POTCHEFSTROOM: Spain defender Carles Puyol believes Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi will be crowned the world`s best footballer despite the talents of World Cup finalists Wesley Sneijder and Xavi.Messi had a disappointing World Cup as Argentina were knocked out of the tournament by

MADRID: World number one tennis player Rafael Nadal hailed Spain`s victory over Germany in the World Cup semi-final which he said would help "cheer up" the country amid its economic crisis.The team "made possible the dream of being in the World Cup final," the Spaniard told journalists in

BERLIN: Paul the oracle octopus has predicted that Germany will beat Uruguay in the World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday, but is now the target of death threats from angry German fans.The octopus, who has become a World Cup sensation by correctly predicting all six Germany games,

BERLIN: German coach Joachim Loew will be handed a new contract as a reward for guiding Germany to the World Cup semi-finals it was reported by the normally reliable Bild on Friday.The 50-year-old - who since replacing Jurgen Klinsmann as coach after the 2006 World Cup has taken Germany

JOHANNESBURG: At first look, World Cup final coaches Bert van Marwijk and Vicente Del Bosque could not seem more different and yet a closer inspection reveals a lot of similarities.Van Marwijk is slick, arrogant and at times outspoken while Del Bosque is dour, quiet and almost

CAPE TOWN: The Dutch were South Africa`s first white settlers more than three centuries ago, but ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday, locals say that`s all history. South Africans in Cape Town, where Dutch traders set up a supply station to replenish passing ships in 1652, said a

NOTTINGHAM : Bangladesh`s latest defeat was compounded by Mushfiqur Rahim and Raqibul Hasan both suffering series-ending injuries in the first one-day international against England here on Thursday.Wicketkeeper Mushfiqur, not wearing a helmet, was struck in the face midway at Trent Bridge

MADRID: Whatever the result of the World Cup final on Sunday, the Spanish team will be honoured in a parade in an open-top bus through the streets of the capital, municipal authorities said Thursday. "The city hall, together with the Spanish Football Federation, has organised a huge

NOTTINGHAM: Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza admitted he faced a severe test of his leadership capabilities after the Tigers` latest loss was compounded by injuries to two key players. England cruised to a six-wicket win in the first one-day international as Bangladesh, yet to win in

NEW DELHI: India`s pace spearhead Zaheer Khan has been ruled out of the Test series in Sri Lanka due to a shoulder injury and replaced by rookie Abhimanyu Mithun, the cricket board said on Wednesday.Zaheer, 31, has been India`s most prolific new ball bowler in recent years with 242

NOTTINGHAM: Ian Bell marked his return to England`s one-day side with an unbeaten 84 as they defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first of a three-match series at Trent Bridge here on Thursday. Bell, recalled in the absence of injured No 3 Kevin Pietersen, faced 101 balls with six

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka`s world bowling record holder Muttiah Muralitharan on Thursday brushed aside criticism of his bowling action saying his unorthodox style was a gift from God.Muralitharan`s 18-year career was marred by controversy due to his bent-arm action -- the result of an elbow

ERASMIA: Brazil`s all-time World Cup record goal scorer Ronaldo`s mark of 15 goals could well remain intact as it was revealed on Thursday German striker Miroslav Klose could miss Saturday`s third place match with Uruguay because of a back injury.The 32-year-old Poland-born marksman

PORT ELIZABETH: Two-time winners Uruguay and three-time champions Germany clash here on Saturday in a match that neither side wanted to be contesting - the playoff to decide third place. Both coaches, Oscar Tabarez of Uruguay and Germany`s Joachim Loew will have a job on their hands to

ERASMIA: In the wake of his side`s World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain, Germany coach Joachim Loew remains tight-lipped on his future plans despite now being out of contract. The 50-year-old`s four-year deal with the German Football Federation (DFB) officially expired on June 30 and

BERLIN: Paul the "psychic" octopus, who has become a global star after correctly forecasting all six of Germany`s World Cup games, will predict the final, but only if his hefty workload has not exhausted him. The mollusc medium, who stunned Germany by tipping Spain in the semi-final --

HONG KONG: Hong Kong police have seized 35 million US dollars worth of illegal betting slips during the World Cup, with that figure expected to soar ahead of this weekend`s final, a report said Thursday.Since the global tournament kicked off last month, police in the financial hub have

BERLIN: "It`s finished. It`s over. We`re out," cried Germany`s most-read paper, Bild, as the country descended into collective mourning following the 1-0 semi-final defeat to Spain that ended their World Cup dream."The whole of Germany is now upset and tears are flowing up and down the

PLAYA DE PALMA: While Spaniards were ecstatic over their World Cup semi-final win, one corner of the country was in despair, as tens of thousands of German tourists in a Majorcan beach resort were left with broken hearts.Cries of "Nein!" (No!) erupted throughout Playa de Palma, a

DURBAN: Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque insisted his side would take nothing for granted ahead of a World Cup final meeting with the Netherlands they will start as clear favourites."Of course we must celebrate this victory but we will do so with moderation," Del Bosque said after Carles