Dutch Flair Too Much for Uruguay

Cape Town - The Netherlands finally turned on the style at the World Cup in South Africa to reach its third final — and first in 32 years — with a stunning 3-2 victory over a plucky Uruguay on Tuesday.

Wesley Sneijder scored his fifth goal in South Africa and Giovanni van Bronckhorst added one of the goals of the tournament. Arjen Robben also scored as the Dutch never looked troubled despite a late onslaught from the two-time champion from South America.

“This is unforgettable,” Sneijder said. “It was a tough fight and toward the end we complicated matters. Sunday we play in the World Cup final. I have to get used to that.”

Van Bronckhorst opened the scoring with a 35-meter shot in the 18th minute, but Diego Forlan equalized in the 41st with his fourth goal of the tournament, despite playing through the pain of a thigh injury.

“It was bothering me a lot,” Uruguay’s top scorer said. “At times I felt a great frustration because I wasn’t 100 percent.”

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk replaced Demy de Zeeuw with Rafael van der Vaart at halftime and the attacking move paid off as Sneijder and Robben scored after the break.

Maximiliano Pereira scored for Uruguay in injury time but the Dutch weathered the late Uruguayan pressure, and the orange-clad fans at Green Point Stadium erupted at the final whistle.

“This is very special,” said van Marwijk, who took over as coach two years ago.

“After 32 years we play the final again. Such a small country. We can be very proud of this.”

Most of the jubilant Dutch squad returned to the field 45 minutes after the match to dance and cheer with a group of about 1,000 orange-clad fans cheering and beating drums.

As the players danced, the jubilant fans chanted, “Holland! Holland! Holland!”

The Netherlands’ only international title came at the 1988 European Championship, but it is now on a 25-match unbeaten run and has won 10 straight as it heads to a World Cup final against either Spain or Germany.

Seen as beautiful footballers but perennial underachievers on the world stage, the Netherlands has played a tougher brand of football in South Africa, aiming to dominate possession and wait for openings rather than attempt to carve open defenses with creative flair.

“I love attacking and beautiful football, but you have to work together when the opponent has the ball and then you can go a long way,” van Marwijk said.

The strategy has served the team well — the Netherlands is the only team with a perfect record at the World Cup.

“We are so close,” said Sneijder, who already won the Italian league and Cup double and the Champions League this season with Inter Milan.

“There is nothing bigger than the World Cup,” he added.

After a flowing passing move, van Bronckhorst collected the ball 30 meters out on the left and struck a searing drive that beat the despairing dive of Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and flew into the net off the post.

Forlan’s equalizer was another powerful long-range shot, but Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg probably should have saved it.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez was forced to substitute Forlan in the 85th minute when he could no longer continue.

“From the first minute he had a problem. I’m not dumb enough to take him out at 3-1 when the match wasn’t lost,” Tabarez said. “He was injured and really could not continue.”

Associated Press

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All Blacks, Springboks Open Tri-Nations Test

Auckland, New Zealand. World rugby’s two top-ranked teams, New Zealand and South Africa, meet on Saturday in the opening match of the Tri-Nations tournament on the same grounds where the World Cup final will be decided in 15 months.

Both teams have hinted at the lingering importance of winning the Tri-Nations title, held by South Africa, and disputing the No. 1 world ranking, which is currently New Zealand’s.

And while both teams have rejected the notion that the match would offer a preview of World Cup form, the intensity of each team’s preparation and the edge of the pre-match rhetoric suggests that some World Cup feelings — at least the desire to strike a psychological blow — have infected both camps.

New Zealand has said it wants to avenge its three losses to South Africa in last year’s Tri-Nations series and prove it deserves to be ranked No. 1 in the world ahead of the world champion Springboks.

“I personally think it [the World Cup] is irrelevant,” New Zealand co-coach Wayne Smith said. “Both teams are going to have a good crack at the World Cup, but not today or tomorrow, that’s down the track.

Center Conrad Smith, who along with midfield partner Ma’a Nonu returns to the New Zealand lineup after being sidelined with injury, offered insight into the tension in the All Blacks camp.

“There is a danger with a game like this that you get too excited and go overboard with all the adrenaline,” Smith said. “It’s something we’ve talked about, but it does feel like a different game and there is definitely an edge to training.”

Both teams named experienced lineups for the match, the All Blacks favoring fullback Mils Muliaina, Nonu, winger Joe Rokocoko and prop Tony Woodcock over younger rivals.

South Africa named lock Bakkies Botha in its starting lineup and placed Danie Rossouw on the bench after delaying the naming of its lineup from Tuesday to Thursday to monitor the fitness of the second rowers.

Captain John Smit said Saturday’s test possessed greater significance than his team’s June tests against France and Italy.

“This is a different kettle of fish,” he said. This is going to be a high-pressure environment.”

Associated Press

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Revamped Silverstone Awaits Battle of the Brits

Silverstone is the battleground this weekend for a pair of British Formula One title contenders for the first time in more than a decade — and a year after it seemed the circuit might never witness such a duel again.

Just six points separate Lewis Hamilton, 25, and Jenson Button, 30, at the top of the championship standings as they prepare for their first home grand prix as McLaren teammates at the midway point of the season.

Never before have Hamilton and Button been able to race against each other in competitive cars in front of 120,000 home fans.

And those fans have not seen British drivers dominate at Silverstone since 1999, when David Coulthard and Eddie Irvine produced a one-two finish.

“We are here to fight against each other,” said Button, the defending world champion. “I’ve won in Monaco and I’ve won the world championship, so winning my home grand prix is the one thing that is missing from my CV.”

Although Button fell short at Silverstone last year, finishing sixth in his Brawn, the points helped him win the championship.

Hamilton’s last trip to Silverstone — as defending world and race champion — epitomized his forlorn 2009 season, with his slow McLaren qualifying 19th and limping home 16th in the race.

It seemed Hamilton wouldn’t get a chance to redeem for that poor performance, with Silverstone losing the British hosting rights to Donington Park. But Silverstone, two hours north of London, regained the race in December after Donington hit financial problems.

The circuit has been revamped to make it longer and increase overtaking opportunities.

Until today’s first practice session, the closest the drivers will get to testing the upgraded circuit is on a computer simulator — and Hamilton has struggled.

“On my first lap I missed out the new section and continued on as normal,” Hamilton said. “It took a lap longer than normal to get used to not going up to Abbey and turning left but going right on to the new section.”

While Hamilton and Button have each won two races this season, so have Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber.

Vettel, who led Webber in a one-two Red Bull finish at Silverstone last year, won the European Grand Prix at Valencia on June 27 after dominating from pole.

Vettel is third in the championship, 12 points behind Hamilton, while fourth-place Webber is twice as far adrift.

And the spotlight has been on the Vettel-Webber relationship since a costly run-in at Istanbul in May when Vettel made contact with Webber and spun while trying to pass for the lead.

“Some people thought it was the end of the world, but it wasn’t,” Webber said.

“The whole team has learned from the situation, including the drivers to a degree.”

If Webber and Vettel think they have problems, they are nothing compared with those of seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.

The German’s 15th-place finish at Valencia was the worst of his 258-race career, representing a new low in his comeback season for Mercedes. (Rob Harris)

Associated Press

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Slovaks head home as heroes with bonuses in the bag

Durban - Slovakia had already hit the jackpot by qualifying for their first World Cup and now go home with the bonuses of knocking out the holders, reaching the last 16 and building up experience for next time round.

Coach Vladimir Weiss has nurtured a group of players who work well as a team, have pace on the wings and a cutting edge up front. They showed it best last week in the 3-2 win over Italy and by no means embarrassed themselves in Monday`s 2-1 defeat by Netherlands.

"It was a good result just to get here, anything else was a bonus," midfielder Vladimir Weiss, son of the coach, told reporters. "We hope we can come back to many World Cups in the future."

In their first Group F game against New Zealand they learnt a painful lesson when they conceded an equaliser in the last minute of added time, while in the next match against Paraguay they were simply outclassed and stunted in attack.

They fixed the mistakes from both matches and pulled together to achieve what had looked impossible when they were sitting bottom of the table -- a stylish victory over Italy and a place in the knockout round.

They tried the same approach against Netherlands but were torn apart by winger Arjen Robben, who coach Weiss called a "genius", and were punished for wasting chances.
"If we lost, I think it was because of lack of experience," midfielder Miroslav Stoch told reporters.

"This is our first time in the World Cup. We beat Italy, we were heroes. It was fantastic, I hope next time it will be better."

Having tasted life on the big stage, the players have an appetite for more and with many in their early or mid twenties, the backbone is there for a good team for several more years.

"Our players showed heart and courage and good football," said the proud coach.
Their exploits have won them many fans at home, where ice hockey is the number one sport, and players have often said they have now breathed new life into the sport in Slovakia.

"We have not disappointed fans at all," said captain Marek Hamsik, who along with defender Martin Skrtel were the only established names in the Slovakia side before the tournament.

They have now showcased the goalscoring talents of Robert Vittek and the speed of Stoch and they lasted longer than the likes of France and Italy in South Africa. (Uu.S022/P003)

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Brazil retail sales flag during World Cup fever

Rio de Janeiro - World Cup fever has taken a toll on Brazilian retailers, who complain that customers disappear and profits nosedive whenever the home football team plays in South Africa, store owners said Wednesday.

In Rio de Janeiro, store owners reported a 50 percent drop in business when Brazil`s team is playing.

If the game falls on the weekend, like the upcoming quarter-finals match Friday between Brazil and the Netherlands, it`s even worse.

If Brazil wins, store owners said they don`t expect business to pick up until Monday.
"Stores close up earlier and stay closed. Only shopping malls reopen (after the match), and even there business is slack," Rio de Janeiro Store Directors` Club president Aldo Goncalvez told Agencia Brazil news agency.

He said the retail trade in Rio de Janeiro state has already lost 55 million dollars since the World Cup 2010 began on June 11.

"If Brazil gets to the final, we`ll be dealing with 550 million dollars in losses for stores across" the state, said Rio Business Association director Daniel Pla.

The only bright spot when the green-and-gold team is out on the pitch are vendors who specialize in World Cup memorabilia, including T-shirts, vuvuzelas, caps and banners, reports said. (Uu.F001/A008/P003)

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Nadal overcomes Murray to reach Wimbledon final

London - Rafael Nadal torched Andy Murray`s Wimbledon dream for the second time in three years on Friday as the marauding Spaniard grounded rising British hopes to roar into his fourth final at the grand slam.

For all but a few minutes of a compelling two hour 22 minute Centre Court duel there was not a cigarette paper between the players but Nadal gobbled up the rare opportunities Murray offered to win 6-4 7-6 6-4 and move into Sunday`s showpiece against Czech Tomas Berdych who overpowered Novak Djokovic.

The 24-year-old Mallorcan has now won 13 consecutive matches at Wimbledon and is three sets from regaining the title he won in 2008 before injury kept him away last year.

"I never like comparisons," French open champion Nadal, said when asked if he was playing as well now as when he beat Roger Federer here two years ago in one of the best finals ever seen.

"Every year is completely different but for me this was an amazing day, a very important victory for me, one of the more difficult victories of my career."

Earlier in the tournament Murray played regally to entertain Queen Elizabeth but with David Beckham, England`s former soccer prince, watching on, he fell just short of becoming Britain`s first men`s singles finalist since 1938.

As he swished a forehand volley beyond the dusty baseline on Nadal`s first match point, the groan from the masses perched on Henman Hill peering at the large screen were probably audible all the way across to Buckingham Palace.

Home Hopes

Little blame could be attached to Murray, though, who had carried home hopes on his own since the first Tuesday by which time every other British player had gone out in the first round.

Even 2008 champion Nadal, one of the fiercest fighters the game has witnessed, seemed to feel the pain. "I wished him best of luck for the rest of the season, and sorry for today," Nadal said of his net exchange with a crestfallen Murray.

"I know it was an important match for him. I felt sorry for him because he`s a very nice person."

That would be scant consolation for Murray who again just failed when it mattered. The Scot began the year losing to Roger Federer in the Australian Open final, as he did in the 2008 U.S.

Open final just a few months after being outplayed by Nadal in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

Last year here it was an inspired Andy Roddick who ambushed him in the semis and the defeats get ever more painful.

"This is a little bit more disappointing than other grand slams because this one is the biggest one of the year for me.

It`s tough," a despondent Murray told a news conference minutes after walking off court.

"I haven`t seen the stats, but I would guess it was the difference of maybe five or six points in the match."

Actually it was seven, which illustrated just how tightly contested the match had been.

Resistance Crack

Only when Nadal broke back to level the third set at 4-4 did fourth seed Murray`s resistance finally crack and two games later the Spaniard was flat on his back in celebration.

Beckham`s arrival added to the huge sense of anticipation as the players walked out on court for their 11th career meeting and fifth in grand slam play.

Two years ago Murray was thrashed by Nadal but his performances here this time, together with a few dropped sets for Nadal and Roger Federer`s exit, elevated hopes to
fever-pitch proportions.

One poor game at 4-4 cost Murray the first set when a double fault and a fluffed forehand had the 23-year-old beating his fist into his arm in frustration.

Murray was the cleaner hitter in the second set and dropped just two points on his serve before the tiebreak on which the match was to hinge.

He had missed two break points when Nadal served at 3-4 in the set but as the tension became suffocating in the tiebreak he was gifted a set point when Nadal double-faulted at 5-5.

The Spaniard`s nerve was armour-plated as he produced a stunning drop volley to level at 6-6. He then got lucky when a fizzing backhand pass flicked off the net and jumped over Murray`s racket frame.

Nadal clinched the set with a pummelling forehand winner and Murray bounced his racket angrily into the turf.

There seemed hope when Murray started brightly in the third set, breaking Nadal to love to the delight of the partisan crowd but their joy did not last long as Nadal broke back in the eighth game and broke again to seal victory. (A008/C003/S026)

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Vettel Dismisses Ferrari

With a victory in Valencia this past weekend, Sebastian Vettel has renewed his championship hopes. He has all but dismissed Ferrari as a contender as he says the championship battle is between Red Bull and McLaren

Vettel lies third in the race for Driver’s Champion behind Lewis and Hamilton. The McLaren pair have really stepped up to challenge RedBull which seemed certain to walk all over the rest of the grid with their impressive run for pole in all but one race this season.

Vettel knows however that things can turn in a hurry. He says, “Two races can change a lot McLaren have had a very good run, and looking at it now, I think it’s between us and McLaren…But we will see. It’s not even half time, so there’s a long way to go.”

Personal View,
With the new points sytem, any combination of DNF or podium can seriously change the look of driver’s championship while the constructors championship is not so easily swayed. If Vettel finds himself out of a race or two, and Lewis or Button win both of those races, the young German might change his tune. If Alonso is able to make good on the expected Ferrari form which we have yet to really witness, Seb could find himself behind the Spaniard.

As we have seen this weekend, emotions run high on both sides of the F1 curtain. Vettel feeling high on life right now because of his win and Alonso on a bitter low because of the Safety Car ruling against Hamilton. I would not dismiss Ferrari, Renault or even Mercedes at this point unless they, themselves throw in the towel.

As much missed legendary Murray Walker used to say, “Anything happens in Grand Prix racing and it usually does”.

So let’s see what happens next! (Ernesto Nigro)

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