World Cup

SoccerBible World Cup Update - 12/07/10

2010-07-12T08:57:00Z

Andres Iniesta's strike with four minutes left of extra-time fired Spain to World Cup glory for the first time in their history. It wasn't quite the footballing spectacle we were anticipating, instead it turned into quite a ferocious affair, but it was the culmination of a great World Cup....(read more)

Nike Football – Guardiola's Message To Iniesta

2010-07-07T11:29:00Z

Ahead of Spain's World Cup semi-final against Germany, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has sent a message to Andres Iniesta, using Nike's awesome Life Center installation in Johannesburg.

Pep Guardiola certainly knows how to get the best out of the talented midfielder, after coaching Iniesta for the last two seasons. Guardiola's message of support to Andres Iniesta appeared on Nike’s ambitious Life Center LED installation (yes the very same place SoccerBible appeared!).

The Life Center is one of Johannesburg’s most iconic skyscrapers and the site of Nike’s ambitious installation. Reaching 30 stories or 138 meters into the sky, the building features an interactive LED screen almost half the size of a football pitch, allowing fans to post messages to their favourite players via Nike's Facebook page.

<@PDS_WSVIDEO=nike_wtf_pep_SB.wmv>

Guardiola was in South Africa visiting the Football Training Center located in the heart of Soweto, South Africa to help inspire young footballers to fulfill their potential. Throughout the course of the World Cup Nike have arranged for some prestigious guests to visit the centre, including Arsene Wenger and Kobe Bryant!

SoccerBible World Cup Update - 07/07/10

2010-07-07T08:24:00Z

Just two games remain to decide who will win the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and after Holland's victory over Uruguay, the Dutch will be eagerly wastching tonights semi-final between Germany and Spain to see who they will meet in the final....(read more)

SoccerBible World Cup Update - 02/07/10

2010-07-02T10:36:00Z

After two days of not knowing what to do with ourselves, the World Cup has returned and has some mouth-watering ties to offer us. Today sees the start of the quarter final games, kicking off with Holland versus Brazil followed by Uruguay versus Ghana....(read more)

SoccerBible World Cup Update - 30/06/10

2010-06-30T08:15:00Z

The World Cup takes a day off after 18 relentless days of footballing action which have taken the sport by storm. We've witnessed some highs and lows, but the quarter final line-up is now complete, with just eight teams remaining out of the 32 that started. ...(read more)

SoccerBible World Cup Update - 29/06/10

2010-06-29T08:52:00Z

It's the final round of last 16 matches, to determine which sides will be playing in the World Cup quarter finals. In action on day 18 are Paraguay versus Japan and Spain versus Portugal....(read more)

SoccerBible World Cup Update - 28/06/10

2010-06-28T08:11:00Z

We're looking forward to watching some great football, with both the Dutch and the Brazilians in action on day 17 of the World Cup. Over the weekend we were treated to some impressive performances from Argentina and Germany, while witnessing some atrocious refereeing decisions! ...(read more)

SoccerBible World Cup Update - 25/06/10

2010-06-25T08:17:00Z

Keisuke Honda was the star of the show, as he struck an awesome freekick from the Mukaiten panel of his Mizuno Wave Ignitus football boots. Japan progressed on Day 14 of the World Cup along with the Dutch, whilst the biggest shock of the competition so far saw current holders Italy crash out, finishing bottom of their group behind New Zealand!

The highlight of Day 15 undoubtedly has to be the game between Portugal and Brazil, with both teams hitting form and boasting some of the best footballers on the planet. Although, Chile versus Spain should also be an action packed game, with two very attacking and flowing sides.

There's been plenty to discuss at the World Cup, along with some interesting boot spotting, some great team play and plenty to look forward to. Check out the SoccerBible's view on the latest goings on in South Africa...


Martin Palermo (Argentina) Puma King?	Clarence Goodson (United States) Under Armour Create II
It looks as though iconic Argentinian striker Martin Palermo, has been given the new Puma King football boots to wear. And if these are the new Puma Kings, then they've served him well as he scored on their debut.	Although he's yet to get any match time at the World Cup, Clarence Goodson has caught the eye by wearing the new Under Armour Create II football boots, with their distinctive design.

Honda showed us how to Mukaiten, striking an expert freekick against Denmark that wins our Play of the Day! Honda ambitiously took on a free-kick from distance and saw his left-footed strike confuse the Danish goalkeeper, as he struck the ball off the Mukaiten panel of his Mizuno Wave Ignitus football boots. Mukaiten simply means "no spin", so the strategically placed panel on the instep of the boot means striking the ball causes an unpredictable flight path - intended to confuse and fool the opposition and goalkeeper!

Portugal v Brazil (Group G)

Both Portugal and Brazil boast some of the best attacking talent on the planet, and with both teams finding their form in the competition this should be quite a spectacle. As far as the group is concerned, the winners will top Group G, and the only way Portugal can be eliminated is if they lose and the Ivory Coast win by nine goals! Winning Group G though may not be what either side wants, as it means they will more than likely have to face Spain!

The most expensive footballer on the planet - Cristiano Ronaldo - scored his first World Cup goal against North Korea but will be keen for more. His season has been overshadowed by the exploits of Lionel Messi, and a good performance against Brazil, wearing Elite Superfly football boots, could remind everyone of why he used to be called the world's best player.

Brazilian forward Robinho has had quite an erratic season, but always seems more settled when he is in the company of his compatriots. Yet to feature on the scoresheet, Robinho has impressed up til now with his passing, but his will surely be keen to show off some samba flair on football's biggest stage from his Elite Superfly football boots.

Two sides that know more about attacking than they do defending, we should expect goals but in who's favour - will it be Portugal or Brazil that emerge victorious? Have YOUR say and share your opinions on the World Cup!

SoccerBible World Cup Update - 24/06/10

2010-06-24T09:01:00Z

It's Day 14 of the World Cup, and whilst the English and Germans fans are waking up looking forward to another showdown, fans of Italy, Denmark and Japan are preparing for crunch final group games...

There was some intense action in yesterday's final group games as Jermain Defoe fired England to victory, to set up an encounter with old rivlas Germany. And United States scored a dramatic 92nd minute winner through Landon Donovan, to face Ghana in the next round.

There's been plenty to discuss at the World Cup, along with some interesting boot spotting, some great team play and plenty to look forward to. Check out the SoccerBible's view on the latest goings on in South Africa...


David James (England) Umbro SX Valor II	Jay DeMerit (United States) Puma PowerCat 1.10
David James is an Umbro player who has previously worn the Stealth football boots, but interestingly he was playing in some SX Valors against Slovenia, in a white/orange colourway!.	Despite wearing Puma PowerCat football boots, Jay DeMerit is backing the Nike (RED) campaign. The first player we've spotted to do so, it would be interesting to hear Puma's opinion of this!

Forgive us for being slightly biaised on this one, but for us the play of the day was Jermain Defoe's crucial winning goal against Slovenia. Okay, so it was a poacher's finish, but the build-up play was patient and James Milner's cross was expertly delivered into the danger area for Jermain Defoe, playing in the Sun/Black adidas F50 adizero football boots to finish!

Slovakia v Italy (Group F)

Defending champions Italy are in danger of going out of the World Cup unless they can record a victory against Slovakia. Italy currently occupy second spot in Group F, but a defeat to Slovakia today would mean elimination for the World Cup holders, who are yet to impress in the tournament.

Former Chelsea winger Miroslav Stoch will be recalled to the Slovakia side, after recovering from injury. Slovakia will know they need something special to unlock a stubborn Italian defence, and out of the entire squad Stoch is the player, wearing the Elite Superfly football boots, who could play a key role in a famous Slovakia win.

Italy have been desperate for a creative spark this World Cup, and have been missing playmaker Andrea Pirlo through injury. Unfortunately, the Milan playmaker may not be fit enough to start the game, but coming off from the bench Italian fans will be hoping he can deliver the telling pass that will make the difference from his Nike Elite Tiempo Legend football boots.

Like many nations before them, will Italy perform in the big game when it really counts, or can Slovakia topple the champions from their mantle, and make the post of a poor Italian side? Have YOUR say and share your opinions on the World Cup!

SoccerBible World Cup Update - 23/06/10

2010-06-23T10:30:00Z

Day 13 of the World Cup and it's going to be unlucky for someone, with the climax of Groups C and D taking centre stage - and forgive us for being overly patriotic for a day (again) with England's crucial match against Slovenia making our game of the day...

Oh, and there's also the small matter of Group D to sort out, with Ghana looking to be the first African nation to qualify for the knockout stages...

There's been plenty to discuss at the World Cup, along with some interesting boot spotting, some great team play and plenty to look forward to. Check out the SoccerBible's view on the latest goings on in South Africa...


Lionel Messi (Argentina) adidas F50 adiZero	Kalu Uche (Nigeria) Mizuno Wave Ignitus
The Argentina player continues to sport the Chameleon coloured F50 adizero's, a boot which still looks great even with Argentina's change kit. Messi also had the honour of being captain and led his side into the knockout stages with a convincing 2-0 win over Greece.	Notching his second goal of the World Cup, Nigeria's Kalu Uche sports the Mizuno Wave Ignitus boots but couldn't prevent his side crashing out of the tournament at the group stages. But in more positive news, it's not long to wait now before some new colours of the Ignitus are with us!

We won't be mean and pick Yakubu's open goal miss or Domenech's rather bizarre refusal to shake hands after the France-South Africa match. Instead we choose to rather salute one player who looks to have tamed the Jabulani football - South Korea's Park Chu-Young, who curled a superb free-kick to give his side the lead four minutes into the second half against Nigeria.

Wearing the Sun/Black adidas F50 adizero football boots, Park Chu-young's free-kick early in the second half turned the match on its head. Despite conceding a penalty to ultimately draw the match, the Asian side have previously never been past the opening stage of a World Cup held outside of their own country and were made to fight to the last minute for the point which secured a second round match against Uruguay.

Slovenia v England (Group C)

Expect pretty much all of the UK to come to a standstill around 1500 GMT today, as the Three Lions take on the former Yugoslavian republic at Port Elizabeth stadium. The must watch game of the day sees England needing nothing less than a win to guarantee progression, whilst the Slovenians will be relishing playing with somewhat freedom as all the pressure will be on their opponents.

So far this tournament we've highlighted Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney as potential match winners, but that seems to have only given them the SoccerBible jinx! But one player who looks certain to return to the action today is James Milner.

The Aston Villa midfielder was only on the field for 30 minutes during his first World Cup appearance before being hauled off, so will be looking to have more of an impact against a tough Slovenia side (and avoiding the SoccerBible jinx!)

Making it a Nike Elite CTR360 football boots face off is Slovenia captain Robert Koren, who insists his team still believe they can attain their pre-tournament goal of reaching the last 16 of the World Cup.

Slovenia were eight minutes away from securing a place in the knockout phase before Michael Bradley's goal for the United States meant they took one point from their second Group C game instead of three - but one point today will be enough to see them through.

Will England banish the memories of the Algeria game and secure the result that the country demands? Or will Slovenia continue their run and spoil the party? Have YOUR say and share your opinions on the World Cup!