All In The Game

A World Cup Miscellany compiled by Mary Hannigan

"This is Joachim Loew's masterpiece, he has created a perfect team. I have rarely seen such mastery of the game from Germany, perhaps only in the 1970s and the World Cup winning team of 1990."- Franz Beckenbauer attempts to dampen German expectations

Maradona magic lives on

WHILE DUNGA and his Brazilian squad got a less than warm reception when they returned home from the World Cup, Diego Maradona and his Argentinian players received so rapturous a welcome it prompted El Territorioto choose "Amor Incondicional" as its front page headline.

One of those offering seemingly unconditional love to the manager was a fella who "travelled 1,400km just to see Diego, I love him to death", while another supporter vowed that "we will get our revenge in the Copa America", which is being hosted by Argentina next year. Quite how you avenge the Germans in the South American championships, well, he didn't say.

"Tchau Dunga", was the message on the front page of Diario Do Povofor the now sacked manager, the farewell not the fondest, certainly not from former Brazilian midfielder Juninho. who likened Dunga's reign to that of Raymond Domenech. Ouch.

The Spanish press, meanwhile, had the awful task of trying to squeeze Rafa Nadal and their World Cup semi-finalists on to their front pages.

Another day, another sporting triumph. It can't be easy.


Michael who? Matthaus now singing a different tune

FORMER German captain Lothar Matthaus a month ago: "Germany have almost no chance of winning the World Cup. The problem is that they have no stars, no one with any individual brilliance, now that Michael Ballack is out. They lack the individuals who can settle a match on their own, and that's been obvious for some years now. And their preparations have hardly been optimal. The loss of Ballack was a blow, he would have been a dominant personality at the tournament."

After they beat England 4-1: "I'm genuinely upset for Ballack but his absence has helped Germany. It's not just the excellent results delivered by this young team, it's also their fantastic performances.

"We always thought they'd make it to the quarter-finals, but no one was expecting them to win the whole thing."

We're still waiting to hear from him after the Argentina game, but he might just say:

"Germany have every chance of winning the World Cup. The great thing is they have lots of stars, with individual brilliance. Michael who?! They have individuals who can settle a match on their own, and that's been obvious for some years now.

"And their preparations were just ideal."

Bhoy blunder: Celtic's flop Braafheid makes Dutch grade

WITH NINE players in the World Cup semi-finals, including the Netherlands' Mark van Bommel and Arjen Robben, Bayern Munich have the highest representation of any club at this stage of the tournament.

The statistics also show that out of the 92 players still on duty in South Africa, 28 play in the German Bundesliga, compared to 23 in Spain, 11 in the Netherlands, just eight in England's Premier League and one in Scotland. Scotland?

Well, Celtic supporters might be slow to lay claim to Dutch defender Edson Braafheid, who had a less than successful spell with the club last season on loan from Bayern Munich.

Imagine, said The Scotsman, if the Dutch beat Uruguay and reach the final, but lose captain Giovanni Van Bronckhorst through injury. Who might be his replacement at left back?

"Edson Braafheid, who joined Celtic on loan after being jeered by his own supporters at Bayern. The one who was dropped by Neil Lennon for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Ross County, fined for leaving the stadium and later used only in the absence of Lee Naylor. You couldn't make it up."

Truly, it's a funny old game.