Johannesburg, July 10: UEFA president Michel Platini was released from a Johannesburg hospital Saturday morning and is hoping to attend the 2010 World Cup final Sunday between Spain and the Netherland

Madrid, July 10: Spanish businessmen have offered 30,000 euros (about $38,000) to buy the world-famous “psychic” octopus Paul for use as a mascot at a gastronomic event, media reports said on Saturday

A New Zealand woman dying of cancer will be buried in a pink coffin decorated with 30 pairs of breasts, a newspaper reported on Friday.

Pam Hermansen, 48, of Christchurch, who was diagnosed with brea

Johannesburg, July 9: Although Sunday's World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain will already be the 18th final in the history of the competition, history will be made when the two teams play

Moscow, July 8: Out-of-form Nikolay Davydenko starts the campaign for hosts Russia with an opening rubber against Argentine David Nalbandian after the draw Thursday for their Davis Cup World Group wee

A player wants to dominate his toy, the ball. He needs to dominate it, he needs to possess it in order to give the ball a destiny, a destiny that he, the player, wants, that he decides upon. That was how the ball ran at the feet of the Spanish and the Germans. Holland made the effort to do the same and Uruguay, true to their traditions, fought bravely.

The debate about whether Fernando Torres should be in Spain’s World Cup starting lineup in the semifinal against Germany continued apace on Monday.
The Liverpool striker has started all of Spain’s matches in South Africa — except in the debut defeat against Switzerland, when he came on after an hour — but has looked slow and sluggish, without fitness, rhythm or confidence.

Luis Suarez remained defiant on Friday after his handball helped Uruguay book their place in the semifinals of the World Cup at the expense of Ghana, comparing it to Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal against England in 1986.

Ghana will become the first African team to reach the semifinals of the World Cup if they beat Uruguay at the Soccer City Stadium on Friday. But they could be without four key players as they attempt to make history.

Brazil defender Juan believes the Selecao has what it takes to snuff out the attacking threat posed by Arjen Robben and company quarterfinal clash with The Netherlands.
“Robben is a great player, who is in great form,” Juan said on Wednesday in Johannesburg. “Our job is to stop the balls getting forward to him. It will be an important step on the road to victory. We have to be very well organised in defence so that nothing surprises us,” said Juan.