Presidential letters stress legacy

A warm exchange of letters between FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and Jacob Zuma, the President of the Republic of South Africa, has seen both reaffirm their commitment to the FIFA World Cup™ leaving a lasting social legacy.In the letters, both addressed to “a dear Friend and Brother”, the respective leaders stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum established by a hugely successful tournament and subsequently continued by the first-ever FIFA World Cup Education Summit in Pretoria on 11 July.Blatter, for his part, expressed a belief that the FIFA World Cup would “provide a trigger for long-term and sustained social, cultural...

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Ten to watch for 2014

The internet and satellite television may have made Planet Football a smaller place, but the FIFA World Cup™ spotlight still burns with a particular intensity ensuring maximum exposure to those players who shine in its glare.For some of the youngsters who caught the eye in South Africa, life may never be the same again. It is tempting to label them already as potential stars of Brazil 2014 though this would be tempting fate – if a week is a long time in football, then what about four years? Still it will be fascinating monitoring the progress that young guns like Thomas Muller, Andre Ayew and Giovani dos Santos make between now and...

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South Africa 2010's unlikeliest star

Forget Forlan, forget Muller, forget Iniesta. If there was one undisputed star of the FIFA World Cup™ just past, it was not any of these on-song stars, but a certain cephalopod over 5,000 miles away.After all, impressive though Forlan and Co were, none could claim that their performances throughout South Africa 2010 were flawless. Paul the octopus, on the other hand, never put a foot, or tentacle, wrong during a month that witnessed his meteoric rise to superstardom - and ended with a transfer tug-of-war.For anyone somehow unaware of what all the fuss was about, Paul’s celebrity status was earned by an unblemished run of eight successful...

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fans 2010 FIFA World Cup South America

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Non-stop action in South America

var newsTitleString = "Non-stop action in South America"; Despite the disappointment of not having any representatives in the Final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, South America is already focusing on the future. Both Brazil and Colombia have already been in action at the FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup Germany 2010 and the new FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking was published on Wednesday, with some encouraging progress being made by a clutch of CONMEBOL teams. Add to that the resumption of the 2010 Copa Libertadores de America and the fast-approaching return of the domestic league season, and there is more than enough to...

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South Africa 2010

South Africa 2010: 32 teams, 32 storiesThe 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...

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Iniesta puts Spain on top of the world

Champions of Europe and now champions of the world, Spain captured football's Holy Grail for the first time with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands thanks to Andres Iniesta's 116th-minute strike at Soccer City.The solitary goal came with penalties looming as substitute Cesc Fabregas played in Iniesta and the little midfielder drove emphatically across Maarten Stekelenburg and into the far corner. With this victory – their fourth successive single-goal win in South Africa – Spain became the eighth name on the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy and also the first European team to have triumphed on a different continent. For the Netherlands, who...

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Fabregas and Del Bosque in dreamland

Cesc Fabregas has hailed an "historic moment" for Spain after helping them win their first FIFA World Cup™. The Arsenal midfielder created the only goal for Andres Iniesta in extra time against the Netherlands at Soccer City.Fabregas has had to play a substitutes' role all tournament - including in the Final - but revealed the conquest made up for all the frustration. "This is an historic moment for Spain and it may never be repeated - I dedicate this to my whole family.source:http://www.fifa....

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Casillas: It hasn't sunk in

Spain captain Iker Casillas concedes it will take time for him and his team-mates to realise the magnitude of their FIFA World Cup™ victory after lifting the title at Soccer City last night. Vicente del Bosque's team, who have been one of the biggest underachievers in the game's history, capped a remarkable two years by adding the world title to their UEFA EURO 2008 triumph.Andres Iniesta grabbed the only goal deep into in extra-time to break Dutch hearts and earn his team a place in history. "It's a historic moment for Spanish football," the Real Madrid goalkeeper said. "This achievement is something that we, the players, are still...

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Xavi hails Spanish dream come true

Spain midfielder Xavi described his country's FIFA World Cup™ victory as a dream come true following their 1-0 defeat of the Netherlands at Soccer City.Xavi's club and country team-mate Andres Iniesta scored the only goal of the game four minutes before the end of extra time after a drab encounter as Spain added the world title to the European crown they won in Vienna two years ago. And having also won everything on offer in club football, Xavi now has a full set of international medals.But being part of the first ever Spanish team to win the FIFA World Cup has topped the lot for the diminutive Barcelona man. "Now we have the trophy...

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Ramos crowned as La Roja conquer

This has been a FIFA World Cup™ of firsts: the first on African soil, the first won by Spain and also the first to be assessed second-by-second using the Castrol Index. This innovative system has utilised advanced technology to objectively analyse and evaluate every single player movement, and tonight it crowned its very own FIFA World Cup king.Its verdict? That Sergio Ramos, Spain’s daring and energetic right-back, has been the most influential and effective player on show over the past month. The Real Madrid star, an ever-present in the top 20 since the second round of group matches, went into the Final in pole position and retained...

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Africa’s first FIFA World Cup™ set to close in a blaze of lights and music

The Closing Ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is set to be a colourful, celebratory tribute to the tournament, the fans and their experiences in the host country during what’s been a memorable month.The 30-minute night-time ceremony will take place at 18h30 on Sunday, 11 July 2010, at Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium - ahead of the showpiece 2010 FIFA World Cup final - and will feature some spectacular performances and unique special effects.It will be broadcast live in 215 countries to an audience in excess of 500-million viewers and will feature 780 cast members and some of South Africa and Africa’s top musicians and dancers.Colombian...

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Iniesta puts Spain on top of world

Champions of Europe and now champions of the world, Spain captured football's Holy Grail for the first time with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands thanks to Andres Iniesta’s 116th-minute strike at Soccer City.The solitary goal came with penalties looming as substitutes Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas combined to play in Iniesta and the little Barcelona midfielder drove emphatically across Maarten Stekelenburg and into the far corner. With this victory – their fourth successive single-goal win in South Africa – Spain became the eighth name on the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy and also the first European team to have triumphed on a different...

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Madrid merry, Amsterdam agony

A thunderous roar erupted across the Spanish capital and fans danced in the streets and chanted "Viva Espana!" as the country's first ever FIFA World Cup™ trophy sparked a nationwide fiesta. The centre of the capital was a sea of the red and gold national colours as Spain celebrated its agonising 1-0 extra-time win over the Netherlands on Sunday.The deafening sounds of cheering, klazons, firecrackers and car horns rang out across the city as the FIFA World Cup's perennial underachievers won the trophy in their first appearance in the Final. In temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius (Fahrenheit), more than 150,000 supporters watched the...

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Closing Ceremony sets the scene

Football fans around the world are glued to their televisions tonight as Spain and the Netherlands do battle in Johannesburg for a first-ever world title.However, while the FIFA World Cup Final is unquestionably the main course on South Africa's menu this evening, supporters have also been treated to a spectacular starter. Less than two hours before the grand finale, a sell-out crowd inside Soccer City Stadium as well as an audience of hundreds of million across the globe were wowed by a colourful ceremony to celebrate the successful conclusion of a memorable first FIFA World Cup on African soil.As darkness descended on Johannesburg,...

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Madiba wows crowd at Soccer City

Soccer City was brought to a frenzy on Sunday night as world icon Nelson Mandela made a grand entrance prior to kick-off at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final between European giants Netherlands and Spain.As he entered the pitch on a buggy, accompanied by his wife Graca Michel, Madiba was greeted by a standing ovation, the roaring of vuvuzelas and cheering from the gathered supporters. It was an epic moment for the filled-to-capacity Soccer City. For a man who has not only worked tirelessly for the emancipation of his people but has also campaigned for world peace and for better lives for African people, it was only apt that he be afforded...

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Netherlands-Spain

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final promises to be quite an occasion, with the Netherlands pitting their wits against reigning European champions Spain. Both sides have produced some good football during their campaigns and have been rewarded with the chance to add their nation's names to the select list of former winners: Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina and France.The matchNetherlands-Spain, Final, Soccer City, Sunday 11 July, 20.30 (local time)As a glance at the head-to-head record between the two nations shows, tipping a winner is no easy task. Both sides have won four of their nine meetings, with the other game ending...

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Artists poised for Final showdown

The shadow of Johan Cruyff will loom large over the 19th FIFA World Cup™ Final on Sunday. The 11 men chosen to represent the Netherlands will take to the pitch as heirs of the team synonymous with 'Total Football', aiming to achieve what Cruyff and Co never quite managed. On the opposing side, seven of Spain's probable line-up play their domestic football with Catalan giants Barcelona, the club where the legendary Dutchman cemented his reputation as player and coach. Not since 1978, when Argentina faced the Netherlands, have two nations competed for a maiden world title. The Oranje are yet to put a foot wrong in their quest, winning...

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Germany pip Uruguay to third place

Germany took bronze for the fourth time at the FIFA World Cup™ after beating Uruguay 3-2 in an entertaining play-off for third place. Sami Khedira got the winning goal with eight minutes remaining as Joachim Low's side repeated their success in this same match four years ago.There was no shortage of goals as the rain came teeming down in Port Elizabeth with both sides eager to conclude impressive campaigns on a winning note. Thomas Muller and Edinson Cavani traded first half efforts before Diego Forlan and Marcell Jansen did likewise within ten minutes of the restart. Yet it was Germany who came out on top and, in the process, South...

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Low lauds German strength after fightback

Joachim Low hailed Germany's spirit after they came from behind to defeat Uruguay 3-2 in a thrilling game on Saturday and secure third place at the World Cup™."In the second half, when we were forced to dig deep, we saw the mental strength the team had to resist and then snatch victory," said the Germany coach. "I'm pleased with that, the team deserves it. Altogether, what we've achieved, we never would have expected it eight or nine months ago."Germany claimed victory thanks to Sami Khedira's 82nd-minute header, after strikes from Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan had seen Uruguay hit back from a goal down following Thomas Mueller's opener.The...

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Uruguay-Germany

For evidence of just how much the play-off for third place at the FIFA World Cup™ means, you only have to go back to the summer of 2006 and recall the determination with which host nation Germany rounded off their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Portugal in Stuttgart. It was the same for 1990 hosts Italy, who bounced back from the huge disappointment of semi-final defeat to Argentina with a spirit-lifting 2-1 success over England.And the showdown for the final place on the podium often proves most rewarding for dark horses that have lit up a tournament, such as Sweden at USA 1994, Croatia at France 1998 and Turkey at Korea/Japan...

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Jansen hopes to emulate the Spanish

Getty ImagesWith his side set to face Uruguay in Saturday's third place play-off, midfielder Marcell Jansen echoed captain Philipp Lahm's hopes that Germany's young side can emulate the rise of FIFA World Cup™ finalists Spain.Despite suffering key injuries in the run up to the finals, Germany have played some of the tournament's best football, hammering both England and Argentina before losing Wednesday's semi-final 1-0 to Spain.Joachim Low's side may have failed to reach the final but there have been many positives to take from their tournament, including the unearthing of rising stars Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller. European champions...

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Marchena: Our time has come

Carlos Marchena believes Spain are destined for the FIFA World Cup™ title, insisting the time for one of football's biggest underachievers has now come. The European champions come up against the Netherlands in the final at Soccer City tomorrow."I believe the history of football owes us this one," said Marchena, who has appeared mainly as a substitute so far. "There have been great moments in our history where fortune did not end up on our side. We have been through several great disappointments over the years. We tried hard then, but without any luck. Perhaps this time we are to change those bitter moments. I hope Sunday is one of...

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Busquets making Spain forget Senna

Two years ago when Spain lifted the European title in Vienna, a Brazilian-born defensive midfielder was widely regarded as the team's unsung star.With all the focus on the goalscoring feats of David Villa and Fernando Torres or the silky skills of Andres Iniesta and Xavi, Marcos Senna still managed to attract as many plaudits for his vital role in helping the rest of the team tick. He was also named in UEFA's squad of the tournament.But after a poor and injury-plagued season in Spain, the 33-year-old was left out of coach Vicente Del Bosque's FIFA World Cup™ squad. Instead, Del Bosque turned to 21-year-old Barcelona midfielder Sergio...

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adidas Golden Ball nominees announced

The FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke and adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer today officially announced the 10 nominees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ adidas Golden Ball. The adidas Golden Ball is the official FIFA trophy for the “Best Player of the Tournament”. The ten nominated players were selected by the FIFA Technical Study Group and includes football experts such as Kalusha Bwalya, Christian Karembeu, Jomo Sono and Gérard Houllier.Nominees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ adidas Golden Ball trophy are: Diego Forlan (URU, shirt #10), Asamoah Gyan (GHA, 3), Andres Iniesta (ESP, 6), Lionel Messi (ARG, 10), Mesut Oezil (GER, 8), Arjen Robben...

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The adidas Golden Ball: a look back

Presented to the outstanding player at each FIFA World Cup™ since 1982, the adidas Golden Ball award has always highlighted truly exceptional players. To coincide with the unveiling by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) of the ten-man shortlist for South Africa 2010, FIFA.com takes a trip down memory lane to recall previous winners of the accolade.2006, Zinedine Zidane (FRA)The French midfield maestro was a worthy winner of the adidas Golden Ball four years ago, with his staggering masterclass in the quarter-final tie with Brazil, match-winning performance versus Spain and Panenka-style penalty against Italy securing him the prestigious...

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