Showing posts with label World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Cup. Show all posts

Thursday, November 03, 2011

New Zealand - World Champions

New Zealand won in Auckland against France with 8-7, becoming after 24 years, along with Australia and South Africa, the World's third team to win the "Web Ellis" trophy twice. This final was the tightest in the history of World Cup. The winner was established for the first time by only one point.

1987 and 2011 are two years which remain in New Zealand history. Two world titles and a dream come true. Four million people celebrated this win and went out to the streets, in a move unprecedented in the country in the Southern hemisphere.

Always favorite to win the world title, but stopped on the way to the trophy, in the semifinals or quarterfinals, New Zealand has succeeded this time a perfect journey. Even if the final shake up in the last minute with the French back in the game at 0-8, "All Blacks" have kept lucidity, defended well and were blocked at the table 8-7.

The final whistle sparked party, 300,000 people went out on the streets of Auckland to celebrate the victory. Fireworks, confetti, singing and clapping, dancing and joy. The streets of the country's economic capital were blocked by a crowd dressed in black shirt embroidered with fern's leaf, which is poured over all and sing the famous encouragement "Go All Blacks, Go." Faces painted in black and white, obsessive cries name players miniature Cup and children gathered in each frame.

Spending the night extended, while the players were lost in the crowd giving autographs, hand tighten, thanks fall, and over all presenting the shining "Webb Ellis" trophy. Residents of the two islands have emerged in public places in an unprecedented mass movement by now.

New Zealand celebrated its heroes and the fulfillment of a dream. Country where rugby is a religion was rewarded for waiting so long. Graham Henry's team presented the trophy in all major cities: Auckland followed by Christchurch and Wellington.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Rugby World Cup 2011

The most spectacular competition started this week. Rugby World Cup 2011 is happening in New Zealand this year. This is a great opportunity to find out more about this wonderful sport and not only.

For instance, there are 20 national teams in this World Cup. New Zealand was the first national rugby team which introduced a short dance in the opening of every game. This dance is called Haka and comes out from an ancient Maori ritual. Another teams like Tonga or Samoa followed this example and now you may see a tribal show at the start of each rugby game.

The specialists are saying that Haka must be not longer than 2 minutes else this ritual can open the gates to hell. Anyhow, let see some about sport.

On 9th of September was the opening ceremony in Auckland. The show was great and the former New Zealand captain, Jonah Lomu, was the most important figure. He earned the first World title for his country at the first Rugby World Cup, 24 years ago. There is a bookmaker quota of 1,55 for New Zealand to repeat such a great performance.

Another facts: the first rugby game played in New Zealand was in 1870 at Nelson ( Whakatu in Maori language). On May 12th 1870 was founded New Zealand’s first Rugby Football Club (continuing today). In the same year, Scotland national rugby team plyed their first international game.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

World Cup 2010 - final act

There were a lot of games in World Cup until now. There were a plenty of goals and a lot of show. These are the rest of the results.
Quarter-finals
Uruguay - Ghana 4-2 (1-1, 1-1)
Netherlands - Brasil 2-1 (0-1)
Argentina - Germany 0-4 (0-1)
Paraguay - Spain 0-1 (0-0)
Semi-finals
Uruguay - Netherlands 2-3 (1-1)
Germany - Spain 0-1 (0-0)
3rd place final
Uruguay - Germany 2-3 (1-1)
World's Champions Final
Netherlands - Spain 0-1
The only thing we can say now is: "Congratulations Spain! The new football World Champions"

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Round of 16 in World Cup

Round of 16 matches have been played. These are the results:
Uruguay - Korea 2-1 (1-0)
USA - Ghana 1-2 (0-0, 1-1)
Netherlands - Slovakia 2-1 (1-0)
Brazil - Chile 3-0 (2-0)
Argentina - Mexico 3-1 (2-0) 
Germany - England 4-1 (2-1)
Paraguay - Japan 0-0, 5-3 after penalty kicks
Spain - Portugal 1-0 (0-0)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

World Cup 2010 - stage 2

We have new results in World Cup 2010. These are the games:
Slovenia - England 0-1
USA - Algeria 1-0
Ghana - Germany 0-1
Australia - Serbia 2-1
Denmark - Japan 1-3
Cameroon - Netherlands 1-2
Slovakia - Italy 3-2
Paraguay - New Zealand 0-0
Portugal - Brazil 0-0
Korea DPR - Côte d'Ivoire 0-3
Chile - Spain 1-2
Switzerland - Honduras 0-0
These are the rest of group tables:
Group C
USA 5p
England 5p
Slovenia 4p
Algeria 1p
Group D
Germany 6p
Ghana 4p
Australia 4p
Serbia 3p
Group E
Netherlands 9p
Japan 6p
Denmark 3p
Cameroon 0p
Group F
Paraguay 5p
Slovakia 4p
New Zealand 3p
Italy 2p
Group G
Brazil 7p
Portugal 5p
Côte d'Ivoire 4p
Korea DPR 0p
Group H
Spain 6p
Chile 6p
Switzerland 4p
Hounduras 1p
I have only one new afrikaans word this time. It is:
impala = which means antilope or gazelle. See you next time!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

World Cup 2010 - new results

There were new games played in World Cup. These are the results:
Ghana - Australia 1-1
Netherlands - Japan 1-0
Cameroon - Denmark 1-2
Slovakia - Paraguay 0-2
Italy - New Zealand 1-1
Brazil - Côte d'Ivoire 3-1
Portugal - Korea DPR 7-0
Chile - Switzerland 1-0
Spain - Honduras 2-0
Mexico - Uruguay 0-1
France - South Africa 1-2
Nigeria - Korea Republic 2-2
Greece - Argentina 0-2
These are the final tables until now:
Group A
Uruguay 7p
Mexico 4p
South Africa 4p
France 1p
Group B
Argentina 9p
Korea Republic 4p
Greece 3p
Nigeria 1p
The teams marked with italics will continue to play for this tournament. The others are eliminated.
I still present you expressions from South Africa.
apartheid = segregation; apartness; the state or condition of being apart
bakkie = pickup truck
braai = barbecue
tekkies = sneakers
And this is Lord's prayer in Afrikaans translation
Ons Vader in die hemel, laat U Naam geheilig word.
Laat U koningsheerskappy spoedig kom. Laat U wil hier op aarde uitgevoer word soos in die hemel. Gee ons die porsie brood wat ons vir vandag nodig het. En vergeef ons ons sondeskuld soos ons ook óns skuldenaars vergewe het. Bewaar ons sodat ons nie aan verleiding sal toegee nie; en bevry ons van die greep van die Bose. Want van U is die koninkryk, en die krag, en die heerlikheid, tot in ewigheid. Amen