Football Soccer Football Soccer Football Soccer

[D-MiZe]

Another Polish striker celebrates after scoring Germany's first goal.

[project xxx1]

ze germans done well and your boy podolski stepped up to the plate,they look good

[D-MiZe]

I'm glad my pick ( Podolski ) paid off. He's one of my favourite players.

That's without Ballack too, Ozil looks like the deal.

[D-MiZe]

Andres Iniesta looks set to be fit for Spain's opening World Cup match against Switzerland on Wednesday after returning to training on Sunday.

The midfielder missed Saturday's session in an effort to speed up his recovery from the leg injury suffered in Tuesday's 6-0 win over Poland.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres remains Spain's only injury doubt.

Coach Vicente Del Bosque said: "I don't think Torres will play the first game, but he's not been discarded yet."

Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso, who has a slight leg muscle tear and withdrew 15 minutes before the end of Saturday's training session as a precaution, also returned on Sunday and should start the Group H game in Durban on Wednesday.

Although available, Iniesta may be left out of an expected five-man Spanish midfield with Cesc Fabregas likely to be preferred alongside Xavi, Alonso, David Silva and Sergio Busquets.

Barcelona's Iniesta, who missed much of the end of the La Liga season because of a thigh problem, helped set up Spain's first two goals against Poland, including a wonderful scooped pass which led to Silva's goal.

Spain were the last team to arrive in South Africa for the tournament, having only jetted in on Friday.

[Run]

Another Polish striker celebrates after scoring Germany's first goal.

Since Trezeguet is nowhere to be found......

Who has more striking power? Probably nobody except Ronaldo.



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[D-MiZe]

Netherlands winger Arjen Robben is set to play against Japan next weekend after making great strides in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Robben rejoined his team-mates in Johannesburg on Saturday after a period of rehabilitation in his homeland.

Dutch physio **** van Toorn insists the player will be ready to face Denmark in the opening match on Monday.

But head coach Bert van Marwijk has already said he will not risk selecting the Bayern Munich star.

"We must avoid a relapse, as I have said in the last few days, Arjen has played virtually no football or trained in the last three weeks," said the coach.

Robben arrived on Saturday morning and was taken to the Dutch base at the Hilton hotel in Sandton via police escort.

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid sustained what is described as a "small tear" in his left hamstring towards the end of last week's 6-1 victory over Hungary.

The second-half substitute had scored two goals before pulling up when in possession in the 85th minute of his country's final warm-up match in Amsterdam.

The Netherlands begin their Group E campaign against the Danes in Johannesburg, followed by games against Japan on 19 June and Cameroon on 24 June.

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War Netherlands!

[D-MiZe]

Since Trezeguet is nowhere to be found......

Who has more striking power? Probably nobody except Ronaldo.

Podolski's shots have a lot of venom in them.

That's got me thinking though...

Ronaldo has a lot of power in shots too. However, he also has that wicked ass curl/sway in them which puts a lot of keepers off.

And we've all heard about this new world cup ball...

[Run]

Podolski's shots have a lot of venom in them.

That's got me thinking though...

Ronaldo has a lot of power in shots too. However, he also has that wicked ass curl/sway in them which puts a lot of keepers off.

And we've all heard about this new world cup ball...

Yeah when Podolski hits it, it looks like the ball is fired out of a cannon.



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[D-MiZe]

Oh and Lampard has some power when he cracks the ball with the right.

I think if players like Lampard, Ronaldo, Podolski etc can get over the ball and hit it properly then the ball is going to be like a cannon ball heading towards that goal.

[D-MiZe]

Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has announced his intention to retire from international football after the World Cup in South Africa.

Gattuso has earned 72 caps since making his debut in 2000 and was a key figure in the Azzurri's 2006 World Cup win.

Knee problems have limited him to largely a substitute role for club side AC Milan this season.

"At [almost] 33 years old, for the role I have, it's right to give my spot to people with more energy," said Gattuso.

He was expected to feature primarily from the bench for Italy in South Africa, but may start their Group F opener against Paraguay on Monday if fellow midfielder Daniele De Rossi fails to overcome a minor calf problem.

"I'm coming off a difficult season but [coach Marcello] Lippi gave me a chance and it was my responsibility to show up ready," explained Gattuso.

"Everybody knows my characteristics and I still have some hunger and desire left in me. If I didn't have the desire anymore I would tell the coach. I still have something to give.

"When I do something I've got to do it with enthusiasm and desire, otherwise I'm a third-division player."

A combative and committed central midfielder, Gattuso saw his career halted by knee problems two years ago and underwent surgery in December 2008.

He acknowledged that returning a month ahead of schedule for Milan's final Serie A match that season, which he then followed by playing for Italy in last year's Confederations Cup, was a mistake.

"I thought I was strong enough to play through it, but you can't joke around with a knee injury," stated Gattuso. "It was my own fault.

"I'm now training without anti-inflammatories which is already a victory for me. I'm able to train with continuity and the knee feels the best it has in a long time."

Gattuso also admitted to frustrations at not playing regularly for Milan last season, having previously played a pivotal role for the club - which included winning the Serie A title in 2004 and two Champions League triumphs in 2003 and 2007 - since joining them from Salernitana in 1999.

"For 11 years I got used to playing every game, and it got to the point where if Gattuso wasn't playing it was almost as if the team couldn't even go out on to the pitch," he added. "This season was a big adjustment.

Gattuso also indicated a willingness to continue playing for the Rossoneri - with whom he has a contract until the end of next season - and in the future again play a pivotal role for his national side.

"I could stop playing tomorrow with all the money I've earned thanks to Milan, but I still have some passion and nastiness left inside me," he said.

"My dream is to coach the national team at the World Cup one day."

Gattuso will be joined in international retirement by Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro following the tournament in South Africa.


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I've got him on my fantasy team, I hope he has a good WC if this is the last time we'll see him playing for Italy.