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“Penalty goals” ruled out by Blatter

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Sepp BlatterFIFA president Sepp Blatter has rejected any possibility of “penalty goals” being brought in following Luis Suarez’s handball that denied Ghana a place in the World Cup semi-finals (Uruguay 19/5 to beat Germany in third-place playoff).

But Blatter did say that any law changes being considered as a result of the striker’s actions would be discussed at the International FA Board in October.

Blatter also clarified that the October meeting would see the first discussion of goal-line technology rather than, as initially suggested by FIFA, later this month.

Blatter said: “That meeting in October is when we will discuss the question of goal-line technology and take on such situations as we have witnessed in this competition with Suarez in the last minute of the match between Uruguay and Ghana.”

He continued: “You have seen in this competition and in others that it’s so difficult to say if a ball is in or out.

“But if it is not in then no referee can declare it is a goal, this is definite.”

Blatter back-tracked on goal-line technology following Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal against Germany.

“The international board will reopen the discussion on the goal-line technology but this is not just to satisfy problems that have come up during this competition,” he said.

“We have already received from different parties new approaches to how such technology could be installed and the easiest way [to do so].

“We will have a meeting on July 20 in Cardiff and this meeting will not deal with goal-line technology but will put it on the agenda for the normal business meeting in October.”

Meanwhile, some Germans are calling for a public roasting of the oracle octopus who correctly picked the winner of all six of their national soccer team’s World Cup matches – including a bitter defeat to Spain on Wednesday.

Paul, a two-year-old octopus in a German aquarium, turned into a global celebrity for his ability to predict the winner of all Germany’s games.

“Nothing beats grilled octopus,” said Dolores Lusch, a Germany fan who works on a Berlin fish stall. “Cut him up in thin slices and grill him on all sides with a dash of lemon juice, olive oil and garlic on it. Delicious!”

The country was shocked and distraught when he picked Spain to win after tipping German wins over Argentina, England, Ghana and Australia.

German newspapers and websites were filled with suggestions of what to do with Paul.

“Throw him in the frying pan,” wrote the Berliner Kurier newspaper in a popular sentiment echoed by Die Welt, Sueddeutsche Zeitung, the Hamburger Abendblatt and other newspapers.

The octopus, considered by some to be the most intelligent of all invertebrates, gets the choice of picking food from two different transparent containers lowered into his tank – one with a German flag on it and one with the opponent’s flag.

The container Paul opens first is regarded as his pick.

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Spain can rock Holland – Torres

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Spain striker Fernando Torres has revealed La Roja have been inspired all the way to the World Cup final in South Africa by Leicester rockers Kasabian (Spain 8/15f – World Cup Outright).

Torres and his Euro 2008-winning team-mates have been gearing themselves up before their matches by listening to Kasabian’s debut album which blares out in the dressing room right up until the players emerge for the national anthems.

And Liverpool star Torres is hoping to catch the band in action after the World Cup, hopefully with a winner’s medal in his pocket following Sunday’s final clash against Holland at Soccer City, Johannesburg.

He told The Sun: “Club Foot has got us to the final, so I would like to give a big thanks to Kasabian.

“Of course we will be playing it before the final against Holland on Sunday.

“So if the band are sitting watching the game then they will know that at about 7.20pm we will be getting pumped up to their most classic track.

“If we win the World Cup I would like to present them with a Spain shirt signed by all of us lads because their music has been a big inspiration to us in the dressing room.

“We will all come to watch them.”

Torres is sweating on his place in Spain’s XI for the game against the Dutch after finding himself on the bench for the semi-final win over Germany on Wednesday night.

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque had claimed Torres would start in midweek but he sprang a surprise and is now keeping his cards close to his chest over Sunday’s selection (Torres 7/1 – Fifa Man of the Match).

The wily 59-year-old, who scored one goal for Spain during 18 appearances between 1975 and 1980, said: “I don’t know if he [Torres] will be in the line-up.”

Del Bosque added: “It was a difficult choice. Torres has been helping us all along. His work is important even if it is not noticed. He is good at occupying the centre-backs.

“I didn’t talk to him before I announced the line-up (against Germany). But he is a very important part of the team. He is one of the key members of the squad and a lovely guy.”

Key Spain defender Carles Puyol, 32, who scored the winner against Germany in the semi-finals, says he will decide on his international future after the final.

Spain have won all of their knockout games 1-0 at the World Cup – against Portugal, Paraguay and Germany – and they can be backed at 9/2 to beat Holland by the same scoreline.

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Hargreaves blow for United

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Owen Hargreaves will miss the start of Manchester United’s bid to wrestle the Premier League title (United 12/5 – Premier League Outright) back from Chelsea next season after suffering an injury setback.

The 29-year-old midfielder, who United signed from Bayern Munich for £17million in 2007, only returned from an 18-month knee injury absence at the end of last season when he featured in several reserve-team matches and made a three-minute substitute appearance in the 1-0 Premier League win at Sunderland.

However, while Hargreaves’ return was too late for him to be considered for Fabio Capello’s England squad for the ill-fated World Cup campaign in South Africa, it was hoped that he would be fit to start the new league season when newly-promoted Newcastle visit Old Trafford (United 1/5, Newcastle 10/1, draw 9/2 – 90 Minutes) in mid-August. But United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has now revealed that Hargreaves picked up a fresh problem in training and will miss the club’s upcoming pre-season tour of America in order to see a specialist in the States.

“He will not be ready for the start of the season,” Ferguson told MUTV. “I do not know when he will be back.”

The disappointing news on Hargreaves follows on from the news that central defender Rio Ferdinand will also miss the Newcastle match on Monday August 16 due to the knee injury he picked up in training ahead of England’s first World Cup group stage match with the United States in June.

Ferguson added: “Rio will probably not make the start of the season. It will be close. It depends on his progress over the next few weeks.”

There is some good news for United fans as Antonio Valencia, Nani and Michael Owen should all be fit for the new campaign after recovering from respective hamstring, shoulder and hamstring problems, while Anderson is making good progress in recovering from the cruciate knee injury he suffered last September.

United depart for their training camp in Chicago on Monday.

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Mancini wants trophies at City

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Roberto Mancini is expecting his Manchester City (5/1 to win Premier League title) side to be a real success and win trophies this season after his summer spending spree.

Twelve months ago, his predecessor Mark Hughes had spent huge sums of money bringing the likes of Gareth Barry, Emmanuel Adebayor and Joleon Lescott to the club.

City were expected to battle for the title but a few months on Hughes was sacked, Mancini brought in and the club ended the season outside the Premier League top four.

After a long battle they were pipped to fourth spot and Champions League qualification by Spurs (33/1 to win the Premier League) though the club’s fans can take solace in the fact they lost the same amount of games as their rivals Manchester United throughout the season and it was too many draws which led to their downfall.

This summer, Mancini has already spent around £60 million bringing in Jerome Boateng, Yaya Toure and David Silva and claims all three are “good players” and a real “investment for the club”.

The Italian manager knows his side will battle both domestically and in the Europa League next season and he has issued a rallying cry by declaring he wants his players to bring silverware back to Eastlands next season.

“I think it will be a good season for us. I think we have a squad for success, and our supporters deserve this,” said Mancini.

“Up to now we have got Boateng, Yaya Toure and David Silva, all three of them good players. And Yaya has fantastic experience with Barcelona, where he won a lot of trophies.

“We need to have the players if we want to reduce the gap with the other teams. We need to bring in players with good quality. Now it is time that some trophies came to this club.”

Mancini has been linked with a number of players this summer and it looks like his spending may not end anytime soon.

One of his reported targets is Lazio defender Aleksandar Kolarov, also a player known to be admired by Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, however the Italian club’s president has said he wants £18.7 million for the Serbia international.

Another player strongly linked with City is Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli, who Mancini managed during his time at the San Siro.

City and also neighbours Manchester United (12/5 to win Premier League title) are interested in the 19-year-old, but if it came to a bidding war between the two rivals it is likely that Mancini would win the day.

Whatever happens, it seems City are prepared to spend big to go for the Premier League title, which could see a lot of their rivals nervously looking at Eastlands come the start of the season.

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Holloway admits Blackpool transfer fears

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Blackpool manager Ian Holloway says he is looking to add nine players to his squad (6/4 to win their opening match against Wigan) before the start of the season, but admits it is going to prove very difficult.

Following last season’s play-off success, the Tangerines boss has spent all summer trying to add new faces to his squad.

But without a massive transfer kitty and with one eye on the future, Blackpool have found it hard to sign new players as they prepare for their first Premier League campaign.

So far, the Premier League new-boys have not be able to make any signings, with just five weeks to go until the start of the new campaign.

Holloway admits that Blackpool did not plan to go up last season and that is another reason why they have struggled to make an impact in the summer transfer window.

The former QPR boss told the Blackpool Gazette: “I have to try to get myself six to nine extra players because I’ve only got 16 at the moment and we need a squad of 25.

“We might not get to 25 and I hope we don’t have any injuries or suspensions before January because that could kill us.”

Holloway has conceded that Blackpool only have one scout, which has made it difficult for the Tangerines to check out players in Europe and further afield.

The manager has already indicated that he will look to bring in younger players and try and build for the future, with big-money signings out of the question.

Holloway added: “We’ve never watched a player who is worth a million quid. So how on earth can we now try and get a player – in fact nine of them – to keep us in the Premier League?

“That’s the reality of it. Until you get to the top flight you haven’t got the money to put these structures in place. So it’s a vicious circle.”

Blackpool kick-off the new season with a home clash against Lancashire rivals Wigan (9/1 to win 2-0 at Bloomfield Road) on Saturday August 14, before an away trip to Arsenal on August 21.

Holloway is keen to keep the team spirit at the same level as last season and that means looking to bring in a certain type of player.

The manager concluded: “What I want to do is get the characters right because I don’t want to lose what we’ve got here, I think it’s really special.

“They’ll have to come for the right reason, which isn’t their wage packet – it’ll be wanting to play in the Premiership for Blackpool.”

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The best team won…

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German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer admitted the best team won on the night as his team were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the World Cup semi-final (Germany 7/10 to beat Uruguay in third place play-off).

Neuer was powerless to stop Carles Puyol’s 73rd minute bullet header on a night the Germans were clearly below par.

“It’s a big disappointment for us. We could have won but we didn’t, but this is football,” Neuer told the press after the game.

“Now we are in the third place play-off, but we would have preferred to be in the final.”

Neuer said his side just didn’t do enough to win the game.

“We had little courage and little chances, we attacked more in other games, but we have to look forward now,” he added.

“Spain left us little spaces, and had lots of chances, they deservedly beat us. I wish them the best for the final.”

Germany captain Philipp Lahm, who was captaining the side in Michael Ballack’s absence, admitted after the full-time whistle Spain deserved to progress.

“It was very difficult tonight,” said the Bayern Munich defender.

“We knew Spain were a favourite to win the tournament. Spain is a very strong team.

“We didn’t play courageously enough in the first half. We had a chance in the second but weren’t able to use it.

“It’s a huge disappointment. We wanted to do a lot and didn’t succeed.”

Meanwhile, the German press went into mourning after the game as their side lost out on the chance to win their first title since 1990.

“It’s finished. It’s over. We’re out,” cried Germany’s most-read paper, Bild.

“The whole of Germany is now upset and tears are flowing up and down the country,” the paper said, adding, with unusual fairness: “No matter how tough it may be to accept, the defeat was deserved.”

“Our guys tried everything. But unfortunately, we just didn’t get the right chances. These Spanish, we have to admit, were simply too good for us.”

“1-0. Germany weeps” wrote the Hamburger Abendblatt.

“The fairy-tale is over” said weekly Die Zeit on its website.

Frankfurter Allgemeine said that Germany’s “dream journey” had ended and Spiegel magazine said on its website “Spain destroys Germany’s dreams of reaching a final.”

Spiegel online judged that the team were “anxious, nervous and played as if hindered.”

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung was also critical of Joachim Loew’s players.

“The German team showed too much respect for the Spanish and weren’t able to push their opponents back enough.”

Berlin’s “BZ” chose to look more optimistically towards the future, with hopes high for Germany’s young team that probably exceeded expectations in this World Cup.

“Shame, boys. But you’ll be back,” it said on its website.

“It was still a great World Cup.”

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Kuyt’s World Cup dream

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Dirk Kuyt is confident Holland are finally about to reach the end of their long journey to World Cup glory (5/4 to win the tournament outright).

Beaten finalists in 1974 and 1978, the Dutch get their third shot at football’s greatest prize at Soccer City on Sunday when they will tackle either Germany or Spain following Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat of Uruguay.

And Kuyt is determined to ensure it is third time lucky for the ‘Oranje’.

“After a long journey we are in the final,” said the Liverpool star.

“We are so close to writing history. This is the third time we have reached the final. Now we have to win it.”

Kuyt admitted it was difficult to put his emotions into words at the final whistle.

Holland had gone in front thanks to a blistering strike from captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, only to be pegged back by Diego Forlan just before half-time.

For a decent period in the second half, the South Americans looked the more likely winners.

However, just as it appeared there was no way through for the Dutch, Wesley Sneijder’s incredible year took another twist when he threaded a shot through a crowd of bodies and into the Uruguay net.

Three minutes later, Kuyt crossed for Arjen Robben, whose precise header also went in off the post, and Holland were through.

“What has happened is unbelievable. It is a bit unreal,” said Kuyt.

“We felt before the tournament we had the quality in the team to win it but now it is an incredible feeling.”

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Striker eyes golden prize

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Diego Forlan has revealed that he was not 100 percent fit for Uruguay’s semi-final defeat to Holland but he is still aiming to leave South Africa with the World Cup’s golden boot (Spain’s David Villa is 10/11 favourite for the prize).

The South Americans went down 3-2 to an impressive Dutch outfit at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday evening. 

The Atletico Madrid hitman netted from 30 yards out to put his side back on level terms after Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave the Europeans the lead with one of the goals of the tournament.

However, strikes from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben put the result beyond doubt before Maximiliano Pereira netted a late consolation goal for Uruguay.

Forlan was substituted with five minutes to play after struggling with a tendon strain but the striker is now undergoing treatment in the hope of being fit enough for the third place play-off on Saturday.

“I have had a problem with my tendon, this has been going on for a couple of days already and I wasn’t really in the game,” he said.

“I thought warming up before the game I was going to be at my best, but it wasn’t like that for me.

 ”We will wait and see if I can make it in time for Saturday.”

Forlan has four goals in the tournament and will have the chance to add to that tally against Spain or Germany in Port Elizabeth  if he’s passed fit.

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Neuer targets Spain shutout

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Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer says he is after clean sheet when his nation take on Spain (15/8 outright World Cup winners) in Wednesday’s semi-final.

The Schalke shot-stopper has made a big name for himself at the World Cup, producing a string of fine performances as Germany (7/4 to beat Spain) eased into the last four.

While the likes of Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose (7/2 top scorer) have grabbed the headlines it’s been Neuer keeping them in the matches at the other end.

The 24-year-old has made the most saves out of the four goalkeepers left at the World Cup, denying opponents on 18 occasions.

He has also conceded just two goals, although that should number should be one higher following Frank Lampard’s goal that wasn’t given in the second round.

Having been dubbed the ‘German Casillas’ by the nation’s media Neuer is keen to match his skills up against his Spanish counterpart, Iker Casillas.

“I haven’t heard that, but of course it’s an honour to be compared to Casillas,” said Neuer. “He is an incredibly good goalkeeper who has enjoyed so much success in the past. But I like to play for a zero and it will be the same on Wednesday.”

Having kept Argentina at bay in the last round, Neuer is confident of another clean sheet in Durban as he looks to help Germany avenge their Euro 2008 final defeat to Spain.

While Neuer has been in fine form in South Africa he believes it is all down to his defenders as to why he has only conceded two goals so far.

“It is thanks to some outstanding defending that we have only conceded two goals in the tournament, we can be very happy with that,” he said.

The German’s defence is likely to be tested to the limit by Spain, in particular by David Villa who has looked unstoppable at times during this tournament.

The Barcelona forward is currently leading the way in the race for the golden boot with five goals to his name and will be looking to take advantage of the slightly cumbersome centre-halfs Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker.

However, Neuer has backed his team mates to deal with Villa and co, claiming they can boss the game against the less physical Spaniards.

“You have to show the opposition who’s boss,” said Neuer. “If you manage that, you have already achieved a little something.”

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Van Marwijk hails final berth

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Bert van Marwijk has described securing a place in the World Cup final as “unbelievable” after the Netherlands (5/4 to win the World Cup) ousted Uruguay in Tuesday’s semi-final.

The two-time finalists laboured to a 3-2 victory over the South American nation to set up a final date with either Germany or Spain on Sunday.

Despite having not been at their best Holland find themselves one game away from winning their first ever World Cup having lost to Argentina and West Germany in their two previous finals.

Uruguay were missing four key players but pushed Holland all the way in Cape Town after recovering from a slow start and could have gone through themselves.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave Holland the lead with one of the goals of the tournament before Diego Forlan equalised.

The Dutch toiled for much of the second half until Wesley Sneijder (3/1 top goalscorer) got the breakthrough on 70 minutes.

Arjen Robben quickly followed that up with a third before Maxi Pereira set up a nervy end with his goal in injury time.

However, Uruguay couldn’t find a third goal to force extra time and their brave World Cup campaign was brought to an end after another defensive minded performance from the Dutch.

Van Marwijk has come in for some criticism for his style of play which goes against the free-flowing football fans have come to expect from the Oranje.

The Feyenoord manager has admitted his brand of football isn’t the most attractive but claims Dutch fans won’t care if they win the World Cup on Sunday night.

“It’s amazing that we have managed to do this. It’s been 32 years,” he said.

“It is unbelievable. We can be very proud for such a small country.

“After the second and third (goals) we should have scored a fourth. That would have prevented that final phase.

“But this is a World Cup. It doesn’t matter how you do it, it’s all about the result.”

No doubt Van Marwijk will be watching Wednesday’s second semi-final with avid interest to discover who they will face in Soccer City.

Germany (evens to reach the final) have looked good throughout the tournament while Spain have stumbled their way through the proceeding rounds at times.

However, La Furia will no doubt give the Germans a tough match and it should be a close game to decide who will contest the final.

Holland should be full of confidence whoever they face having won every match they have played in the tournament thus far.

The Dutch are now the 5/4 favourites with totesport to win the World Cup while Spain have gone to 2/1 and Germany 11/5.

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