2014 WORLD CUP - FRANCE - KEY PLAYER - ‪KARIM BENZEMA - PROFILE

He has been named French Player of the Year twice for his performances in 2011 and 2012. Benzema is a former French youth international and has represented his nation from under-17 level onwards. 

Benzema has earned over 65 caps and represented France at three major international tournaments; the 2008 and 2012 editions of the UEFA European Football Championship and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

30 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 17 - LAST SIXTEEN - NETHERLANDS VS MEXICO 2:1

LAST SIXTEEN
29th June 2014

Netherlands vs Mexico 2:1

Lucky dutchmen!

29 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 17 - LAST SIXTEEN - COSTA RICA VS GREECE 5:4 - win on penalties

LAST SIXTEEN
29th June 2014

Costa Rica vs Greece 5:4

Costa Rica through on penalties.

29 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - MEXICO - KEY PLAYER - ‪Giovani dos Santos‬ - PROFILE

Giovani dos Santos‬ was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Giovani joined FC Barcelona's academy of La Masia at the age of eleven and played for Barcelona's Juvenil A category where he helped his team to make a comeback in the league and win the regional title. 

This title allowed them to participate in the Youth Copa del Rey, where they faced other regional champions, among them their historic arch-rivals, Real Madrid. 

29 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - NETHERLANDS - KEY PLAYER - ARJEN ROBBEN‬ - PROFILE

Arjen Robben 

Though often classified as a forward, he usually plays behind the forwards as a winger. Robben is known for his dribbling skills, speed, crossing ability and his accurate left foot long-range shots from the right wing.

29 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 16 - LAST SIXTEEN - BRAZIL VS CHILE 3:2 - advanced on penalties

LAST SIXTEEN
28th June 2014

Brazil vs Chile 3:2 

Hosts Brazil knock Chile out of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in the second round with a 3:2 win on penalties.

28 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 16 - LAST SIXTEEN - COLOMBIA VS URUGUAY - 2:0

LAST SIXTEEN
28th June 2014

Colombia vs Uruguay 2:0

James Rodriguez makes the difference! 

28 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - COLOMBIA - KEY PLAYER - James Rodríguez - PROFILE

James Rodríguez expressing his honor to be praised by his hero, 'El Pibe' Valderrama.

"Rodríguez is mentally sharp, possessing quick reactions when closed down which allows him to keep control of the ball and making him more likely to be fouled. While left footed, he's able to control the ball just as well with his right foot." 

(El Pibe' Valderrama)

28 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - LAST-SIXTEEN - Matches and Teams out

Teams who have reached the round of the last sixteen

27 Jun 2014
2014 WORLD CUP - DAY 15 - GROUP G & GROUP H - PREVIEW

GROUP G
USA vs Germany -:-
Portugal vs Ghana -:-

GROUP H
Korea vs Belgium -:-
Algeria vs Russia -:-

26 Jun 2014

2015 AFRICA CUP - CAF - Platini wants apology

AFRICA CUP 2015

UEFA president Michel Platini is demanding an apology after the Confederation of African Football criticised him for comments on the staging of the Africa Cup of Nations.

CAF accused Platini of "treacherously" interfering after he discussed the impact of the Ebola crisis on the tournament in a TV broadcast.

But the UEFA president insists his comments have been misinterpreted.

CAF says an apology to Platini will not be forthcoming.

The Nations Cup is due to be held in Morocco from 17 January to 8 February, but the host nation have said they wish to postpone the tournament.

Around 4,500 people have died since the Ebola epidemic broke out in west Africa at the start of the year.

CAF issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday criticising the UEFA president, who they claimed had suggested in the interview that the tournament be postponed - a claim Platini denies.

The confederation stated it did not "intend to let anyone interfere in the management of its affairs".

But Platini responded in a letter to the CAF president Issa Hayatou saying he was deeply upset by the accusations, and demanded a formal apology.

The letter also included a transcript of the interview.

"At no point did I interfere in any way in the affairs of the CAF, and at no point did I call for or support the postponement of the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations," Platini wrote.

"It is for Mr Hayatou to decide on the question of postponement.

"Public health has to take priority, but it is up to them to decide what to do."

CAF has stated it has no intention of changing the dates and has since approached Ghana, South Africa and up to five other countries about their willingness to host the event should Morocco withdraw.

The confederation is due to meet Moroccan officials on 3 November to discuss the hosting of the tournament.

 

23 Oct 2014
(BBC Sport UK)

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