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Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sports. Show all posts
Monday, January 10, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
EPL west ham united vs chelsea 1-3
west ham united vs chelsea 1-3
everton vs manchester united 3-3
arsenal vs bolton 4-1
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
final world cup 2010 ...spain vs holland 1-0
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Spain stunned the Netherlands to win their first World Cup on Sunday in sensational fashion with a goal in the last minutes of extra time.With the scoreless match inching toward a penalty shootout, and the Netherlands down to 10 men, Andres Iniesta collected a pass from Cesc Fabregas to fire home from close range and break Dutch hearts four minutes from the final whistle.It was the first time the European champions had reached a World Cup final and a bitter disappointment for the Netherlands who finished runners-up for the third time after previously losing the 1974 and 1978 finals.
It was also the first triumph by a European side outside their continent.
The result caused agony in the Netherlands and ecstasy in Madrid where fans shed tears of joy and fireworks went off all over the city. More than 10O,000 people had gathered to watch on giant screens and many went hoarse with screams of joy.
In contrast, Dutch cities became deadly silent as their dream of finally winning the trophy evaporated. Some 180,000 fans trudged away quietly from Amsterdam’s museum square.
The game was far from the classic final to Africa’s first World Cup that many had hoped for from the two most impressive teams in the tournament.
Spain looked dominant for long passages but a ferociously physical Netherlands broke up their rhythm and their renowned precision passing in midfield, often reducing the game to a sterile stalemate.
BRUISING ENCOUNTER
In a bruising encounter in the huge Soccer City stadium, referee Howard Webb showed 13 yellow cards—a record for the final—and sent off Dutch defender John Heitinga in extra time.
Despite the disappointing quality of the match, it was a triumphant end to a highly successful tournament for South Africa who confounded years of pessimistic predictions that it would be ruined by violent crime and chaos.
To cap their pride, Nelson Mandela, much loved father of post-apartheid South Africa, briefly toured the pitch waving to the 85,000-strong crowd just before the match began.
Mandela, 91, who is in frail health, was driven around in a golf cart surrounded by bodyguards and greeted by an adoring crowd chanting his clan name Madiba.
The former president, who led South Africa out of apartheid in 1994, was unable to attend the opening ceremony because of the death of his great grand-daughter in a car accident the night before.
Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque told television: “It was a very difficult match. We have fantastic players. We could have scored another goal or two. But I think the result was deserved. It’s a very happy day for me.”
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said the better team had won in the end: “It is very sad. These three or four final minutes and then you lose. I really had thought even with 10 we would be able to do the penalty shoot out.
“It is bitter but that is sport. It is harsh.”
Both sides missed good goalscoring opportunities, most notably Dutch winger Arjen Robben who was twice denied by brilliant saves from Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
FIFA said a worldwide television audience of more than 700 million had been expected to watch the final.
The victory will raise spirits in Spain which is torn by bitter political infighting over how to address Europe’s highest unemployment and crippling debt.
Despite being the first host nation knocked out at the group stage, South Africans have remained enthusiastic spectators, helping this tournament to be the third best attended, with three million seats sold, behind the United States in 1994 and Germany in 2006. President Jacob Zuma dubbed them true champions.
Chief local organizer Danny Jordaan said the tournament had brought the races together and enabled South Africans to walk tall after being told for years they were inferior.
But African joy at a tournament credited with rebranding both South Africa and the continent was blighted by two bomb blasts in the Ugandan capital Kampala that killed at least 23 people watching the final in bars, police said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was surprisingly awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the 2010 World Cup.
Atletico Madrid striker Forlan grabbed five goals at the tournament as his country finished in fourth place after losing Saturday's third-place play-off to Germany.
The former Manchester United player polled 23.4 percent of the votes awarded by media covering the tournament with Wesley Sneijder, of runners-up Holland, on 21.8 percent, and David Villa, of newly-crowned champions Spain, taking 16.9 percent.
"This is award which I won thanks to my teammates," wrote Forlan on his Twitter account, a post accompanied by a photograph where the striker is standing with other players.
"It was taken before they threw me in the swimming pool," he explained.
Uruguay's performance at the World Cup was the country's best in 40 years.
Forlan succeeds Zinedine Zidane who was named top player of the 2006 World Cup despite his infamous red card in the final defeat to Italy.
Forlan's victory was a surprise as five players who featured in Sunday's final (Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta of Spain and Holland's Arjen Robben and Sneijder) all figured in the list of 10 nominees.
The 31-year-old Forlan also won the Europa League last season with Atletico Madrid.
Thomas Mueller was given two reasons to celebrate after the German starlet was named Young Player of the World Cup and picked up the Golden Boot for the tournament's top scorer.
The 20-year-old Bayern Munich forward finished the tournament with five goals, the same number as Forlan, Sneijder and Villa.
He was awarded the Golden Boot because he had supplied three assists, which was more than any of his rivals.
Mueller was elected the tournament's outstanding young player by FIFA's Technical Study Group, beating off competition from Ghana winger Andre Ayew and Mexican forward Giovanni dos Santos.
Spain's Iker Casillas was voted the best goalkeeper after his side won the trophy by beating Holland 1-0 in the final.
Casillas, who twice crucially denied Robben with the score at 0-0, gets FIFA's Golden Glove award after conceding just two goals in seven matches.
Capping a fine night for Spain was the award for fair play for having the best disciplinary record.
It was also the first triumph by a European side outside their continent.
The result caused agony in the Netherlands and ecstasy in Madrid where fans shed tears of joy and fireworks went off all over the city. More than 10O,000 people had gathered to watch on giant screens and many went hoarse with screams of joy.
In contrast, Dutch cities became deadly silent as their dream of finally winning the trophy evaporated. Some 180,000 fans trudged away quietly from Amsterdam’s museum square.
The game was far from the classic final to Africa’s first World Cup that many had hoped for from the two most impressive teams in the tournament.
Spain looked dominant for long passages but a ferociously physical Netherlands broke up their rhythm and their renowned precision passing in midfield, often reducing the game to a sterile stalemate.
BRUISING ENCOUNTER
In a bruising encounter in the huge Soccer City stadium, referee Howard Webb showed 13 yellow cards—a record for the final—and sent off Dutch defender John Heitinga in extra time.
Despite the disappointing quality of the match, it was a triumphant end to a highly successful tournament for South Africa who confounded years of pessimistic predictions that it would be ruined by violent crime and chaos.
To cap their pride, Nelson Mandela, much loved father of post-apartheid South Africa, briefly toured the pitch waving to the 85,000-strong crowd just before the match began.
Mandela, 91, who is in frail health, was driven around in a golf cart surrounded by bodyguards and greeted by an adoring crowd chanting his clan name Madiba.
The former president, who led South Africa out of apartheid in 1994, was unable to attend the opening ceremony because of the death of his great grand-daughter in a car accident the night before.
Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque told television: “It was a very difficult match. We have fantastic players. We could have scored another goal or two. But I think the result was deserved. It’s a very happy day for me.”
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said the better team had won in the end: “It is very sad. These three or four final minutes and then you lose. I really had thought even with 10 we would be able to do the penalty shoot out.
“It is bitter but that is sport. It is harsh.”
Both sides missed good goalscoring opportunities, most notably Dutch winger Arjen Robben who was twice denied by brilliant saves from Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
FIFA said a worldwide television audience of more than 700 million had been expected to watch the final.
The victory will raise spirits in Spain which is torn by bitter political infighting over how to address Europe’s highest unemployment and crippling debt.
Despite being the first host nation knocked out at the group stage, South Africans have remained enthusiastic spectators, helping this tournament to be the third best attended, with three million seats sold, behind the United States in 1994 and Germany in 2006. President Jacob Zuma dubbed them true champions.
Chief local organizer Danny Jordaan said the tournament had brought the races together and enabled South Africans to walk tall after being told for years they were inferior.
But African joy at a tournament credited with rebranding both South Africa and the continent was blighted by two bomb blasts in the Ugandan capital Kampala that killed at least 23 people watching the final in bars, police said. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was surprisingly awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the 2010 World Cup.
Atletico Madrid striker Forlan grabbed five goals at the tournament as his country finished in fourth place after losing Saturday's third-place play-off to Germany.
The former Manchester United player polled 23.4 percent of the votes awarded by media covering the tournament with Wesley Sneijder, of runners-up Holland, on 21.8 percent, and David Villa, of newly-crowned champions Spain, taking 16.9 percent.
"This is award which I won thanks to my teammates," wrote Forlan on his Twitter account, a post accompanied by a photograph where the striker is standing with other players.
"It was taken before they threw me in the swimming pool," he explained.
Uruguay's performance at the World Cup was the country's best in 40 years.
Forlan succeeds Zinedine Zidane who was named top player of the 2006 World Cup despite his infamous red card in the final defeat to Italy.
Forlan's victory was a surprise as five players who featured in Sunday's final (Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta of Spain and Holland's Arjen Robben and Sneijder) all figured in the list of 10 nominees.
The 31-year-old Forlan also won the Europa League last season with Atletico Madrid.
Thomas Mueller was given two reasons to celebrate after the German starlet was named Young Player of the World Cup and picked up the Golden Boot for the tournament's top scorer.
The 20-year-old Bayern Munich forward finished the tournament with five goals, the same number as Forlan, Sneijder and Villa.
He was awarded the Golden Boot because he had supplied three assists, which was more than any of his rivals.
Mueller was elected the tournament's outstanding young player by FIFA's Technical Study Group, beating off competition from Ghana winger Andre Ayew and Mexican forward Giovanni dos Santos.
Spain's Iker Casillas was voted the best goalkeeper after his side won the trophy by beating Holland 1-0 in the final.
Casillas, who twice crucially denied Robben with the score at 0-0, gets FIFA's Golden Glove award after conceding just two goals in seven matches.
Capping a fine night for Spain was the award for fair play for having the best disciplinary record.
3rd place germany vs uruguay 3-2
South Africa (AP)—Germany took third place at the World Cup for the second tournament in a row Saturday with an exciting 3-2 victory over Uruguay.
Uruguay, driven by striker Diego Forlan, almost forced extra time. Forlan’s free kick crashed against the crossbar in injury time, the last kick of the match.
The match was heading for extra time at 2-2 when Sami Khedira scored a late header. The goal ended Uruguay’s hopes of beating Germany for the first time in 82 years, while the Germans finished in the top three for the 11th time.
“We had hoped for more, and we did everything for it,” Khedira said. “This was some kind of final and we did everything for it. We have a young team and … can reach higher.”
Forlan said after the game that Uruguay had surpassed expectations. “Obviously it’s spectacular to be among the top four,” he said. “If anyone had asked us at the beginning, we would’ve liked it. It’s positive.”
Germany coach Joachim Loew, his voice hoarse from flu, said that his team was going home “with a very good feeling.”
“We achieved more than we perhaps expected,” Loew said. “Immediately after this match there is no reason to be disappointed. After the match against Spain everyone was disappointed. But champions rise again.”
“We have every reason to be fully satisfied with our tournament. There is no room for disappointment.”
Uruguay had come from behind to lead 2-1 when Forlan volleyed in Egidio Arevalo’s 51st-minute cross for his fifth goal of the tournament. Germany defender Marcell Jansen leveled five minutes later with a header after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera misjudged a cross.
“I think the match was a real match. They staged a great show,” Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said.
Loew also thought both teams played with passion.
“It was obvious tonight both teams wanted to win and not go home empty handed. I have to congratulate the teams on the effort they made and particularly my team when they were trailing,” Loew said.
Man-of-the match Thomas Mueller, coming back from suspension in the semifinal, gave Germany the lead in the 18th minute, his fifth goal at the World Cup, sweeping the ball home after Bastian Schweinsteiger’s swerving shot had been blocked but not collected by Muslera, who was at fault in Germany’s first two goals.
Edinson Cavani equalized for Uruguay in the 28th when he slid a shot past goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt.
Uruguay has beaten Germany only once in 10 matches, in 1928. Germany beat Uruguay in the third-place match in 1970—the last time Uruguay reached the semifinals.
“I don’t think it’s too vain to think that if we improve a little we can aspire to certain prominence in future international tournaments,” Tabarez said.
Mueller and Forlan are now even at five goals with David Villa of Spain and Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands, both of whom can increase their total in Sunday’s final.
This match was very important for us. We made some mistakes and were about to lose it but we got it back. The team has proved we can play at the top level,” Mueller said.
Germany’s young team was missing five regulars through injury and illness, including striker Miroslav Klose. Klose, with a painful back, missed a chance to match or beat the World Cup scoring record of 15 goals, held by Brazil striker Ronaldo.
“Luckily, we won, because the disappointment over the semifinal was still there,” Schweinsteiger said. “We were behind and we rallied, that shows the character if this team. I am very proud of this team although I have tears in one eye because we did not reach the final.”
Also missing for Germany were defender and captain Philipp Lahm and forward Lukas Podolski, also down with the flu.
In an action-packed match, Butt made two good saves from Luis Suarez and Forlan after his team’s second goal. The 36-year-old veteran, who was third-choice goalkeeper in 2002, earned his World Cup debut instead of regular Manuel Neuer.
In its last three World Cup tournaments, Germany was runner-up in 2002 and third in 2006 at home.
Both coaches’ contracts ended with the match. While Loew would not discuss his future, Tabarez said he might continue.
“I could go on … That is a possibility but this is not the right time to talk about that,” he said.
Loew is expected to have talks with the German federation after the team’s return home.
Lineups:
Uruguay: Fernando Muslera, Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Jorge Fucile, Edinson Cavani (Sebastian Abreu, 88), Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan, Diego Perez (Walter Gargano, 77), Maximiliano Pereira, Egidio Arevalo Rios, Martin Caceres.
Germany: Hans-Joerg Butt, Jerome Boateng, Arne Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, Dennis Aogo, Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Marcell Jansen Toni Kroos, 81), Thomas Mueller, Mesut Oezil (Serdar Tasci, 90), Cacau (Stefan Kiessling, 73).
Uruguay, driven by striker Diego Forlan, almost forced extra time. Forlan’s free kick crashed against the crossbar in injury time, the last kick of the match.
The match was heading for extra time at 2-2 when Sami Khedira scored a late header. The goal ended Uruguay’s hopes of beating Germany for the first time in 82 years, while the Germans finished in the top three for the 11th time.
“We had hoped for more, and we did everything for it,” Khedira said. “This was some kind of final and we did everything for it. We have a young team and … can reach higher.”
Forlan said after the game that Uruguay had surpassed expectations. “Obviously it’s spectacular to be among the top four,” he said. “If anyone had asked us at the beginning, we would’ve liked it. It’s positive.”
Germany coach Joachim Loew, his voice hoarse from flu, said that his team was going home “with a very good feeling.”
“We achieved more than we perhaps expected,” Loew said. “Immediately after this match there is no reason to be disappointed. After the match against Spain everyone was disappointed. But champions rise again.”
“We have every reason to be fully satisfied with our tournament. There is no room for disappointment.”
Uruguay had come from behind to lead 2-1 when Forlan volleyed in Egidio Arevalo’s 51st-minute cross for his fifth goal of the tournament. Germany defender Marcell Jansen leveled five minutes later with a header after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera misjudged a cross.
“I think the match was a real match. They staged a great show,” Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said.
Loew also thought both teams played with passion.
“It was obvious tonight both teams wanted to win and not go home empty handed. I have to congratulate the teams on the effort they made and particularly my team when they were trailing,” Loew said.
Man-of-the match Thomas Mueller, coming back from suspension in the semifinal, gave Germany the lead in the 18th minute, his fifth goal at the World Cup, sweeping the ball home after Bastian Schweinsteiger’s swerving shot had been blocked but not collected by Muslera, who was at fault in Germany’s first two goals.
Edinson Cavani equalized for Uruguay in the 28th when he slid a shot past goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt.
Uruguay has beaten Germany only once in 10 matches, in 1928. Germany beat Uruguay in the third-place match in 1970—the last time Uruguay reached the semifinals.
“I don’t think it’s too vain to think that if we improve a little we can aspire to certain prominence in future international tournaments,” Tabarez said.
Mueller and Forlan are now even at five goals with David Villa of Spain and Wesley Sneijder of the Netherlands, both of whom can increase their total in Sunday’s final.
This match was very important for us. We made some mistakes and were about to lose it but we got it back. The team has proved we can play at the top level,” Mueller said.
Germany’s young team was missing five regulars through injury and illness, including striker Miroslav Klose. Klose, with a painful back, missed a chance to match or beat the World Cup scoring record of 15 goals, held by Brazil striker Ronaldo.
“Luckily, we won, because the disappointment over the semifinal was still there,” Schweinsteiger said. “We were behind and we rallied, that shows the character if this team. I am very proud of this team although I have tears in one eye because we did not reach the final.”
Also missing for Germany were defender and captain Philipp Lahm and forward Lukas Podolski, also down with the flu.
In an action-packed match, Butt made two good saves from Luis Suarez and Forlan after his team’s second goal. The 36-year-old veteran, who was third-choice goalkeeper in 2002, earned his World Cup debut instead of regular Manuel Neuer.
In its last three World Cup tournaments, Germany was runner-up in 2002 and third in 2006 at home.
Both coaches’ contracts ended with the match. While Loew would not discuss his future, Tabarez said he might continue.
“I could go on … That is a possibility but this is not the right time to talk about that,” he said.
Loew is expected to have talks with the German federation after the team’s return home.
Lineups:
Uruguay: Fernando Muslera, Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Jorge Fucile, Edinson Cavani (Sebastian Abreu, 88), Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan, Diego Perez (Walter Gargano, 77), Maximiliano Pereira, Egidio Arevalo Rios, Martin Caceres.
Germany: Hans-Joerg Butt, Jerome Boateng, Arne Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, Dennis Aogo, Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Marcell Jansen Toni Kroos, 81), Thomas Mueller, Mesut Oezil (Serdar Tasci, 90), Cacau (Stefan Kiessling, 73).
Spain-Netherlands: First-time winner coming
Spain-Netherlands: First-time winner coming
The first World Cup in Africa appropriately presents something new: Spain or the Netherlands as a first-time champion.
The Spaniards and Dutch will meet Sunday at Soccer City after winning tight semifinals. It’s the first final for the Spaniards, who broke a 44-year major championships drought when they won the European crown two years ago.
For the Dutch, its a third trip to the title game, having lost in 1974 and ’78. The nations never have met in a World Cup and have split nine games 4-4 with one draw.Spain is a 1-2 favorite to win the final, according to BetUS.
Both teams rolled into this tournament with long streaks of success, and the Netherlands’ string remains intact: 25 matches without a loss and 10 straight victories, including all six in South Africa, the only team to manage that.
“We know we can play football,” captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst said. “To be mentally strong is now most important.”
Mentally fragile has been the World Cup description for both nations. The Dutch in particular regularly have wasted their deep pool of soccer talent by going out early in big events since the loss to Argentina in the 1978 final. They won the ’88 European Championship and fell to Brazil in the World Cup semifinals 10 years later.
Other than that, it’s pretty much been rotten Oranje.
Spain didn’t even do as well at the Netherlands, consistently flopping in the biggest moments. But the so-called golden generation for La Roja has changed the team’s direction, and it showed in particular Wednesday night against Germany.
No team was more dominant in this World Cup than the Germans, yet they played conservatively, even a bit timidly when faced with David Villa, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso and the rest of the Spaniards. So Spain controlled the match, finally breaking through on Carles Puyol’s header goal—you can bet Germany wasn’t prepared for a defender to provide the only offense.
“The group deserves this but we want more,” said Spain striker David Villa, who is tied with Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder for the tournament scoring lead at five goals each. “We are happy to be in the final, that was our objective, but now we want to be champions.”
To be champions, the Spaniards will need to shut down the Dutch the way they did the Germans, who lead the tournament with 13 goals. Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, Dirk Kuyt and the rest of the Oranje have 12 goals and can crush opponents when given room to create.
But so can the Spanish, the best passing team in the world; yes, even better than Brazil.
Don’t look for counterattacks Sunday. The Dutch will build their probing offense from goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg on out, unafraid to let their somewhat inexperienced keeper begin the passing sequences they favor.
Spain will get the ball to the feet of Iniesta or Xavi, then try to spring Villa or someone else down the wings or in the middle. Long passes will be rare. Shots might be, too.
Goals? Whichever team calms its nerves best should get enough of them to finally carry off the prize.
The first World Cup in Africa appropriately presents something new: Spain or the Netherlands as a first-time champion.
The Spaniards and Dutch will meet Sunday at Soccer City after winning tight semifinals. It’s the first final for the Spaniards, who broke a 44-year major championships drought when they won the European crown two years ago.
For the Dutch, its a third trip to the title game, having lost in 1974 and ’78. The nations never have met in a World Cup and have split nine games 4-4 with one draw.Spain is a 1-2 favorite to win the final, according to BetUS.
Both teams rolled into this tournament with long streaks of success, and the Netherlands’ string remains intact: 25 matches without a loss and 10 straight victories, including all six in South Africa, the only team to manage that.
“We know we can play football,” captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst said. “To be mentally strong is now most important.”
Mentally fragile has been the World Cup description for both nations. The Dutch in particular regularly have wasted their deep pool of soccer talent by going out early in big events since the loss to Argentina in the 1978 final. They won the ’88 European Championship and fell to Brazil in the World Cup semifinals 10 years later.
Other than that, it’s pretty much been rotten Oranje.
Spain didn’t even do as well at the Netherlands, consistently flopping in the biggest moments. But the so-called golden generation for La Roja has changed the team’s direction, and it showed in particular Wednesday night against Germany.
No team was more dominant in this World Cup than the Germans, yet they played conservatively, even a bit timidly when faced with David Villa, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso and the rest of the Spaniards. So Spain controlled the match, finally breaking through on Carles Puyol’s header goal—you can bet Germany wasn’t prepared for a defender to provide the only offense.
“The group deserves this but we want more,” said Spain striker David Villa, who is tied with Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder for the tournament scoring lead at five goals each. “We are happy to be in the final, that was our objective, but now we want to be champions.”
To be champions, the Spaniards will need to shut down the Dutch the way they did the Germans, who lead the tournament with 13 goals. Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, Dirk Kuyt and the rest of the Oranje have 12 goals and can crush opponents when given room to create.
But so can the Spanish, the best passing team in the world; yes, even better than Brazil.
Don’t look for counterattacks Sunday. The Dutch will build their probing offense from goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg on out, unafraid to let their somewhat inexperienced keeper begin the passing sequences they favor.
Spain will get the ball to the feet of Iniesta or Xavi, then try to spring Villa or someone else down the wings or in the middle. Long passes will be rare. Shots might be, too.
Goals? Whichever team calms its nerves best should get enough of them to finally carry off the prize.
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