World Cup 2010 Blog: “Antonio Cassano Has Other Plans This Summer” plus 2 more

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• Antonio Cassano Has Other Plans This Summer
• USA World Cup 2010 Profile
• 10 World Cup Questions: Australia

Antonio Cassano Has Other Plans This Summer Posted: 28 Apr 2010 04:44 AM PDT Sampdoria’s Antonio Cassano never looked likely to play for Italy at the World Cup this summer. Though Cassano made the squad for Euro 2008, and has been in decent form for Sampdoria, the 27 year old’s international career has been on hiatus ever since World Cup winner Marcello Lippi was reinstated as Azzurri boss. No call ups in two years makes it clear that Lippi doesn’t want Cassano, even though he’s never publicly stated why. So Cassano went ahead and booked his wedding to 18 year old water polo player Carolina Marcialis for June 19th, 2010. Smack bang in the middle of the World Cup. Very subtle. Asked if he’d consider changing the date should he get a surprise call, Cassano made his feelings pretty clear: “No way,” Cassano said. “I’ve thought about the blue shirt since I was born but it’s not my problem,” added the former AS Roma and Real Madrid man.” “I do it my way,” Cassano said. “Maybe prima donnas are not accepted by a group but I have always been one and will continue to be.” I love Cassano the player, but I think it’s safe to assume that things like that above quote are one of the reasons Lippi isn’t keen. I would have loved to see him play this summer, but looks like this little story – player not going to World Cup makes plans during World Cup – will be El Pibe de Bari’s sole contribution to South Africa 2010. In related news, I’ve made plans to do a lot of blogging from June 11th to July 11th, but am willing to change them should Fabio Capello need cover at right back. - More Azzurri stories on the Italy blog.

USA World Cup 2010 Profile Posted: 27 Apr 2010 05:40 PM PDT The USA have been drawn into Group C at World Cup 2010, where they’ll face Algeria, Slovenia and former colonial overlords England. No prizes for guessing which game has everyone excited. With more American players playing in Europe than ever before, this might be the most accomplished team the USA has ever sent to a World Cup. They’ll be hoping this adventure is more 2002 then 2006, but whatever happens they can’t do any worse than the 1998 team. Nickname: The Yanks or The Stars and Stripes. FIFA World Ranking as of March 31st 2010: #16 Coach: Bob Bradley replaced Bruce Arena on an interim basis after World Cup 2006, but did enough to earn the job on a permanent basis. Bradley has nearly a decade of MLS experience under his belt, but has never coached outside the US, and some fans would have preferred a bigger name to be in charge. Some still would. However, Bradley won the Gold Cup in 2007, got to the Confederations Cup final in 2009, and successfully qualified the USA for World Cup 2010. Bradley switches back and forth between 4-5-1 and 4-4-2, so we can expect to see a mixture of both deployed in South Africa. Key Players: Goalkeeper Tim Howard of Everton is difficult to fault. Big, strong, shouty, reliable and quick reflexes. You can’t ask for much more. Big central defender Oguchi Onyewu signed for Milan last summer, but then picked up a knee injury. If the man is fit, then he’ll be blocking shots and heading high balls away with the best of them. Central midfielder Michael Bradley of Borussia Mönchengladbach is dangerous going forward and strong in the tackle. He’s probably the only US central midfielder guaranteed to start, and not just because Bob Bradley is his dad. The USA’s creativity comes from two players. There’s Fulham’s Clint Dempsey, who likes a stepover, but also does things like this: There’s also Landon Donovan, who’s less obviously flashy (no big tricks) but can dribble at pace, pass with intelligence and finish with confidence. The big knock against Donovan was that he couldn’t cut it in Europe, but ever since a successful loan spell with Everton, that criticism is no longer valid. Up front, it’s all about Jozy Altidore. Only 20, but already on the books of Villarreal in Spain. Altidore isn’t even close to being the finished product, but he’s got pace, power, tricks and an eye for goal. Based on the 2009 Confederations Cup, Altidore’s ideal partner is the pacy Charlie Davies of Sochaux. However, Davies involvement is in doubt as he’s still recovering from a horrific car crash in October 2009. Player with best YouTube video: Bit of a cheat, but has to be Clint Dempsey. Either for the chip above, or for “Don’t Tread” below… Player with best name: Easily Oguchi Onyewu. Player with best nickname: It’s a dead heat between Onyewu for Gooch, and Clint Dempsey for Deuce. Unless you count Tim Howard’s occasional – and affectionately insulting – nickname of Timmy Tourettes. Qualification: Qualifying from CONCACAF isn’t particularly hard, but USA did so by finishing in first place, ahead of Mexico. Interesting: If Charlie Davies makes it to World Cup 2010 after his car crash, it will be one of the great feel good stories. Doubly so if he scores. National Anthem: The Star Spangled Banner: Read this post to see the Marvin Gaye version (and the Roseanne one too). Kit: Nothing official yet, but we’re 99% sure it’s going to look like this: More images here, and buy your USA jerseys here. World Cup History: 1930 – Semi-Finals 1950 – First Round (but famous win over England) 1990 – First Round 1994 – Second Round 1998 – First Round 2002 – Quarter-Finals 2006 – First Round Expectations: I’d suggest that USA fans are expecting the team to get out of Group C, and into the last 16. Squad: TBA Blog: We have multiple authors, including Jen, Melissa, Marlon, Dave, Taylor and myself on the USA World Cup Blog. - More World Cup 2010 Team Profiles.

10 World Cup Questions: Australia Posted: 27 Apr 2010 01:44 PM PDT We’ve been trying our best to profile each of the 32 teams that will compete at World Cup 2010, but our knowledge about each team is miniscule (or at least mine is anyway) when compared to that of our team bloggers. If you’re unfamiliar with World Cup Blog, then allow me to explain: The blog you’re reading now is the front page, but the core of WCB is the multitude of team specific blogs, including one for each of the World Cup 2010 teams. The authors of these team blogs have forgotten more about their sides than I’ll ever know, so I decided to tap that knowledge by asking each of them a set of 10 questions. Over the next few weeks we’ll be publishing the answers from our team bloggers and sharing their expert knowledge and opinions here on the front page. Today it’s the turn of Kieran, Luka and Vlado from Australia World Cup Blog. Read on to learn why the Socceroos could be sticking their Oar in come June, and why even one of Tim Cahill’s fingernails is more valuable than Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi. 1. Who is Australia’s best player? Kieran: Without a doubt Tim Cahill. Links our midfield with our rather lacking attack and scores half of our goals. After the comeback against Japan in 2006, Cahill has been an Australian legend. A few very good seasons with Everton have cemented his place as our best player, and Serbia, Ghana and Germany should be scared. Luka: “Cahill. Cahillll. Tim Cahiiiilll!. Tim Cahill has done it again!!!!!” I will never forget this. The man is simply a living legend. I wouldn’t trade one of his fingernails for Cristiano Ronaldo or that Argentine troll. Vlado: Undoubtedly, Tim Cahill. Whether it’s for Everton or Australia, he’s the guy that come come through with the goods when the team needs it the most. 2. What do you think of your coach? Kieran: Pim Verbeek is a figure who divides opinion in Australian football. Some see him as a quality coach, continuing on Hiddink’s good work. Others think he is utterly useless, plays too defensively and they will be more than happy to see him leave after the World Cup. My view? Somewhere in the middle. He is definitely not as good a coach as the mighty Guus, but Verbeek must be applauded for coming to Australia and sticking it out, and ultimately we have qualified for the WC and Asian Cup. Luka: Verbeek is results-driven and a successful pragmatist. Misunderstood by those who misunderstand the ins and outs of international football. Looks like Goldmember. Vlado: Pim? He’s no Guus, but he’s infinitely better than Frank Farina, but despite his preference for playing somewhat conservative tactics, he managed to get us through quite comfortably, so we really shouldn’t complain. 3. What do you think of Australia’s World Cup 2010 kits? Kieran: Originally wasn’t a fan, but they have grown on me. Will have to see how they look in the games, but so far I’m not going to be buying one and burning it. Luka: Our home kit hasn't been released yet! As for our away kit, it grows on you. Kind of like a pimple. Vlado: Only seen the away kit to date, and god are they disgusting! Here’s hoping that the home strip isn’t as hopelessly designed. Something closer to the last World Cup’s jersey would be good, but I’m not holding my breathe on that one. 4. What is Australia’s biggest strength? Kieran: Our midfield. Verbeek normally plays 5 in the middle, with two holding and three creating the chances. In the attacking department we have Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano, Harry Kewell, Brett Holman, Brett Emerton etc, all capable players who can score some goals. Behind them we have the likes of Carl Valeri, Vince Grella, Jason Culina, who will be looking after our back four and passing forward to Cahill and co. Luka: Ambition and self-belief. We set our goals high, and genuinely believe we are capable of achieving them. We do not settle for mediocrity. For example, we were very disappointed to have been eliminated in the second round of the 2006 World Cup (in only our second ever World Cup) by Italy, and the disappointment did not abate after our conniving nemeses eventually became champions. This just reinforced the belief that we could compete with the best notwithstanding our shortcomings in quality. Vlado: Greatest strength is the opponents won’t be expecting much from us. Germany, Serbia and Ghana are all great teams and I can see them all underestimating uour abilities. 5. …and biggest weakness? Kieran: Goals, or more accurately the lack of goals from the strikers. Scott McDonald has not been able to replicate his club form at international level, and Josh Kennedy is well…tall. While Kennedy may be a good striker, he doesn’t provide the goals needed against high class opposition, so unless Scott McDonald starts banging them in, Kewell, Cahill and Bresciano will be busy in the midfield. Luka: We can be a little one-dimensional at times and certainly lack the technical brilliance on and off the ball to break down an organised defence. Vlado: We lack someone up front. Viduka drew two or more players to him last time, giving more room for our great midfield to do their thing, but they won’t have that luxury this time. 6. If you could steal one player from any other World Cup 2010 team, then who would it be and why? Kieran: Without a doubt David Villa. In my opinion the best striker in the world, and would solve our attacking problems (sorry Jesus Kennedy, you’re good, but not as good as Villa). Luka: Wayne Rooney. Well, firstly, we haven't got a decent striker at the moment so a world class one like Rooney would just be splendid wouldn't it? He would fit nicely into our 4-2-3-1 playing system as he has continuously stated how much he prefers playing the lone striker's role. Torres would do nicely too. Vlado: Messi… really, is there anyone else? 7. Tell us one thing about your team that the rest of the world might not know… Kieran: Tommy Oar. After a great season for Brisbane Roar in the A-League, Oar has moved to FC Utrecht where he will be hoping Verbeek might cast an eye in his direction. While a real youngster, and unlikely to make the World Cup squad, could he be the bolter for the squad that makes a difference come June? Luka: Richard Porta was born in the same suburb in Sydney, Australia as yours truly, but moved to Uruguay with his family when he was only a year old. In 2007 he finished top scorer in the Uruguayan Apertura with 19 goals in 15 matches as a striker for Montevideo, and made the move to Siena in 2008 (though is now back on loan in Uruguay). He has yet to make an appearance for either Australia or Uruguay, but at 24 years of age still has a potential international football career in front of him. Vlado: Tommy Oar will come on as a sub and impress all and get snapped up by a big European club. 8. What would you consider success/failure for your team at World Cup 2010? Kieran: Making it out of the group will definitely be a success, while anything less will probably be judged as a failure. Ultimately going better than last WC (round of 16) will be rather difficult, but I think we can do it! Also, while not progressing may be seen as a failure, given the tough group Australia has been placed in solid results will still make be happy. But no, we’re making it to the final! Luka: It depends on the situation and the teams we face after the group stages, should we get that far. Personally I am just glad that we have qualified for successive world cups for the first time. Getting out of the group stages again I think is a must to satisfy the generally fickle Australian public, and progression after that will depend on who we end up playing. 2006 was considered successful (though still disappointing) because we were knocked out by eventual champions Italy. If we had lost to say Switzerland or the Ukraine, then it would have been considered a failure. We are on course to meet England in the second round, which would just be so epic that only a right hammering by the Poms would be considered a failure overall given the attention that would surely be generated. Vlado: Given the strength of the group, making it past the group stage would have to be considered a success. 9. What are you most excited about at World Cup 2010? Kieran: Other than the obvious, seeing if Australia can somehow manage to better our amazing performance of last World Cup, probably to see if South Africa can pull it off and host a great World Cup. I certainly hope so! Luka: Watching as many games live either in the city or my local club with close friends and thousands of like-minded individuals at un-Godly hours of the night, and drinking until things no longer make sense. And girls wearing revealing supporter gear. Vlado: Quality football for a whole month, shown on Australian free-to-air… for a whole month. 10. Who do you think will win World Cup 2010? Kieran: Spain. Villa, Torres, Xavi, Iniesta, Silva, Mata. Need I say more? Any country that has a goalkeeper playing for Barcelona, in the form of his life, and probably won’t get into the squad, is rather good. And with Villa up top, no doubt about it. Luka: The team that cheats most effectively. Vlado: Spain… finally. More from the Kieran, Luka and Vlado at the Australia blog.

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World Cup 2010 Blog: “Algeria World Cup 2010 Team Profile” plus 2 more

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• Algeria World Cup 2010 Team Profile
• World Cup Moments: Roberto Baggio vs Czechoslovakia, 1990
• World Cup 2010 National Anthems: Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia

Algeria World Cup 2010 Team Profile Posted: 27 Apr 2010 01:30 AM PDT Let’s get one thing out of the way early: Egypt. Phew – that’s over. (It’s media law that in mentioning the Algerian football team of this World Cup, Egypt must follow shortly thereafter.) The Desert Foxes – but for Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions, probably the coolest nickname at the World Cup if only because it sounds like a scantily clad female pop group – are thrilled to be here. Not only are they at the World Cup, but this did so at the expense of rivals and two-time defending African champs Egypt in the tie-breaking playoff. (Now three-time, but Algeria have requested that go unmentioned.) In derbies, the prize is simply the victory. However this little trinket, a trip to the World Cup, is no small potatoes for Algeria. Nickname: Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes) Group: C; England, Slovenia, USA. FIFA World Ranking as of March 31st 2010: 27th Coach: Rabah Saâdane. No really, that’s correct: an African team does have an African coach. Rabah is in fact, at this moment, the only African coach at the tournament. Better yet: he’s actually Algerian. What a novel concept. Despite not having enjoyed a World Cup since 1990, this will not be Rabah’s first dance: his first gig included the trip to Spain in 1982 with the national team. This now his fifth stint with the team, he’ll get another crack at the big ball. Honestly, this time. Key Players: Beginning in the back Nadir Belhadj begins in the back, but often does not stay there as a very attack-oriented wingback with plenty of pace. Qualifying hero Antar Yahia and Madjid Bougherra will make up the strong, overseas based central duo. Captain Yazid Mansouri leads from midfield along with Karim Ziani, perhaps the most well-known abroad for his tricky attacking skills and ballwork. Youngster Karim Matmour has also begun making a name for himself along the attacking flank as a skillful and quick winger, and Mourad Meghni will provide the creativity. Up top Abdelkader Ghezzal is a strong point man who will likely lead the line now that one-time leading man Rafik Saifi is into his 35th year. They’ll need goals from somewhere, as outside of Saifi’s 18 the next best lies in the back with Belhadj and Yahia at 5 apiece. Player with best YouTube video: Nadir Belhadj. Anytime a “defender” gets a freestyle video, it’s worth the price of admission. Player with best name: Any nation with this many double consonants and uninhibited vowel runs is going to roll off the tongue like a dream. It’s an embarrassment of riches, really, so select at your leisure. However, one stands above the rest: Lounès Gaouaoui. No typos – seven vowel run. And according to Wikipedia: His name is believed to be the only surname with seven vowels in a row, reported by the International Board of Statistics. Player with best nickname: How about all of them? The individual nicknames are few and far between, so it’s only fitting this honor goes to the supremely cool team name. And mascot. Qualification: Coming down to the last day of qualifying, Algeria were ahead by three points over Egypt and anything less than a two goal loss would see them into South Africa. Egypt, of course, won 2-0 on a 95th minute goal in Cairo and that put everything even across the board: 13p, 9, 4, +5. This setup the ultra dramatic one-off playoff with heated rivals Egypt once again, this time in neutral Sudan. Algeria would win 1-0 on an Antar Yahia fireball in the 40th, and the rest is history – along with a lot of global news coverage. Interesting: The Algerian team is heavily influenced by those born in France. In fact there’s a chance more players born in France than Algeria will play at the World Cup: of the eleven starters for the one-off playoff versus Egypt, only 3 were born in Algeria, the remaining 8 in France. National Anthem: "Kassaman" ("The Pledge") More on the anthem here. Kit: The traditional Puma African home kit with the mascot draped over the shoulder is a favorite of many. You can buy the Algerian kits in our store. World Cup History: Expectations: Though the Algerians may be confident, qualification for the knockouts will be an uphill battle to say the least. At this point, a parting gift is all that the world expects. Squad: TBA. Blog: Omar runs the Algerian WCB. - More World Cup 2010 Team Profiles.

World Cup Moments: Roberto Baggio vs Czechoslovakia, 1990 Posted: 26 Apr 2010 01:30 PM PDT Roberto Baggio’s preformance at the 1994 World Cup is lauded. Quite rightly too. His goals took Italy all the way to the final, where he played injured and missed the decisive penalty. Tragic but heroic stuff from The Divine Ponytail. However, four years before his 1994 performance, Roberto Baggio was making his World Cup debut in 1990, when Italy hosted the tournament. He wasn’t such an integral player as in 1994, had some sort of mullet instead of his ponytail and spent a lot of time on the bench. But Baggio played in Italy’s final game of the group stage vs Czechoslovakia (which the Azzurri won 2-0) and scored one of the best Worlds Cup goals you’ll ever see. Want to see video of the goal? Then step right this way… The quick one-two with Giuseppe Giannini is nice start, but it’s the dribbling after the return pass that gets the attention. What I really like is that though Baggio is pulling out various stepovers and feints, he basically runs a straight line towards goal. Baggio’s fakes are so good that he doesn’t need to change direction. His shimmies are enough to physically move Czech defenders out of the way. Like a Jedi. It even works on goalkeeper Jan Stejskal, who you can see buy Baggio’s fake-out and dive the wrong way, allowing Baggio to roll the ball home for one of the great World Cup goals. Bellissimo Roberto. - More World Cup Moments.

World Cup 2010 National Anthems: Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia Posted: 26 Apr 2010 11:30 AM PDT Before every international football match, the national anthems of the two competing teams are played. It's all about tradition and patriotism, and it's one of my favourite ceremonial things about the World Cup. We're covering the national anthems of all 32 teams at World Cup 2010, group by group, four teams at a time. Last time it was Group C, so today it’s Group D. We’ll be looking at (and listening to) the national anthems of Australia, Germany, Ghana and Serbia. So to find out why Australia’s anthem isn’t “Waltzing Matilda” and why the lyrics to the German anthem aren’t what you might think they are, read on… National Anthem of Australia “Advance Australia Fair” has been around since the late 1800s, but has only been the national anthem of Australia since 1984. Before that the official anthem was “God Save the Queen” (or “King”) until “Advance Australia Fair” proved popular in a series of national polls, with “Waltzing Matilda” coming second. Full story about the polls can be found on the official Australia.gov page. Lyrics to “Advance Australia Fair”: Australians all let us rejoice, For we are young and free; We've golden soil and wealth for toil; Our home is girt by sea; Our land abounds in nature's gifts Of beauty rich and rare; In history's page, let every stage Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair. Beneath our radiant Southern Cross We'll toil with hearts and hands; To make this Commonwealth of ours Renowned of all the lands; For those who've come across the seas We've boundless plains to share; With courage let us all combine To Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair. National Anthem of Germany (This one’s tricky, but I’m going to do my best and then hope that someone like Jan steps in and corrects any mistakes in the comments.) The German national anthem is called “Deutschlandlied” (”Song of the Germans”) and the lyricswere penned by August Heinrich Hoffmann back in 1841. The first two lines of “Deutschlandlied” really are “Germany, Germany above all, Above everything in the world.” Which I know raises a few eyebrows. But there are two gigantic caveats. 1. The lyrics were written at a time when German national unity was not guaranteed, and so that line is very possibly a reference to the larger Germany being more important than the individual states, as opposed to Germany being better than, say, France or England or any other rival nation. 2. Ever since 1952, only the third verse of “Deutschlandlied” is officially sung. So it’s absolutely not true to go around saying that Germans sing “Germany, Germany above all” as the national anthem. Only that they used to, and even then it didn’t quite mean what you think it means. Here are the lyrics to the third verse: Unity and law and freedom For the German Fatherland Let us all strive for that In brotherhood with heart and hand! Unity and law and freedom Are the foundation for happiness Bloom in the glow of happiness Bloom, German Fatherland. National Anthem of Ghana <p align="center"< “God Bless Our Homeland Ghana” has been the national anthem of Ghana ever since the nation achieved independence in 1957. I’m particularly happy with the nice, straightforward title. Lyrics to “God Bless Our Homeland Ghana”: God bless our homeland Ghana, And make our nation great and strong, Bold to defend forever The cause of Freedom and of Right. Fill our hearts with true humility Make us cherish fearless honesty, And help us to resist oppressors’ rule With all our will and might evermore. Hail to thy name, O Ghana To thee we make our solemn vow; Steadfast to build together A nation strong in Unity; With our gifts of mind and strength of arm, Whether night or day, in the midst of storm, In every need whate’er the call may be, To serve thee, Ghana, now and evermore. Raise high the flag of Ghana, And one with Africa advance; Black star of hope and honor, To all who thirst for liberty; Where the banner of Ghana free flies, May the way to freedom truly lie Arise, arise, O sons of Ghanaland, And under God march on forevermore. National Anthem of Serbia “Боже правде” or “Bože pravde” or “God of Justice” was written in 1872, and was the Serbian national anthem until Yugoslavia was formed in 1918. When Serbia became fully independent again in 2006, “God of Justice” was re-adopted as the national anthem. “God of Justice” English lyrics: God of Justice; Thou who saved us when in deepest bondage cast, Hear Thy Serbian children’s voices, Be our help as in the past. With Thy mighty hand sustain us, Still our rugged pathway trace; God, our hope; protect and cherish Serbian lands and Serbian race! Bind in closest links our kindred Teach the love that will not fail, May the loathed fiend of discord Never in our ranks prevail. Let the golden fruits of union Our young tree of freedom grace; God, our Master! guide and prosper Serbian lands and Serbian race! Lord! Avert from us Thy vengeance, Thunder of Thy dreaded ire; Bless each Serbian town and hamlet, Mountain, meadow, heart and spire. When our host goes forth to battle Death or victory to embrace- God of armies! be our leader Strengthen then the Serbian race! On our sepulchre of ages Breaks the resurrection morn, From the slough of direst slavery Serbia anew is born. Through five hundred years of durance We have knelt before Thy face, All our kin, O God! deliver, Thus entreats the Serbian race! - More World Cup 2010 national anthems here.

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