White player gets dark-skinned bobblehead

By BEN NUCKOLS, Associated Press Writer

Orioles players have joked in the past that they didn't look like their bobblehead dolls. But when a recent shipment of Brian Roberts bobbleheads arrived, team officials knew something was wrong.

Roberts, who is white, had dark skin. It wasn't just a deep tan.

"It didn't look like Brian Roberts. The coloring was bad," Orioles spokesman Bill Stetka said. "I didn't actually see it. I've heard various versions that it was very dark and bluish."

The team returned the entire shipment of 20,000 Roberts dolls, which they had planned to hand out Saturday. Instead of bobbleheads, all fans who attend the game against the Texas Rangers will be given vouchers that they can use to pick up more accurate Roberts dolls at Camden Yards after Sept. 1. The team may end up giving away more than 20,000 dolls because of the mistake, Stetka said.

Roberts said Friday he wasn't worried about the mix-up.

"I never saw it," he said of the bobblehead. "I heard, that's about it. It's not that big a deal, whatever."

The Roberts bobblehead was part of a heavily promoted set, intended to be joined with a Melvin Mora doll scheduled to be given away Aug. 24 to the first 20,000 fans ages 21 and up. Together, the dolls would depict second baseman Roberts and third baseman Mora in the middle of their elaborate hand-slapping celebration that follows every Baltimore victory.

Stetka said he didn't believe the manufacturer had confused Roberts with the dark-skinned Mora.

"I've seen both of the prototypes," Stetka said. "The first one with Brian Roberts was just too light, and I think they just probably went a little bit overboard."

Stetka said he didn't know the name of the manufacturer and didn't want to subject the company to undue scrutiny. Dolls for several recent Orioles bobblehead promotions have been manufactured in China by Woodinville, Wash.-based Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, Inc. A BDA spokesman did not immediately return a phone call Friday seeking comment.

Stetka said the Orioles were being careful to prevent any of the botched bobbleheads from being acquired by memorabilia collectors.

Mel Schafer, the owner of D&J Baseball Cards in Halethorpe, said collectors would be interested in the doll but that it probably wouldn't fetch an exorbitant price.

"Brian Roberts is a good, solid player, but he's considered a third-tier collectible," Schafer said. "There wouldn't be that much hoopla."

Women Vs Men

Elliott Kalb / Special to FOXSports.com

Michelle Wie is going to win a lot of golf tournaments. She is going to win majors. And she might even win on the PGA Tour against men. It's just a matter of time, with her next shot at the men coming in this week's John Deere Classic.

Just like major-league pitchers don't need a 100-mile-per-hour fastball to win games, PGA tournaments are not always won teeing off with the driver.

And when Wie finally does win, she should acknowledge the women who came before her.

1. Golf

First of all, it's a technicality that a female hasn't made the cut in a men's golf tournament since Babe Didrickson Zaharias in 1945. Se Ri Pak, one of the greatest and most influential of the current LPGA golfers, made the cut when she shot a 2-over 74 in a Korean Tour event. But no woman has made the cut in a PGA Tour event since Didrickson Zaharias finished 33rd in the '45 Phoenix Open and 42nd in the '45 Tucson Open. There is no doubt in my mind that had Babe taken up golf earlier in life, she would have won several PGA tour events.

Annika Sorenstam, of course, was a sponsor exemption for the 2003 Bank of America Colonial and missed the cut. Suzy Whaley qualified for the 2003 Greater Hartford Open and missed the cut. And Wie has missed the cut in her four attempts vs. the men.

2. Tennis

In 1973, a 55-year-old former tennis champion named Bobby Riggs made news by challenging any of the top female tennis players on the tour. The one that accepted the challenge was 30-year-old (and top-ranked) Margaret Court.

Bobby Riggs is seen here in the Battle of the Sexes Challenge Match against Billie Jean-King held at the Astrodome, in Houston, Texas, in September of 1973. (Getty Images/Staff / Getty Images)

How good was Court? In 1970, she won the women's singles titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments — Wimbledon, U.S. Open, Australian and French. In 1973, she won three of the four and was still the top-ranked woman tennis player. Anyone could understand Riggs' motives. Far from just being a male chauvinist, he was a hustler who needed the action. He was a former athlete who needed the competition. There was no similar Champions Tour for Riggs. He was again in the spotlight, 34 years after winning Wimbledon in '39. For Court, the money was enough of an incentive.

Riggs defeated Court on Mother's Day, using a short game featuring an assortment of drop shots and lobs. It was the female Court that played a losing power game. The match would serve to set up a later (more famous) match between 29-year-old Billie Jean King and Riggs. Prior to that Astrodome match, it was Riggs that was the heavy favorite. Jimmy the Greek established Riggs as an 8-5 favorite. Tennis greats like Jack Kramer and Pancho Segura and Fred Perry all went on record saying that King didn't have a chance. Even the rising star of women's tennis — 18-year-old Chris Evert — picked Riggs.

King went on to defeat Riggs in straight sets, in a match that answered the question about a top woman defeating a former male champion in tennis.

3. Bowling

What do you do if you're in the PWBA (the Professional Women's Bowling Association) and the league folds? If you're Liz Johnson, you petition the men's Professional Bowling Association to allow women to join, which it did in 2004. She found that she could compete quite nicely against the men. She and Cathy Dorin-Lizzi have made PBA tournaments through weekly qualifying. So did Kelly Kulick, who last month became the first woman professional bowler to earn a PBA Tour exemption. That means she'll be able to compete in every PBA event of the 2006-07 season.

4. Hockey

No female hockey player has accomplished as much against men as Canadian Manon Rheaume. She grew up skating at 3 years old, and playing hockey at five against older brothers. At 19, she began breaking down barriers, playing for a major men's junior hockey team. On Sept. 23, 1992, she got into a preseason game for the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightening, playing goalie. She signed a professional hockey contract, the first woman to do so, and she also played for a few years in the International Hockey League.

5. Football

Katie Hnida kicked a few extra points for a college football team. That's like astronaut Neil Armstrong landing on the moon (you remember the quote: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.") Katie made one small kick for women, and one giant leap for female athletes. She became the second woman ever to dress for an NCAA Div. I-A football game, joining Kathy Klobe (Louisville, 1995), when she suited up for Colorado in a game against Kansas on Sept. 18, 1999.

Katie Hnida was the first woman to dress for a college football bowl game. (Brian Bahr / Getty Images)

(And she also became the first woman to ever dress for a bowl game on Dec. 31, 1999, in CU's appearance in the Insight.com Bowl against Boston College, though she never did play in a game for the Buffaloes; she attended CU for two years.)

After she left Colorado, she walked on and made the University of New Mexico's football team. It was there that she opened the 2003 season with a bang when she made history once again by becoming the first woman to score in a Division I game against Texas State on Aug. 30, 2003. She entered the game with 5:05 left in the fourth quarter following touchdown pass and split the uprights with room to spare to give UNM a 65-8 advantage (and she connected on another extra point after that in the same game).

But in a grim postscript to her time in Colorado, after she left the Buffaloes, she told Sports Illustrated that she was not only verbally abused and molested by teammates, she was raped by one of them. No charges were ever filed.

6. Baseball

Last year, Babe Didrickson's amazing life was the subject of a fascinating exhibit at the PGA Museum in Far Hills, N.J. And while the highlight of the exhibit, of course, was her golf career, it also had a uniform from the House of David, the baseball team the Babe pitched for in 1934. The House of David played against the top Negro League teams of the day, including the Homestead Grays and Kansas City Monarchs. Babe (who, unlike her male teammates, wasn't required to have a beard) pitched the first two innings of many of those games. Think about it. The Babe most likely faced the great slugger Josh Gibson and was a mound opponent of Satchel Paige, one of the few athletes in history whose legend can match hers.

7. Basketball

In 1979, Ann Meyers signed a contract with the Indiana Pacers. She was a four-time All-American at UCLA and became the first woman to be given an NBA contract and tryout. She worked out with the Pacers through training camp. Was it a publicity stunt for the Pacers? It probably was, but Meyers was still a fantastic basketball player; and getting as far as she did was astounding.

8. Auto racing

Before Danica Patrick, Janet Guthrie was racing against men. (Getty Images/Staff / Getty Images)

Danica Patrick is a nice story for the modern day, but she's hardly the first woman driver to compete against the men. Did you ever hear of Shirley Muldowney? She competed on equal footing with men for years and has more Top Fuel wins than all but a handful of men in drag-racing history. Cars are weighted with drivers, so there's no weight advantage. Women can achieve true parity in drag racing.

In May 1977, Janet Guthrie became the first woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500. Guthrie broke down perceptions about women competing at the highest levels with men. Guthrie finished ninth in the '78 Indy 500 — the highest finish for a woman before Patrick's fourth-place finish last year. And Lyn St. James also had seven Indianapolis 500 starts from 1992-2000 and was named 1992 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, the first woman to ever win that honor.

9. Horse racing

In June 1993, Julie Krone became the first woman to ride a winner in a Triple Crown race. She rode Colonial Affair to a victory in the Belmont Stakes. She was also the first woman to win a Breeders Cup race. Krone was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2000. She won more than 3,500 races in her career, but none was more significant than the 1993 Belmont.

10. Equestrian

Equestrian events were first included in the Olympics at the 1900 Games in Paris. Show jumping was introduced as an individual sport in 1900 and as a team event in '12. Dressage and the three-day event premiered in '12. This is the only sport in which there is no gender distinction. Men and women compete against each other in every event. The first female to win a medal was Lis Hartel of Denmark, who won silver in individual dressage in Helsinki in '52 and again in '56 despite having suffered polio years earlier as a kid.

The first women to win medals in the three-day event, the most physically demanding of the disciplines, were American Karen Stives and Britain's Virginia (Holgate) Leng, in 1984.

Zidane wins best player award despite red

/ Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) - France captain Zinedine Zidane, sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi late in Sunday's World Cup final loss to Italy, won the Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player.

The results were released Monday morning in Berlin by FIFA.

Zidane polled 2012 points in the vote by journalists covering the tournament, beating Italians Fabio Cannavaro (1977 points) and Andrea Pirlo (715 points) in the ballot.

Zidane, who put France ahead with a penalty kick in the opening minutes, was given a red card after slamming his head into Materazzi's chest during the tense second period of extra time.

It was his last act as a professional player and one that was widely criticized in France and abroad.

With the score locked 1-1 after 120 minutes the French missed Zidane's prowess in the penalty shootout, which Italy calmly won 5-3 to collect its fourth World Cup title.

Zidane, 34, a former international player of the year and 1998 World Cup champion, announced last month that he was retiring from soccer after the tournament.

He wasn't particularly outstanding in France's opening draws with Switzerland and South Korea and missed the last group match against Togo due to suspension. But Zidane produced some vintage performances in the wins over Spain, Brazil and Portugal in the knockout phase.

Voting for the 2006 Golden Ball closed at midnight Sunday. In previous tournaments, the ballot has closed at halftime in the final and the winner announced soon after the match.

Italian captain Cannavaro could be considered unlucky in the voting.

He led an Italian defense that conceded only two goals in the tournament: an own goal against the United States and Zidane's penalty.

PHOTOS: Zidane madness

The final was his 100th cap for Italy.

"I got my award, that's it right there," Cannavaro said, gesturing toward the World Cup trophy sitting on the table in front of him. "I'm extremely pleased with what I have."

With fellow central defender Alessandro Nesta injured, Cannavaro played every minute of Italy's seven games.

Many pundits tipped Cannavaro as the winner, including 1986 winner Diego Maradona.

"Fabio Cannavaro was the best player of this World Cup," the Argentine great said. "Yes, it was a tournament without one dominant player, but Fabio was huge."

Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn won the Golden Ball in 2002. Other previous winners were Brazilians Ronaldo (1998) and Romario ('94) and Italy's Salvatore Schillaci ('90).

Germany striker Miroslav Klose was the Golden Shoe winner for the tournament's leading scorer. He won with five goals. Ronaldo won the award in 2002 with eight goals.

WORLD CUP DIGEST

England: ROONEY HANDED TWO-MATCH BAN

Wayne Rooney has been handed a two-match ban by FIFA for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in England's World Cup quarter-final defeat by Portugal.

The governing body found the 20-year-old firebrand guilty of violent conduct despite the Football Association and the striker himself arguing his case.

The Manchester United forward will miss England's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Andorra on September 2 at Old Trafford and Macedonia away on September 6.

Rooney and new England coach Steve McClaren will be relieved that FIFA did not impose a three-match ban or worse.

The two-match ban means that Rooney will be available for England's Euro 2008 qualifier at home to Macedonia at Old Trafford on Saturday October 7.

FIFA have also banned two Argentina players for their part in the fracas at the end of the quarter-final against Germany.

Leandro Cufre has been suspended for four matches and fined £4,800 (10,000 Swiss francs) for kicking German defender Per Mertesacker in the groin.

Italy: LIPPI DEMANDS FINAL PUSH FOR GLORY

Italy have made a terrific run to the World Cup final but it will mean nothing to coach Marcello Lippi if they fail to beat France on Sunday.

The Azzurri go into the game on the back of their dramatic extra-time triumph over Germany, when late goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero earned the Italians a 2-0 victory.

Success in that incredible encounter sparked celebrations from Turin to Naples and beyond but Lippi has little time for those who say his team have had a great tournament even if they fail to beat the French.

"I don't want to hear phrases like, 'whatever happens, we will be satisfied with this World Cup,"' said Lippi.

"I know that having arrived so far....to not win it would make me very angry.

"Above all, we have to be aware that this opportunity may not come again in the near future."

Italy: LIPPI RUBBISHES UNITED LINK

Italy coach Marcello Lippi has brushed aside speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United after the World Cup.

Lippi, who is yet to confirm whether he will remain in charge of the national team after Sunday's final against France, has been mentioned as a potential successor to Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

"How can you work in a place where you don't even know the language?" said Lippi when questioned about the possibility of going to the English giants.

"It's not true. All that I am interested in is winning the World Cup and I find it useless to speak about the rest.

"If you don't believe me, come and see where I will be in 15 or 20 days' time.

"It will not be in Manchester, I will be in the middle of the sea," added Lippi, who is a keen sailor.

England: OWEN SLAMS SVEN'S LONE STRIKER TACTIC

Michael Owen believes Sven-Goran Eriksson's decision to play Wayne Rooney as a lone striker during last Saturday's World Cup clash with Portugal contributed to England's downfall.

The Newcastle striker Owen has suggested Rooney's frustration at not getting enough support up front played a part in his eventual sending-off for a foul on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho.

England battled on bravely to keep Portugal at bay during regulation play and extra-time but then went out on penalties.

In an interview to be shown during ITV1's World Cup final coverage, Owen said: "You would suggest he's probably only got angry because of what's happened in the first hour of that game. It's a frustrating role to play.

"Wayne Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world and you're cutting one of his legs off if you're playing just one up front," quotes The Sun.

France: HURST - FRANCE NEED HENRY'S BEST

Sir Geoff Hurst claims Thierry Henry must prove he is the best footballer on the planet if France are to win the World Cup.

Hurst is backing Italy to beat the French in tomorrow's World Cup final in Berlin.

But England's hat-trick hero from 1966 believes Henry is the man who can prove him wrong if he grabs the game by the scruff of the neck.

Hurst said: "Thierry Henry is one of the best two players in the world today - along with Ronaldinho.

"He has been magnificent for Arsenal, not only in the league but also in the Champions League, and this is a platform for him to show he can be rightly regarded as the best player in the world.

"He is the man among the French team who can change the result if he plays the game of his life. He is that good."

South Africa: SOUTH AFRICA UNVEIL PLANS FOR 2010

South Africa unveiled their plans for the 2010 World Cup on Friday but freak storms in Berlin meant the cancellation of an open air concert featuring German and African musicians in the evening.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who hails from Ghana, and South African president Thabo Mbeki were among those who attended the press launch.

Both men are also expected at Sunday's final between Italy and France at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

"This is indeed an exciting day, not only for all Africans, but for all lovers of the universal language of football," said Annan in a FIFA press release.

"The international community can be envious of the FIFA World Cup and should learn from the spirit of teamwork and fair play that the most universal of sports stands for."

The emblem for 2010 was unveiled featuring a silhouette of a footballer against a colourful backdrop with red, gold and green - colours associated with the continent of Africa - while there was also an exhibition of the nine host venues that will stage the 2010 tournament, the first to be staged in the continent.

Garmany: KLINSMANN: ZIDANE DESERVES FINAL FLING

Jurgen Klinsmann believes it is a fitting tribute for Zinedine Zidane to end his glittering career in Sunday's World Cup final.

Zidane scored twice in the 1998 final as France beat Brazil in Paris to win the trophy for the first time.

He initially retired from international football after Euro 2004, along with Lilian Thuram and Claude Makelele.

The trio were tempted to return by boss Raymond Domenech but Real Madrid maestro Zidane will retire from all football after tomorrow's Berlin showpiece against Italy.

Klinsmann said: "I have always been a huge fan of Zizou, the way he plays and what he achieves, how he gets his time.

"Even if you are a coach, you can be a fan of a player of his status and talent.

Italy: BUFFON: GOALKEEPING RECORD A BONUS

Gianluigi Buffon will establish a new mark of excellence if he keeps a clean sheet for the first 63 minutes of Sunday's World Cup final against France but the goalkeeper admits the record will count for nothing if Italy fail to lift the trophy.

The Juventus star has not conceded a goal for 453 minutes, the second best run in the history of the tournament behind compatriot Walter Zenga, who went an incredible 517 minutes without being beaten at Italia 90.

"Of course I am interested in beating that record but only if it means Italy have not conceded a goal in the final," he said.

"On Sunday, I want to make my dream come true, win the game and finally touch the World Cup trophy."

Italy's defence has been as strong as ever at the tournament, with Fabio Cannavaro proving to be a rock for the Azzurri in every game.

There have been moments when Buffon has been called into action, however, and he has been equal to the task.

Germany: SAGNOL: ZIZOU CAN UNLOCK ITALY

France defender Willy Sagnol admits Sunday's World Cup final is likely to be a close encounter - but believes team-mate Zinedine Zidane could hold the key to the outcome.

Zidane was the hero of France's 1998 success, with two goals in the 3-0 final win over Brazil, and will retire after showpiece final against Italy at Berlin's Olympiastadion.

Sagnol accepts the Azzurri are a solid outfit - Marcello Lippi's side have conceded only one goal in the entire tournament - but the defender believes Zidane has the ability to cap his career with one more match-winning display.

"Italy have been playing very well," said Sagnol. "They crushed Ukraine in the quarter-finals and then got to the final by beating Germany very well so it will not be easy."

Asked who the best Italian player is, Sagnol said: "Their best player is their whole team.

"They have [Gianluigi] Buffon, [Fabio] Cannavaro, [Francesco] Totti and [Luca] Toni - they will be very difficult opponents for France, but France will be very difficult opponents for Italy.

Portugal: SCOLARI IN NO RUSH TO SORT OUT NEW DEAL

Luiz Felipe Scolari will be putting his "personal satisfaction" over his wallet when negotiating a new contract with the Portuguese FA (FPF) after the World Cup tournament.

Big Phil's current contract as Portugal boss is about to come to an end, and after leading the country to the Euro 2004 final and the World Cup semi-finals, the FPF would be more than happy to continue the successful alliance.

Portugal clash with host nation Germany in Stuttgart tonight to battle it out for the bronze medal, but Scolari has said he will not consider any contract issues before next Wednesday.

"I have been talking to the president (Gilberto Madail) but there has not been a decision yet," he stated. "I do not want to think about it now. I don't want to shift the attention from the match against Germany.

"I have a lot of respect for all the players and I have a great friendship with the president and after the World Cup we are going to decide what we will do."

Scolari revealed money was a factor, but certainly not the most important one.

Italy World Cup ratings 2006

Italy face France in Berlin on Sunday for the biggest prize in world football so I decided that I would rate the players out of 10 on how successful a tournament they have had. There have been some major stars emerge for the Italians and I have marked each player on how well I feel they performed during World Cup 2006. 1 Gianluigi Buffon, GK Buffon has experienced a fantastic tournament and has put the allegations back home to the back of his mind becoming one of the most accomplished keepers at this World Cup. Aided by a fantastic defence he has not had too much to do, but whenever that defence has been breached the opponent has had to face up to an inspired Buffon. Tournament rating out of 10 – 8 – Outstanding when called upon and commanded his area superbly. One of the keepers of the tournament. 2 Christian Zaccardo, RB The defender has endured a tough tournament and was the weak link in the Italian defence at the start of the tournament. The Palermo right-back endured a torrid time against the USA and is the only man to have beaten Buffon in the tournament, slicing past his keeper in the draw with the US. He has been left out of the starting line-up since that draw, he has been replaced by the impressive Gianluca Zambrotta. 5 – Will be remembered for his fluffed own-goal against the USA, looked shaky in defence and didn’t get forward and support like Zambrotta does. 3 Fabio Grosso, LB The surprise package of the Italian side, he has impressed at full-back and got forward to support the midfield, he even got on the score sheet in the semi-final against Germany with a sublime curling effort to send the Azzurri into their sixth final. Another Palermo defender in the Italian side but compared to Zaccardo, Grosso has been a revelation. Grosso’s performances for the national side during the World Cup have helped earn him a big move to Inter Milan after the finals. 8 – Impressive in defence and in attack throughout the tournament. Quality finish against the Germans, won the penalty against Australia with some top-class falling over. 4 Daniele De Rossi De Rossi was shamed for his dismissal against America when he elbowed American striker Brian McBride in the face. Had looked impressive in the first game against Ghana, distributed the ball well and broke up play alongside Perrotta but he was let down by his temperament. Banned for four games that effectively ended his involvement in the competition, will need to prove himself again and impress Lippi before the coach will involve him again. 2 - Let himself down against America and will only be remembered for that disgraceful elbow on McBride. 5 Fabio Cannavaro The Italian captain has been the defender of the tournament, his presence at the back for Italy has been influential in the Azzurri’s run to the final. Cannavaro has been a rock for the side, his perfect timing in the tackle and his surprise ability in the air have seen the Juventus defender given rave reviews by the world media, some naming him their player of the tournament. In the two times that Italy has been reduced to 10-men in this tournament Cannavaro has been the man to drag the Italian’s through. He has been my top man for the tournament and hopefully he will lift the World Cup to top it all off. 10 – The best defender on show at the tournament, the leadership he has shown must be a boost to his team-mates. One of the best Italian defenders of all time. 6 Andrea Barzagli Called upon to replace the suspended Marco Materazzi, never put a foot wrong when he played but was always going to drop back out of the side when Materazzi returned. Impressive at the back and pacey for a centre-back, good in the air, his time will come, could be a regular come Euro 2008. 6 – Impressed in the games he played but not enough time on the pitch to make a long lasting impression. 7 Alessandro Del Piero The veteran Juventus striker is coming to the end of his international career but will be remembered for his superb goal against the Germans. Used sparingly by Lippi the Juve striker has done a job when he has been called upon and sealed the semi-final win over Germany with his fantastic strike. 6 – His goal against the Germans will be remembered and shown for years to come but he just lacked minutes on the pitch to influence any games, Sunday will probably be the last time we see him in the Azzurri blue in a major tournament. 8. Gennaro Gattuso A pit-bull in midfield, the Azzurri’s holding player has impressed since being rushed back from injury to replace the suspended De Rossi. Gattuso first appeared for the Italians when he was bought on against the USA to strengthen the midfield after De Rossi’s dismissal. He impressed in that game and showed no ill effects of his injury, Gattuso has got stronger after each game and will be on top-form for the final. Gattuso will have his hands full trying to contain Zidane but it will be a battle fit for the final. 9- Gattuso has been fantastic, he is so important to the Italian side. His ability to break up play and allow other midfielders to burst forward has been part of the Italian’s success. A truly world class player who is at the top of his game. 9 Luca Toni The top-scorer in Serie A last season and some thought that he would take the tournament by storm but the big Fiorentina striker has found it difficult living up to expectations. During the group stage he failed to score, and was frustrated in any attempt to score against Australia. The Ukraine were the unfortunate side who met Toni on a good day, the striker scoring twice in a 3-0 win. He failed to get on the score sheet against Germany but should start in the final. 7 – A constant threat for the Azzurri but needs to find his shooting boots to be a real threat at international level. 10 Francesco Totti The Roma man was a major doubt for the tournament as it wasn’t known whether he would recover from a broken leg. He has come into the side and scored the last-minute penalty against Australia that sent them to the quarter-finals, he showed the nerve and composure that Azzurri fans have become accustomed to when watching their team. Totti has been preferred alongside Luca Toni as he is a more creative player than Gilardino, thus giving the side more creativity. 7 – Impressive for the Azzurri but still not enough goal threat for him playing up front, better used behind two strikers. 11 Alberto Gilardino, CF The Milan striker started the competition as first choice in Lippi’s 4-3-3 formation but he has found himself dropped from the starting line-up in recent games as the coach has gone with Totti and Toni up-front in a 4-4-2 formation. Scored a cracking header against America but has struggled to make an impact since. Set up Del Piero with a neat pass against Germany but has not made much of an impact up-front. 6 – Started the tournament well but has faded since the group stage, struggling to win his place back as Lippi prefers an extra midfielder in a 4-4-2 formation. 12 Angelo Peruzzi, GK The veteran keeper has seen none of the action as of yet with Buffon in inspired form. 13 Alessandro Nesta, CD Started the tournament alongside Cannavaro but picked up an injury that ruled him out of the final group game and every game leading up to the final. May be fit for the final but it would be unfair to see him come in and replace Materazzi. A top defender on his day and alongside Cannavaro the Azzurri look unbeatable. 6 – Played his part in the earlier games but injury will mean he misses out on a final place. 14 Marco Amelia At 24-years-ol Amelia’s time will come, he is third choice keeper but in a couple of years time he will be pushing for the number one spot. 15 Vincenzo Iaquinta Scored in the opening day win against Ghana but hasn’t looked like scoring since. He has been used by Lippi as an alternative to Toni when he has made substitutions. Iaquinta is a typical striker and will shoot on sight even if there are people in better placed positions, this can lead to frustration from the rest of the team. If he could learn to bring other players into the game when he has the chance he would be a real asset to the Azzurri. 6 – If he can add to his game he would be pushing for a starting place up-front. 16 Mauro Camoranesi Lippi decided to revert to a 4-4-2 formation in the third game against the Czech Republic and Camoranesi was the extra midfielder that replaced Gilardino. Camoranesi gave the side width down the right and provided the ammunition for Totti and especially Toni from out wide. He has tended to drift out of games and can sometimes go missing, but when given the ball he has the pace and ability to make things happen. 6 – Not made a huge impression for the team but gives them the threat they require out wide. 17 Simone Barone Two brief appearances as sub, not enough time for Barone to make an impression. 5 - No time to impress 18 Filippo Inzaghi Scored against the Czech Republic in his only appearance of the finals, not been used by Lippi since then. 6 – Scored against the Czech’s to seal victory. 19 Gianluca Zambrotta Another star performer for the Azzurri defence, whether he is defending or attacking the Juventus right-back has been fantastic. He has been a threat going forward and showed that he has an eye for goal with a cracking effort from outside the box to give Italy the lead against the Ukraine. Injured at the start of the tournament but just like Gattuso he has come back fresh and made a huge impression on the tournament. 9 – Fantastic when defending or attacking and has kept his high standard throughout the tournament, a key player for Italy. 20 Simone Perrotta An unsung hero in the Italian side, gets through plenty of running and played through the pain barrier against the American’s when he picked up an injury but couldn’t be substituted as Lippi had made all his changes. Moved out wide left of a four-man midfield and has been just as effective as when he played in the middle. 8 – Fantastic performance during the finals and an unsung hero for Italy. 21 Andrea Pirlo The Italian puppet-master pulling all the strings in the midfield, every attacking move goes through the Milan midfielder and he has been behind all the best moves. A threat with his set-pieces and he scored the Italian’s opening goal of the tournament with a cracker. Pirlo pushes Cannavaro close to being the Italian’s player of the tournament. 10 – Pirlo has been a star for Italy and has received high praise from the world media, could beat Cannavaro to player of the tournament. 22 Massimo Oddo One appearance as sub, no time to make an impression. 5- One appearance, not much to write home about. 23 Marco Materazzi Due to Nesta’s injury the big Inter defender has had a chance to come in and make the place his own. He scored the opener against the Czech Republic that earned Italy a place in the last 16 but he was harshly sent-off against Australia in the second round. He has since come back into the side and not looked back, impressive alongside Cannavaro and has made sure that the presence of Nesta hasn’t had any effect on the team. 8 – A tournament that the defender can be proud of, has been fantastic at the back for Italy and is a constant threat in the air for the Azzurri. Writer: Ant Bailey Date: Saturday July 8 2006 Time: 11:07AM

World Cup games help boost ratings

By Associated Press

LOS ANGELES -- The World Cup has helped boost television ratings for Univision Communications Inc., with some matchups drawing more than double the average number of household viewers than in previous tournaments for the Spanish-language broadcaster.

Univision televised 56 matches live during the tournament. According to the latest figures compiled by Nielsen Media Research, Univision's World Cup games had an average household rating of 1.3 percent between June 9 and Friday, an average of 1.5 million households.

"It's been probably their best World Cup ever," said analyst David C. Joyce of Miller Tabak & Co. "I think the expectations have been slightly exceeded, so the advertisers should be happy."

The live airing of the first game during the tournament featuring Mexico, on June 11 against Iran, drew more viewers for Univision than the 2002 World Cup final, Joyce said.

Can Les Bleus Cure France’s Blues?

Once again, a multicultural soccer team unites France. But a World Cup match won’t eliminate the country’s troubles.

WEB-EXCLUSIVE COMMENTARY

By Mark Starr

Newsweek

July 6, 2006 - During World War II, my father was an American officer attached to the Free French, assigned to General Philippe Leclerc's 2nd Armored Division. As a result, in August of 1944, he was there for the liberation of Paris. It was a singular event in his life, and on the occasions when our conversation turned to the war, he would say that I couldn't possibly imagine what it was like to be in Paris that day.

I was in Paris a little more than a half century later to witness France upset Brazil 3-0 and capture that country' first-ever World Cup championship. In the wee morning hours after the game, trying to join my wife near the Place Republique, the celebratory throng engulfed me. There were a million revelers swarming down the boulevards, laughing, cheering, singing and waving the French flag. It was so densely packed that I could barely free the cell phone from my pocket to dial my dad back home in the States. I couldn't really hear him, only hoped that he could hear me. "Dad, I said, "I think I have just a glimmer of what it must have been like that night in Paris."

Would you believe me if I told you how charming the French were in victory? Unimaginable perhaps, but true, at least in my recollection. The French, so arrogant about their food, fashion and culture, had no great expectations for their World Cup football team. They greeted each advance with child-like wonder and delight. The day of the final, I dined in the garden of a Left Bank restaurant. When I had finished my main course, the proprietor swept away my plate and returned less than a minute later with an encore presentation right down to the last haricot vert. "Eat another for France," he said with a munificent smile.

If I had written at the time about nothing more than the French charm offensive, I would have been on safe ground. But I like so many of my colleagues saw symbols, metaphors, precursors and a whole lot more in this unlikely triumph. As the tournament began, the country had appeared engulfed by a collective malaise. But the affliction seemed to dissipate goal-by-goal, victory-by-victory. We envisioned France '98 as a steppingstone to a New France, a team, and, by extension, a nation that included the children of the country's postwar immigrants. The New France was One France, expansive enough to embrace its black population as well as its ethnic Arabs. And the New France inevitably sounded the death knell for the anti-immigrant, new right movement of Jean-Marie Le Pen. After all, where would France have been that evening without the great Zinedine Zidane, born in Marseilles of Algerian descent?

We do that in sports quite often, searching for larger truths. The "Miracle on Ice" was not just a brilliant hockey upset, but also a reaffirmation of American strength and faith. The U.S. victory over China in the 1999 Women's World Cup represented America’s collective embrace of strong, athletic women. Perhaps the hopes for France '98 were a reach. Nevertheless, much of it turned out to be true—at least temporarily.

But the French team that headed off to Germany '06—jeered in Paris, by fans and sportswriters alike, for its lack of creativity and scoring prowess—left behind a country not readily distinguishable from the one predating the tournament eight years before. Call it a malaise, call it anomie or even ennui, but France, as last fall’s riots showed, was once again struggling to find its collective soul. And while some of the same stars of varying hues and ethnicities—Zidane, Thierry Henry, Lilian Thuram—still backboned the national team, neo-fascism was alive and all too well throughout the country.

On Sunday night in Berlin, les Bleus will once again play for the World Cup title. Its ascension seems almost as improbable as that of the team eight years ago. Throughout qualifying, the French team seemed lifeless and clueless offensively. It scored just four goals in six qualifying games against Ireland, Israel and Switzerland, surviving only thanks to an impenetrable central defense. Even with the return of Zidane and some other notable geriatrics to the fray, France seemed incapable of emerging in Germany.

Its early results just seemed to confirm that. Despite a weak draw, France stumbled through group play, managing ties against Switzerland and Tunisia before slipping into the second round with a win over Togo. But they have managed the essential World Cup trick of pacing themselves. “Maybe we started the tournament slowly,” French coach Raymond Domenech said before his squad’s semifinal match against Portugal, “but the teams who were playing well at the start of the tournament are now watching it on TV." In the last three matches, as the stakes have ratcheted up against Spain, Brazil and then Portugal, the team has found its legs and Zidane rediscovered his magical touch.

This Sunday night, some other folks may get a taste of the celebration that first my father and later I experienced on the Champs d'Elysées. Or perhaps, for the first time since 1982, the party will spill out from the Piazza Venezia. I don't pretend to know (though, if forced to pick, I would go with France 2-0). What I do know is that Sunday's final, however glorious, however many hopes and dreams ride on it, is just a game and not a harbinger of national salvation. Victory will not be a salve for any of France's incessant national wounds. Nor for Italy would it be anything more than a consolation prize—certainly nothing that will allow the nation and the world to look past the shameful scandal that reveals the rotten core of its national game. France vs. Italy is just a game. Enjoy it for that.

CIMG0728

CIMG0728, originally uploaded by blogdroed.

Italian Fan

Italian Fan, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere, ObiAkpere.

Italian Fan in Germany 2006 Fifa World Cup

Jogo Brasil x Croácia - 13/06/2006

Jogo Brasil x Croácia - 13/06/2006, originally uploaded by Bruna Costa.

Turminha que assistiu ao jogo.
Foi uma palhaçada.......... risos...

Ghana!!

Ghana!!, originally uploaded by fugo.

Football world cup 2006: Celebrating Ghana's great victory, Cologne in front of the main station!
On tour in Cologne with Ozan

Spanish Fans

Spanish Fans, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere, ObiAkpere.

Spanish supporters cheer ahead of the opening round Group H World Cup football match between Spain and Tunisia at Stuttgart's Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium, 19 June 2006.

Face to Face

Face to Face, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere, ObiAkpere.

Brazilians strikers Ronaldo (R) and Kaka

Brazil Fans

Brazil Fans, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere, ObiAkpere.

A Brazil fan celebrates in the stands after their Group F World Cup 2006 soccer match against Australia in Munich June 18, 2006

Zaccardo of USA

Zaccardo of USA, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere.

America are level within five minutes though, Cristian Zaccardo turning Bobby Convey's free-kick into his own net

Kisses in Germany 2006

Kisses in Germany 2006, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere.

Paraguayan forward Nelson Haedo kisses his girlfriend after a training session in Oberhaching, 17 June 2006. FIFA said on Friday it had cleared the Paraguayan Football Federation of any wrongdoing after it was accused of selling some of its allocation of World Cup tickets to agencies abroad.

USA Fans

USA Fans, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere.

U.S. fans wait for the start of the Group E World Cup 2006 soccer match between Italy and the U.S. in Kaiserslautern June 17, 2006.

Faces of disappointment

Faces of disappointment, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere.

Czech Republic 0 : Ghana 2

Ghana Players Celebrate Their Second goal

Ghana Players Celebrate Their Second goal, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere.

Ghana's Sulley Ali Muntari (3rd R) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against the Czech Republic with team mates during their Group E World Cup 2006 soccer match in Cologne June 17, 2006. FIFA

Ghana's Gyan Scores

Ghana's Gyan Scores, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere.

Ghana's Gyan Scores His Team's First Goal against Czech Republic in Germany 2006 fifa worlf cup

Ghana's Gyan Scores

Ghana's Gyan Scores, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere.

Ghana's Gyan Scores His Team's First Goal against Czech Republic in Germany 2006 fifa worlf cup

Ugly moment for Iran, happy moment for Portugal

Ugly moment for Iran, happy moment for Portugal, originally uploaded by Obi-Akpere.

Iran's goalkeeper looks at the ball hitting the net after a shot by Portugal's Deco, hidden behind player at right, during the Portugal v Iran Group D soccer match at the World Cup, Germany 2006