World Cup 2010 (South Africa)

[gregb0b]

Cool commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1hMSL7vyD0

[Alladaskill17]

I am SO SO SO ready for this to start up! 1 Month away!!!! :D

[Rappy Veteran]

Brazil

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg).

Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (VfL Wolfsburg).

(no Ronaldinho!)

---

Italy Squad!

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo)

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)

Forwards: Marco Borriello (AC Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)

[Kralik]

England has a stronger squad than these 2 on paper..

[nothuman]

France 30

Goalkeepers : Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), C?dric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Micka?l Landreau (Lille).

Defenders : Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ANG), Eric Abidal (Barcelone/ESP), William Gallas (Arsenal/ANG), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ANG), Rod Fanni (Rennes), Adil Rami (Lille), S?bastien Squillaci (S?ville/ESP), Ga?l Clichy (Arsenal/ANG), Marc Planus (Bordeaux), Anthony Reveill?re (Lyon).

Midfielders : J?r?my Toulalan (Lyon), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/ESP), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal/ANG), Yann M'Vila (Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ANG).

Forwards : Sidney Govou (Lyon), Franck Rib?ry (Bayern Munich/ALL), Thierry Henry (Barcelone/ESP), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea/ANG), Djibril Ciss? (Panathina?kos/GRE), Andr?-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille), Jimmy Briand (Rennes).

What about Benzema, Nasri, Menez and Mexes? Thanks Raymond... :crazy:

[Rappy Veteran]

lol Ciss?

has he played much for Madrid this season? that could be a factor, this could push Karim towards the EPL

[Kralik]

France has some good players.. but unless they get rid of Domenech they won't win anything..

[bruNo_]

Brazil

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg).

Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (VfL Wolfsburg).

(no Ronaldinho!)

I really don't know why Dunga has choose some players, is it just because they play outside Brazil? There are A LOT of good players playing on brazilian teams...

We won't win this World Cup, period.

[rajputwarrior]

carragher deciding to play is a great thing for england (Y)

France 30

Goalkeepers : Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), C?dric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Micka?l Landreau (Lille).

Defenders : Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ANG), Eric Abidal (Barcelone/ESP), William Gallas (Arsenal/ANG), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ANG), Rod Fanni (Rennes), Adil Rami (Lille), S?bastien Squillaci (S?ville/ESP), Ga?l Clichy (Arsenal/ANG), Marc Planus (Bordeaux), Anthony Reveill?re (Lyon).

Midfielders : J?r?my Toulalan (Lyon), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/ESP), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal/ANG), Yann M'Vila (Rennes), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ANG).

Forwards : Sidney Govou (Lyon), Franck Rib?ry (Bayern Munich/ALL), Thierry Henry (Barcelone/ESP), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea/ANG), Djibril Ciss? (Panathina?kos/GRE), Andr?-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille), Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille), Jimmy Briand (Rennes).

What about Benzema, Nasri, Menez and Mexes? Thanks Raymond... :crazy:

why haven't they fired raymond yet? Baffle's the mind. No Nasri or Benzema, this has to be giant practical joke or something :( Our goaltending is weak :( I miss coupet...

I can't believe the toke Cisse...

France has some good players.. but unless they get rid of Domenech they won't win anything..

+1000000000000000000000000

[Kralik]

why haven't they fired raymond yet? Baffle's the mind. No Nasri or Benzema, this has to be giant practical joke or something :( Our goaltending is weak :( I miss coupet...

I can't believe the toke Cisse...

Domenech has a problem with players playing outside France.. and he does not like Nasri.. he always "benches" him.. and this time he didn't even select him.. Nasri was superb at the end of the season.. France's loss.. as I said.. French won't win till he is the coach..

EDIT: Anyone knows what team the Dutch have selected? I think Holland should be one of the favourites although no one is talking abt them..

EDIT2: Found it!

Squad: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht); Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (HSV), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Andre Ooijer (PSV); Otman Bakkal (PSV), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Wout Brama (FC Twente), Orlando Engelaar (PSV), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), David Mendes da Silva (AZ), Stijn Schaars (AZ), Wesley Sneijder (Inter), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV); Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (AZ), Eljero Elia (HSV), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).

Holland is very strong going forward.. defence is dodgy..

And here's Spain:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David De Gea (Atletico de Madrid), Diego Lopez (Villareal), Jose Manuel 'Pepe' Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Xabier Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javier Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona).

Forwards: Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Daniel Guiza (Fenerbache), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia).

Spain is the only team to rival England on paper.. (Y) top class talent there..

[rajputwarrior]

Domenech has a problem with players playing outside France.. and he does not like Nasri.. he always "benches" him.. and this time he didn't even select him.. Nasri was superb at the end of the season.. France's loss.. as I said.. French won't win till he is the coach..

if he's so patriotic someone should tell him half his players come from africa...

[ctebah]

Spain is the only team to rival England on paper.. (Y) top class talent there..

You're kidding, right? Spain are miles ahead of England. Heck, even Argentina and Brazil have a stronger squad than England.

[ctebah]

Brazil

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg).

Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (VfL Wolfsburg).

(no Ronaldinho!)

---

As a diehard Milan fan, I have to admit that Ronaldinho doesn't deserve to be in that team. However, the exclusion of Pato sort of confuses me. Also, Felipe Melo plays for Juve, not Viola.

Maicon, Dani Alves, Lucio and Thiago Silva....that has got to be the best defense in this world cup. No wonder Barcelona couldn't get through on Inter.

[Kralik]

You're kidding, right? Spain are miles ahead of England. Heck, even Argentina and Brazil have a stronger squad than England.

Maybe so.. and I'm not saying it is.. but let's assume it is.. Capello can out-think Dunga and Maradonna.. like Mourinho did Guardiola.. that's why the top teams chase after great coaches.. and you might underrate English players (and I know for a fact some are overrated).. some of them who play for smaller clubs are very talented..

if he's so patriotic someone should tell him half his players come from africa...

I'm not defending him.. I like the French team.. I think it's a miracle that he's still here.. any other big team and would be at home now.. don't they have anyone else in France? His team selection, subs, strategy during the match makes supporters looking like this..

[Surrealist]

I really don't know why Dunga has choose some players, is it just because they play outside Brazil? There are A LOT of good players playing on brazilian teams...

We won't win this World Cup, period.

Are you Brazilian? Do you watch your league matches? Do you watch top European leagues? You know why hardly anyone if any gets selected from the Brazilian league? Because everyone there wants to be a Ronaldinho, everyone wants to run at defenders and beat all ten outfield players before cheekily nutmeg the GK. The Brazilian league is terrible. It's hardly international level at all.

Also, Cambiasso and Zanetti has been left out of the Argentina squad. Maradona is a twit.

[D. S. Veteran]

Portugal

Atl?tico Madrid: Sim?o Sabrosa e Tiago;

Benfica: F?bio Coentr?o;

Chelsea FC: Deco, Paulo Ferreira e Ricardo Carvalho;

Deportivo da Corunha: Z? Castro;

FC Porto: Beto, Bruno Alves, Raul Meireles e Rolando;

Lille: Ricardo Costa;

Iraklis: Daniel Fernandes;

M?laga CF: Duda;

Manchester United FC: Nani;

Real Madrid CF: Cristiano Ronaldo e Pepe;

SC Braga: Eduardo;

Sporting: Liedson, Miguel Veloso e Pedro Mendes;

Valencia CF: Miguel;

Werder Bremen: Hugo Almeida;

Zenit: Danny

Queiroz left out Jo?o Moutinho... but he is in the 6 reserves. Will probably play.

[rajputwarrior]

I'm not defending him.. I like the French team.. I think it's a miracle that he's still here.. any other big team and would be at home now.. don't they have anyone else in France? His team selection, subs, strategy during the match makes supporters looking like this..

thats pretty much the face i have whenever im watching a france game...

[Rappy Veteran]

England and Chelsea defender John Terry has been taken to hospital for a scan on his right foot - less than a month before the start of the World Cup.

The 29-year-old suffered the injury in training for Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley against Portsmouth, where he was expected to captain the side.

The club website said Terry left the training ground "walking freely in a protective boot".

Chelsea added they expected to receive the results of a scan on Thursday.

England coach Fabio Capello named his 30-man preliminary World Cup squad on Tuesday, with Terry one of the defenders included, along with fellow centre-halves Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Michael Dawson, Ledley King and Matthew Upson.

If Terry were sidelined for any length of time, it would be a major problem for Capello.

Ferdinand, who replaced Terry as England captain, has had an injury-plagued season, and his Manchester United colleague striker Wayne Rooney suffered ankle trouble towards the end of the domestic season.

Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is England's biggest concern after being sidelined for four weeks with ankle ligament damage, while David Beckham misses the tournament altogether because of an Achilles injury sustained in March.

[Jimmy0]

Chelsea play down John Terry foot injury fears

England and Chelsea defender John Terry should be fit to play in Saturday's FA Cup final against Portsmouth despite injuring his right foot in training.

Fears over Terry's participation in the World Cup - with the tournament less than a month away - were raised after he was taken to hospital on Wednesday.

But a scan revealed the Chelsea captain did not suffer a break.

"With such an important match coming up the right thing was to put a protective boot on and have a scan," Terry said.

"The scan shows there's no break. I aim to train on Thursday, if not Friday, and of course play in the final."

There had initially been concerns that Terry could become the latest in a line of key England players to suffer a metatarsal injury in the run-up to a major tournament, as has happened to David Beckham and Wayne Rooney in the past.

England coach Fabio Capello will be relieved at the news about Terry's fitness as a number of other important players have suffered with injuries recently.

Rio Ferdinand, who replaced Terry as England captain earlier this year after Terry was stripped of the captaincy for allegations about his personal life, has had an injury-plagued season.

And Ferdinand's Manchester United colleague striker Wayne Rooney suffered ankle trouble towards the end of the domestic season.

Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is England's biggest concern after being sidelined for four weeks with ankle ligament damage, while David Beckham misses the tournament altogether because of an Achilles injury sustained in March.

[bruNo_]

Are you Brazilian? Do you watch your league matches? Do you watch top European leagues? You know why hardly anyone if any gets selected from the Brazilian league? Because everyone there wants to be a Ronaldinho, everyone wants to run at defenders and beat all ten outfield players before cheekily nutmeg the GK. The Brazilian league is terrible. It's hardly international level at all.

Also, Cambiasso and Zanetti has been left out of the Argentina squad. Maradona is a twit.

Yeah, I'm brazilian. I watch brazilian league and follow some European leagues when I have time and patience. :)

How do know you everyone wants to be Ronaldinho? Ronaldinho sucked hard last league like Adriano did though.

Have you watched the Santos' final games on Campeonato Paulista? Do you know Neymar?

I'm not stating all players who plays in Brazil deserves a place in the team, but there are a lot of good players who aren't going to World Cup. :cool:

[deuz]

England has a stronger squad than these 2 on paper..

england for the past 6 years have had awesome teams on paper but they have never translated to anything much, which doesnt surprise me :p

dutch look very strong

watch out for the dark horse......

Australia

;)

[rajputwarrior]

watch out for the dark horse......

Australia

;)

kewell is a beast

;)

[deuz]

if he is fit ;)....i'd be more worried about cahill and some of the other unknowns :p

[Rappy Veteran]

World Cup winner Laurent Blanc will quit as Bordeaux coach and replace Raymond Domenech as manager of France after this summer's World Cup.

The 44-year-old former Manchester United defender guided Bordeaux to the 2009 League and Cup Double but his side ended this season without a trophy.

The French federation is expected to officially confirm Blanc as Domenech's successor on Thursday.

Blanc was part of the France team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

Bordeaux said in a statement: "Girondins Bordeaux have been informed by Laurent Blanc that he wanted to answer favourably to the French federation (FFF)'s solicitation to become the France coach.

"Girondins Bordeaux expect to hear from the FFF on the question of the compensation linked to the release of their coach."

Blanc had a successful career as a centre-back at Barcelona, Marseille and Inter Milan.

But, after success as a manager with Bordeaux in 2009, his side finished sixth in the league this season and were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by fellow French side Lyon.

Domenech has long bore the brunt of fans' frustrations following a disappointing Euro 2008 campaign where France picked up only one point and finished bottom of their group.

But the Frenchman said he had not been told whether he would be replaced by Blanc after the World Cup in South Africa.

"I'm not the one who decides on this," said Domenech.

"Blanc proved he was able to be in charge at club level. But coaching a national team is a different job.

"He will have to be ready immediately because the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign starts in September."

France start their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on 11 June.

[Konstanov]

We're using spoiler tags for a predictions of a sporting event that is a month away from being started? That's a bit queer.