2010 FIFA World Cup

On 16 June 2010, during Uruguay’s second group game in the 2010 FIFA World Cup against South Africa, Forlán opened the scoring with a long range effort. Later on in the game Forlán scored from the penalty spot for his second and also had a hand in Uruguay’s third, ending in a 3-0 win over the host nation.On 2 July 2010, Forlán scored a free kick against Ghana to equalise during the quarter-finals. The game ended 1-1 and Uruguay advanced through to the semi-finals after defeating Ghana 4-2 in the penalty shootout.On 6 July 2010, Forlán scored another long range goal, this time with his left foot to equalise against the Netherlands in the semi-final. Despite a half-time score at 1-1, Uruguay eventually lost 3-2 as the Dutch advanced to the final.Forlán became the first player since Lothar Matthäus in 1990 to score three goals outside the penalty area in one tournament.On 10 July 2010, Forlán scored for the final time in the tournament as he netted a well executed volley from the edge of the area to give Uruguay the lead. Forlán would then hit the crossbar with the final kick of the game from a free-kick as they lost to Germany 3-2 in the third place play-off.On 11 July 2010, shortly after the conclusion of the final, Forlán was named as the recipient of the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.

Honours

Club

Manchester United

* Premier League (1): 2002–03
* FA Cup (1): 2003–04
* FA Community Shield (1): 2003

Villarreal

* UEFA Intertoto Cup (1): 2004

Atlético Madrid

* UEFA Europa League (1): 2009–10

Individual

* European Golden Shoe (2): 2004–05*, 2008–09
* Pichichi Trophy (2): 2004–05, 2008–09
* FIFA World Cup Golden Ball (1): 2010

“There is no better role model for our youths, given his talent and personal qualities. Thank you Iniesta for remembering Dani yesterday during an unforgettable day for Spain.”

Zapatero was referring there to the incident immediately after Iniesta scored his extra-time goal, when the 26-year-old took off his blue Spain jersey to reveal a white T-shirt bearing the message: “Dani Jarque: always with us”.

Jarque collapsed and died at the age of 26 in August 2009 following a training session in Coverciano, Italy while his Espanyol squad were on a pre-season camp just one month after being named captain of the team.

Iniesta, who was Jarque’s teammate on Spain’s under-17, under-19, under-20 and under-21 teams, was given a yellow card for removing his jersey during the match.

He gave the prime minister a red Spanish team jersey which was signed by the entire squad.

“Yes, I know he did not score the goal,” he joked just before giving Zapatero the jersey.

“I want to talk for a bit. Thank you for the welcome, I am very proud to be a part of this team and this little trophy is for everyone,” he added.

Source: thedailystar.net

“He is well, better than I thought he would be. The game against Germany was strange, I thought he would have been in a worse condition.

“I have not seen him as giving up. He is just angry and sad, but he is reflecting.”

Maradona was linked with a return to Napoli as coach after he hinted his time was up with the Albiceleste. The Vesuviani distanced themselves from reports, confirming Mazzarri.

But the current boss is enthusiastic about seeing Maradona at the club as he invites him for a friendly visit.

“I am proud that my bench has been linked with a world champion like Maradona,” Mazzarri told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Maybe he can come here for a training stage, I would welcome him with my arms open.”?

Iniesta burst on to the international scene in 2001, helping Spain win the UEFA European Under-16 Championship, and was in the squad that claimed the UEFA European Under-19 Championship the following year. Since then, he became a regular choice for the then youth coach Juan Santisteban. In 2003 he formed part of the Spanish side that reached the FIFA World Youth Championship final in the United Arab Emirates, and was named in the FIFA all-star team. During his spell with the Spain U21s side, Iniesta was named captain on several occasions.

Originally a fringe player, he was called up to represent Spain at the World Cup 2006 on 15 May 2006, much to the surprise of many. Iniesta won his first cap for Spain when he was brought on at half-time in a friendly against Russia on 27 May 2006.

He scored his first goal for Spain in a friendly against England on 7 February 2007. His long range effort, hitting the underside of the crossbar on the way in, gave Spain the lead on 63 minutes. Iniesta proceeded to play a pivotal part in Spain’s qualification for Euro 2008 by scoring goals against the likes of Sweden and by assisting the strikers. Iniesta usually played in the middle of the pitch, but he was also trusted with roles further up the pitch when Spain was away from home, most notably in the game against Denmark where he was given an advanced left wing position.

Iniesta was selected in Spain’s squad for UEFA Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. Though a stomach virus somewhat hampered his performances, he still played an integral part in the midfield. He played in the first two of Spain’s group stage matches and proved an important part of the team providing a particularly notable pass for David Villa’s second goal against Russia. He was not rested, unlike most of Spain’s regulars, for the final group game against Greece (which Spain won 2-1 thanks to a fantastic volley from Rubén de la Red and a late winner from Daniel Güiza), and returned for the quarter final as Spain beat Italy on Penalties. Iniesta was substituted before the penalties as in his other starts. In the semi-final against Russia he played the entire 90 minutes and produced a quality cross which Xavi converted to open the scoring. The Technical Study Group named him the Man of the Match.He played the full duration of the final in Spain’s 1–0 win over Germany. Iniesta was named in the Team of the Tournament alongside fellow Spain midfielders Xavi, Cesc Fàbregas and Marcos Senna and 5 other teammates.

Iniesta did not participate in the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa due to a thigh muscle injury.

He was called for the 2010 World Cup, and scored the second goal in a 2-1 win against Chile. He was also named man of the match.For his excellent performances in helping Spain reach the final of the tournament, Iniesta was shortlisted for the Golden Ball award.He scored the winning goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final against Netherlands in the 116th minute,removing his jersey during his celebration to reveal an inscription on his undershirt reading “Dani Jarque – Siempre con nosotros”, which translates to “Dani Jarque is always with us,” in tribute to former Spain youth teammate and RCD Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque, who passed away in 2009.He was also named the man of the match.

Müller plays as a midfielder or forward, and has been deployed in a variety of attacking roles – as an attacking midfielder, second striker, or on either wing. He has been praised for his pace, technique and composure,and has shown consistency in both scoring and creating goals.A product of Bayern’s youth system, he made his first-team breakthrough under new Bayern manager Louis van Gaal during the 2009–10 season, playing almost every game as the club won the league and cup double,and reached the Champions League final.This earned him an international call-up,and at the end of the season he was named in Germany’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup,where he scored five goals in six appearances as the team finished in third place.

He was named as the Best Young Player of the tournament and with five goals and three assists, won the Golden Boot.

2010 World Cup :

On 6 May, Müller was named in Germany’s provisional 27-man squad for the 2010 World Cup, along with seven other Bayern Munich players.[49] Despite suffering a scare when he fell off his bicycle at the team’s training camp in South Tirol,Müller only suffered superficial injuries, and made the final cut for the tournament when the squad was reduced to 23 players on 1 June.He was allocated the number 13,normally worn by injured captain Michael Ballack,and previously worn by Müller’s namesake Gerd.He earned his second international cap in the final warm-up match before the World Cup, coming on as a half-time substitute for Piotr Trochowski in a 3–1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.He started the first game of Germany’s World Cup campaign, a 4–0 win over Australia and scored his first international goal, the third of the game.He played in all Germany’s group games, as they finished top of Group D, and he scored twice and assisted once in the 4–1 victory over England in the round of 16.This made him the youngest player since Pelé to score multiple goals in a knockout round, and the youngest German since Franz Beckenbauer to do so in any game.He scored his fourth goal of the tournament in the quarter final against Argentina, opening the scoring in the third minute as Germany won 4–0.However,having picked up his second booking of the tournament in the second half,he missed the semi-final defeat against Spain. He returned to the team for the third-place playoff against Uruguay, scoring the first goal – his fifth of the tournament – as Germany won 3–2 to take the bronze medals.With five goals he ended as joint top goalscorer of the tournament, and his three assists meant that he won the Golden Boot.He has also won the Best Young Player Award, ahead of fellow nominees André Ayew of Ghana and Giovani dos Santos of Mexico.In both cases he succeeded a German team-mate, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski having won the respective awards in 2006.

Honours

Bayern Munich

* Bundesliga champion: 2010
* DFB-Pokal winner : 2010
* UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2010

Germany

* FIFA World Cup third place: 2010

Individual

* FIFA World Cup Golden Boot: 2010
* FIFA World Cup Best Young Player: 2010

The team were to meet Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero before taking an open top bus through the capital in a moment of pure joy for a country hit by spiralling unemployment and a stuttering economy.The party had begun immediately after Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta scored the final’s only goal late on Sunday, three minutes before the end of extra time after a match watched by an estimated 700 million people worldwide.

“Iniesta Presidente! Iniesta Presidente!” chanted one group of fans as they marched along the centre of the Gran Via, Madrid’s main thoroughfare in the early hours.

Others imitated bullfighters and waved Spanish flags over passing cars while chanting “Ole!” to celebrate Spain’s first win World Cup triumph, garnering record Spanish viewing figures.

Zapatero said he had “suffered like never before” as he watched the game in Johannesburg’s Soccer City staudium.

The victory came exactly a week after Spain’s Rafael Nadal lifted the Wimbledon tennis trophy and caps a series of major sporting achievements, including a European title for the nation’s basketball team.

The victories have brought a sliver of happiness to a country where around 20 percent of the active population is jobless and the economy is forecast to contract by 0.3 percent over 2010 as a whole.

While Zapatero’s Socialist administration is keeping its fingers crossed that the feel-good factor will linger, the South African government is also hoping the tournament will bring long-term benefits.

Meanwhile, the Dutch won over few neutrals on Sunday with their sometimes brutal approach towards their opponents. Centreback Johnny Heitinga was sent off and seven other players booked by English referee Howard Webb.

The team however will be given a warm welcome on their return home with a parade along the canals of Amsterdam planned for Tuesday and a reception with Queen Beatrix.

“We have to be very proud of the team. They had us in raptures for a month,” Crown Prince Willem-Alexander told Dutch television.

“They will get the tribute next Tuesday that they deserve (in Amsterdam), and we will all see that it is also quite special to have come second here in South Africa.”

The end of the tournament was marred meanwhile by bomb attacks on crowds watching the World Cup final at two restaurants in the Ugandan capital Kampala which killed 74 people.

Source: thedailystar.net

Forlan was, however, pipped to the post when it came to the Golden Boot, with Thomas Mueller’s five goals and three assists for Germany edging him ahead of Silver Boot winner Villa and Holland playmaker Sneijder who picked up the bronze award.

Mueller also claimed the Best Young Player gong for his impressive performances in South Africa, beating both Ghana’s Andre Ayew and Mexico’s Giovanni Dos Santos to claim the prize.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who made a string of impressive saves in Spain’s final triumph over the Netherlands, claimed the Golden Glove while Vicente del Bosque’s side were also recognised with the Fair Play Award.

Source : GOAL.com

The tentacled telepathist’s tally of eight correct results brings the octopuses record to 12 correct results from 14 selections.

Source : Goal.com

But the ultimate outcome of a contest both sides might easily have won inside 90 minutes will trigger few complaints from neutrals.Over the two hours, the European champions enjoyed the better of the chances while the Dutch had defender John Heitinga sent off and seven other players booked, most of them for challenges that appeared cynically designed to disturb the rhythm of Spain’s passing game.

“It’s incredible,” said Iniesta. “What a joy especially when you see how we won it.

“There aren’t the words to describe what I am feeling. After my goal, I thought about my family and all the people who I love. But the victory is the fruit of a lot of work.”

Nelson Mandela’s beaming pre-match appearance ensured the only glum face at Soccer City before kickoff belonged to Fernando Torres, consigned to the bench until the second period of extra-time as Spain opted to keep David Villa in the central striking role.

Torres’ evening was to finish on a much happier note however with his cross causing the disruption in the Dutch defence that granted Iniesta his chance.

Villa had contributed five of the seven goals his side had scored en route to the final, but it was Sergio Ramos who looked most likely to give Spain an early lead.

The defender’s header from Xavi’s fifth-minute freekick drew a fine save from Stekelenburg and his menacing drive across the goalmouth was deflected over the bar by Heitinga without the Dutch centreback knowing too much abut it.

In between those two efforts, Dirk Kuyt had a 25-yard drive saved by Iker Casillas. But, with Villa soon finding the side netting with a back-post volley, Spain appeared well set for a rewarding evening.

Their rhythm, though, was disrupted as the match took a niggly turn after quarter of an hour, shattering any hopes Webb may have had of a quiet evening.

The English official was obliged to book Robin van Persie, Carles Puyol, Mark van Bommel and Ramos in quick succession and the fifth yellow card might easily have been a straight red after Nigel de Jong’s reckless high challenge resulted in him planting his studs into Xabi Alonso’s chest.

Arjen Robben forced Casillas into his first significant save when he forced the Real Madrid goalkeeper to get down smartly at his near post as the Dutch finished the opening period strongly.

The Spanish reasserted themselves after the interval and left-back Joan Capdevila squandered a good chance to put them ahead when, from an unmarked position at the back post, he failed to connect with Puyol’s flick-on of a Xavi corner.

Xavi shaved the post with a freekick but it was Holland who enjoyed the clearest chance of the second half when Wesley Sneijder’s pass split the Spanish centrebacks and sent Robben into a one-one-one with Casillas.

The Spanish goalkeeper opted to dive the wrong way but Robben’s shot caught his trailing boot just firmly enough to be diverted beyond the post.

Substitute Jesus Navas delivered Spain’s response to that let-off, drilling in a low cross that, after Heitinga had slipped, reached Villa at the back post. The Barcelona-bound striker got his shot away but Heitinga somehow managed to pick himself up and, with a full-stretch lunge, deflect the ball over.

Ramos, too, was profligate, heading another Xavi corner over after timing his run to the edge of the six-yard box to perfection.

Spain were on top once more but the Dutch might have settled the contest ten minutes from the end of regulation time, when Robben got goal-side of Puyol and appeared to be illegally knocked off balance by the defender.

Cesc Fabregas, introduced for extra-time, was sent clear by Iniesta but struck his shot against Stekelenburg’s legs. Navas also went close with a drive that slipped inches wide after a deflection off van Bronckhorst.

The red card that had looked inevitable all evening was finally issued at the start of the second period of extra-time, when Heitinga left Webb with no choice but to give him a second booking for pulling back Iniesta as he chased a pass from Xavi that would have sent him clear in the box.

The Spanish were unable to exploit the resulting freekick but Iniesta, finally, ensured they got what they deserved.

Source: thedailystar.net

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 two-year-old celebrity octopus’s picks. Networks in Spain, the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe also broadcast Paul’s decision live.

But after Paul accurately picked Spain to beat Germany in the semifinal, 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 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,” 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.”

Source :thedailystar.net