Paraguay Vs New Zealand

Paraguay advances to the knockout stage of the World cup, while New Zealand was sent home packing. Even though no team created much or had alot of shot on goal it Still didnt matter at least for the Paraguay team and their fans.

Slovakia Vs. Italy (3-2) - Fifa World Cup 2010 Full Game Highlights (06....

Slovakia Shocks the Defending world champions with a 3-2 victory. Italy did not look comfortable at all on the pitch,,, this is probably one of the worse Title defense in world cup history..

Germany Vs Serbia 0-1

A first half goal from Milan Jovanovic gave Serbia a shocking 1-0 win over 10-man Germany at the World Cup on Friday to throw group D wide open. The Goal came after Miroslav Klose of Germany was sent off after getting his second yellow card. even though Germany fell behind in the first half they had a chance to equalize in the 60th min in the second half, but Lukas Podolski sent a weak shot that the Serbian Goal keeper had no trouble with.For Serbia it is their first win in the world cup as in Independent Nation. Their last win was 37 years ago, in 1973 when they was part of the former Yugoslavia nation. This is a quote from the Man of the Match "“It was a difficult game, a very important game for us".“This is a great victory for all of us. We have showed we are a good team and we believe in ourselves"

First World Cup 2010 Shocker

As i was watching the Spain Vs Switzerland Game yesterday i realized that anything can happen in these games. What i saw was a Switzerland team that came to not on play but to come up with a win against arguably one of the best teams in the world cup. Even though the goal wasnt one of the greated i have ever seen but it was an effective one that allowed the Swiss to come up with 3 points in their group competion.for those of you that missed the goal, here is the video.

South Africa FIFA World Cup 2010 Theme Song

Here is the FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa theme song.. Personally i think its just a beautiful song.

FIFA World Cup Trophy

World Cup is a gold trophy that is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup. Since the advent of the World Cup in 1930, two trophies have represented victory: the Jules Rimet Trophy from 1930 to 1970, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy from 1974 to the present day.

The trophy, originally named Victory, but later renamed in honour of former FIFA president Jules Rimet, was made of gold plated sterling silver and lapis lazuli and depicted Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. Brazil won the trophy outright in 1970, prompting the commissioning of a replacement. The Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen in 1983 and never recovered. The replacement trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, was first used in 1974. Made of 18 carat gold with a malachite base, it depicts two human figures holding up the Earth. The current holder of the trophy is Italy, winner of the 2006 World Cup

Jules Rimet Trophy 1930-1970

1

The Jules Rimet Trophy was the original prize for winning the Football World Cup. Originally called "Victory", but generally known simply as the World Cup or Coupe du Monde, it was officially renamed in 1946 to honour the FIFA President Jules Rimet who in 1929 passed a vote to initiate the competition. Designed by Abel Lafleur and made of solid gold on a blue base of lapis lazuli, it stood 35 centimetres (14 in) high and weighed 3.8 kilograms (8.4 lb).^[1] It comprised an octagonal cup, supported by a winged figure representing Nike, the ancient Greek goddess of victory. The Jules Rimet Trophy was taken to Uruguay for the first FIFA World Cup aboard the Conte Verde, which set sail from Villefranche-sur-Mer, just south of Nice, on 21 June 1930. This was the same ship that carried Jules Rimet and the footballers representing France, Romania and Belgium who were participating in the tournament that year. The first team to be awarded the trophy were Uruguay, the winners of the 1930 World Cup.

During World War II, the trophy was held by 1938 winners Italy. Ottorino Barassi, the Italian vice-president of FIFA and president of FIGC, secretly transported the trophy from a bank in Rome and hid it in a shoe-box under his bed to prevent the Nazis from taking it.^[2]

On 20 March 1966, four months before the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England, the trophy was stolen during a public exhibition at Westminster Central Hall. The trophy was found just seven days later wrapped in newspaper at the bottom of a suburban garden hedge in Upper Norwood, South London, by a dog named Pickles.^[3]

As a security measure, The Football Association secretly manufactured a replica of the trophy for use in the post-match celebrations. The replica was also used on subsequent occasions until 1970. The replica was sold at an auction in 1997 for £254,500, when it was purchased by FIFA. The high auction price, several times the reserve price of £20,000-£30,000, led to speculation that the auctioned trophy was not a replica, and was in fact genuine. However, subsequent testing by FIFA confirmed the auctioned trophy was indeed a replica. ^[4] Subsequent to the auction, FIFA arranged for the replica to be displayed at the English National Football Museum in Preston.

The Brazilian team won the tournament for the third time in 1970, allowing them to keep the real trophy in perpetuity, as had been stipulated by Jules Rimet in 1930.^[5] However, the cup was stolen again on 19 December 1983, when it was taken from a display at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. The trophy was kept in a cabinet with a front of rocket launcher-proof glass, but a rear made of wood was pried open with a crowbar.^[6] The trophy was never recovered, which suggests it may have been melted down. Four men were eventually tried and convicted in absentia for the crime. The Confederation commissioned a replica of their own, made by Eastman Kodak, using 1.8 kg (3.97 lb) of gold. This replica was presented to the Brazilian president in 1984.^[7]

^{FIFA World Cup Trophy 1974 - Present}

A replacement trophy was commissioned by FIFA for the 1974 World Cup. Fifty-three submissions were received from sculptors in seven countries.^[8] Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga was awarded the commission. The trophy stands 36.5 centimetres (14.4 inches) tall and is made of 5 kg (11 lb) of 18 carat (75%) solid gold with a base (13 centimetres [5.1 inches] in diameter) containing two layers of malachite. Produced by Bertoni, Milano, it weighs 6.175 kg (13.6 lb) in total, depicts two human figures holding up the Earth. Gazzaniga described the trophy thus, "The lines spring out from the base, rising in spirals, stretching out to receive the world. From the remarkable dynamic tensions of the compact body of the sculpture rise the figures of two athletes at the stirring moment of victory."^[8] It was first presented at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, to West German captain Franz Beckenbauer.^[8]

The trophy has the visible engravement "FIFA World Cup" in outpouring letters at its base. The name of the country whose national team wins each tournament is engraved in the bottom side of the trophy, and therefore is not visible when the trophy is standing upright. The text states the year in figures and the name of winning nation in English,^[9] for example "— 1994 Brazil". As of 2006 nine winners have been engraved on the base. It is not known whether FIFA will retire the trophy after all of the name plaques at the base are filled in; this will not occur until after the 2038 World Cup at the earliest. FIFA's regulations now state that the trophy, unlike its predecessor, cannot be won outright: the winners of the tournament receive a replica which is gold plated rather than solid gold.^[8]

Past FIFA Football World Cup winners

• FIFA World Cup 2006(Germany)

Winner: Italy

Runners-Up: France

Third: Germany

Fourth: Portugal

adidas Golden Ball: Zinedine ZIDANE (FRA)

adidas Golden Shoe: Miroslav KLOSE (GER)

Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Gianluigi BUFFON (ITA)

Best Young Player Award: Lukas PODOLSKI (GER)

FIFA Fair Play award: Spain,Brazil

FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Portugal

Italy won their fourth world crown in Germany, beating France on penalties in Berlin. If Zinedine Zidane's red card was the Final's defining image, Italy's triumph would be remembered as a team effort with ten different Azzurri players finding the net. It was also a special month for Germany, the goals of Miroslav Klose helping secure third place in a tournament memorable for the festival mood across the host country.

FIFA World Cup 2002(Korea/Japan)

Winner: Brazil

Runners-Up: Germany

Third: Turkey

Fourth: Korea Republic

adidas Golden Ball: Oliver KAHN (GER)
adidas Golden Shoe: RONALDO (BRA)
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Oliver KAHN (GER)
Best Young Player Award: Landon DONOVAN (USA)
FIFA Fair Play award: Belgium
FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Korea Republic

Brazil became champions for the fifth time as top scorer Ronaldo exorcised the ghosts of 1998, scoring both goals in the Final against Germany. This was Asia's first FIFA World Cup™ and both host nations made history by reaching the knockout rounds – Korea Republic going as far as the last four. A tournament of surprises, it opened with France losing to Senegal and closed with Turkey third in the world.

FIFA World Cup 1998 (France)

Winner: France
Runners-Up: Brazil
Third: Croatia
Fourth: Netherlands

adidas Golden Ball: RONALDO (BRA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Davor SUKER (CRO)
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Fabien BARTHEZ (FRA)
Best Young Player Award: Michael OWEN (ENG)
FIFA Fair Play award: England,France
FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: France

The home of tournament founder Jules Rimet, France enjoyed an unforgettable summer as its footballers finally tasted FIFA World Cup glory, Zinedine Zidane leading Les Bleus to victory over Brazil in the Final. France 98 was the first finals with an enlarged cast of 32 teams and among the newcomers were a Croatia side who, fired by the goals of top scorer Davor Suker, confounded expectations by finishing third.

FIFA World Cup 1994 (USA)

Winner: Brazil
Runners-Up: Italy
Third: Sweden
Fourth: Bulgaria

adidas Golden Ball: ROMÁRIO (Romário de Souza Faria) (BRA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Oleg SALENKO (RUS),Hristo STOICHKOV (BUL)
Yashin Award for the Best Goalkeeper: Michel PREUDHOMME (BEL)

Best Young Player Award: Marc OVERMARS (NED)

FIFA Fair Play award: Brazil

FIFA Award for the Most Entertaining Team: Brazil

The United States staged a hugely successful 15th FIFA World Cup that became the best attended in history and ended with Brazil celebrating their first world title since 1970. Forwards Romario and Bebeto were the Brazilians' star performers while Roberto Baggio shone equally brightly for Italy despite his penalty miss that concluded the first ever Final shoot-out. While Sweden finished third, the undoubted surprise package were their fellow semi-finalists Bulgaria.

FIFA World Cup 1990(Italy)

Winner: Germany FR
Runners-Up: Argentina
Third: Italy
Fourth: England

adidas Golden Ball: Salvatore SCHILLACI (ITA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Salvatore SCHILLACI (ITA)
Best Young Player Award: Robert PROSINECKI (CRO)
FIFA Fair Play award: England

When Lothar Matthaus lifted the FIFA World Cup for Germany, it was an undoubted triumph for Franz Beckenbauer, who became only the second winner of the trophy as both player and coach. If low on goals, Italy 1990 was certainly high on drama – from the feats of Italy's top scorer Toto Schillaci via the tears of England's Paul Gascoigne to the historic run of Roger Milla's Cameroon to the quarter-finals.

FIFA World Cup 1986 (Mexico)

Winner: Argentina
Runners-Up: Germany FR
Third: France
Fourth: Belgium

adidas Golden Ball: Diego MARADONA (ARG)
adidas Golden Shoe: Gary LINEKER (ENG)
Best Young Player Award: Enzo SCIFO (BEL)
FIFA Fair Play award: Brazil

The FIFA World Cup™ returned to Mexico for a tournament marked by the mastery of Diego Maradona. Argentina overcame West Germany in an exciting Final but the defining match was a quarter-final against England featuring two of history's most famous goals: the 'Hand of God' followed by the dribble of a genius. Michel Platini's France again lost out in the semi-finals before beating surprise package Belgium to third place.

FIFA World Cup 1982 (Spain)

Winner: Italy
Runners-Up: Germany FR
Third: Poland
Fourth: France

adidas Golden Ball: Paolo ROSSI (ITA)
adidas Golden Shoe: Paolo ROSSI (ITA)
Best Young Player Award: Manuel AMOROS (FRA)
FIFA Fair Play award: Brazil

Paolo Rossi was the hero in Spain, his six goals propelling Italy to a third world crown. The Azzurri ran out 3-1 Final winners against a German team who had survived the competition's first penalty shoot-out in a dramatic semi-final against France. If Italy won gold, Brazil took a share of the glory for some scintillating football before succumbing to Rossi's hat-trick in the best game of this first 24-team finals.

Years Of Past FIFA World Cup Glory

Host Country: Argentina (1978)

Winner: Argentina

Runner-Up: Netherlands

Golden Shoe: Mario Kempes (ITA)

Hosts Argentina captured their first world title as the Netherlands suffered Final heartache for the second tournament running. Mario Kempes sealed Cesar Luis Menotti's side's triumph, scoring twice against the Dutch in the confetti-strewn cauldron of the Estadio Monumental to earn himself additional acclaim as top scorer. Brazil, denied a Final place by Argentina's 6-0 win over Peru, took third place from an enterprising Italy side.

Host Country: Germany(1974)

Winner: Germany FR

Runner-Up: Netherland

Golden Shoe: Grzegorz Lato (POL)

West Germany were champions on home soil - and as in 1954 their victory came at the expense of a team widely considered the world's finest. Johan Cruyff's Netherlands were favourites before the Final but the hosts, beaten earlier in their competition by their East German neighbours, recovered from a first-minute Dutch goal to win. It was also a memorable tournament for Poland whom Gregorz Lato fired to third place.

Host Country: Mexico(1970)

Winner: Brazil

Runner-Up: Italy

Golden Shoe: Gerd Mueller(GER)

For the first time the FIFA World Cup™ was broadcast in colour and nothing could match the brilliance of Brazil's yellow shirts. With Pele rejuvenated and Jairzinho scoring in every game, Mario Zagallo's men were unstoppable – they beat Italy handsomely in the Final and, with this third triumph, retained the Jules Rimet Cup. If Brazil's tournament, others brought plenty to the party – not least ten-goal German marksman Gerd Mueller.

Host Country: England(1966)

Winner: England

Runner-Up: Germany FR

Golden Shoe: Eusebio (POR)

The country that invented football, England, finally found a formula for success on the world stage. Alf Ramsey's 'Wingless wonders' overcame Final opponents West Germany thanks to Geoff Hurst's historic hat-trick, though the debate over whether his middle strike crossed the line continues to this day. Eusebio was another scoring hero, his nine goals – four of them against Italy's surprise conquerors, Korea DPR – taking Portugal to third place.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1. • e

FIFA World Cup History(World Soccer Tournament)

The First official World Cup Tournament

The 1932 Summer Olympics, held in Los Angeles, did not plan to include football as part of the programme due to the low popularity of football in the United States. FIFA and the IOC also disagreed over the status of amateur players, and so was dropped from the Games.^[7] FIFA president Jules Rimet thus set about organising the inaugural World Cup tournament to be held in Uruguay in 1930. The national associations of selected nations were invited to send a team, but the choice of Uruguay as a venue for the competition meant a long and costly trip across the Atlantic Ocean for European sides. Indeed, no European country pledged to send a team until two months before the start of the competition.^{[citation needed]} Rimet eventually persuaded teams from Belgium, France, Romania, and Yugoslavia to make the trip. In total 13 nations took part — seven from South America, four from Europe and two from North America.

The first two World Cup matches took place simultaneously, and were won by France and the USA, who beat Mexico 4-1 and Belgium 3-0, respectively. The first goal in World Cup history was scored by Lucien Laurent of France. Four days later, the first World Cup hat-trick was achieved by Bert Patenaude of the USA in the Americans' 3-0 win against Paraguay. In the final, Uruguay defeated Argentina 4-2 in front of a crowd of 93,000 people in Montevideo, and became the first nation to win a World Cup.^[8]

FIFA World Cup History(World Soccer Tournament)

Previous International Competions

The first international football match was played in 1872 between England and Scotland,[1] although at this stage the sport was rarely played outside Great Britain.However by 1900 the sport had gained ground all around the world and national football associations were being founded. The first official international match outside of Britain was played between France and Belgium in Paris on May 1904[2]. This led to the founding of FIFA in Paris on May 22, 1904 - comprising football associations from France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, with Germany pledging to join.

As football began to increase in popularity, it was contested as an IOC-recognised Olympic sport at the 1900 and 1904 Summer Olympics, as well as at the 1906 Intercalated Games, before becoming an official FIFA-supervised Olympic competition at the 1908 Summer Olympics.[3] Organised by England's Football Association, the event was for amateur players only and was regarded suspiciously as a show rather than a competition. The England national amateur football team won the event in both 1908 and 1912.

There was an attempt made by FIFA to organize an international football tournament between nations outside of the Olympic framework in 1906 and this took place in Switzerland. These were very early days for international football and the official history of FIFA describes the competition as having been a failure.With the Olympic event continuing to be contested only between amateur teams, competitions involving professional teams also started to appear. The Torneo Internazionale Stampa Sportiva, held in Turin, Italy in 1908, was one of the very first and the following year Sir Thomas Lipton organised the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy, also held in Turin. Both tournaments were contested between individual clubs (not national teams), each one of which represented an entire nation. For this reason, neither was really a direct forerunner of the World Cup, but notwithstanding that, the Thomas Lipton Trophy is sometimes described as The First World Cup,[4] at the expense of its less well-known Italian predecessor.

In 1914, FIFA agreed to recognise the Olympic tournament as a "world football championship for amateurs",[5] and took responsibility for organising the event. This led the way for the world's first intercontinental football competition, at the 1920 Summer Olympics, won by Belgium.[6] Uruguay won the tournaments in 1924 and 1928. In 1928 FIFA made the decision to stage their own international tournament. With Uruguay now two-time official football world champions and due to celebrate their centenary of independence in 1930, FIFA named Uruguay as the host country.