World Cup 2006 (All the news/gossip)

[Nick VR4]

Wayne Rooney has been included in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad, BBC Sport understands. Rooney appears to have won the race to prove his fitness after breaking a metatarsal in his right foot while playing for Manchester United in April.
He boarded a flight back to Germany - which is due to land at Karlsruhe near Baden-Baden at about 2145 BST.
He had earlier spent two hours at a Manchester hospital while doctors studied the results of an earlier scan

[Spirit]

Djibril Cisse is out of the World Cup after breaking his right leg in France's friendly against China on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old was knocked off balance by a defender 10 minutes into the game and fell, his right leg twisting under him and buckling above the ankle

[Brunty]

Ronaldinho pleads for protection

Footballers should be seen and not heard - PANSY!

[Nick VR4]

GERRARD: I'M '50-50' FOR PARAGUAY

Steven Gerrard has given England a fitness scare ahead of the World Cup opener with Paraguay in Frankfurt on Saturday and rates his chances of playing as "50-50".
The Liverpool midfielder is battling to overcome a knock on his hip which caused him to go into back spasms during training earlier in the week.
Gerrard took some part in Thursday's session in Germany but is hedging his bets as to whether he will available to play in 48 hours' time.
He said: "It is not a back problem. I got a knock on my hip which made my back go into spasms.
"The good thing is it is improving all the time. I have got a good chance of playing on Saturday but I need to keep working on it from now until Saturday.
"What is a good chance? As we speak now, I am probably 50-50 to play - but if it keeps improving as it has done over the last 24 hours, then I'll be there."
Gerrard, who missed the last World Cup after undergoing groin surgery, added: "I've not had a back problem for years. This has come from the knock.
"I don't know how it is going to respond but it has improved a lot over the last 24 hours. If it keeps going in that direction, I am confident I will be ready for Saturday."

[Brunty]

WARNING: The following picture is a bit gruesome, typical sporting leg break photo - however the video shows how innocuous the 'incident' was, it seems that his studs dig in and catch. Personally I find it amazing that this was the sole cause, Cisse has broken his leg before (albeit his other leg) and I wonder whether he carries some natural weakness or defficiency?

Either way it might not just be his World Cup that is over. Hope not - fingers crossed for you overpaid tattooed France/Liverpool football dude.

Picture

Video

[Spirit]

It's here

The first games are today so don't miss 'em:

5pm - Germany vs Cost Rica
8pm - Poland vs Ecuador

[Nick VR4]

Opening ceremony on TV at 4pm

[Spirit]

Half time in the opening game:

Germany 2 - 1 Costa Rica

[Nick VR4]

Full Time

Germany 4 Costa Rica 2

Good game too

[Spirit]

It was a good game and two cracking goals from the Germans.......the damn ball moves soooo much in the air it's unreal.

Long may the entertainment continue

[SGHOM]

The most goals in an opening game.. like... eva !!

P/S.............. got me flags on me car !!!!

[Nick VR4]

Mrs has a England Furry Dice in the car and a flag

I have the new England shirt to wear tomorrow

[Nick VR4]

Poland v Ecuador next ITV 1

[SGHOM]

Poland v Ecuador next ITV 1

Bl00dy 'ell !!

even the Ecuador keeper has his face painted !!

[SGHOM]

1- 0 Ecuador !!

[Nick VR4]

War Paint I guess or he's Wendy at the weekend ( I'll get me coat )

[Nick VR4]

1- 0 Ecuador !!

Ohh the Polish fans looked worried

[Spirit]

Ecuador now 2 up and only 10mins left

[SGHOM]

And they deserve it !! Poland have been very poor.

[Nick VR4]

Poland 0 Ecuador 2

Not a bad game really update your xls file