South Africa 2010: 32 teams, 32 stories

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ made history at the beginning as the first finals hosted in Africa and at the end with Spain becoming just the eighth team to win football's ultimate prize. In between, the world was exposed to South Africa like never before all the while being treated to one of the most balanced FIFA World Cups in recent memory.

Also a first, both teams from the previous Final failed to advance from the first round, as Italy and France crashed out in dramatic fashion. Fancied Brazil and Argentina were also eliminated earlier than many expected, as Uruguay and three European sides made up the last four. Join FIFA.com for a look at the 32 teams that came together to make South Africa 2010 a pageant of football.

Winners 

Spain

 The European champions were deserved winners of their first world crown despite losing their first match to Switzerland 1-0. Ironically La Roja won all of their knockout matches by that scoreline to become the first new winners of a FIFA World Cup without home advantage since Brazil lifted their first trophy in 1958.

Runners-upNetherlandsThe Dutch won all six of their matches on the way to the ultimate game, but could not prevent the third FIFA World Cup Final loss in their history. A come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Brazil in the last eight was arguably the highlight for the Oranje.

Third placeGermanyA young German team caught fire in the knock-out rounds, thumping four goals past England and Argentina, but Spain's juggernaut was too much in the last four. Top scorers for the second straight FIFA World Cup, their future is undoubtedly bright.

Fourth placeUruguay
La Celeste were the biggest surprise package of South Africa, reaching a first semi-final since 1970. But the form of strikers Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez would have been enough to send any side far in the tournament.

Quarter-finalistsArgentinaVictorious in their first four matches, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Co ran into a German buzz saw in the last eight, with all of their frailties exposed in a 4-0 defeat.
Brazil
Everything was going according to plan for the five-time champions, but a second-half collapse against the Netherlands cost Dunga his job and left the 2014 hosts questioning themselves after consecutive last-eight exits.
Ghana
The Black Stars were Asamoah Gyan's last-kick penalty miss away from becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals. But the youngest team at the tournament are well placed for further success.
ParaguayDecidedly difficult to beat, Paraguay topped their group and gave up just two goals in the tournament – to Italy and Spain. The latter knocked out Gerardo Martino's side but not before they had advanced further than ever before.

Round of 16ChileOne of the most open and attack-minded teams in the tournament, Marcelo Bielsa's men ended a 48-year wait for a FIFA World Cup win but a match-up with Brazil was too much as they fell 3-0 in the second round.
England
An early goal in the much-anticipated match with the US augured well, but England never built on that and suffered their worst finals loss in history, a 4-1 dismantling by old enemies Germany.
Japan
A penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Paraguay was a hard end for a team that had achieved their first two World Cup wins on foreign soil, finishing second in their group behind the rampaging Dutch.
Korea Republic
They recovered from a 4-1 loss to Argentina to reach the second round for the first time beyond their own shores, but once there, they could not overcome Uruguay and a rampant Luis Suarez.
Mexico
An exciting team going forward, El Tri advanced to the second round for the fifth consecutive time, but as in 2006, a powerful Argentina proved their undoing.
Portugal
The Portuguese scored seven goals, all of which came against Korea DPR, but a single goal by Iberian rivals Spain was enough to break Cristiano Ronaldo and Co's 19-match unbeaten streak.
Slovakia
Despite being knocked out by the Netherlands, Slovakia will always remember their first finals as an independent nation for the exciting 3-2 win over holders Italy that propelled them into the Round of 16.
USAComeback kings in South Africa, the US fought back to draw against England and Slovenia before topping Group C with a last-gasp winner against Algeria. Resilient Ghana were one step too far in the last 16 as the Americans fell after extra time.

Group stageAlgeria
Les Fennecs lost to Slovenia and the US on late goals, and in between they drew with England, but their failure to find a single goal was disappointing.
Australia
A draw with Ghana and a defeat of Serbia put Australia remarkably close to advancing from Group D considering they had to deal with suspensions to Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell and an opening 4-0 loss to Germany.
CameroonThe Indomitable Lions failed to roar at the FIFA World Cup once again as they became the first team eliminated from the finals and went home with no points.
Côte d'IvoireLargely considered Africa's most talented team, they could not get through a difficult group, eliminated on goal difference by Portugal despite the inspiring presence of Didier Drogba, playing with his arm in a cast.
Denmark
The Danes were always working uphill after an unlucky own goal against the Netherlands, but with a straightforward task in their last group match – beat Japan to advance – they lost disappointingly 3-1.
FranceFinalists four years before, France's fall was dramatic as Les Bleus scored just a single goal while winning one point and suffering through a player revolt that left the team's future fractured.
GreeceGreece scored a goal and won a match at the finals for the first time, but a 2-1 defeat of Nigeria was not enough for them to end the Otto Rehhagel era on a high by escaping the group stage.
Honduras
Only a scoreless draw with Switzerland to close the group kept Honduras from going home pointless, and the Central Americans did not find the goal once in a lacklustre campaign.
ItalyThe deposed champions fell at the first hurdle for the first time since 1974 after failing to win a single match. Marcello Lippi's men were a shadow of their 2006 selves, losing to Slovakia 3-2 in their decisive Group F encounter.
Korea DPR
A mystery team going in, the Koreans showed solidity in a narrow defeat by Brazil, but then collapsed against Portugal, conceding six in the second half of a tournament-high 7-0 loss.
New Zealand
Definite outsiders to start, the All Whites went home unbeaten from their first finals since 1982, proud to have claimed three draws to finish above holders Italy in Group F.
Nigeria
One point from Group B was a cruel fate for the Super Eagles, who lost a lead against Greece after a red card and were unlucky to draw with Korea Republic in their final contest when a win would have seen them through.
Serbia
One of the favoured dark horses coming into the event, Serbia did the hard work of beating Germany but losses to Ghana and Australia ensured Radomir Antic's men headed for home as one of the bigger disappointments.
Slovenia
The nearly men can only lament the loss of a two-goal lead against USA when victory would have qualified them for the last 16 with a game to spare – and USA's last-minute winner against Algeria that sent them home.
South Africa
Despite becoming the first host nation to fail to advance out of the group stage, Bafana Bafana will take some pride from a marvellous goal to open the tournament and a victory over former world champions France.
SwitzerlandOttmar Hitzfeld had Switzerland ready to go in South Africa, but a famous 1-0 win over Spain to open the event came to naught after they failed to score again.

source : fifa.com

my beloved brother

do you know 'iker casillas'(?)

 he is spain's GOAL KEEPER and also the CAPTAIN

he is Sara Carbonero's boyfriend 

this is some information about he:

• Date of Birth: 20 May 1981
• Height: 184 cm
• Shirt number: 1
• Current club: Real Madrid (ESP)

 do you wanna see

"Saint Iker" in ACTION ?

 

with pepe (portugal soccer player)

 what do you think about he (?)
and

do you know why i post about "Saint Iker" ?

its all because i adore he

do you know why i adore he ?

because he is handsome, he is cool, he can command his team, and the most important  he is the finest goal keeper i think although I do not much like real madrid

Spain and Netherlands set up Soccer City final

"La Furia Roja"

vs

"the Oranje"

The first FIFA World Cup™ on African soil continues to throw up historic moments at every turn, with the Netherlands and Spain emerging victorious from two tense, close-fought semi-finals to set up a Final that will guarantee a new name on the Trophy.

Up against two-time world champions Uruguay and three-time winners Germany in the last four, the Oranje and La Roja won through in Cape Town and Durban respectively and will now square off at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium, with the winners becoming only the eighth nation to claim the coveted crown.

Both teams can offer compelling arguments for the favourites’ tag going into a showpiece occasion that will be the Netherlands' third Final appearance and Spain's first. Bert van Marwijk's Dutch charges' efficient brand of football has brought them an unbeaten run of 25 games and they are also on the verge of becoming only the second team to follow up a 100 per cent record in qualifying by winning each and every game at the final tournament. The only side to do so previously was the legendary Brazil squad of Mexico 1970.

Spain, for their part, are the reigning European champions and will be buoyed by their elimination of a Germany side that pummelled England and Argentina in reaching the last four. Can Vicente del Bosque's classy, short-passing side become the first national team to follow up UEFA European Championship success with a global triumph since West Germany in 1974?

ResultsUruguay 2-3 Netherlands
Germany 0-1 Spain

Goal of the semi-finalsUruguay 0-1 Netherlands, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, 18 mins: What a way for the Elftal's left-back and captain to score his first goal for the national side since UEFA EURO 2008. Not only did the Feyenoord defender's strike break the deadlock in a tense semi-final, the 35-year-old posted a strong contender for goal of the tournament when receiving the ball on the left flank before thumping a stunning 40-yard drive beyond the outstretched arms of Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera and into the top corner. Curiously he had scored a virtual replica for Feyenoord in a Dutch Cup match in January.

One to rememberAn intriguing subplot looking ahead to the Netherlands-Spain Final will the battle between Dutch attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder and Spanish hitman David Villa for the adidas Golden Boot. Both the Inter Milan creator and Barcelona's newly signed forward are on five goals apiece, though both would surely forego that individual honour for a winners' medal come Sunday night at Soccer City.

Quote of the semi-finals"I love beautiful football but I also want to win. I've been with this team for two years now and over that period I've told the players that we've got a mission to accomplish and we need to believe in ourselves. We're a small country so it's incredible that we've reached the Final. The last time we reached the title decider was 32 years ago," Bert van Marwijk, Netherlands coach.

Stat of the semi-finals3,000,000 – On Wednesday, South Africa 2010 broke through the three-million spectator mark after 62 games played and with the Final and play-off for third place still to come. In FIFA World Cup final tournament history, only at USA 1994 and Germany 2006 did more people catch the action at first hand.

Voice of the fans"Spain, the Netherlands and Germany were the best teams at this tournament! We're in for a great final, and Spain or the Netherlands will lift the cup for the first time ever," FIFA.com user Geoavra.

Have your sayWith the likes of Sneijder, Xavi, Arjen Robben and Villa set to be involved, there will be no shortage of big names come Sunday’s Final. In your view, which of these superstars looks likely have the biggest influence on the destination of the title?

the stadium

Germany's 'Octopus oracle' keeps perfect record

It will not come as much of a consolation to heartbroken German fans, but at least Paul, Germany's now world-famous "Octopus oracle", has maintained his perfect record.

The "psychic" creature has correctly predicted all six of Germany's FIFA World Cup™ games and, amid excruciating drama broadcast live on national television on Tuesday, plumped for Spain, causing anguish up and down the country. And the eight-legged soccer soothsayer was spot on Wednesday, as Carles Puyol's semi-final header shattered Germany's dreams of winning their fourth world crown.

Two plastic boxes, one with a German flag and one with a Spanish, were lowered into Paul's tank at an aquarium in western Germany, each with a tasty morsel of food inside. The box which Paul opens first is adjudged to be his predicted winner. But with classic fickleness, German fans turned against their beloved octopus after he forecast a Spanish win.

According to 'Der Western' daily paper, there have been "a host of comments on Facebook, Twitter... suggesting Paul should be fried, barbecued or turned into a seafood salad or paella". "Others wanted to throw him into the shark tank," the paper reported on its website. And on Berlin's fan mile, some sections of the crowd also turned against their former hero. Anti-octopus songs were sung.

source : fifa.com