Soccer: What terrific memories, thoughts and excitement that word generates. At this moment the world is in the throes of the World Championship of Football – yes, I call it football, because I believe it to be the only true “foot” ball game. Just imagine if you will the number of people who are tuning in to watch their country – if they have qualified, compete on the stage of the biggest sporting tournament the world has to offer. The great thing is that all nations hold some interest in this spectacle. It is something tangible from South America to Australia. From Asia through Europe to the United States.

Imagine if you will the passion of supporters of these nations, when they score a goal to either give them the advantage in a particular match, or even more thrilling the winning goal in the World Cup final itself!

OK, now we’re in the mood of things, take into consideration that there are people on this planet who have little or no interest in this event or the build up to it. The folk to whom I refer, are those that pursue the pleasure of the other “football” codes on offer in this diverse world of ours.

Let me explain: We have a few other codes of football played worldwide. The United States have their own particular brand and in other countries Rugby League and Rugby Union are followed with a degree of passion, the latter reaching euphoric status in countries like New Zealand. There is another form of football played in Australia called Australian Rules football affectionately known as “footy”, although I tend to dismiss this game as somewhat of a novelty sport, because it has never really been played worldwide and can’t be compared favourably to the other codes as a spectacle, mainly because of lack of foresight from administrators. That doesn’t mean to say that it doesn’t have a strong following.

Let me say this first of all. Whichever of the ball games is your cup of tea, fine. I can live with that. It’s just the title of your sport that I find somewhat odd. I have heard criticism of football – the real football I mean – making jibes about the ballet-type heading prowess of some of the players and the acting talents of some of its professional participants and, to a degree I cede to that.

But, facts are facts, irrefutable and concrete. This sport is the only football code that encourages the use and skill with the feet for its players. The word, my friends, is “football”.

In all the other codes mentioned above, ninety per cent of the time the ball is held in the players’ hands. OK so they kick it occasionally – very occasionally in the US version. Incidentally, there could be an argument for not calling that particular code “football” at all when you take into consideration they only call someone on to the playing arena as a specialist to actually kick the ball to either start a game or add “bonus” scoring points to a team’s total.

Enough is enough. I could go on forever. Don’t think we could ever get to a court of law with this one, because everyone will have their own opinion about their own favourite, but I reckon I’ve given a good argument for Soccer being the true and only Football.

By: Michael Russell

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The 2010 World Cup in South Africa should be a great event with a variety of potential winners. If you look at the contenders, you may come to the conclusion that Brazil and Spain will be hot favourites.

Brazil have one of the worlds best players in the amazing Kaka and other top players such as Robinho. As usual they sailed through qualification but they do have a very tough group with the Ivory coast and Portugal providing difficult opposition.

Spain have a wonderful team and have a good draw for their world cup group. With players such as Torres and stars from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Arsenal they are sure to be strong contenders to add to their Euro 2008 success.

England stormed through world cup qualifying and with players such as Gerrard, Rooney and Lampard there is no doubt that they do have some top quality in their starting line up. However, despite an easy group it is normally the case that England struggle when they get to quarter final stage and meet a quality team.

Suspect areas include no recognised top class goalkeeper and a reliance on Wayne Rooney as the only world class striker.

Germany doesn’t have any outstanding players but never write the Germans off as they always rise to the occasion when the crunch comes. But look out for their tough opening group and a potential next round clash with England that could prove tricky for the Germans.

Portugal has the outstanding Ronaldo but only qualified after a play off which highlights the lack of class in their squad despite being one of the most skillful teams.

Argentina has the world player of the year in Lionel Messi and a host of other top stars but Maradona doesn’t have a settled team and they can be considered outsiders. But can you really write off any team with the skills of Messi?

Italy is the defending world champions who always start slowly but their team is getting older and it would be a surprise if they reached the final again.

France was lucky to qualify against Ireland and with players such as Henry and Vierra past their best it would need a massive improvement in form for the French to be serious contenders. Also throw in a manager who is not respected by the players and it’s hard to see how the French can reach the final again.

Other outsiders could be the Ivory Coast with Drogba in attack and possibly Holland, who has some class players.

By: Dave P Anderson

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There are many trophies presented for various sporting endeavours today, however one of the most famous of these is the FIFA World Cup. Yet what many people do not realize is that the FIFA World Cup Trophy awarded today has only been in existence since 1974. Prior to this date those nations that were winners of this particular sporting event were presented with the Jules Rimet Trophy instead.

The main reason why a new FIFA trophy was introduced was in 1970 Brazil were awarded the Jules Rimet Trophy outright as they had won this competition three times. As they were presented with this trophy so the FIFA had to arrange for a new trophy to be made to replace it.

The new FIFA World Cup trophy was then presented to the winning Nation in 1974 and this was West Germany who at the time were captained by Franz Beckenbauer. The trophy that they were presented with was designed by Silvio Gazzaniga and produced by Bertoni Milano.

This trophy just like the Jules Rimet one before is very elaborate in design. On the body there are two figures shown holding up the Earth and on its based are engraved “FIFA World Cup” in out pouring letters. The actual trophy is made from 18 carat solid gold and weighs a total of 11lb and measures to a height of 14.4 inches. To ensure that the cup stands correctly the base which measures a width of 5.1 inches has been made from a strong carbonate mineral known as Malachite.

To be able to view the names of the winning nations on this particular trophy it needs to be turned upside down. This is because the names and dates when the trophy was won are engraved on plaques in English on the bottom of the base.

Today there are still enough plaques available to allow a further 9 nations to have their winning details placed on this trophy. It is only after the FIFA World Cup Competition in 2038 will a decision need to be made as to whether this particular trophy should be retired and replaced with a new one.

The biggest difference with this particular FIFA World Cup Trophy is that it is not one that can be won outright as Brazil did with the Jules Rimet Trophy. Today although the winning team are presented with this trophy on the day of their victory they don’t actually get to keep it and instead of provided with a replica.

The main reason for this is that following Italy winning the competition in 2006 after the FIFA World Cup Trophy had been restored it was damaged. A number of days after the trophy had been presented to Italy pictures appeared in newspapers showing a small piece of the Malachite base had broken off. The damage to the trophy was repaired but in order to prevent such a situation in the future the FIFA decided no longer to allow the winning nation to retain the trophy until the next tournament.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy replica that the winning nation now receive is the same size as the original. However, unlike the original these are not made from solid gold but rather they use gold plating instead.

By: Julie M Burton

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As we come up to the busy christmas period in the English Premiership, there are once again probably only four teams with a realistic chance of becoming champions Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Arsenal:

Although Aresnal have made a fantastic start to the season i worry about their strength in depth and have serious doubts whether they have enough quality to maintain their title challenge. Players like Fabregas and Gallas are quality but the test will be when they have a bad patch and are faced with injury problems.

Will they have enough to respond only time will tell but i have my doubts.

I actually think that Arsenal will finish Fourth this season. ( Fourth )

Manchester United:

United defiantley have the strength in debt and have already resonded well after a shaky start. Rooney and Ronaldo are world class and with Vidic and Ferdinand are arguebly the best center back partnership in the premiership. Wayne Rooney is back banging in goals and Cristiano Ronaldo is beginning to hit form.

Manchester United have a great team and are my favorites to win the premiership. Initially i fancied

Chelsea but since the sacking of Jose Mourinho i slightly favor United. ( Champions )

Liverpool:

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will be hoping to lead Liverpool to Premiership glory this season but in reality i can’t see it happening this season . I am a Liverpool fan myself and would like nothing more than to be proven wrong but the fact is Liverpool are lacking defensively. Daniel Agger is quality but still young JC is a good defender but would struggle to get into Man Utd, Arsenal or Chelsea’s defence at center back. Sami hyypia is to old and with out a good defense you wont win the premiership.

Saying that with Steven Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso etc i do believe Liverpool have the strongest centre midfield in the premiership and with the signing of F.Torres things are looking bright. ( Third )

Chelsea:

I believe that Chelsea will finish runners up this season. My original favorites to comfortably win the premiership title the season will be haunted by the sacking of Jose Mourinho .
Avram Grant has made a great start to his managerial career at stamford bridge but he inherited a fantastic team from Jose Mourinho. He does how ever remain unproven as a manager at this level and its when things are going bad we will find out what he’s made of. Jose Mourinho had an absolute nightmare season last year in terms of injuries suspensions bad luck and still pushed Man Utd to the wire.

With players like Frank Lampard, John Terry and D. Drogba you will always be a force but can Avram Grant get the best out of them we will have to see. ( Runners Up )

Finally below are my final standings for the race to the premership title it should be intersting and very exciting……

Barclays Premier League : Final Standings

1. Man Utd.
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal

By: James Griffiths

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