World Cup 2010 Fact File
The 2010 World Cup is hosted by South Africa, the first time an African nation has hosted the event. 32 teams will compete to lift the FIFA World Cup Trophy including the defending champions of 2006, Italy. All of the teams have appeared at previous World Cup's at some stage.
2010 World Cup Dates:
11-25th June - The group stage matches are played. The top 2 teams from each of the 8 groups progresses to the round of 16.
26-29th June - The round of 16 fixtures are played. This is followed by 2 rest days.
2-3rd July - Quarter final matches are played. Followed by 2 rest days.
6-7th July - Semi final fixtures are played. Followed by 2 rest days.
10th July - Match for 3rd place is played at Port Elizabeth Stadium, kick-off 19:30 (GMT)
11th July - World Cup Final is played at Johannesburg, kick-off 19:30 (GMT)
2010 World Cup Controversies
France = France qualified for the tournament in place of Ireland who they beat in the play-offs. Controversy surrounded Thiery Henry who assisted the winning goal using his hand. A replay was considered but ultimately discounted and the result stood.
Jabulani = The official World Cup match ball by Adidas has been widely criticised by players and coaches for having an unpredictable nature. The ball's unique qualities had the intention of increasing the goal tally for the tournament but this has not materialised in the group stages. Contractual deals by other brand sponsors with domestic leagues have prevented some teams, including the English having any exposure to the new ball until arriving at the World Cup. Countries with leagues that have been using the new ball in preparation include America, Argentina, France, Holland, Portugal and Switzerland. Certain clubs in Germany have also been preparing using the new ball since February.
Vuvuzela = The 2010 World Cup will be remembered largely for the spectacular sounds created by the Vuvuzela horns that the crowds play in their thousands, a sound not previously recorded on this scale. The constant drone or hum, likened to a swarm of angry bees, has not been well received by spectators, columnists and players alike, given the noise is great enough to drown out natural crowd dynamics that reflect the activity on the pitch. Such has been the outcry over the use of the horns that FIFA is considering a ban possibly prior to the end of the tournament.
Red cards = 2010 still has a way to go to surpass the record number of cards shown in the 2006 World Cup (345 Yellow & 28 Red), referees were in fact heaped with praise in the early stages for the evenhandedness displayed in 2010. However, certain descisions have caused controversy. Australia's Tim Cahill was the first noteworthy suspension whereby an innocuous challenge on Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger, resulted in a surprise sending off for Cahill. In the 2nd round Germany we're similarly aggreived when losing Miroslav Close against Serbia after 2 yellow cards for little more than robust challenges, the damage was compounded by losing the match. Most controversial sending off so far, however, goes to Brazil's Kaka who was cheated off the field when the Ivory Coast's Kader Keita ran into the Brazil man and collapsed theatrically. It was shown after the event that the referee had not seen the incident and had guessed at the events guaging the players reaction. Current red card count stands at 16.
Goal-line technology = Sunday 27th June saw 2 crucial World Cup matches where controversy surrounded goals that should or shouldn't have been awarded. First, England took on Germany in a classic international football grudge match. Shortly before half time Frank Lampard drove a ball from distance that bounced inside the German goal, a goal that would have restored parity in a game they trailed 2-1 and possibly would have led to a better result for the English who eventually crashed out. The margin by which the ball had crossed the line left no doubt to the players, commentators and viewers, but the linesman and referee were unable to verify the goal and it was not allowed. FIFA president Sepp Blatter was in the stands, to quote Alan Shearer: "the only man in World Football that doesn't want goal-line technology". The second match of the day saw Argentina play Mexico. The Argentinians went ahead by virtue of a goal which was clearly off-side, another linesman error compounded when a replay of the event was shown immediately afterwards on the big screen inside the stadium seen by the players, fans and no doubt the officials themselves.
2010 World Cup Group Winners
|
Group A |
Group B |
Group C |
Group D |
Group E |
Group F |
Group G |
Group H |
| Winner |
Uruguay |
Argentina |
USA |
Germany |
Netherlands |
Paraguay |
Brazil |
Spain |
| Runner-up |
Mexico |
South Korea |
England |
Ghana |
Japan |
Slovakia |
Portugal |
Chile |
The major shocks from the group stages have been the failure to progress of France from Group A and Italy from Group F. France capitulated in a nightmare of infighting and unease in the camp while former champions Italy failed to provide enough in attack, only managing to score in the deciding group game once they were already chasing the result.
World Cup Comments
If you have an opinion you want to express on the World Cup let us know. Submit your thoughts on our tips, any great value bets you spot or key events throughout the tournament.
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Top comments:
European Countries
European Countries don't win Southern Hemisphere World Cups, Look how well the South Americans and African teams are playing. One African nation still has a big thing to say in this Tournament ...maybe Ivory Coast after the Portugal draw. The only European side i can see going to the final is Holland but they will be beaten by a South American or maybe even an African nation ...Argentina or Ivory Coast.
Napster
England
I do think there is definite value to be had on betting on England either for outright or to reach the semi finals which are both great prices now. I wouldn't forget the fact that should England win their group they have a good route to the semis and Holland will probably have to play Brazil, and Argentina may have to play Germany so now is a good time to bet on England before the Algeria game because they will go further than many expect.
Patricia V
Italy
I think 6/5 is a fair price on Italy tonight, we start slowly in these competitions generally and Paraguay are quite a good attacking side. If Di Natale does not start I think we will struggle to score. Our defence doesn't look very solid and Lippi doesn't seem to know who is his preferred backline, Canavarro is a concern on recent form for a start. So a draw will be ok, like for England, but maybe don't expect more than that.
Cielo Azzurro
Italy
Italy a similar price now as Germany were in the outright World Cup odds before their emphatic first match display... I think lightning could strike twice and the 6/5 on the game against Paraguay looks very generous.
Graham F
Holland
I agree Peter, they will have a huge support. I got 14/1 in April. They are scoring for fun and have a lot of players in top form who will get better as it goes on, just hope Robben is fit
Phil
Holland
I was lucky enough to get 12/1 on them early on. Now available at 9/1 they are a team in form, they will have a sizeable Afrikaans speaking following in many of their games and the price still doesn't reflect their world rating (no 3 last time I looked)
Peter A
World Cup Chokers
[You have done a] very good assessment in my opinion; however, England and USA usually choke. Holland does as well, although if Robben is healthy I think they [will] play Brazil for the championship. Spain another choker. Spain looks better than any team when they play weak competition, it's when it gets physical and the game is played on half side of the pitch rather than a race with great passing to the end, that Spain flounders.
Anonymous
Destiny says Argentina
Argentina are an amazing price to win the tournament outright for the team who believe it most, have the player of the moment (Messi) and the manager of the moment (Maradona). Mourinho he may not be but does anyone love the game more or is better equipped to unite a team behind them than the legend himself. The football script is written, they fear noone and will go far...
Destiny
