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June 8, 2006
The 18th quadrennial, month-long carnival that is the FIFA World Cup™ finals is ahead. Never in the world a WC tournament has been worldwide promoted more than news media have been doing lately. All over the globe people now know the WC football tournament in Germany is going to begin within short. Tomorrow the first match will be played. But today even in the smallest and tinyest townships of the globe people are expecting and partying along when waiting to see their favourite hero's to win the prestigeous world football cup. We are going to see it: 32 qualified national teams - from 32 nations from around the world - are divided in eight groups A to H, so that four national teams will be playing in each wc group. That is 64 matches.
The Netherlands have clothed in orange, their national colour. During the tournament the country and the papers will colour orange like new years day, all orange, wether its squad will be the champion or not. Most people have forgotten what these festivities are about and are partying becourse of the joy they will experience. The WC is alive in this country and one will follow the matches even if the Dutch squad is cicked out early after only a few matches. For then they will follow their favorite squad to enjoy the pleasure of the WC.
Who will be the new world champion football 2006?, is the heavy question of the moment. Well, the ball is rounder then ever, and saying this everything has been said. Some squads are favourites and among them are the Dutch orange eleven. But after tomorrow we will see the developments and tense will rise when more matches have been played. On this pages we will follow everything and all the best actions of the 64 games to come for you.
9 juni
The German federal president Horst Köhler officially declared the world football championship this afternoon for opened in the Allianz-Arena stadium of Munich. The largest sportfenomenum on earth can begin and Brazil may defend its world title. As a high point on this opening ceremony can be mentioned the entry of about a 170
football veterans, from the seven countries that up till now won the world title.
Germany, a three time winner, was represented by the comlete selection of 1974. In those days it won the title in its own country by winning the match versus the Dutch eleven with the famous Johan Cruijff.
Countries that ever won the title are, next to Brazil and Germany, England, Argentine, Italy, France and Uruquay.
In this championship the Dutch can play an important role again, for it has a good team on the grass. If they can come as far as South-Corea a few years ago under coatch Guus Hidding, making it far in a miraculous way, most Dutch will be happy looking at thier new flat tv-sets. This whole spectacle is an orange happening and for many on this earth - who don't care who will win - the pleasure of this grand sport event likes to be for ever.
Early in the evening the first match had been played en the first winner was known: Germany conquered Cost Rica in an entertaining match. The winners played a match in thier own country and that's always a pro, but hey als have a good team that can come far in these finals. The winning goals were made by Lahm in de 6th, Klose in de 17th en 62th minute, and the contra-goals came from Wanchope in the 12th en 73th minute and Frings in the 87th minute, 4 - 2 for Germany. A nice comeing in for the Germans and good for their ego. The country's ambition is to use this WC to show off that their guests must feel 'at home among friends'.
It was a bad day for Poland. The match Poland - Ecudor was a lost one for them, 0 - 2. In the 20th and 80th minute the Ecuadorians kicked and headed the ball twice into the Polish box, while Poland was only watching what was going on.
The first matches have been played this day. Many were intensely watching and especially the first match showed nice football. The best however has to come yet. The sphere and the ambiance are there and Holland and all the world is waiting for the new spectacles on the green carpet.
June 10
The second day of the championship and thé pity of the WC took place this afternoon.
The tame opening match England - Paraquay ended 1 - 0, but the English were only verry lucky, since the Paraquanian captain Carlos Gamarra headed in own box and rarely can victory have been so unfulfilling. The quality of the match made clear that both elevens did not have the quality to be a final cup winner.
The other match of the day was played by Trinidad versus Sweden and ended 0 - 0. These are minor squads in the WC but playing in the WC alone is a reason for joy for the national teams.
11 juni
This is a great day for the Dutch orange team. The intense heat overthere in Leipzig was not a pro. But they did not leaf it by that this Sunday afternoon.
Despite the warmth in the Zentralstadion of Leipzig the Dutch beat the in the mean time become almost homeless Serbs (one Montenegrinian in the team). Arjen Robben put orange players to a 1-0 in the 17th minute. He could not but roar after his giant shot after which the team ambraced and lay on the ground arms wide. That was that. And it did not change anymore. Neither club wa able t score once again. Orange ruled the green and the match showed entertaining football. It was hot: "It seemd we were playing in the Sahara.", Robben said.
Trainer van Basten was rather content. "It was important to start with a win in this WK".
And the Dutch can keep smiling.
June 12
The United States always feels challenged by the World Cup. Unlike the Olympics, where Americans tend to dominate, the US has rarely shone in the tournament, although it famously defeated England in 1950. It is an 80-1 long shot this time and may struggle to overcome group stage opponents Ghana and the Czech Republic, let alone Italy. For Americans used to winning, there is something vaguely shocking about this. Loosing from Szechia 0 - 3 is hard for the US. But what can we expect from a country that only knows dollars and call a mighty match like football only soccer!!
June 13
Today we only look at the match South Korea versus Togo, 2 - 1. Before kick-off the Togolese players lined up as their national anthem boomed out not looking proud or excited, but confused and incensed: it wasn't their anthem. The stadium announcer had gaffed and pressed 'repeat' on the South Korean national anthem. So everything can go wrong, but you only don't know when. Thus it was now, for them.
But in the match Togo took the lead hitting the ball in the box first. Then however S-Korea revenged, 1 - 1 and 2 - 1. In 2002 South Korea made it as far as half final under Dutch coach Guus Hidding, and this year they try to equal themselves, but now under Dutch coach Dick Advocaat. So the 2006 Cup Finals are attended by four Dutch coaches, these two and Leo Beenhakker (Trinidad) and van Basten (Holland). This is a remarcable fact, indeed, and w'll keep an eye on South Korea for you.
June 14
Today it was Tunesia versus Saudi-Arabia (2 - 2), two Arabian nations in the WC, which is rather a newity. Also Germany versus Poland was on the agenda (1 - 0). This is in so fare of importance, that we have to concider that Germany four year ago lost the match versus Brazil, so the last one became World Champion 2002. And Brazil has to defend its status in the WC 2006 now. But now Germany defeated the Polish, almost all the time the match was on the Polish part of the field, attack after attack and one could wait for it, the ball must go into the Polish box. And yes. In the last minute the score become 1 - 0. Well earned.
June 16
The score of Holland versus Ivory Coast (2 - 1) did not meet reality. The Ivorians fought like lyons. The only thing that keep their country together is playing in this tournament. Their country is devided by rebellions and the governmental army for years. In this WC all liad down their weapons and the psychological burden that rest on the Ivorian aquad was enormous. But they lost though it had not be wrong when they had won the match.
And Argentina beat the Serbs (6 - 0), when Holland only won 1 - 0 versus the Serbs, so it seems the Argentines will beat the Dutch when they meet them.
June 17
You won't belief it but Italy was not able to defeat the US. Started as a favourit for this WC the Italians did not do verry well, even worse. Italian papers were furious in their opinions. We think US had a lucky day, for the team played part of the match with nine men only and even one goal was a home made one by Italy.
June 20, 15.30 CET
Four matches are going to be played today. But these will not change anything, for the winners and second places for the 1/8-final are already known. Yet it would be something ironic when now a groupswinner would loose a match. Tonight we will be up to date.
23.00 uur
The matches have been played and the winners known. Engeland (2 - 0) triomphed over Sweden and the Poles beat Costa Rica (2-1). Both not unexpected. Further, as it had to be, the Germans naturely fought Ecuador (3-0) and they think to be in the race
for the world title now. Paraguay versus Trinidad (2 - 0) was a won race before but the Trinidadians became world famous in the mean time with their Dutch coach Don Leo uttering all kinds of football wisdoms.
This WC tournament also knows its troubles, which may appear from the behaviour of the Togolese team. Next Friday they have to play, but becouse the teamplayers would catch maney first from the FIFA they said to boycot the WC if they were not payed first. The FIFA did so and the match will go on now.
June 21, 23.00 CET
The matches are done and the winners known.
The one important match of today was the Dutch (Orange) versus favourite Argentina. And what no one expected happened, the Dutch played even (0 - 0) and became moraly the winner. Especially the last fifteen minutes they were the better squad, and had they played thus trong during the whole match they would certainly have won in number of goals. Tomorrow papers all around the world will inform us widely about their opinions and praise both teams, but more the Dutch.
Remarcable this day was the fact that Dutch prince William of Orange (future Dutch king) and his Argentine wife Maxima (future Dutch queen) were pressent in the Frankfurt stadium. This forms a tripple coincident of circumstances in itself.
The WC results up till now lead to the following 1/8-finale matches: Argentina - Mexico and Holland - Portugal. See the large schedule down below.
June 22
You will not wonder why when we write that Italy overpowered the Tzechs (2-0). In fact the Italians had to win the match in order to keep their heads up. And the loosing of the US from Ghana (0-2) caused the Ghanese to hip hoy and their countrymen back home were verry enjoyed of course. It's the first African nation top reach the next level in the WC.
And of course it goes without saying that Japan became the looser versus Brazil (1-4). In fact the Japanese were nowhere to be seen in the neighbourhood of the ball. The match Australia versus Kroatia ended even (2-2). But the Australians with their Dutch coach Guus Hidding go to the next level in the WC. In Australia they like him and his achievements with his squad verry much.
June 23
Today the last our matches are played in the goups G and H. Next are the 1/8-finals to be played. But first the most important results of the last matches. Saudi-Arabia lost versus Spain (0 - 1), so Spain will play the 1/8-final. Oekraïne won versus Tunesia (1 - 0) and Tunesia can go home.
Togo lost against France (0 - 2) and France looses less fave. Switzerland versus South-Korea (2 - 0) delivered not the result the Koreans of Dutch coach Hiddink had hoped for and unexpected the Swiss go on to the 1/8-final.
June 24
We expected Germany to win this match and they did (2-0). Sweden is out. Argentina won the match against Mexico (2-1), so this team will come out to meet the squad of Germany later on in the half finals.
June 25
England against Ecuador ended in a 1-0 victory for the Brittish, but it was a rather dull match. If it was not that Beckham could score by a free kick neither squad would have won the match.
The Portugese have kicked the Dutch team out of the WC. They won the match by a 1-0 victory. This was one of the roughest matches of the WC, worse playing, no good show, bad manors, many yellow and red cards. For the orange squad of the Netherlands the game is over.
June 26
The press complained about the quality of the refferee that yesterday led the match Portugal-Holland. Sixteen yellow and four red carts tell something about the truth in this case.
Two matches today. Italy beat opponent Australia (1-0) and it could not be otherwise, though it happened in the last minutes.
The match Ukraine-Switzerland needs extra time for the score keeps to be 0-0. Extra time does not create a decission so penalties it is then. Ukraine scores three penalties and the Swiss nil. The outcome is 3-0 for Ukriane.
June 27
The last day of the 1/8-finale matches and this part of the WC 2006 is completed. Brazil beat Ghana (3-0) and France was stronger than the Spanish (3-1).
June 30
Two 1/4-final matches today, England against Argentina and Italy against Ukraine.
The Argentines were the best squad but the final score during the official playing time was 0-0. This was followed by a penalty shoot out that ended in a 4-2 for Germany. So Germany is the first winner.
And Italy overpowered the Ukraines and won the match in the usual time (3-0).
July 1
Today also two 1/4-final matches. Portugal beat England in a final penalty shoot out (3-1).
The second match was impi=ortant for Brazil for htey had to defend their world championship against France. But they couldn't and France one (1-0). In any case there will come a new world schampion 2006.
July 4
Tonight the big match Germany against Italy. After 90 minutes regular time the score was 0-0, so extra time was needed. But 15 minutes later the score still was 0-0 and another 15 minutes extra time kept both teams on the grass. Now in the second last minute Italy scored 1-0 and before the ref wistled the end signal Italy scored again, 2-0. Germany lost a illusian and Italy will play in the final.
July 5
The last match of th 1/2-finals has been played, the duel between France and Portugal. The France team opened by a discutable penalty shot in by Zinedine Zidane. After that no more scores. Now France will meet the Italians on July 9 next Sunday, the last match for the World Cup. Which team will be the World Champion football 2006.
July 8
Today the match for the 3d place in the WC was played. Germany against Portugal (2-1). So Germany ended as 3d in the WC 2006.
July 9
Finally the last day of the WC with the match between France and Italy for the world championship. The most exiting moment of the match became the headpush of Zidane that he gave his Italian opponent. So out of the match with red. Italy won by 3-1 an became the new World Champion football 2006.
This championship 2006 herewidth came to an end.
But, ..., this headpush became a worldwide phenomenan the world over. Every paper described it, showed the photo,
taken from the left and from the right, commented on it or critisized the players atitude. This was a bad ending of a professional football career and should never have taken place. But it took place and the world came to know the gesture. The Dutch even nominated the photo 'World Press Photo' in catagory 'sports action stories', encouraged by the image as shown to the right.
So this WC 2006 had a tail. By now we are already looking for the WC 2010 in South-Africa, and waiting for new 'sporting' events, for in football it happens.
Once again, this championship 2006 herewidth came to an end.
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