Slovakia bowed out of the FIFA World Cup™ with a Round of 16 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands on Monday as coach Vladimir Weiss hailed Dutch winger Arjen Robben an “absolute genius”. Robben scored the first Dutch goal, controlling a long Wesley Sneijder pass and cutting in past defenders Jan Durica and Radoslav Zabavnik to drill a left-footed shot in at the near post past the despairing dive of Jan Mucha.
World Cup 2010
The World Cup 2010, occasionally called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international football competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. The championship has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930, except in 1942 and 1946, because of World War II.
The current format of the tournament involves 32 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation(s) over a period of about a month – this phase is often called the World Cup Finals. A qualification phase, which currently takes place over the preceding three years, is used to determine which teams qualify for the tournament together with the host nation(s). The World Cup is the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world, with an estimated 715.1 million people watching the 2006 final.
Of the 18 tournaments held, seven nations have won the title. Brazil are the only team to have played in every tournament and have won the World Cup a record five times. Italy are the current champions and have won four titles, and Germany are next with three. The other former champions are Uruguay, winners of the inaugural tournament, and Argentina, with two titles each, and England and France, with one title each.
The most recent World Cup was held in Germany in 2006. The next World Cup will be held in South Africa, between 11 June and 11 July 2010, and the 2014 World Cup will be held in Brazil.
World Cup News
Ousted Slovakia hail ‘genius’ Robben
June 28th, 2010
Returning Robben helps sink Slovakia
June 28th, 2010
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Slovakia’s fairy-tale run came to an end at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Monday, with Arjen Robben returning to the starting line-up and helping fire the organised Oranje into the quarter-finals with the first goal in a 2-1 win. As the only debutants at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ head for home with [...]
Vittek: Win has moved the goalposts
June 25th, 2010
Robert Vittek believes Slovakia’s shock FIFA World Cup™ win over Italy has “moved the limits” of what the country can achieve in the game. A goal in each half from Vittek put the eastern European side in charge at Ellis Park and Kamil Kopunek’s third finally proved decisive in fending off a late Italian fightback as Vladimir Weiss’ side booked a place in the last 16 on their World Cup debut.
Slovakia advance, eliminate Italy
June 24th, 2010
Slovakia survived a late onslaught to beat Italy 3-2, reach the Round of 16 and eliminate their illustrious opponents. A Robert Vittek double and a stoppage-time lob from substitute Kamil Kopunek proved enough for Vladimir Weiss’s team to advance as Group F runners-up, after late goals from Antonio Di Natale and Fabio Quagliarella had ensured a dramatic conclusion to a thrilling contest in Johannesburg.
Jakubko accepts Italy challenge
June 22nd, 2010
Slovakia striker Martin Jakubko says there will no surprises when they face Italy in their final FIFA World Cup™ Group F match on Thursday.
Vladimir Weiss’s side need a victory if they are to have any hope of making it through to the second phase. Slovakia, in the finals for the first time, lost to Paraguay on Sunday after a draw against New Zealand.
Weiss senior backs son to shine
June 14th, 2010
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss has admitted the pressure is on his starlet son as his team prepares to meet New Zealand during their FIFA World Cup™ opener in the Royal Bafokeng stadium.
Weiss junior, 20, who was on loan at Bolton from Manchester City for the latter part of last season, will almost certainly start in midfield for a Slovakian team participating at a FIFA World Cup finals for the first time as an independent nation.
Skrtel nearing fitness
June 10th, 2010
Slovakia’s Martin Skrtel is nearing fitness as he continues his recovery from injury. The 25-year-old Liverpool defender has been unable to train with his team-mates since their arrival in South Africa yesterday, but is expected to step up his work tomorrow as coach Vladimir Weiss prepares for Tuesday’s opening Group F clash with New Zealand in Rustenburg.
Weiss ready to attack All Whites
June 9th, 2010
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss is determined his side will adopt an attacking approach when they face New Zealand in their Group F opening game on Tuesday.
Skrtel boost for Slovakia
June 8th, 2010
Martin Skrtel is expected to be fit for Slovakia’s opening 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ match against New Zealand in Rustenburg.
Skrtel was substituted early on in the 3-0 friendly win over Costa Rica on Saturday, prompting fears that he would miss the tournament with an ankle problem.
Sestak: Nothing to lose
June 7th, 2010
Slovakia striker Stanislav Sestak believes low expectations around his side could work in their favour at the FIFA World Cup™.
Slovakia are contesting the tournament for the first time as an independent nation after surprisingly topping their qualification group but few pundits expect them to make waves in South Africa.
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News World Cup 2010
Capello: I accept retirements
Fabio Capello sidestepped reports of a communication problem with his England squad after Paul Robinson and Wes Brown both retired from international football at the weekend. The Blackburn goalkeeper and Manchester United defender both made their decisions after being called up for Wednesday's friendly against Hungary at Wembley.... details
O'Neill resigns as Villa managerAston Villa have announced the shock resignation of manager Martin O'Neill with immediate effect. O'Neill was seemingly preparing for this weekend's Premier League opener at home to West Ham United, but a statement from Villa this afternoon announced his departure. No reason has been given.... details
Low relishing 2012 challengeGermany coach Joachim Low has said that he could not walk away from the challenge of transforming his young side from FIFA World Cup™ semi-finalists to European champions.... details
Berlusconi: Milan will never sell Ronaldinho Guardiola hopes for long-term stayBarcelona coach Pep Guardiola wants to remain at the Nou Camp for the long-term, despite insisting on only signing a one-year contract at the club. Guardiola, who has won seven trophies in his first two years as Barça coach, signed a new deal last week which runs until next June.... details
Mazzarri delighted to land CavaniNapoli coach Walter Mazzarri is delighted to have Edinson Cavani among his players. Cavani completed his move from Palermo on Saturday, with the Azzurri shelling out a fee in the region of €12million.... details
Mainz swoop for FuchsMainz have signed Christian Fuchs on a season loan from Bochum, with an option to make the deal permanent next summer. The agreement ensures the Austria midfielder will play Bundesliga football in the upcoming campaign after being relegated with Bochum last term.... details
Cole joins LiverpoolLiverpool have signed former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer. The 28-year-old England international left Stamford Bridge at the end of last season after failing to agree a new contract with the club and has agreed personal terms on a four-year deal at Anfield.... details
Non-stop action in South AmericaDespite 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 keep the continent’s football fans occupied.... details
Beckham: I don't want to manageHenry seals New York moveNew York Red Bulls have signed Thierry Henry from Barcelona on a "multi-year contract", the Major League Soccer club have confirmed. The 32-year-old former Arsenal captain moved to the Camp Nou in 2007 and had one year remaining on his Barça contract, but the club agreed last month that he could leave. "Red Bull New York announced today that it has signed star French forward Thierry Henry to a multi-year contract as its second designated player," the club said today in a statement on their website.... details
Udinese rule out Sanchez saleAlexis Sanchez will not leave Udinese this summer despite reported interest from Manchester United and Roma, according to the club's president. The winger has been linked to several leading European clubs this summer after a good performance for Chile at the FIFA World Cup™. However, Udinese have no intention of selling the 21-year-old star, who is currently on holiday.... details
Rajevac keen to stay onMilovan Rajevac wants to remain as Ghana coach, despite receiving several offers following a successful FIFA World Cup™. The Serbian has seen his stock rise over the past month after leading the Black Stars into the quarter-finals in South Africa, where they were beaten on penalties. The west Africans surpassed all expectations, even without star midfielder Michael Essien of Chelsea, and their coach said: "I am still under contract with the Ghana Football Association.... details
Iniesta: I never lost faithSpain hero Andres Iniesta claims he never lost faith in achieving FIFA World Cup™ success, despite a frustrating season with injuries and a bad start for Vicente del Bosque's side in South Africa. Iniesta, who scored the extra-time winner for Spain in the FIFA World Cup Final against Holland on Sunday, struggled for long periods last season with a thigh problem and only reappeared for Barcelona right at the end of the campaign. The midfielder then aggravated the injury in Spain's friendly win over Poland before the start of the FIFA World Cup and was forced off once more as Del Bosque's side went down 1-0 to Switzerland in their opening match in South Africa.... details
Defeated Dutch honoured at homeThousands of fans turned the canals of Amsterdam into a sea of orange Tuesday, honking vuvuzelas and throwing confetti at the Dutch football team after its nailbiting FIFA World Cup™ defeat to Spain. The team, casual in shorts and T-shirts, floated along the seven-kilometre (over four-mile) route on a river boat decorated with orange flowers, sipping beer and making toasts in the direction of the adoring crowds who waved flags, danced and chanted "Holland, Holland" to pumping music.... details