Last Eight For UEFA U-19 European Championships Finalised

Last years runners up, Spain, and Turkey have won through their UEFA Elite Phase Groups to complete the last eight the UEFA U-19 European Championships.

They will join, hosts, Romania, Serbia, Belgium, Greece, Czech Republic and Ireland when the competition begins in earnest next July.

World Football: Heroes of 2010

The highs and lows of 2010 have been extreme to put it mildly. From gun toting separatists in Africa last January to an Octopus called Paul in June and possibly the greatest team of all time in November, 2010 has been a year to remember, or forget depending upon which team you follow.


Here, we look at some of the heroes of the last 12 months. Some stories have been covered by every media outlet under the sun and some have just slipped past their mighty radars.

However, each and every one is just as important as each other as they thread a careful weave through the labyrinthine tapestry that is the footballing year of 2010.

2018 and 2022 World Cup Race: Every Bidding Nation and Vote Analysis

The FIFA Exco will meet over the next three days to decide the destination of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Here we look at each bidding nation and the 23 men whose vote will decide the winners.

The 2018 World Cup will go to Europe as Holland/Belgium, Spain/Portugal, England and Russia address the FIFA Exco with their final submissions on December 2. One day before the five bidding nations for 2022 will get their chance to state their case.

Each submission can only last a maximum of 30 minutes and is the final chance the bidding nations have to sway the vote.

So far, the Iberian bid claims to have eight votes guaranteed for 2018 while Qatar seems quietly confident for 2022.

To win the World Cup 13 votes must be won, with the process eliminating a bidding nation until that total can be reached.

Here we look at each bidding nation, their strengths and weaknesses and the 23 Exco members and where they may or may not vote.

Cristiano Ronaldo Was Denied a Career Defining Moment in Portugal's 4-0 win over Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo scored one of the greatest goals of all time in the remarkable 4-0 victory for Portugal over Spain. However, the Real Madrid wing wizard was anything but happy after the goal was disallowed…

Champions League vs. The World Cup: Attacking Football or Negativity? You Decide

The king is dead, long live the king.

The World Cup may be long gone, but this season's UEFA Champions League has kicked off in spectacular fashion with some of the most exciting football seen in decades. You could tell straight from the start that almost every team has learned a valuable lesson from this years World Cup; negativity will only get you so far.

2010 World Cup Final: The Depressing Spain-Holland Final Analyzed

With the two nations involved, Spain and Holland, one would have hoped for a spectacular World Cup Final. In fact, it was probably the worst match of the entire World Cup after it was ruined by the referee, and we were treated to one of the most cynical displays ever by a team in a final. 

The relief factor is that the Spanish deservedly won. Had they lost this battle after the brutal and pragmatic approach by the Dutch, we would have had one of the game's great injustices.

Andres Iniesta, the man of the match in the final, was the player who provided the difference when it counted most. The little Barcelona playmaker was a target for rough treatment by the Dutch all night and it was fitting that he pulled the trigger on Holland's dreams.

To say that the Netherland's were physical would be a gross understatement and the referee deserves to held accountable for their approach to the game.

World Cup Final 2010: Spain 1-0 Holland, Iniesta Treats Shameful Dutch To Defeat

An Andres Iniesta goal in extra-time was enough to make Spain the World Champions as La Roja beat Holland 1-0.

However, the truth of the game was that the Dutch were cynically brutal and that the referee, Howard Webb, had a poor game and between them they ruined what should have been a spectacle of good football.

The ultimate goal for any footballer is to play and win in a World Cup Final. After tonight, Holland will be having nightmares as they allowed their manager's destroying style to overrun their own inherent flair while Spain played all the football.

World Cup Final 2010: Spain vs. Holland: Tactical Preview and Predictions

The World Cup Final. Spain, the current European Champions, will take on Holland in a match for the ages.

Two of football's greatest nations, having never before won the trophy, will go head to head in a match that promises to be the most intriguing of the entire competition.

World Cup 2010: Germany Klose But No Cigar as Spain's Puyol Becomes Durban Legend

A Carles Puyol bullet header 17 minutes from time was enough to see off Germany in Durban last night as Spain beat Joachim Loew's side 1-0. The narrow scoreline belied the truth behind the game though as La Roja dominated from start to finish and were far superior than their free scoring opponents.

Spain controlled the game from start to finish as the game proved to be a bridge too far for Joachim Loew's young side. The inexperience on show came to the fore as La Roja knocked the ball around with ease, keeping possession for long periods as Die Mannschaft chased shadows.

World Cup 2010: Germany vs. Spain Semifinal Tactical Preview and Predictions

Germany and Spain go head-to-head in the second Semi Final of the World Cup in what is quite possibly the most anticipated match of the tournament, and a rematch of the Final at Euro 2008, which Spain won 1-0.

2010 World Cup Predictions Group H Preview: Spain, Switzerland, Chile, Honduras

European Champions and World Cup favourites Spain entertain Chile, Honduras, and Switzerland in a group that many are tipping to be the most entertaining during the tournament.

Euro 2012 Qualifiers Draw: Analyis and Predictions for Every Group

The draw for the qualifying section of Euro 2012 was made this morning and it threw up a few tough groups that the likes of England, Holland, Germany, and France should negotiate but will find the going difficult.

Fifty-one countries entered the draw, with duel host nations, Poland and Ukraine, waiting for them in the finals.

The groups will be contested across the usual league system on a home-and-away basis, with all matches scheduled between September 2010 and October 2011.

Fernando Torres To Put Country Ahead of Club and Elect for Surgery

Just when you thought Liverpool's current woes could not get any worse.

If reports in Spain are to be believed the Spanish FA are pressuring Fernando Torres to undergo surgery on his hernia as soon as possible so that the striker will be fit heading into the World Cup come June.

With Liverpool's season evaporating into a cloud of empty dreams, the liklyhood of Torres electing to move the surgery forward is becoming a very real possibility.

South Africa 2010: Analysis of Every World Cup Group

The World Cup draw has produced not one but two "Groups of Death", as well as handing England and Italy the best possible routes to the knockout phases.

Over 190 countries tuned in to watch the World Cup draw as Charlize Theron and FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke drew the eight groups for next year's finals. The duo barely got through the process without throwing the balls at each other, with Valcke in particular making some very strange insulting comments towards the Hollywood star.

But who really cares, let's look at the draw...

Spain 2-0 England: David Beckham and The Three Lions Get Exactly What They Deserve

England were comprehensively beaten by a rampant Spanish side on a historic night for "Brand Beckham" as David Beckham claimed his 108th cap to join the great Bobby Moore as England's most capped outfield player.

Spain won 2-0 thanks to goals from David Villa and Fernando Llorente, bringing Fabio Capello's unbeaten run to an end. In truth, England were outplayed from start to finish, and although the team was a much weakened side, Capello will have to do much soul searching as he analyses his squad...