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Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Manchester United vs Birmingham City live stream online
December 28, 2010
Watch Manchester United vs Birmingham City live stream online free in English Premier League.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Arsenal vs. Chelsea in English Premier League
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Watch Arsenal vs Chelsea Live Stream Online on Monday, December 27th, 2010 at 20:00 UK time.
Arsenal face Chelsea for the English Premier League season 2010/2011 At the Emirates Stadium Don’t miss this big match.
ARSENAL VS CHELSEA LIVE STREAM
Arsenal face Chelsea for the English Premier League season 2010/2011 At the Emirates Stadium Don’t miss this big match.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Watch FC Barcelona vs Rubin Kazan In Uefa Championship Live Streaming Online
Watch FC Barcelona vs Rubin Kazan In Uefa Championship Live Streaming Online HD Quality TV With English Language Commentry
Manchester United vs Valencia
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Manchester United vs Wigan Athletic
Watch Manchester United vs Wigan Athletic In English Premiere League Live Streaming Online .
Chelsea vs Birmingham City In English Premiere League Live
Watch Chelsea vs Birmingham City In English Premiere League Live Streaming Online
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Raúl leaves Real Madrid and may move to England despite Schalke talk
Raúl waves goodbye to Real Madrid – and could be saying hello to the Premier League, rather than Schalke. Photograph: Juan Medina/ReutersThe departing Real Madrid captain Raúl says he is considering a move to England following his departure from the Bernabéu, denying a deal with Schalke has already been done.
The veteran striker today announced he would be leaving the club where he has spent his entire career and had been expected to sign for Schalke, possibly as early as this afternoon, but the 33-year-old says a move to the Premier League is also a possibility.
"The German team is interested in me and I have had very deep discussions with them," he said. "In a few days I will know whether I'll be going to the Bundesliga, but there are other teams that are also interested. What is clear is that my future lies in Germany or England."
Tottenham and Newcastle have been linked with the veteran striker, while Liverpool and Manchester United have also been mentioned as possible destinations.
Raúl, though, says the decision to leave Madrid was a tough one. "It's a hard day for me," he said. "I feel like a footballer still and I will keep on playing, but I will always be loyal to Real Madrid. I have tried to give everything in my time here.
"Being a Real Madrid player is the greatest dream you can imagine. Today more than ever I want everybody to know that in every move, dribble, turn or gesture on the field of play, I tried to give the best I could."
The Madrid captain was a key part of one of the club's most successful sides ever, winning three Champions League trophies and 16 titles in total, but was only a bit-part player last season and has decided to end his career elsewhere.
Despite his obvious sadness, Raúl says the time is now right for a new challenge. "A new period starts today," he said. "I have been happy at Real Madrid and I will always be willing to help the club in whatever it needs, but the time to leave has come.
"I have had the feeling [for a while] that this is the time to move on. I have worn the Real Madrid shirt for many years. I'm 33 now and it is time for some younger and stronger players to come in.
"Also it was my last opportunity to have the experience of playing abroad. I have taken the decision with my family and I want to keep competing."
The Madrid president, Florentino Pérez, also paid tribute to the veteran. "We will never forget Raúl," he said. "There are many men who form part of the legend of Real Madrid, but few that are chosen to embody the club – Raúl is one of those."
Raúl scored 323 goals in 741 games for Real Madrid, as well as 44 in 102 appearances for Spain. His departure follows that of the midfielder Guti, who announced his exit yesterday and is expected to sign for the Turkish side Besiktas.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Al Ahly Vs Hars alhedod (Egypian super cup)
WOW Enjoy now Watching Sweden Women U20 vs Colombia Women U20 LIVE in high quality and without stopping
Here
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thierry Henry Debut Goal with Red Bulls Vs Tottenham [High Quality]
New York Red Bulls 1-2 Spurs
22.07.2010
Thierry Henry's First Goal For New York Red Bulls
22.07.2010
Thierry Henry's First Goal For New York Red Bulls
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Klaas Huntelaar (AC Milan striker) arrives at Manchester airport!!
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, the striker of AC Milan has arrived at Manchester airport and is set for transfer talks with either Manchester United or Manchester City, according to talkSPORT.
The 26 year old Netherlands international was previously linked with a move to either Aston Villa or Tottenham following last week's admission by AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani that he would be sold to a Premier League side.
Although both forwards were on the fringes of first team action, Manchester City have already let Valeri Bojinov and Benjani leave Eastlands, and have been in search of a player to add to their forward line since the beginning of the transfer window, having already been linked with Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Wolfburg's Edin Dzeko.
Manchester United, however, have already bolstered their forward line with the signing of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara on May 27, following the granting of a work permit.
Huntelaar made four appearances for the Dutch during their World Cup campaign, scoring the winning goal in their 2-1 group stages win over Cameroon at Green Point Stadium.
The 26 year old Netherlands international was previously linked with a move to either Aston Villa or Tottenham following last week's admission by AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani that he would be sold to a Premier League side.
Although both forwards were on the fringes of first team action, Manchester City have already let Valeri Bojinov and Benjani leave Eastlands, and have been in search of a player to add to their forward line since the beginning of the transfer window, having already been linked with Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Wolfburg's Edin Dzeko.
Manchester United, however, have already bolstered their forward line with the signing of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara on May 27, following the granting of a work permit.
Huntelaar made four appearances for the Dutch during their World Cup campaign, scoring the winning goal in their 2-1 group stages win over Cameroon at Green Point Stadium.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Manchester United readying £25m swoop for Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Oezil
Manchester United are believed to be in line to make a £25 million bid to sign Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Oezil, according to The Daily Express.
The Germany international was a key member of the team that got so near, yet so far from the final of World Cup 2010, losing to Spain by a lone goal on Wednesday night.
Oezil's impressive performances during the tournament put him on the wish-list of a number of leading clubs, with Arsenal among those who have also been linked with the player.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is another admirer, and is thought to be looking for players to replace Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, who are both well into the evening of their careers.
Inter president Massimo Moratti revealed United's interest in Nerazzurri midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who has since maintained that he intends to continue plying his trade at the San Siro.
Werder could likely to lose Oezil this summer, as he has only one year left on his current contract - meaning they would risk seeing a valuable asset leave free by holding on to him for another season.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Octopus Paul predicts Spain to win,Is it possible!!
Good news for Spain, The two-year-old cephalopod, called Paul and based at the Sea Life Aquarium in the western German city of Oberhausen, picks Spain to win the final by going for the mussel in the box with a Spanish flag
Friday, July 9, 2010
Adidas officially announced the 10 nominees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
The FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke and adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer today officially announced the 10 nominees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ adidas Golden Ball. The adidas Golden Ball is the official FIFA trophy for the “Best Player of the Tournament”. The ten nominated players were selected by the FIFA Technical Study Group and includes football experts such as Kalusha Bwalya, Christian Karembeu, Jomo Sono and Gérard Houllier.
Nominees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ adidas Golden Ball trophy are: Diego Forlan (URU, shirt #10), Asamoah Gyan (GHA, 3), Andres Iniesta (ESP, 6), Lionel Messi (ARG, 10), Mesut Oezil (GER, 8), Arjen Robben (NED, 11), Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER, 7), Wesley Sneijder (NED, 10), David Villa (ESP, 7), Xavi (ESP, 8)
Accredited media representatives will vote to determine the winners of the adidas Golden, Silver and Bronze ball awards on FIFA.com. The winners will be announced after the final on 11 July.
adidas Golden Ball past winners:
1982 FIFA World Cup™ Spain: Paolo Rossi (Italy)
1986 FIFA World Cup™ Mexico: Diego Maradona (Argentina)
1990 FIFA World Cup™ Italy: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
1994 FIFA World Cup™ USA: Romario (Brazil)
1998 FIFA World Cup™ France: Ronaldo (Brazil
2002 FIFA World Cup™ Korea / Japan: Oliver Kahn (Germany)
2006 FIFA World Cup™ Germany: Zinedine Zidane (France)
FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG)
The FIFA Technical Study Group is headed up by Jean-Paul Brigger . Further prominent members of the TSG are Christian Karembeu, Humberto Grondona, Gérard Houllier, Holger Osieck, Leodegar Tenga, Gabriel Calderon, Alvin Corneal, Kwok Ka-Ming, Kalusha Bwalya, Ephraim Matsilele ‘Jomo’ Sono and Jim Selby.
The characteristics of the ten best players for the adidas Golden Ball as identified by the FIFA Technical Study Group (in alphabetical order):
1-Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
Architect of the team’s attack, very influential, great impact for his team, provider of quality final passes, goal scorer, set pieces/shots from long range
2-Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)
Huge work rate, efficient, good dribbler, creates problems to each defence, good goal scorer
3-Andres Iniesta (Spain)
Very fine ball-playing attacking midfielder, a star for the team, impressive dribbling ability
4-Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Outstanding in his pace and creativity for his team, dribbling, shooting, passing – spectacular and efficient
5-Mesut Oezil (Germany)
A real talent for the present and the future, quick feet and great vision, good final and decisive passes
6-Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Very good pace and dribbling skills, wonderful ability to cut inside from the right, effective to his team
7-Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Impressive by his first pass (forward and accurate), very good passer, has moments of individual brilliance, ball-winner
8-Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)
A maestro in midfield, exceptional work rate, the engine of Netherland’s attacks, excellent passer and scorer
9-David Villa (Spain)
Top scorer; quick, two footed, very good on one-on-one situations, provides good final passes, excellent finisher
10-Xavi (Spain)
The metronome and the engine of the Spanish team, very influential in the passing style of the game, one of the finest midfielders in the tournament
Nominees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ adidas Golden Ball trophy are: Diego Forlan (URU, shirt #10), Asamoah Gyan (GHA, 3), Andres Iniesta (ESP, 6), Lionel Messi (ARG, 10), Mesut Oezil (GER, 8), Arjen Robben (NED, 11), Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER, 7), Wesley Sneijder (NED, 10), David Villa (ESP, 7), Xavi (ESP, 8)
Accredited media representatives will vote to determine the winners of the adidas Golden, Silver and Bronze ball awards on FIFA.com. The winners will be announced after the final on 11 July.
adidas Golden Ball past winners:
1982 FIFA World Cup™ Spain: Paolo Rossi (Italy)
1986 FIFA World Cup™ Mexico: Diego Maradona (Argentina)
1990 FIFA World Cup™ Italy: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)
1994 FIFA World Cup™ USA: Romario (Brazil)
1998 FIFA World Cup™ France: Ronaldo (Brazil
2002 FIFA World Cup™ Korea / Japan: Oliver Kahn (Germany)
2006 FIFA World Cup™ Germany: Zinedine Zidane (France)
FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG)
The FIFA Technical Study Group is headed up by Jean-Paul Brigger . Further prominent members of the TSG are Christian Karembeu, Humberto Grondona, Gérard Houllier, Holger Osieck, Leodegar Tenga, Gabriel Calderon, Alvin Corneal, Kwok Ka-Ming, Kalusha Bwalya, Ephraim Matsilele ‘Jomo’ Sono and Jim Selby.
The characteristics of the ten best players for the adidas Golden Ball as identified by the FIFA Technical Study Group (in alphabetical order):
1-Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
Architect of the team’s attack, very influential, great impact for his team, provider of quality final passes, goal scorer, set pieces/shots from long range
2-Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)
Huge work rate, efficient, good dribbler, creates problems to each defence, good goal scorer
3-Andres Iniesta (Spain)
Very fine ball-playing attacking midfielder, a star for the team, impressive dribbling ability
4-Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Outstanding in his pace and creativity for his team, dribbling, shooting, passing – spectacular and efficient
5-Mesut Oezil (Germany)
A real talent for the present and the future, quick feet and great vision, good final and decisive passes
6-Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Very good pace and dribbling skills, wonderful ability to cut inside from the right, effective to his team
7-Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Impressive by his first pass (forward and accurate), very good passer, has moments of individual brilliance, ball-winner
8-Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)
A maestro in midfield, exceptional work rate, the engine of Netherland’s attacks, excellent passer and scorer
9-David Villa (Spain)
Top scorer; quick, two footed, very good on one-on-one situations, provides good final passes, excellent finisher
10-Xavi (Spain)
The metronome and the engine of the Spanish team, very influential in the passing style of the game, one of the finest midfielders in the tournament
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Germany VS Spain Live HQ Stream semifinal World cup 2010(in Arabic)
WOW Enjoy Watching Germany VS Spain LIVE in high quality ,without stopping here
Germany VS Spain
Germany VS Spain
In ARABIC at 9:30
Germany VS Spain Live HQ Stream semifinal World cup 2010(in English)
WOW Enjoy Watching Germany VS Spain LIVE in high quality ,without stopping here (many languages:English)
Germany VS Spain Live HQ Stream semifinal World cup 2010
WOW Enjoy Watching Germany VS Spain LIVE in high quality ,without stopping here (many languages)
TODAY
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Uruguay vs Netherlands Live (in Spanish)
Uruguay vs Netherlands Live (in Arabic)
WOW Enjoy Watching Netherlands VS Uruguay LIVE in high quality ,without stopping here
Netherlands VS Uruguay
In ARABIC at 9:30
Netherlands VS Uruguay
In ARABIC at 9:30
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Yaya Toure joins his brother, Kolo, in Manchester City for £28million
Manchester City have clinched the £28million signing of Barcelona’s Yaya Toure, making him the most expensive holding midfielder in English football history. Toure joins his brother, Kolo, in Manchester
City slicker: Yaya Toure will join the Eastlands revolution after the World Cup
Watch Yaya Toure great goool
So why do Manchester City want such an expensive midfielder?
Well, he is the first-choice holding midfielder for the best footballing team on the planet. Or at least he was two seasons ago when Barcelona became the first team ever to win the treble in Spain. Last season he lost his place to Spain international Sergio Busquets.
City are actually spending £28m on someone’s ‘reserve’ holding midfielder?
The reserve thing shouldn’t worry City fans. Toure never deserved to lose his place. He was superb the year they won everything but at Barcelona whenever it is a close call between two players, and one happens to be Catalan, the other one always loses out. Busquets’ father, Carles, played in goal for Barcelona and would have shared a dressing room with current Barca coach Pep Guardiola. Now Busquets Jnr is the apple of Pep’s eye and Toure has suffered.
Has Toure only ever lost his place because of favouritism?
Well, mainly. Guardiola also thinks Toure is a little bit undisciplined. He does tend to go off on mazy little runs sometimes that in the coach’s eyes drag the team out of shape. Although one such run ended in a Ricky Villa-style wonder goal in January 2009 against Mallorca.
And will the fans miss him?
Most definitely. Fan polls are big in Spain and club presidents usually pay attention to them. All the votes regarding Toure have been 70 per cent in favour of him staying.
So why is no one listening this time?
If new president Sandro Rosell sells Toure to pay for the signing of Cesc Fabregas then nobody will complain.
OK, so Manchester City fans can look forward to seeing a pretty good holding midfielder who sometimes scores special goals, but £28m still seems like an awful lot of money. Does he do anything else?
Despite the sterling performances in midfield, Toure’s finest hour for Barcelona actually came in the Champions League final against Manchester United in 2009 when he was playing at centre half. He also played the league run-in and the Spanish cup final in defence and was outstanding in that final against Cristiano Ronaldo.
Job done: Yaya starred for Barcelona at centre-half in the Champions League final against Manchester United
Job done: Yaya starred for Barcelona at centre-half in the Champions League final against Manchester United
Problem solved. Why didn’t he continue playing there, allowing Guardiola to bring in his golden boy Busquets?
Good question. One of the mysteries of last season was why, having played so well in that position against such tough opposition and in the biggest domestic game in world football, Toure never played there again. Barcelona love nothing more than a central defender who is comfortable on the ball. Maybe it comes back to Guardiola believing that Toure just lacks discipline, but that was certainly not the case in the Champions League final against Ronaldo.
But there could be two Toures in the centre of Manchester City’s defence next season?
Not necessarily. When he was presented at Barcelona his wife insisted the name on his shirt be Yaya and not Toure. But yes, he could play at the back for City alongside his brother, no question about it.
Brotherly love: Kolo (right) is already at City and will no doubt be talking up the club to his brother on international duty
Brotherly love: Kolo (right) is already at City and will no doubt be talking up the club to his brother on international duty
And will he be a good boy for City off the pitch as well as on it?
He is a model professional but ‘beware the agent’. Barcelona hate players with, shall we say, talkative representatives. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent has done his player no favours recently by saying that ‘Guardiola should be put in a mental institution for not picking him’ and Toure’s man, Dimitri Seluk, was talking up a new contract one year into the player’s original deal and then started saying he would be leaving because he wasn’t happy about not being picked. But apart from the lively agent, he is a class act who has had a rough deal at the Nou Camp.
Just one more question — didn’t Arsene Wenger once reject him because he was too slow?
Wenger did give him a trial in 2003 in a friendly against Barnet. But afterwards he was more interested in signing a certain AS Cannes left back, Gael Clichy, who also played in that game. It didn’t do Toure’s cause much good that he played up front and missed a sitter. As for his pace, he is not the quickest but it is not a real problem. Guardiola once described him as a ‘diesel player’ — in other words, fine once he gets warmed up and also very powerful.
City slicker: Yaya Toure will join the Eastlands revolution after the World Cup
Watch Yaya Toure great goool
So why do Manchester City want such an expensive midfielder?
Well, he is the first-choice holding midfielder for the best footballing team on the planet. Or at least he was two seasons ago when Barcelona became the first team ever to win the treble in Spain. Last season he lost his place to Spain international Sergio Busquets.
City are actually spending £28m on someone’s ‘reserve’ holding midfielder?
The reserve thing shouldn’t worry City fans. Toure never deserved to lose his place. He was superb the year they won everything but at Barcelona whenever it is a close call between two players, and one happens to be Catalan, the other one always loses out. Busquets’ father, Carles, played in goal for Barcelona and would have shared a dressing room with current Barca coach Pep Guardiola. Now Busquets Jnr is the apple of Pep’s eye and Toure has suffered.
Has Toure only ever lost his place because of favouritism?
Well, mainly. Guardiola also thinks Toure is a little bit undisciplined. He does tend to go off on mazy little runs sometimes that in the coach’s eyes drag the team out of shape. Although one such run ended in a Ricky Villa-style wonder goal in January 2009 against Mallorca.
And will the fans miss him?
Most definitely. Fan polls are big in Spain and club presidents usually pay attention to them. All the votes regarding Toure have been 70 per cent in favour of him staying.
So why is no one listening this time?
If new president Sandro Rosell sells Toure to pay for the signing of Cesc Fabregas then nobody will complain.
OK, so Manchester City fans can look forward to seeing a pretty good holding midfielder who sometimes scores special goals, but £28m still seems like an awful lot of money. Does he do anything else?
Despite the sterling performances in midfield, Toure’s finest hour for Barcelona actually came in the Champions League final against Manchester United in 2009 when he was playing at centre half. He also played the league run-in and the Spanish cup final in defence and was outstanding in that final against Cristiano Ronaldo.
Job done: Yaya starred for Barcelona at centre-half in the Champions League final against Manchester United
Job done: Yaya starred for Barcelona at centre-half in the Champions League final against Manchester United
Problem solved. Why didn’t he continue playing there, allowing Guardiola to bring in his golden boy Busquets?
Good question. One of the mysteries of last season was why, having played so well in that position against such tough opposition and in the biggest domestic game in world football, Toure never played there again. Barcelona love nothing more than a central defender who is comfortable on the ball. Maybe it comes back to Guardiola believing that Toure just lacks discipline, but that was certainly not the case in the Champions League final against Ronaldo.
But there could be two Toures in the centre of Manchester City’s defence next season?
Not necessarily. When he was presented at Barcelona his wife insisted the name on his shirt be Yaya and not Toure. But yes, he could play at the back for City alongside his brother, no question about it.
Brotherly love: Kolo (right) is already at City and will no doubt be talking up the club to his brother on international duty
Brotherly love: Kolo (right) is already at City and will no doubt be talking up the club to his brother on international duty
And will he be a good boy for City off the pitch as well as on it?
He is a model professional but ‘beware the agent’. Barcelona hate players with, shall we say, talkative representatives. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent has done his player no favours recently by saying that ‘Guardiola should be put in a mental institution for not picking him’ and Toure’s man, Dimitri Seluk, was talking up a new contract one year into the player’s original deal and then started saying he would be leaving because he wasn’t happy about not being picked. But apart from the lively agent, he is a class act who has had a rough deal at the Nou Camp.
Just one more question — didn’t Arsene Wenger once reject him because he was too slow?
Wenger did give him a trial in 2003 in a friendly against Barnet. But afterwards he was more interested in signing a certain AS Cannes left back, Gael Clichy, who also played in that game. It didn’t do Toure’s cause much good that he played up front and missed a sitter. As for his pace, he is not the quickest but it is not a real problem. Guardiola once described him as a ‘diesel player’ — in other words, fine once he gets warmed up and also very powerful.
Ghana vs Uruguay World Cup 2010 Quarter Final Game
Ghana vs Uruguay World Cup 2010 Quarter Final Game. Last minute of extra time play. Uruguay went on to win the game 4-2 in penalties. This game took place on July 2, 2010.
Friday, July 2, 2010
World Cup 2010 - Wavin Flag
World Cup 2010 South Africa - Viva Africa song by: Knaan - Wavin Flag Waving Flag
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Wiltord: French failure inexplicable
Sylvain Wiltord has previous when it comes to turning difficult situations around. It was his strike four minutes into added time that salvaged French hopes and denied Italy glory in the UEFA EURO 2000 final, allowing David Trezeguet to then seal victory for Les Bleus with a golden goal.
Having spent much of the last month around the current France side in his capacity as a television pundit, Wiltord has been better placed than most to analyse their downward spiral, just two years on from a similarly disappointing EURO 2008 campaign. Speaking exclusively to FIFA, the striker shared his thoughts on the team's performances in South Africa, their future prospects and the competition in general.
FIFA: Sylvain, how has this FIFA World Cup been for you?
Sylvain Wiltord: I went into it as Les Bleus' No1 fan and I'm sad. We kept waiting for some sort of reaction and it never came.
How difficult was that to understand?
It's completely inexplicable and worrying. This team isn't attractive to watch. There's a real lack of desire and understanding between the players. That can't be the fault of the coach alone.
Raymond Domenech's successor will have his work cut out.
That's the least you can say. We'll need to start again from basics, but we have a big gap to make up and it'll be complicated. Everyone's got the right to play badly – that's football – but we need to make the supporters happy again and restore their love for the team. This team belongs to everyone, to the whole country.
What needs to be done in concrete terms?
I think Laurent Blanc has the necessary experience to carry out the rebuilding work. He's a man with integrity and sound values. He'll need to restore order, which will undoubtedly mean putting supposed senior players on the bench sometimes. He proved at Bordeaux that he's an excellent man-manager. I'm not worried.
You were present during France's failed 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign. Do you see similarities with the current situation?
Yes and no. We went into that World Cup with quite a lot of confidence and we saw ourselves going far. This is different because even though the team has great potential, they've been finding things difficult for a long time now. After their catastrophic EURO 2008, they really suffered during the qualifiers to reach South Africa. It was possible to imagine it all ending like this.
What has been your general take on this FIFA World Cup, the first to be held in Africa?
You can really sense that everyone on the continent feels involved. It's pleasing to see so many smiles in the street. The winter weather aspect has been kind of funny, as everyone tends to subconsciously associate international competitions with games played in hot conditions. We Europeans are bit silly. We tell ourselves that in Africa it will be 35 degrees and now we're all freezing (laughs). We should have packed a few jumpers.
What have you made of the football itself?
I know it's such a cliché, but there are no small teams any more. We've already witnessed quite a few surprises and I think there'll be others.
Have you been struck by any teams in particular, or noticed any exciting, lesser known players?
I've really enjoyed Chile's performances. I can see them reaching at least the last 16 and maybe even the quarter-finals. I'd also put a small bet on Korea Republic, and it's been fun to watch Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira in action for Germany.
Which teams can you see going all the way?
As so often, it will come down to Germany, Spain and Brazil. And Chile, of course.
Having spent much of the last month around the current France side in his capacity as a television pundit, Wiltord has been better placed than most to analyse their downward spiral, just two years on from a similarly disappointing EURO 2008 campaign. Speaking exclusively to FIFA, the striker shared his thoughts on the team's performances in South Africa, their future prospects and the competition in general.
FIFA: Sylvain, how has this FIFA World Cup been for you?
Sylvain Wiltord: I went into it as Les Bleus' No1 fan and I'm sad. We kept waiting for some sort of reaction and it never came.
How difficult was that to understand?
It's completely inexplicable and worrying. This team isn't attractive to watch. There's a real lack of desire and understanding between the players. That can't be the fault of the coach alone.
Raymond Domenech's successor will have his work cut out.
That's the least you can say. We'll need to start again from basics, but we have a big gap to make up and it'll be complicated. Everyone's got the right to play badly – that's football – but we need to make the supporters happy again and restore their love for the team. This team belongs to everyone, to the whole country.
What needs to be done in concrete terms?
I think Laurent Blanc has the necessary experience to carry out the rebuilding work. He's a man with integrity and sound values. He'll need to restore order, which will undoubtedly mean putting supposed senior players on the bench sometimes. He proved at Bordeaux that he's an excellent man-manager. I'm not worried.
You were present during France's failed 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign. Do you see similarities with the current situation?
Yes and no. We went into that World Cup with quite a lot of confidence and we saw ourselves going far. This is different because even though the team has great potential, they've been finding things difficult for a long time now. After their catastrophic EURO 2008, they really suffered during the qualifiers to reach South Africa. It was possible to imagine it all ending like this.
What has been your general take on this FIFA World Cup, the first to be held in Africa?
You can really sense that everyone on the continent feels involved. It's pleasing to see so many smiles in the street. The winter weather aspect has been kind of funny, as everyone tends to subconsciously associate international competitions with games played in hot conditions. We Europeans are bit silly. We tell ourselves that in Africa it will be 35 degrees and now we're all freezing (laughs). We should have packed a few jumpers.
What have you made of the football itself?
I know it's such a cliché, but there are no small teams any more. We've already witnessed quite a few surprises and I think there'll be others.
Have you been struck by any teams in particular, or noticed any exciting, lesser known players?
I've really enjoyed Chile's performances. I can see them reaching at least the last 16 and maybe even the quarter-finals. I'd also put a small bet on Korea Republic, and it's been fun to watch Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira in action for Germany.
Which teams can you see going all the way?
As so often, it will come down to Germany, Spain and Brazil. And Chile, of course.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
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