AFP
Big boots get kicking
The D-day has arrived for World Cup hosts South Africa, who hope months of intense preparation can be translated into victory over Mexico on Friday in the opening 2010 World Cup match.
THE WORLD CUP IS HERE
Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo trains at Bekker High School in Magaliesburg, South Africa, on Thursday, the eve of the Fifa World Cup kickoff. PHOTO: AFP
Small wonder
Visitors inspect small airplanes at Berlin’s Schoenefeld airport during the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) on Thursday.
Dada to lead MCC in T20 tie
Sourav Ganguly will captain Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in a side featuring cricket great Brian Lara when they face the touring Pakistanis in a Twenty20 fixture at Lord’s on June 27.
Fancied French await Uruguay
Former champions France go into their opening World Cup game against Uruguay in Cape Town on Friday battling a salvo of criticism, with nothing but victory enough to satisfy the sceptics.
Crash course in SA lingo
Want to have a lekker time at the World Cup, chomping boerewors at a braai on the Veld or downing a rooibos at the shebeen next to the robot?
Here’s a newcomer’s guide to some uniquely South African words and phrases for football fans heading to the month-long tournament.
Rooney to face tough ref in English opener
Brazilian referee Carlos Simon’s controversial, no-nonsense reputation, combined with Wayne Rooney’s notorious short temper, could leave England fans seeing red at the World Cup.
No messing, Brazil want the title, says Gilberto
Experienced midfielder Gilberto Silva said on Wednesday that Brazil were “not here to have a good time” but win a sixth title as they prepared to start on their World Cup campaign in South AFrica.
Big event insured for $9 bn
The football World Cup, which kicks off on Friday, will be insured to the tune of an estimated $9 billion, according to the Lloyd’s of London insurance market.
Just one of the world’s leading players, at the height of their career and playing in a top league such as England’s Premier League or Italy’s Serie A, could be insured for $73 million, Lloyd’s said in a statement.
DNA confirms geographical origin of Jews
New research has found Jews share a genetic bond with Cypriots and Druze and confirms the Jewish diaspora maintained a strong DNA continuity despite its long separation from West Asia, scientists said
