World Cup Stadiums

World Cup 2010:
The 10 stadiums of the Fifa World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

Injuries

Manchester United
United had hoped Vidic would have recovered from the flu bug that kept him out of Saturday's win at West Ham. However, the Serbian was absent as his team-mates checked in for the short flight to Germany. United's list of injured defenders includes the captain Gary Neville and Wes Brown, who both limped off at Upton Park, plus the longer-term casualties Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea and Jonny Evans. With the Da Silva brothers, Fábio and Rafael, also sidelined, the only senior orthodox defender Ferguson has in his squad is the left-back Patrice Evra.



Arsenal
Wenger went into the match with a squad ravaged by injury. William Gallas (hamstring), Emmanuel Eboué (muscle), Armand Traoré (hamstring) and Andrey Arshavin (ankle) all picked up knocks during the match while Eduardo (thigh) was a late withdrawal from the squad. Gael Clichy (back), Abou Diaby (calf) and Nicklas Bendtner (groin) missed the win and are all doubts for next weekend's game with Liverpool while Johan Djourou (knee), Kieran Gibbs (foot) and Robin van Persie (ankle) are long-term absentees.

Tough World Cup draw for African challengers

A heavy dose of reality crashed down upon African hopes of a maiden Fifa World Cup title after Friday's draw pitched the continent's most-fancied teams in challenging groups.

In the build-up to the Cape Town draw, where locals flooded the city centre for the most colourful of street parties, most of the talk centred upon Ghana and Ivory Coast spearheading Africa's unlikely quest.

But now the tables have turned after the Black Stars landed in among Germany, Australia and Serbia (Group D) while the Ivorians face Brazil, Portugal and North Korea (Group G).

Steve Davis: U.S. lucks into an ideal draw for 2010

A seismic shift in attitude toward next summer's World Cup is utterly palpable among U.S. soccer supporters.

As the day began, U.S. fans had reason to expect the worst. A history of nasty draws and a recent crop of up-and-down performances had churned up a certain bitter cynicism.

By the end of Friday's prolonged-but-stirring proceedings from South Africa, "overwhelming joy" had routed "dread" as the prevailing sentiment among U.S. supporters, who now have every reason to believe their side can slip into the second round next summer.

Arsene Wenger interview: the full transcript of Matthew Syed's interview

The Arsenal manager gave an in-depth interview to the Sports Journalist of the Year and Martin Samuel, of The Daily Mail, at Great Ormond Street Hospital this week.

Here's their fascinating discussion in full.

The Mill +

Monday's Rumours



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Tony Pulis and James Beattie come to blows after Emirates dressing room row

The alleged argument is believed to have started after Pulis ordered the players to report for training today, prompting Beattie to object after it had previously been agreed that the first team would not be required to come in until Tuesday because they were due to go out in London last night for their Christmas party.

Calcio Debate: Mario Balotelli Should Leave Serie A

Let’s make something very clear right from the start of this editorial – Juventus fans who jeer Mario Balotelli are not racist. And nor are the large majority of supporters throughout Italy who abuse the 19-year-old.

The foreign media, and particularly England’s notorious SKY Sports, have been quick to pick up on this ongoing drama and I don’t need to tell you how they have presented it. The simple truth, though, is that Balotelli is targeted because of his repulsive attitude problem.

Italy: Serie A Weekend Reports, Review & Team of the Week

Juventus 2 - 1 Inter Milan
A second half Claudio Marchisio wonder goal proved the difference in a hotly contested encounter at the Stadio Olimpico.

AC Milan 3 - 0 Sampdoria
Rampant rossoneri crush sorry Samp

Sunday
Roma got the better of local rivals Lazio, Fiorentina closed on the UEFA Champions League places as Siena secured victory over fellow Serie A strugglers Catania.

Team of the Week

Spain: La Liga Weekend Reviews

Saturday
Zlatan Ibrahimovic continued to impress in Barcelona colours as he took his Primera Liga goal tally into double figures during the 3-1 dismissal of Deportivo, while Cristiano Ronaldo saw red as Real Madrid also won.

Sunday
Valencia moved up to third in La Liga after a battling win at Athletic Bilbao, while nine-man Villarreal overcame Getafe at home.

England: Premier League Weekend Review

Arsenal returned to winning ways, Tottenham Hotspur threw away a two-goal lead, Portsmouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers claimed invaluable victories and Liverpool stuttered once more.

Review

England: Premier League Special Reports

Manchester City 2 - 1 Chelsea
Richard Jolly: City set a marker for success
Paul Wilson: Ancelotti's masterplan falls short

Everton 2 - 2 Tottenham
Harry Harris: Tottenham stars on trial
Andy Hunter: Howard the Hero

Fulham 1 - 0 Sunderland
Dominic Fiefield: Zamora silences critics

2010 FIFA World Cup Groups

A1 SOUTH AFRICA
A2 MEXICO
A3 URUGUAY
A4 FRANCE

B1 ARGENTINA
B2 NIGERIA
B3 NORTH KOREA
B4 GREECE

C1 ENGLAND
C2 USA
C3 ALGERIA
C4 SLOVENIA

D1 GERMANY
D2 AUSTRALIA
D3 SERBIA
D4 GHANA

E1 NETHERLANDS
E2 DENMARK
E3 JAPAN
E4 CAMEROON

F1 ITALY
F2 PARAGUAY
F3 NEW ZEALAND
F4 SLOVAKIA

G1 BRAZIL
G2 NORTH KOREA
G3 IVORY COAST
G4 PORTUGAL

H1 SPAIN
H2 SWITZLERLAND
H3 HONDURAS
H4 CHILE

SCHEDULE

From the BBC

Uh-oh, it all kicked off in Cape Town earlier. US bid leaders reacted with fury after Luis Figo's arrival interrupted their video presentation of the their campaign for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. The arrival of Figo, bid ambassador for the rival Spain/Portugal bid, led to a rush of reporters and photographers leaving the USA's video right in the middle of the presentation. "It was totally ruined," said Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.

2010 FIFA World Cup: THE DRAW

Noon EST on ESPN2 & ESPN 360

Over 200 million viewers in countries all around the globe are expected to watch the 90-minute draw - one of the biggest global media events - as it is broadcast from Cape Town's International Convention Centre, a veritable haven of activity as the excitement mounts.

The Pots
The Wall Street Journal
All eyes on the host nation

I'll be twatting some twitts during the draw if you want to follow along.
This is me: sanfordssoccer

Bomb scares disrupt World Cup draw preparations

Preparations for today's World Cup finals draw in Cape Town have been disrupted by two separate bomb scares, with South African police making two arrests.

The Mill +

Friday's Rumours


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UEFA Europa League: Thursday Wrap

Zoltan Gera scored an early close-range header to keep Fulham in the hunt for qualification from Group E after a hard-fought and crucial 1-0 win over CSKA Sofia in London.

Wrap

Carlisle: U.S. team hopes for favorable draw

So after Friday's World Cup draw in Cape Town, will the U.S. find itself in the Group of Death or the Group of Death by 1,000 Cuts? Or will manager Bob Bradley find his team facing the kind of cushy trio that will draw envious glances from his international coaching colleagues?

The best-case scenario: South Africa, Slovenia and Uruguay

The middle-of-the-road scenario: England, Denmark, Nigeria

The nightmare scenario: Brazil, Netherlands, Ivory Coast

World Cup 2010: Italy Fight USA Over World Cup Base

Italy are facing a squabble with USA over their hotel and training camp bases for the World Cup next summer.

Germany: Bundesliga Weekend Preview

Hamburg v Hoffenheim and Koeln v Bremen are among this week's matches to watch.

Saturday
Borussia Dortmund – Nuernberg
Hamburg - Hoffenheim
Hannover – Bayer Leverkusen
Stuttgart – Bochum
Wolfsburg – Freiburg
Eintracht Frankfurt – Mainz

Sunday
Koeln – Werder Bremen
Schalke – Hertha Berlin

Preview

Italy: Serie A Weekend Previews

Inter Milan travel to Turin to face Juventus and Rome gets all nutty as Lazio and Roma clash.

Preview



Juve were forced to play a game behind closed doors after fans chanted "a black Italian does not exist" at Palermo-born Balotelli in the corresponding fixture last season.

Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview

Real Madrid host Almeria while Pep Guardiola's Barcelona face a tough game away to fifth-placed Deportivo la Coruna.

Third-placed Sevilla are at home to Real Valladolid on Saturday while fourth-placed Valencia will need to be at their best to take all three points from Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Sunday.

Atletico Madrid dragged themselves out of the relegation places with only their second win of the season last weekend and have a good chance to climb further away from trouble at Xerez on Saturday.

Preview

England: Premier League Previews & Predictions

Manchester City will aim to derail the Chelsea juggernaut when the two mega-rich sides do battle at Eastlands in the Premier League on Saturday. Elsewhere, Arsenal will look to end a miserable week on a high note, second-placed Manchester United visit lowly West Ham United, bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth host troubled travellers Burnley, Liverpool take on North West neighbours Blackburn while out-of-form Everton lock horns with high-flying Tottenham Hotspur.

Preview II

Lawro's Predictions

Real Madrid give new meaning to 'sexy football' by launching lingerie range

Barcelona may reign in Spain when it comes to the Beautiful Game on the pitch. But rivals Real Madrid have taken the battle to a different front by designing a sexy range of underwear. No longer will fans have to be content with a replica jersey, scarf, mug or key-ring, supporters will soon be able to buy boxer shorts, slips, bras and knickers.

The Mill +

I think I've avoided it as long as possible. With the transfer window set to open in less than a month, I suppose it's high time to bring back The Mill and dive into another several weeks of the ridiculous and absurd and possibly true world of transfer gossip. Enjoy. -Sanford


The Mill


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Kevin McCarra: Fabio Capello will want to avoid an early World Cup meeting with Portugal

Fabio Capello will want to avoid an early World Cup meeting with Portugal.

Nick Bidwell: Ice-man Wenger losing his cool

A furious demon has occasionally stood in for the normally unruffled and articulate Wenger when he has been on the end of painful defeats down the years, but the mood he has exuded when carrying out his media duties at Arsenal's London Colney training base over the past week has been especially dark.

Spain: La Liga Wednesday Report + Table

Xerez 0 - 2 Barcelona
One match in La Liga yesterday and it was bottom vs. top

CLUB	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
Barcelona	13	10	3	0	24	33
Real Madrid	12	9	1	2	18	28
Sevilla FC	12	8	2	2	13	26
Valencia	12	7	4	1	11	25
Deportivo La Coruña	12	8	1	3	5	25
Mallorca	12	6	3	3	7	21
Sporting Gijon	12	5	5	2	3	20
Athletic Bilbao	12	6	2	4	1	20
Getafe	12	6	0	6	2	18
Osasuna	12	4	3	5	-2	15
Espanyol	12	3	4	5	-8	13
Villarreal	12	3	3	6	1	12
Almeria	12	3	3	6	-7	12
Real Zaragoza	12	3	3	6	-8	12
Valladolid	12	2	5	5	-5	11
Tenerife	12	3	2	7	-13	11
Atlético Madrid	12	2	4	6	-7	10
Málaga	12	1	4	7	-5	7
Racing Santander	12	1	4	7	-11	7
Xerez	13	1	4	8	-19	7

UEFA Europa League: Wednesday Round-Up

ExtraFootie's Dave Segar rounds-up all the action from Wednesday evening's Europa League action as Everton book their place in the knockout stage, Celtic bow out with a win and Steve McClaren suffers a rare defeat.

Spanish Inquisition: What We Can Expect From Real Madrid After El Clasico

After a hard fight against the Catalans, Goal.com's Cyrus C. Malek assesses Real Madrid and forecasts what may be in store for Los Blancos...

Neighbours Uncover Inter Striker Mario Balotelli's Kind Qualities

While most of his team-mates drive Ferraris, Lamborghinis and high-powered vehicles, Balotelli prefers to use public transport and was recently spotted waiting for a tram to go into town.




Eto'o gets in Balotelli's way...

England: Wednesday's Carling Cup Reports + Analysis

Manchester City 3 - 0 Arsenal
Talent and experience tell for City
Jolly: Desire for glory sees City progress
Hughes: Wenger a sore loser


Blackburn 3 - 3 Chelsea (4-3 penalties)
Robinson's shoot-out heroics send Chelsea packing



Semi-final Draw:
Manchester City vs. Manchester United
Blackburn vs. Aston Villa

Thierry Henry faces World Cup ban as Fifa investigates that handball

Thierry Henry could miss the start of next year's World Cup after it was confirmed today that Fifa's disciplinary committee is to investigate his now infamous handball against the Republic of Ireland.

Freddie Ljungberg Column: Assessing the World Cup Contenders

Every player wants to experience the special feeling of playing in the World Cup. It's an amazing feeling to represent your country, and the tournament has so much history.

On Dec. 4, the group stage draw for the 2010 World Cup (Noon, ET, ESPN2) will be made, and it will begin an incredible time for the players involved.

While I was with Arsenal, I remember a couple of times that we sat at dinner preparing for a game while the draw was going on. We had 14 or 15 players preparing for the World Cup so there was always banter back and forth.

It's very important whom you meet in the first round when you qualify, and what scenarios could unfold if you progress. If a nation catches a great draw, it can have a little bit of an easier road to the final. However, either way, you're going to get some stick from your club teammates!

Here is a quick look at the 32 qualifiers for the 2010 South Africa World Cup and my thoughts on their prospects:

England: Wednesday's Carling Cup Previews

Manchester City vs. Arsenal
At least it can't end in a draw



Blackburn vs. Chelsea
Chelsea's quadruple chase continues apace

Q. & A. on Match Fixing With Declan Hill, Author of ‘The Fix’

It wasn’t until after Declan Hill published “The Fix: Soccer and Organized Crime” in September 2008 that European soccer authorities were ready to confront head-on the scourge of match fixing.

Quotes & Chants of the Week

"I remember Elton John used to be their owner and he is my favourite singer! I hope the match will be an opportunity to meet Elton John!"
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is ready for a love-in after seeing his side draw Watford in the FA Cup.

"There is no hope of me playing against Mainz. I will not return as only half
a player; not as only Ze without the Roberto."
Hamburg's Brazilian winger Ze Roberto is not doing thing by halves following his ankle injury.

"The replay, I'll do it when you want on a PlayStation."
Patrice Evra tries to be helpful as the Republic of Ireland-France saga goes into extra-time.

"It was disappointing but we just didn't do enough in the last third. Usually we would expect to score a goal in something like the 96th or 97th minute, and we didn't do that."
Gary Neville has got so used to officials giving United as much time as they need to equalise, he has lost touch with reality!

"Liverpool have got great experience in this fixture."
Comment by Alan Smith on Sky Sports' coverage of the Merseyside derby. Surely Everton have just as much experience in that particular fixture?

"Domenech is the worst coach France have had since Louis XVI."
Eric Cantona on French TV.

"Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry..."
Hull City fans to Man City keeper Shay Given as Jimmy Bullard prepared to take a penalty.

The Rest

England: Tuesday's Carling Cup Reports

Portsmouth 2 - 4 Aston Villa
Stewart Downing off the mark as Aston Villa see off late Portsmouth surge.



Manchester United 2 - 0 Tottenham
Darron Gibson scores twice as Manchester United sink Spurs

2010 World Cup: England seeded as France miss out

England have been seeded for the World Cup finals along with South Africa, Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany and Argentina, FIFA announced at a press conference in Cape Town.

FIFA chose to base the seedings upon their October 2009 FIFA world rankings. That France have been placed into the general pot of European teams may be seen as punishment for their controversial win over Ireland in the World Cup play-offs.

Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger in Germany

The life and times of Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness.

Sid Lowe in Spain

The first clásico to be shown on the silver screen lived up to its billing, but Madrid were made to pay for some poor finishing.

Cristiano Ronaldo fluffs lines as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scripts perfect ending.

Lionel Messi of Barcelona wins the Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi, the Argentina forward, has won the Ballon d'Or awarded to the European Footballer of the Year, becoming the sixth Barcelona player to take the award and the first since Brazilian Ronaldinho in 2005.

More on Arsenal's Demise

Matt Hughes:
The telltale sign of Arsenal’s faltering progress in recent years is that their end-of-season inquests have arrived earlier and earlier.



Kevin McCarra:
Wenger needs taller, stronger players. Not small-mindedness.

The Joy of Six: Great Goals From the Past Decade

From Leo Messi to Wayne Rooney, via a ridiculous rabona, The Guardian selects some of the most sublime strikes from the past 10 years.

Man arrested on suspicion of racially abusing Darren Bent's mother

Bent's mother was allegedly picked on by a Sunderland fan in a pub following the side's 1-0 defeat at Wigan on Saturday.

Italy: Serie A Worst Team Of The Week

Goal.com looks at those who performed poorly in the fourteenth round of action.

Andujar

Comotto – Cannavaro – Rossi – Molinaro

Poli – Liverani – Seedorf

Diego

Miccoli - Zalayeta

Barcelona Fans Shine Illegal Lasers At Real Madrid Players

After reviewing footage of the laser beams, Spain's officiating body La Liga decided not to pursue any legal action against Barcelona. The only way Barcelona can be sanctioned is if Real Madrid submit a formal complaint to La Liga, but this is unlikely.

Americans in the UK: Dempsey Double for Fulham

The winger now has six goals this campaign, five coming in Premier League action from October 25-Novermber 25. His sparkling run has helped Fulham remain in the top 10 of the EPL.

The Rest

Tom Vickery in South America

In the build up to the draw for the first World Cup to be held in Africa, you can guarantee that one piece of information will be cited time and time again - that no European nation has ever won the tournament outside its home continent.

It's one way of looking at it - a Eurocentric way. The statement means just as much, if not more, if it's flipped around. Only South America has won the World Cup away from home.

Raphael Honigstein in Germany

After being elected to replace Franz Beckenbauer as president, Uli Hoeneß will retain the heart and soul of Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich's new president will ensure the club continue as FC Uli Hoeneß.

Paolo Bandini in Italy

Milan's summer signing finally got off the mark against Catania but he has a long way to go to silence the critics.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar begins to repay Milan with timely double.

Phil Ball in Spain

Many duels between these two sides have been characterised by the obvious desire not to lose, but here, at this stage of the season, Real Madrid particularly sensed that a win could suddenly begin to tip the scales, and played accordingly.