Can they avoid stumbling in the end again?

The Netherlands rallied through qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a perfect record, winning all eight of its qualifiers whilst scoring 17 goals and conceding only two. They finished 2009 ranked third in the FIFA World Rankings, but the concern is that this is a side that some times suffers inexplicable defeats.

In Euro 2008, for example, Netherlands looked almost unstoppable after winning their group games by scores of 3-0 over Italy, 4-1 over France and 2-0 over Romania. Yet in the quarterfinals they suffered a shock 3-1 loss to Russia after extra time. In 2009, there were no losses for the Dutch, however. They won six matches and drew four, scoring 18 and conceding only four goals.

The Netherlands are traditionally among the most technically proficient teams in the game and their passing can be a thing of beauty, but it’s the cutting edge they will be looking for in South African in 2010.

Assistant coach Frank de Boer, their second most capped player of all time, told the FIFA website: “We have a mission: that mission is to be champions of the world.” They have the players to do it. What they will need in South Africa will be consistency throughout the month-long tournament.

If there’s one clear advantage that the Netherlands has…

2010 WORLD CUP TEAMS
Can they avoid stumbling in the end again?
The Netherlands rallied through qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a perfect record, winning all eight of its qualifiers whilst scoring 17 goals and conceding only two. They finished 2009 ranked third in the FIFA World Rankings, but the concern is that this [...]

2010 WORLD CUP TEAMS
Here come the Black Stars.
Ghana, known as the Black Stars, qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time in 2006. Their record on the African continent is far more impressive. They have won the African Cup of Nations four times, but the last of those victories was in 1982. They [...]

2010 WORLD CUP TEAMS
The group of death?
Dubbed as group of death, Germany is the favorite in its group for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with an impressive display in the qualifiers, winning eight and drawing two of their 10 matches and scoring 26 goals and conceding only five.
As the host nation of the last [...]

2010 WORLD CUP TEAMS
Can Switzerland’s stingy defense give them glory in South Africa?
Switzerland booked their place in the 2010 FIFA World Cup after topping a competitive qualifying group that also included Greece that went on to secure a place in South Africa, Latvia, and Israel. In 10 matches, they conceded only eight goals. Last year, [...]

2010 WORLD CUP TEAMS
Little is known about national team from North Korea.
Thanks to the secretive nature of communist North Korea, the abilities of their national team competing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup are somewhat unknown, although they did enjoy a good World Cup qualifying campaign.
They finished second in their group behind their neighbors, South [...]

2010 WORLD CUP TEAMS
Can Slovenia keep on surprising football fans around the world?
A surprise addition in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Slovenia will depend on their defense to make their mark this summer after stunning Russia in the qualification play-off. Slovenia, in its short history, has qualified for the World Cup once [...]

And this time, they’re saying he could pair up with Dwyane Wade in, (drum roll please…) New FUCKING Jersey.

In case you didn’t know, both superstars; LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, will become free agents this summer. And there have been many rumors on whether the two should sign with the same team and if such a pairing would thrive.

The reasons against are, by now, well known. Many say that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade want their own team, won’t share the ball, and won’t take less money and/or term on contracts, which is a must for a co-superstar arrangement to happen.

There is, of course, the economy. League revenues have fallen, so the salary cap for 2010-11 will also fall, which means teams will have less to spend on free agents without triggering the luxury tax. And most owners have less disposable income to spend on NBA teams.

Then again, a LeBron James – Dwyane Wade partnership is still a possibility. It could work on the basketball court and balance sheet.

Being ‘The Man is a necessity. Not a choice. Without great teammates, James and Wade must dominate on-court for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat respectively to have any chance at winning. If being ‘The Man’ was what each truly wanted, they’d have maintained the status quo long ago by inking extensions with their current teams.

Two summers ago, James and Wade accepted lesser roles when…

Here come the Black Stars.

Ghana, known as the Black Stars, qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time in 2006. Their record on the African continent is far more impressive. They have won the African Cup of Nations four times, but the last of those victories was in 1982. They have also finished as runners-up four times: in 1968, 1970, and 1992 and 2010. Does that mean that they could be a force in the 2010 FIFA World Cup?

The Black Stars’ road to South Africa was fairly routine as they all but guaranteed their place with four consecutive victories in the final round of qualifiers. By the time they fell to their first defeat – a 1-0 reverse at Benin – they had already booked their place Matthew Amoah’s goals were key to Ghana’s qualifying effort, but it was their strength in midfield which again caught the eye. They have been drawn into a favourable-looking Group D, which will boost their chances of improving on their performance at the last World Cup in Germany.

Richard Kingson will be the man between the sticks for Ghana despite his lack of first-team appearances at Wigan, where he plays back-up to Chris Kirkland. Kingson has always performed well for Ghana, earning glowing praise for his performances at the 2008 African Cup of Nations.

John Paintsil is the calming influence at the back for Ghana and will be looking to bring his excellent form with Fulham this season into the tournament. Robust and quick, he will be of immense importance to the younger players around him as they look to neuter the threat of Serbia, Australia and Germany in the group stages. Although, he suffered a bad knee injury earlier this season against Chelsea and looked like he may miss the rest of the season, but further…

The group of death?

Dubbed as group of death, Germany is the favorite in its group for the 2010 FIFA World Cup with an impressive display in the qualifiers, winning eight and drawing two of their 10 matches and scoring 26 goals and conceding only five.

As the host nation of the last World Cup in 2006, not much was expected of then-manager Jurgen Klinsmann and his side. Germany struggled for form and results over the previous couple of years but, in somewhat typical German style, turned up for the main event and put on a series of rousing performances, claiming a third-place finish in front of a nation of re-awakened fans.

Since stepping into Klinsmann’s shoes, Joachim Low, his assistant in 2006, has continued in the same vein as his predecessor by attempting to marry flair and attacking prowess with Germany’s famously methodical and tactical approach to the game. For the most part, Low has succeeded in doing this, and has attracted praise for his temperament and ability to deal with a dressing room filled with big egos.

Germany’s qualifying campaign was comfortable, if unspectacular, with only Finland causing real headaches, holding them to draws home and away. Low’s side did turn on the style, though, against main group rivals Russia, winning 2-1 at home and 1-0 away thanks to a strike from Miroslav Klose. Much will depend on the form of Klose and captain Michael Ballack going into the tournament, but there is no question that Chelsea midfielder will be frantic to lead his country to a major trophy in what is likely to be his final World Cup.

René Adler burst on to the Bundesliga scene in 2007 and…