http://www.prolinestadium.com/ Latest sports information en 2010 http://www.prolinestadium.com/images/interface/HeaderLogo.gif http://www.prolinestadium.com/ Michael Da Silva SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3336 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3336 Sun, 11 Jul 2010 10:23:00 GMT Four years is a long time to wait but, it’s finally here. The big one: the World Cup final. And by all indications, it should be a cracker. Spain entered the tournament as favourites and, after an early wobble against Switzerland, have grown in stature and go into the final close to their devastating peak. Ashton Grewal SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3332 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3332 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 09:52:00 GMT This is Germany’s second straight appearance in the World Cup third-place match. The three-time world champs beat Portugal in the first runners-up game in 2006, but that was in Germany. Still, Die Mannschaft have finished no worse than third in any of the last three World Cups. Michael Da Silva SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3318 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3318 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:21:00 GMT In Germany’s current system, Klose benefits from having the service of Muller on the right, Podolski on the left and Ozil just behind him, meaning his clinical finishing ability is utilised – even against teams as revered as the Spanish. Klose is as deadly as they come and should always be counted on to score. Michael Da Silva SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3314 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3314 Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:47:00 GMT The Dutch are surfing the crest of a wave after coming from behind to beat the tournament favourites, Brazil, in dramatic fashion on Friday. Two goals from Wesley Sneijder puts him in contention for the Golden Boot, and puts the Netherlands within touching distance of their first World Cup final since 1978. Larry O'Connor SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3302 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3302 Sat, 03 Jul 2010 09:15:00 GMT The Spaniards have proven strike power in David Villa (four goals) and, to a lesser degree, Fernando Torres, with a creative midfield that is second to none in Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta and Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas waiting in the wings. Michael Da Silva SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3300 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3300 Sat, 03 Jul 2010 09:05:00 GMT Both teams are free of injuries and suspensions, allowing coaches Joachim Low and Diego Maradona to pick their strongest line-ups. Both are expected to keep faith in the starting line-ups that saw them ease into the last eight teams. Michael Da Silva SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3298 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3298 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:14:00 GMT Holland’s chances of success in this game are boosted by the return to fitness of Arjen Robben. Wesley Sneijder will be pulling the strings for the Dutch and, with two goals and an assist at this World Cup, the Inter Milan star will be the man Gilberto Silva is tasked with keeping quiet. Larry O'Connor SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3296 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3296 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:07:00 GMT At tournament start, both sides would have been tickled to make the quarterfinal round. In doing so, though, Ghana and Uruguay are especially giddy about having avoided big guns -- Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Germany -- in the final eight. Larry O'Connor SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3294 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3294 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:25:00 GMT With the weight of the African continent already on their collective shoulders, the Black Stars face the prospect of being without leading scorer Asamoah Gyan (ankle) and Kevin Prince Boateng (hamstring) for its quarterfinal clash with favoured Uruguay. Michael Da Silva SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3285 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3285 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:32:00 GMT The key battle, as identified by Spain right-back Sergio Ramos, is his very own with Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who has played mostly on the left throughout this World Cup, as well as through the middle in the absence of Deco. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3280 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3280 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:15:00 GMT This battle between South American rivals has been a one-sided fight, with the Brazilians defeating Chile in their last seven meeting – outscoring its opponent 26-3 in those contests. The last time Chile knocked off Brazil was in a 2000 qualifier for World Cup 2002. Michael Da Silva SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3274 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3274 Sun, 27 Jun 2010 10:05:00 GMT Jermain Defoe is a poacher. He’ll happily appear to be doing very little for an hour before ruthlessly exposing a defence with his deadly shooting ability. But with only one goal against a major nation, questions remain over Defoe's pedigree on the biggest of stages. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3270 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3270 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:38:00 GMT The U.S. and Ghana don’t have much time to celebrate their advancement into the knockout stage. The two sides meet each other just two days after finishing up their last group play match. In a situation like this, bettors need to look closely at stamina. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3268 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3268 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:01:00 GMT Fernando Torres is struggling to find his form with Spain. He missed a large part of the EPL season after undergoing knee surgery in January and didn’t start in Spain’s first match. He played the first 70 minutes against Honduras but was largely ineffective. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3264 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3264 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:12:00 GMT A draw won’t be good enough for the defending World Cup champions. While a tie with Slovakia might be adequate for the Italians to advance to the round of 16, they won’t be taking any chances when these two teams meet in the final game of Group F play at Ellis Park Stadium Thursday. Michael Da Silva SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3258 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3258 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 09:48:00 GMT England face Slovenia in what is a winner-takes-all final Group C game Wednesday. A draw will take Slovenia through but only a win is good enough for England, who have struggled to hit top form. While the game could be tense and cagey, England need goals, so it promises to be a fascinating encounter. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3255 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3255 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:43:00 GMT Argentina clinically broke down South Korea’s defence during the 4-1 win and they’re looking for a repeat performance against Greece. La Albiceleste are through to the knockout stage but coach Diego Maradona isn’t thinking about letting off the gas pedal. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3248 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3248 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:09:00 GMT The pressure is on for the Spaniards on a stage they’ve been, to a large degree, underwhelming. Critics came from all sides saying the Red Fury didn’t have the poise to come through in the clutch throughout Spain’s run to the Euro 2008 championship – and for good reason. Ashton Grewal SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3246 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3246 Sun, 20 Jun 2010 10:14:00 GMT Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is expected to start against Brazil. The Chelsea international played 25 minutes with a soft cast on against Portugal and nearly netted a late goal that would have broken a scoreless tie. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3240 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3240 Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:21:00 GMT Cameroon and Denmark enter Saturday’s match still in search of their first goal of the tournament. Cameroon’s 0-1 setback against Japan was a real shocker. The Indomitable Lions controlled most of the game against Japan but failed to produce many quality scoring chances. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3236 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3236 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:54:00 GMT The English have a way of overacting a tad when it comes to soccer. The Three Lions finished with a 1-all draw against the second best team in their group and football fans in the UK were acting as if their team had already been eliminated from the tournament and disqualified from the 2014 World Cup. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3232 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3232 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 09:36:00 GMT Skepticism and doubt were surrounding France entering the World Cup. The draw against Uruguay did little to silence the critics. The 2006 World Cup runner-ups barely qualified for the 2010 tournament and France have been equally unimpressive in their World Cup warm-ups. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3228 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3228 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:56:00 GMT The tournament host has its sights set on the knockout round after a surprising 1-1 draw with Mexico in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup. That draw proved to South Africa and its players that the country can compete with the best in the world. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3222 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3222 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 08:56:00 GMT Will he or won’t he? That’s the question everyone is asking about Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba. The Chelsea international, considered one of the top players in the world, fractured his elbow in a warm-up match against Japan on June 4. SportsDirect Inc. staff SportsDirect Inc. OTHER http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3218 http://www.prolinestadium.com/en/Article.mvc/View/3218 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:59:00 GMT Coach Marcello Lippi, who guided Italy to the World Cup title in 2006, is being heavily second guessed with his use of forwards. Media members pressed him on why Antonio Di Natale, perceived as Italy’s best forward, wasn’t playing with the first string group in practice this week.