The football (soccer) world cup 2010 started on 11 June 2010 at Johannesburg, South Africa.
There were 32 teams in all, divided into 8 groups. Brazil, Spain, Argentina, England were the favourites at the start.
Group A: Uruguay, Mexico, South Africa, France
Group B: Argentina, Korea Republic, Greece, Nigeria
Group C: USA, England, Slovenia, Algeria
Group D: Germany, Ghana, Australia, Serbia
Group E: Netherlands, Japan, Denmark, Cameroon
Group F: Paraguay, Slovakia, New Zealand, Italy
Group G: Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, Korea DPR
Group H: Spain, Chile, Switzerland, Honduras
Last edition's (2006) champions (Italy) and runners-up (France) were among those teams that were eliminated in the Group stages.
Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea, USA, England, Germany, Ghana, Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Chile progressed to the Round of 16. At this stage, Argentina, Brazil were the favourites.
Round of 16 started on 26 June and ended on 29 June with two matches per day, at 7-30PM and 12 midnight IST. Uruguay, Ghana, Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain,Paraguay were the eight teams that progressed to QuarterFinals. Now, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Germany were the favourites.
Quarter Finals were played on 02 July and 03 July. In the first match at 7-30PM on 2-7-2010, Holland surprised Brazil, the overwhelming favourite. Brazil started with a goal from Robinho and led 1-0 at half-time. However, in the 2nd half Holland played strongly, its equaliser coming from a Brazil defender. Then Holland scored its second goal, thru. It was a shock defeat for Brazil
In the other match at 12 midnight (IST) Uruguay beat Ghana in the penalty shootout. They were 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes. Ghana missed a golden opprtunity when in the 120th minute they missed scoring from 2 meters; then their star player Gyan missed a Penalty in the 120th minute. Now Uruguay will meet Holland in the 1st SF on 6-7-2010.
On 3-7-2010, Germany thrashed Argentina 4-0. Germans were fast, attacking and played a wonderful game. Klose scored 2 goals. In the 4th QF match, Spain faced Paraguay. Paraguay with its closed and tight defence could keep the attacking Spain for a long time. Paraguay missed a penalty (Spain goalkeeper saved it) and in the next minute, it was the turn of Spain's Xabi Alonso to miss the Penalty. However, the inimitable David Villa and Iniesta combined to put Spain in the lead. Spain will meet Germany in the 2nd SF on 7th July.
SEMI-FINALS
On 2nd July, 12 midnight(IST), Holland met Uruguay in the 1st SF.They easily beat Uruguay 3-2, though the scoreline may tell a different story. Holland was in command.
On 3rd July, SPAIN comfortably beat Germany 1-0 from a goal by Puyol (74th minute). Spain's game was so beautiful that even the opposition coach appreciated it. Spain's "possession-football" and one-touch, short-passing speak of the high skill of the Spain players (Xavi, Iniesta).
THIRD-PLACE
On 10th, the match for the third place was played between Germany and Uruguay. My bet was on Germany. And, so it was. Germany beat Uruguay 3 - 2. Both the teams played entertaining attacking game. Germany fielded almost its second string - its stars like Klose, Podolski, Lahm, its goalkeeper were all rested. Uruguay and its star player Forlan were a bit unlucky that Forlan's freekick at 90+2 minutes hit the crossbar. Had it been a success ....! But Germany played a better game altogether and deserved the win.
FINALS
Finals between Spain and Holland on 11th July was the most "foul-ish". Holland played like thugs initially. In all, they collected 7 yellow cards and one RED card; Spain too lost its cool somewhat, retorted back with 5 fouls. A few chances were missed by both the teams but it was Spain who were looking the likely winners as the match progressed.
Nil - Nil score at regular time, the match went on to Extra time; extra time also was barren even though Spain missed a lot of chances. Finally, with just 4 minutes to go (116 minutes) Iniesta collected a pass from Fabregas and thumped the only goal - the winning goal. Well done Spain and Robert INIESTA deserved the goal.
I used to like Holland in all the previous WCs but today they played like thugs. At least initially. Well deserved win for the "best team in the world" Spain.
The World cup - 2010 in South Africa has thus ended after 31 days and 64 matches.
rajappa
09:30 AM
12 July 2010
There were 32 teams in all, divided into 8 groups. Brazil, Spain, Argentina, England were the favourites at the start.
Group A: Uruguay, Mexico, South Africa, France
Group B: Argentina, Korea Republic, Greece, Nigeria
Group C: USA, England, Slovenia, Algeria
Group D: Germany, Ghana, Australia, Serbia
Group E: Netherlands, Japan, Denmark, Cameroon
Group F: Paraguay, Slovakia, New Zealand, Italy
Group G: Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, Korea DPR
Group H: Spain, Chile, Switzerland, Honduras
Last edition's (2006) champions (Italy) and runners-up (France) were among those teams that were eliminated in the Group stages.
Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea, USA, England, Germany, Ghana, Netherlands, Japan, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Chile progressed to the Round of 16. At this stage, Argentina, Brazil were the favourites.
Round of 16 started on 26 June and ended on 29 June with two matches per day, at 7-30PM and 12 midnight IST. Uruguay, Ghana, Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain,Paraguay were the eight teams that progressed to QuarterFinals. Now, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Germany were the favourites.
Quarter Finals were played on 02 July and 03 July. In the first match at 7-30PM on 2-7-2010, Holland surprised Brazil, the overwhelming favourite. Brazil started with a goal from Robinho and led 1-0 at half-time. However, in the 2nd half Holland played strongly, its equaliser coming from a Brazil defender. Then Holland scored its second goal, thru. It was a shock defeat for Brazil
In the other match at 12 midnight (IST) Uruguay beat Ghana in the penalty shootout. They were 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes. Ghana missed a golden opprtunity when in the 120th minute they missed scoring from 2 meters; then their star player Gyan missed a Penalty in the 120th minute. Now Uruguay will meet Holland in the 1st SF on 6-7-2010.
On 3-7-2010, Germany thrashed Argentina 4-0. Germans were fast, attacking and played a wonderful game. Klose scored 2 goals. In the 4th QF match, Spain faced Paraguay. Paraguay with its closed and tight defence could keep the attacking Spain for a long time. Paraguay missed a penalty (Spain goalkeeper saved it) and in the next minute, it was the turn of Spain's Xabi Alonso to miss the Penalty. However, the inimitable David Villa and Iniesta combined to put Spain in the lead. Spain will meet Germany in the 2nd SF on 7th July.
SEMI-FINALS
On 2nd July, 12 midnight(IST), Holland met Uruguay in the 1st SF.They easily beat Uruguay 3-2, though the scoreline may tell a different story. Holland was in command.
On 3rd July, SPAIN comfortably beat Germany 1-0 from a goal by Puyol (74th minute). Spain's game was so beautiful that even the opposition coach appreciated it. Spain's "possession-football" and one-touch, short-passing speak of the high skill of the Spain players (Xavi, Iniesta).
INIESTA
Xavi
The finals on 11th July will be between Spain and Holland. I pray for Spain's win.THIRD-PLACE
On 10th, the match for the third place was played between Germany and Uruguay. My bet was on Germany. And, so it was. Germany beat Uruguay 3 - 2. Both the teams played entertaining attacking game. Germany fielded almost its second string - its stars like Klose, Podolski, Lahm, its goalkeeper were all rested. Uruguay and its star player Forlan were a bit unlucky that Forlan's freekick at 90+2 minutes hit the crossbar. Had it been a success ....! But Germany played a better game altogether and deserved the win.
FINALS
Finals between Spain and Holland on 11th July was the most "foul-ish". Holland played like thugs initially. In all, they collected 7 yellow cards and one RED card; Spain too lost its cool somewhat, retorted back with 5 fouls. A few chances were missed by both the teams but it was Spain who were looking the likely winners as the match progressed.
Nil - Nil score at regular time, the match went on to Extra time; extra time also was barren even though Spain missed a lot of chances. Finally, with just 4 minutes to go (116 minutes) Iniesta collected a pass from Fabregas and thumped the only goal - the winning goal. Well done Spain and Robert INIESTA deserved the goal.
I used to like Holland in all the previous WCs but today they played like thugs. At least initially. Well deserved win for the "best team in the world" Spain.
The World cup - 2010 in South Africa has thus ended after 31 days and 64 matches.
rajappa
09:30 AM
12 July 2010
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