for the prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year award. Last year’s winner, and a hot favorite for the award, Cristiano Ronaldo will face prime competition from England stars John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is also being touted as a strong contender for this year’s award.
Will he do it again?
Cristiano Ronaldo
Tough Competition
| Steven Gerrad | Frank Lampard | Wanye Rooney | Lionel Messi |
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The winner of the award is selected on the basis of votes by the captains and head coaches of the men’s and women’s national teams and at the beginning of December. The winner will be announced during the 19th FIFA World Player Gala at the Zurich Kongresshaus on Monday 21 December 2009.
Here’s a list of the 23 contenders:
• Michael Ballack (Germany)
• Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
• Iker Casillas (Spain)
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
• Diego (Brazil)
• Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
• Michael Essien (Ghana)
• Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
• Steven Gerrard (England)
• Thierry Henry (France)
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
• Andres Iniesta (Spain)
• Kaka (Brazil)
• Frank Lampard (England)
• Luis Fabiano (Brazil)
• Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• Carles Puyol (Spain)
• Franck Ribery (France)
• Wayne Rooney (England)
• John Terry (England)
• Fernando Torres (Spain)
• David Villa (Spain
• Xavi (Spain)
With the world cup just around the corner, the football fan club is rife with speculations about who would take the trophy home this time.
After Greece’s spectacular and unexpected with at Euro 2004, relying in past trends to predict a winner would not suffice. Moreover, the 2010 World Cup promises to be one of the most diverse in history for not all the great teams are guaranteed a place in the South African finals and this maybe the year that someone unexpected lifts the glorious trophy.
England, who remain undefeated in their group and Brazil having lost only one of their 16 qualifying games are predictably the two popular tournament favorites. Spain, the number one team in Europe and second to Brazil in the World rankings, also features amongst the favorites for a slot in the 2010 finals.
While Italy, who is yet to confirm qualification but Marcello Lippi’s men cannot be undermined, the German pedigree in World tournaments also cannot be ignored and, although they face a battle with Russia to secure automatic qualification, their presence is highly expected.
In our honest view, it’s quite hard to see past Brazil for the event winners but there could be some surprises for the semis and quarters. We don’t envisage any of the African or Asian teams in the latter stages, although Ghana and the Ivory Coast are undefeated in their qualifying groups and with the likes of Michael Essien and Didier Drogba in their respective squads, they could definitely cause a few upsets in the group stages. USA and Mexico are expected to qualify from the North American party but, apart from playing attractive, attacking football, we don’t predict them to get past the first two weeks.
Here is our prediction for the final 8 teams:
Brazil – Winners
England – Finalists
Italy – Semi Finalists
Spain – Semi Finalists
Germany – Quarter Finalists
Netherlands – Quarter Finalists
Russia – Quarter Finalists
France – quarter Finalists
PS: If Argentina manages to qualify then all bets are off!
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