Goodbye to the most entertaining team in this year's tournament.

Ouch! This was not the game that we were all expecting. Where was the German team I have been watching?!?

You know, I think that the German team was actually doing better with Michael Ballack missing. I honestly think that was a plus (by subtraction)... until today that is.

Then I thought that maybe people were making too much of Thomas Muller but I think that Der Mannschaft was not the same with him sitting in the stands.

The Germans tried to change things around by subbing out Boateng and Piotr Trochowski but I think those were the wrong players to switch.  It should have been Klose and Podolski for Cacauand Gomez.  Putting Kroos in was a good choice.

What is interesting is that Germany was the 'Cinderella team' this year.  In four years they will be one of the favourites.  This is a team to watch in Euro-Cup in two years! 

The Spanish team is one made up of superstars, and those stars lost to Switzerland and struggled in every one of their games... until today.

This game was all Spain's and the score could've been 3-0 or even more lopsided for La Furia Roja. Well the one thing that I am very happy for is that we are going to have a brand-new, World Cup champion and both sides are very deserving, now and in their past appearances as well.

Paul the German Octopus correctly predicted this outcome and it is a little weird. Just a side point here but he does have a pretty good record.

Now here is an idea that I just want to throw out there (but it may be nice if it gets to FIFA).  I, personally, think that is weird that losing teams immediately head home.  I mean, in the Olympics, everyone stays for the closing ceremonies.  It is also no shame that one country loses to another one because all 32 teams have had years of qualifying and they are all deserving of winning although so many nationalities feel it is a disgrace unless they win every game but a wide margin. 

My thought is that if the teams and coaches would stay until the final, there could be a further game made up of 'dream-teams and coaches'.  This would add some pure fun and camaraderie to the whole thing, (money for FIFA and the hosts) and it would prevent "losers" from having to sneak home.  They could wait until everyone is laughing again and the heat is off.

Well it is going to be very nice to see either Spain or Holland win this whole thing and they both deserve it.

About John Kurtz

Australia: Out over the backline

All the cliches came out before the game. Both Australia and Serbia had everything to play for. They needed to give 110 per cent. Australia needed more than just a win. They needed to land a crushing blow.

When the match started, the floodgates opened…to a puff of dust. Barely a shot from an Australian boot bothered the Serbian keeper, who had but to lift an arm from his cabana chair to block a late anemic effort from Joshua “I’m too tall to get a haircut” Kennedy.

At the other end, Serbia were as busy as a hive-full of bees on caffeine. Serbian chances came from all angles.  Socceroo keeper, Mark Schwartzer again showed his mettle, spending more time stretched out on the grass than Cheech & Chong in Amsterdam.

It wasn’t until the second half that Australia shook off their lethargy. A few substitutes left a team more stacked up front than a Canadian beer ad. Fantastic Socceroo goals resulted: the first, a cracking header from Tim Cahill, the second, one of the best long-distance shots of the tournament, from Brett Holman.  2:0.

It was all looking good, until Schwartzer parried a shot into the path of Serbian striker Pantelic. 2:1

Apart from some tense moments at the end, Australia had its first victory of the tournament.

The crowd at the Sports Café erupted into whole minutes of rapture – until the news came through that one win was not enough. The Germans failed us, by not scoring 27 goals against Ghana, and we were out on goal difference

Lazy buggers.

For Australia, it means another four years of relative obscurity. ‘Football’ will reclaim its alter ego, “soccer” and Australian prime-time news reports will once again be crushed under unfathomable volumes of horse racing footage and something weird called netball.

For the Toronto fan base at the Australian-Canadian Association – God help us, perhaps it means cheering for another small, upstart country. As I write, somewhere in heaven, Michael Jackson looks down at Usher; Madonna (well, her career is dead) looks at Lady Gaga; and Australia’s mojo looks upon New Zealand.

“Hey," they all think…"that’s my move!”

In the end, however, Australia salvaged some pride. And you should see us play field hockey!

Four more years. Oy Oy Oy!

About Tom Vandepeer

France: Heartbreak on King St.

As I walk from Spadina Subway Station to the Alliance Francaise de Toronto, I realize the dreary weather seems to reflect the feelings of France supports in Toronto and abroad.  The past two games have seen France fans support their team in droves.  Much like their attitudes at the time, it was sunny and warm outside as fans made their way to watch the afternoon games.  Now, things are just dreary.

As a registered charity, the Alliance Francaise de Toronto dedicates itself to promoting French language and culture.  This also includes their national teams and I have been told that the walls of the Spadina location were packed the previous two games with France supporters watching on a projector screen in the main gallery.

Kick-off nears and only a handful of people are in attendance. Slight panic sets in among the few when it is realized that the Uruguay vs Mexico game is being shown on CBC.  Cooler heads luckily prevail as the channel is switched to the CBC's French station that is televising the match.

The match is underway and it doesn't take long to see and hear the feelings of the France supporters.  Frustration, demoralization and anxiety runs high in a room that is otherwise used for meetings and a picture gallery.  Other than the announcer, frustrated sighs and grunts are the only noises heard as fans sit cross armed in displeasure.

South Africa scores off a free-kick and moral in the room begins deflating.  Not long after, almost all confidence is lost when France, in my opinion, is harshly reduced to ten-men.  Yoann Gourcuff is given a straight red card for leading with his arm in a 50/50 header challenge.  Not long after that, the hosts score again and France is down 2-0.  France has to win by a large margin to even have a chance at moving on to the next round and supporters in the Alliance are completely shocked.  Some fans simply get up and leave without a word.

As the closing minutes of the half are played, I decide to use the half-time break to commute to King St. to see what is happening at the hub of France supporters in the city.  Leaving, I get a couple smiles and nods.  One well-dressed man even comes up to me and says that no one wants to watch anymore anyway because supporters are disgusted with the coach who should have been fired two years ago. I shake his hand good-bye and head southbound.

At Le Saint Tropez, there is a larger group of supporters.  Many are answering questions from television media about their feelings on the game.  I have seen France games here before and it is decibels quieter now.  Everyone seems to have come to the realization that their team is going to be eliminated in just over 30 minutes.

Suddenly, the satellite feed cuts out and the picture and sound turns into hosts in the studio apologizing for the technical complications.  Some life though is brought back into the France fans when it is announced that France has scored to make the game 2-1.  The picture comes back eventually and the game is played out.

The match ends with no further goals scored.  Uruguay and Mexico are moving onto the next round and South Africa and France are eliminated.  The history has been written for Group A.  I filter out of Le Saint Tropez and walk towards St. Andrew Subway Station.  When I get to a red light, I look back.  There are no people blowing whistles, waving flags or cheering on the streets or sidewalks.  On this dreary day in Toronto, for France fans, there is no party on King St.

About Stephen D'Angelo

Makarapa: the other symbol of South African football fever

Makarapa

It surely has funny sounding name as JABULANI and the VUVUZELA, but no controversy here.

About Khalid Magram

South Africa stadiums: virtual tour

You didn't have time or money to go to South Africa and watch the games from the bleachers?

Well, Google is trying to provide for those that always dreamed to be a soccer player by releasing a "street view mode" from the inside of all stadiums used in this World Cup.

Click on the link below and figure out how it is to be on the field, at least virtually:

http://www.google.com/intl/en_us/help/maps/streetview/gallery/index.html#south-africa-soccer-stadiums

About Paulo Porto

Embrace the Vuvuzela

"buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" 

Get used to the sound...Vuvuzela is here to stay.

Vuvuzela  has become a favourite topic of conversation at the FIFA World Cup and on the streets of Toronto.

As a fan of beautiful game and of African football I must come to Vuvuzelas' defense.

Critics say the Vuvuzela is too noisy and it should be banned from the World Cup. Their complaints have ranged from outright alarming — Vuvuzela spread viruses faster than coughing, to the absolute laughable players will not hear referees’ whistle!. And oh, TV viewers can't hear the commentator.

C'mon.

Vuvuzelas, drums and singing are part of African football culture. It is part of African celebration, it is part of African traditions and history. Accept it.

Blowing the Vuvuzela was also meant to blow away the injustice of apartheid.

For me taking away or hating the Vuvuzelas - that even the apartheid regime in South Africa did not seem to mind, is really being narrow minded, it will symbolize to South Africans intimidation, and restriction on their hard-fought freedoms after decades of racism, prejudices and abuse by the brutal apartheid regime.

Vuvuzela also symbolized and enabled Black South Africans to Dream about 'Freedom One Day.' It was the blowing of Vuvuzelas freely in football stadiums during the apartheid that gave Blacks in South Africa a minute taste of freedom.

There is an old African saying that goes like this: 'The baboon is killed by a lot of noise'.

South African football fans make as much noise as they can to confuse the opposing team on the field. Its gradual increase in loudness capable of striking fear into the hearts of the opposing team or maybe just to give their own team a wake up call.

Football is not like golf or tennis, where you are actively encouraged to keep quiet. This is a loud game Guys!. And I bet most of the Vuvuzela critics and haters have never ever before been to the football stadium or watch Liverpool play at Anfield, that is why they yawp.

I am not advocating that it makes a lovely sound, but you cannot deny the atmosphere it creates within the stadium. It can be incredibly intimidating for opposing teams at a packed Soccer City with 94,000 people blowing their lungs out in support of their boys. It gets the crowd going, and gives them an identity.

I am glad the Vuvuzela is out there, loud and proud - regardless of how it sounds. It stands for a bit more than that. Do I expect the critics to understand it? may be!

This may be the World Cup, but it is Africa's World Cup just like previous 18 were Europe's, Asian and South and North American. Taking away the Vuvuzela would be nothing short of another page of cultural imperialism exercised by Europe on Africa.

There are many who are struggling to find anything African in the stadiums except the infamous Vuvuzela.

So lets enjoy the African culture and beautiful game and Let the fans blow their Vuvuzelas during the World Cup.

About Khalid Magram

South Africa is ready for more!

I am so sorry that I am late blogging here but I have been totally immersed in the World Cup. I just finished watching the Germany/Australia game and what a game that was! I think we have seen our second strong performance from a team, the first being South Africa and now Die deutsche Fußballnationalmannschaft. Bravo to both the South Africans and the Germans!

Well of course anyone reading this is now well aware of what happened Friday morning with the strong and exciting game that South Africa had. They could have beat Mexico, and El Tri is a world-class team. I think that the South Africans thought they cleared the ball and allowed three Mexicans right up close to score their only goal. Other than that, and the late chance that the South Africans failed to capitalize on, we would have won.

The man of the match is the South African goal keeper, Itumeleng Khune. That guy is world class and I wouldn't be surprised to see him in Europe next year! With a keeper like Khune you can go far.

I was happy to see France and Uruguay tie and now we move on to what I consider an easier match. In my opinion both Uruguay and then France are one-trick ponies, with only one outstanding player each. For Uruguay, it's Diego Forlan and France has Franck Ribery. (I know we could talk about others such as Henry but in my opinion these two are the only ones showing any signs of life.)

South Africa now has the magic. This is what a team needs in this tournament . You have to remember that none of these countries play together regularly like a club would, so you really need to have that feeling and drive to mold the men together quickly. Having the home field advantage has been great and there is a good vibe going through the country and the continent. It may be Africa's time.

I hope you can see the attachment that I have included and it works for you. It is an excellent schedule of the games and venues and it helps in a second to see all of the details.

http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mundial/sudafrica-2010/calendario-english.html

About John Kurtz

Time for an African upset?

'Waka Waka,' This time for Africa...

Deck the living room with your team gear. Wave your country flag. Adopt a country to cheer if yours didn't make it. And after four long years of waiting, the football family will be glued to the action this morning. The 2010 World Cup kicks off as South Africa takes on Mexico.

Every football lover will always remember the opening day of FIFA World Cup and the surprises that can happen during the curtain-raiser. 

African sides are always good for a surprise:

For me it will always be the 1994 World Cup in Italy when the world champion Argentina with her beloved son and captain Maradona were all out to quiet the Indomitable Lions.

Then in the 22nd minute of the scoreless second period match, the unthinkable happened. Francois Omam-Biyik headed the goal that secured Cameroon a 1-0 win in one of the biggest sensations in the history of the beautiful game.

Will South Africa with the help of the 12th man on the pitch blowing Vuvuzela usher a surprise, bringing joy to home fans ?

Maradona's threat:

Diego Maradona has promised to run naked through the center of Buenos Aires if Argentina wins the World Cup.

The Argentina coach made the promise during a radio show. The unpredictable Maradona was speaking a day after Argentina defeated Canada 5-0 in its final warm-up match before the World Cup.

The Argentine press is sure Maradona will keep his promise as he earlier posed naked for the El Grafico magazine.

But before Maradona realizes his dream. The Le Selection have to hop through the Super Eagles hurdle, who in their own right are out for revenge and hoping the Maradona XI's chemistry does not click. Because if it does then 'Look out."

Argentina plays in Group B, opening against Nigeria on June 12.

About Khalid Magram

Going back to the Roots?

When FIFA released the details of their ticket scheme for the 2010 World Cup, I was very critical of its policy of releasing them first to corporations. The idea being that FIFA could sell travel packages to companies with box seats wrapped in for the execs and excellent stand seats for other members of the company. However as the recession hit companies backed away from buying these lavish ticket packages, plus many stayed away because of the possibility of crime in South Africa. It opened the door for regular everyday citizens of South Africa to purchase tickets that would not be available to them in normal circumstances.

Now one can argue against the fact that FIFA offered what in a sense were poor man tickets, priced, selected and distributed in poorer areas of South Africa. However it actually can be applauded for releasing many of the unsold tickets to the general public at the discounted rate.

At first the method of trying to sell these discounted tickets was flawed as they were only available online. As most of the poorer peoples of South Africa had no access to the Internet it stayed a fairly exclusive event. Then after finally consulting with local officials FIFA made them available in selected local grocery stores for cash. At this point the tickets began to sell out, what this will bring to the World Cup is a true fan experience in the stands.

World Cups in the past have been accused of having fairly dead stadiums while the atmosphere outside the stadium is electric. The hope this year is that the there is more of a balance in terms of the atmosphere. As David Bond writes in his blog for the BBC; this could be the beginning of a move to back to the fan oriented World Cup in which the fan will rule the stadium, not the corporation.

Check out David Bond's blog by clicking on his name, and check out my blog at footballsavesall.blogspot.com.

About Mike Newell

South Africa is already a winner

No matter how the South African squad performs in this tournament, they are already winners. The reason I can say that is to see how far they have come and how fast they have done it.

First, they are hosting the World Cup, the most watched sporting event on Earth. They are the first African nation to do so and they have already hosted the FIFA Confederations Cup (as hosts of World Cup it is automatically given to them) and did a fine job of it. Many of their stadiums are used for rugby as well, so they have to be in good shape, at all times.

They finished in fourth place out of the eight team tournament. What is even more impressive than this result, is how well they played against both Brazil and Spain. They led Spain 1-0 part of the game and then finally lost in extra time. With Brazil, the South African team held the South American Champions for most of the match. Now that is impressive! If you can hold back Brazil then you could theoretically hold back anyone. I mean, Brazil has such a good team they did not even take Cacau, a player who led the scoring in the German league. (The Germans were happy to take him though.)

Now, since we are talking a little bit about Brazil, how about Carlos Alberto Parreira for the coach of South Africa? Usually I like to see native people coach their own teams, but surely it couldn't hurt to have some experience like what Parreira brings to this team.

Secondly, look at the pictures of the South African team. This is a team that all South Africans will be cheering for no matter what their background. Enough said about that.

Now, I will be the first to admit that this squad needs to find more goals, and good ones at that. But look at their last five game results and I think anyone would be impressed: beating Denmark (I remember when the Danes were an international powerhouse), winning against Guatemala 5-0, taking Colombia 2-1 (also a former strong team), tying Bulgaria and beating Thailand.

Not bad at all!

Now South Africa didn't have to qualify to get into this tournament so we have yet to see how they will perform under real pressure. But so far, it looks like we could have an exciting team. I hope and pray that they can find that magic that will take them past the group stage and deep into this competition.

I remember Cameroon's great World Cup run in 1990 and how everyone seemed to cheer for them, no matter who they played against. Would winning it be too far out of the question? Pele predicted that an African team would win the World Cup by the year 2000. Well he may have the date wrong but let's let him see his African Champions in S.A. this year.

Finally, South Africa will be winners if this soccer tournament really pulls the fabric of their beautiful country together. Talking to a few ex-pats, there are problems in the Cape, but maybe this event can do what it is supposed to and make people forget their differences and try to work together.

About John Kurtz