Not everybody loves Raymond

"Will France's maverick coach finally convince the doubters?"

Golden Ball winner on delay (AP)

"The rival captains of World Cup finalists France and Italy are among 10 nominees for the Golden Ball, awarded to the best player in the tournament. But in a break from tradition, Zinedine Zidane of France and Fabio Cannavaro of Italy will not find out who wins the award...

France veterans unite to reach final (AP)

"French players are hoping their will to win a second World Cup carries them at least as far as their aging legs. A team that has become mentally tough appears now to be peaking physically. Still, France hopes it doesn't have to test its motto in Sunday's final against Italy:...

Germany faces Portugal for third place (AP)

"The World Cup's third-place playoff game can't possibly carry anything close to the glamour of the final. What it does bring is a chance for Germany and Portugal to take a little bit more prestige out of the tournament. And not leave on a losing note. The hosts want to...

2 Somalis Killed for Watching World Cup

"MOGADISHU, Somalia - Radical Islamic militia fighters in Somalia shot and killed two people who were watching a banned World Cup soccer broadcast, a radio station reported Wednesday."

A World Cup without goals?

"Goals are become scarce in the final 16 knockout phase of the World Cup. A discussion has been going on over at the Guardian's World Cup blogs. In the knockout phase the number of goals has declined from 42 in 1986 to about 25 in 2006. There hasn't been a World Cup Final...

Accomodation crisis for cricket World Cup

"Fans hoping to make a beeline for the Caribbean for the cricket World Cup next year were served a dampener with the organising committee admitting that the host countries will not be able to provide boarding and lodging to all the people who make the trip."

France boots Portugal to reach final

"Zinedine Zidane penalty gave France victory in their World Cup showdown with Portugal on Wednesday and set up a final with Italy which will be the gifted playmaker's last game before retirement."

(Semis, halftime): France 1 - Portugal 0

"The Un Official Site of Fifa World Cup 2006 - Zidane Is Done! They said his career was over. They said he’s too old to play at highest level. Zidane proved his doubters wrong by catapulting his team past Brazil all the way to the semi-finals. And today against...

Preview (Semis): France vs Portugal

"The Un Official Site of Fifa World Cup 2006 - France is confident they can get to the finals with Zizou playing his usual game and his usual game happens to be an enormous defensive problem for opposing teams."

Wright-Phillips sold to Southampton

"Bitter and Blue - And there was none. A year after the departure of brother Shaun to Chelsea, Bradley Wright-Phillips completed a surprise move to Championship side Southampton today for an undisclosed fee, but the deal is believed to include a substantial sell on clause."

World Cup goalie going to FC Dallas

"My Soccer Blog - Shaka Hislop, the starting goalkeeper for Trinidad & Tobago in the 2006 World Cup, has signed with FC Dallas. Hislop was the hero against Sweden when T&T tied them 0-0. He also held England scoreless for 83 minutes. Hislop's last job was with West Ham...

World Cup goalie going to FC Dallas

"My Soccer Blog - Shaka Hislop, the starting goalkeeper for Trinidad & Tobago in the 2006 World Cup, has signed with FC Dallas. Hislop was the hero against Sweden when T&T tied them 0-0. He also held England scoreless for 83 minutes. Hislop's last job was with West Ham...

You'll get linking and like it

"Quarter Valley - - If 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 gets us the A. Roth, I'm fine with it- Somebody get these boys a star!- Yeah thanks, where was that a month ago?- This is just a hunch, but maybe you should learn how to say "Deuce" in German- And I'm FREEEEEE... FREEEEE FALLLLLINNNNNNN"

Would Italian victory be just?

"BBC - World Cup 2006 Blog - With Italian football mired in alleged corruption, would it not be a travesty of justice for Italy to walk off with the World Cup trophy on Sunday? It’s a question I’ve been putting to Italian fans in Germany all this..."