Tag Archives: World Cup South Africa

Tentacle of doom predicts Albiceleste defeat

Germany fans are hoping for another win in Saturday's game against Argentina. © ATP Yoshihiro KOIKE / dpa

Germany fans are hoping for another win in Saturday's game against Argentina. © ATP Yoshihiro KOIKE / dpa

So-called experts are notorious for getting it wrong. As soon as they open their mouths, a curse is cast on whoever has the misfortune to be spoken about.

“Ronaldo’s in great form. He’ll bring Portugal far.” Cue Portugal’s exit.

“Franck Ribéry will take the competition by storm.” Cue France’s ignominious exit.

“Wayne Rooney will explode into action at any time.” Cue England’s exit following Rooney’s perplexing lack of combustion.

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Getting Klose to making history

Klose after a goal in Germany's game against England.  Photo Franck Faugere / dpa

Klose after a goal in Germany's game against England. Photo Franck Faugere / © dpa

 “Here’s the man who is on the track to history,” said a commentator of German footballer Miroslav Klose during the Germany-Australia game.  At first I thought he was talking about the World Cup title, but, unsure, I asked a Brazilian fan sitting next to me.  Klose, he explained, is just four goals away from snatching the title of most World Cup goals scored from Brazilian player Ronaldo.

It was news that made me silently curse the referee who, in a match against Serbia, gave Klose a red card, effectively kicking him out of the game in the 36th minute of play. Germany lost to Serbia 1-0. But that’s all part of the game.

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Watch Out Brazil, Here Comes Italy

Fans go wild as the Italian national team arrives in South Africa just before the 2010 World Cup.  Photo GPA/Luca Ghidoni

Fans go wild as the Italian national team arrives in South Africa just before the 2010 World Cup. Photo GPA/Luca Ghidoni

As defending champions, Italy will definitely be one of the leading contenders for victory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.  Besides Italy–who won the cup in succession in 1934 and 1938–Brazil is the only country to have won two World Cups in a row.  Italy has won a total of four World Cups–and Brazil five–since the very first World Cup tournament was held in Uruguay in 1930.

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