First World Cup to be held on african soil. This is the 19th edition of the FIFA Football World Cup, and has been held every 4 years since 1930, except during the second world war.
The 2010 edition promises to be one of the most competetive ever, with both asian and african football getting ever more progressed. After the qualification rounds, we are left with 4 teams from Asia, 6 from Africa, 8 from America, 1 from Oceania and 13 from Europe. Since Australia qualified in the Asian pot, New Zealand qualified from Oceania.
10 Stadiums have been built and modernized, from Polokwane to Cape Town to Durban.
As for the favorites, South America and Europe are always a force to be reckoned with, what can Maradona do with Argentina? Dunga with Brazil? And can Capello finally get an English team performing?
So get your earmuffs out, as we remember from last year, the Vuvuzelas will be out in numbers!
The 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany was number 18 in the history of the FIFA World Cup. Germany last held the
World Cup in 1974. Italy defeated France 5–3 in a thrilling penalty shootout in the final, after full time and extra time had finished 1–1. It was the first time Italy won a World Cup match on penalties after three failed attempts.
Zinedine Zidane became the fourth player in World Cup history to score in two different finals, along with Pelé,
Paul Breitner and Vavá, in addition to being tied for first place with Vavá, Pelé and Geoff Hurst with three World
Cup final goals. In the final against Italy he was sent off in the 110th minute for headbutting Marco Materazzi.
Despite the red card and the controversy that followed, Zidane was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player of the competition.
Host nation Germany defeated Portugal 3–1 to finish third. The 2006 World Cup was also one of the most watched
event in television history.
For the very first time the World-Cup went in Asia. And for the very first time it was split between two nations, Japan and South-Korea. Argentina was the big favourite, followed by the title holders France, and as always Brazil. But this turned up to be the World-Cup were the favourites failed. Both France and Argentina failed to qualify through the first rounds. And an incredible comeback of Ronaldo helped Brazil to the final. In the final Brazil faced Germany and won 2-0 after two goals by Ronaldo.
France is one of football world powers even though their national league is rather poor. FIFA was created in an alley in Paris in 1904, UEFA was created by Frenchmen. Because of that France was chosen as World-Cup hosts. This World-Cup should be the big breakthrough for the French playmaker Zinedine Zidane. Norway shocked the world by beating Brazil in the first round. Even though Brazil passed through and made it to the final. They faced a strong French side and lost 3-0 after two goals by Zidane.
Strachs is a legend what you see is what you get excellant aberdeen team then down south with man utd then wins the league with leeds played in top matches none more so than the battle of britain against rangers now manager of my beloved scotland sra...
After 28 years of FIFA World Cup tournaments this continues to be the most exciting game ever (with the 1970 semifinal between Germany and Italy very close behind). It´s true, Schumacher deserved a red card. But nobody can deny that Germany´s come f...
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