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By Art Vandalet, December 9, 2009 5:08 pm

The final draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup happened this weekend.  All the teams have been placed in groups that will go up against each other in June,  182 days away, during the world cup.  These are the groups:

Group A:  South Africa, Uruguay, Mexico, France

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece

Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana

Group E: Denmark, Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia

Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Cote d’Ivoire, Portugal

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

Rivalries are already flaring as teams get set to come up against each other.  England’s Sun Newspaper spelled out its feelings on how Group C turned out on their front page:

England

Algeria

Slovenia

Yanks

But that kind of a cocky attitude is what became their downfall in Germany 2006.  News reports are saying that group G is going to be the hardest, or the group of death, as some call it.  Next hardest group would be Group D.  Multiple reactions have been publicized in the last few days showing how come countries are relaxing and feeling confident about the draw, while others have just begun to pray for their lives.   South Africa, also, has been praised for its organization and handling of the events this weekend.  It should be a great tournament this year.

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By Art Vandalet, November 18, 2009 4:50 pm

It looks as though France will be the team to go to South Africa.  The match ended in a tie after extra time.  Due to the fact that France has already won against Ireland in earlier qualifying matches they will be going through to the finals.  Commentators from the Stade De France say that, “Thierry Henry’s handball has almost certainly cost Ireland a place in the World Cup.”   Earlier in the game Ireland was leading until Henry’s hand ball which tied the game.  Officials don’t believe it was intentional but still it was the factor that got in the way of Ireland making their way to the finals. 

In other places in the world: Slovenia beat Russia 1-0 to qualify for the World Cup finals. Also Portugal beat Bosnia by the same score as France to go through 2-0 on aggregate. Earlier Greece beat Ukraine 1-0 to qualify as well.

Well that’s it for today, just thought I’d get the score up quick since it just happened.

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By Art Vandalet, November 18, 2009 4:30 pm

France is going up against Ireland as we speak for one of the World Cup Qualifiers.  The winner between these two teams will be on their way to South Africa in the summer.  France has better odds of winning being the 1998 world cup champions and finalists in 2006 while Ireland is a bit of an underdog and has never won to France in four attempts on French territory.  Though as of right now the score is tied at 1 to 1 with only fifteen minutes left in the game.  How do I know this?  A cool little live play by play feed coming from soccer.fanhouse.com.  I would attach it but I don’t think I would get it working until after the game.  It’s pretty cool though.  I get to read about the hand balls and the penalties every few minutes and keep up with the game.  Hopefully Ireland can come out with a win and find their way to the finals.