By ROBERT MILLWARD AP Soccer WriterRUSTENBURG, South Africa - Another Germany-England matchup at the World Cup brings back memories of classic moments that include a disputed goal in the final, the English losing a 2-0 lead, and a dramatic shootout win for the Germans.The two teams meet in the round of 16 on Sunday and could well write another famous chapter in one of the World Cup's most famous
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa - FIFA is not allowing teams to practice at FreeState Stadium in Bloemfontein to preserve the pitch for a final group stage gameand the Germany-England round of 16 match.Switzerland plays Honduras in their final Group H match on Friday inBloemfontein.Both teams are training at a nearby university Thursday instead ofat the stadium. Germany plays England in Bloemfontein
Germany playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger could miss the World Cup second-round match against England on Sunday because of a thigh problem.Schweinsteiger, 25, suffered the injury during Germany's 1-0 victory over Ghana in Group D on Tuesday. The doctors say time is running out, but we hope he can play because he is an important player, said Germany assistant coach Hansi Flick.Left-back Jerome Boa
JOHANNESBURG - Slovakia leads defending champion Italy 1-0 after 30 minutesof the teams' final World Cup Group F match.Italy's midfield gave away possession deep in its own half in the 25thminute and forward Robert Vittek stretched to hit a first-time shot low to theright of diving goalkeeper Federico Marchetti. Slovakia must win to have a chance of advancing, while Italy will reach thesecond r
DURBAN, South Africa - Greece coach Otto Rehhagel resigned following theteam's elimination from the World Cup, officials at the Greek FootballAssociation said Thursday.The German coach, who turns 72 in August, was appointed in 2001 and guidedthe Greek team to the European Championship title three years later in one ofthe biggest upsets in soccer history.Greek FA president Sofoklis Pilavios confi
England striker Jermain Defoe says he hopes Sunday's last-16 match against Germany is not decided by penalties.With the Germans having beaten England on penalties twice before - in the 1990 World Cup and at Euro 96 - they may hold the edge in that department.Defoe revealed England have been practising penalties every day since the training camp in Austria .But the match-winner against Slovenia a
ERASMIA, South Africa - The Germans don't believe their Kaiser.While Franz Beckenbauer thinks England has gone backward under coach FabioCapello, Germany's coaching staff has a high opinion of its traditional rival.Assistant coach Hansi Flick said England plays 'modern football' underCapello and has gained in tactical sense, making it the favorite in Sunday'ssecond-round match in Bloemfontein ov
The France squad have returned home from the World Cup, jetting into Paris at 11:50 CET, though, somewhat fittingly given the events of the last week, the whole unit was not together according to France Football.Les Bleus suffered one of their worst tournament campaigns ever as they slumped out of the competition having scored only once in what was reckoned to be a very winnable group for Raymond