www.live-football.biz

Posts Tagged ‘Brazil’

Robbers took advantage of Brazil's passion for football to steal £3.5 million from a cash delivery firm as the nation was transfixed by the final day of the championship.

Police suspect the thieves tunneled into the firm's building in Sao Paulo and waited until Sunday afternoon, when the final games of the season were played, to break in and steal more than 10 million reais.

A security guard working at the firm on Sunday reported hearing loud noises but thought they were from fireworks lit by excited soccer fans, Sao Paulo police said.

The police added that the thieves rented a nearby house several months ago and painstakingly dug a 490-foot long tunnel to gain access to the building. While they were living in the area they reportedly disguised themselves as residents, even putting a Christmas tree in the window.

Flamengo, a Rio de Janeiro club, won the championship in what was one of the most exciting finales in years, sparking huge parties in the city.

France's shock exclusion from the top group of seeds for the World Cup increases England's chances of being in a group of death.

More

 

 

Although Fabio Capello's men have been included among the eight elite teams, they could end up facing the French or Cristiano Ronaldo s Portugal in the first round.

The term 'group of death' was first coined in 1986, when Scotland were drawn with West Germany, Denmark and Uruguay – and duly came bottom.

However, England could face a draw that makes the Scots' challenge look like a walk in the park, with a host of strong sides awaiting including Les Bleus – whose 'hand of frog' goal against Ireland, set up by Thierry Henry s handball, caused a storm of protest.

The eight groups feature one team from each of the four pots, and the huge variation in quality within the pots mean Friday's draw in Cape Town will be absolutely crucial.

As well as France, England could face a USA side that beat Spain en route to this year's Confederations Cup final – Bob Bradley's team are the best in pot 2, which features teams from Asia and Central America.

And a strong Ivory Coast side, starring Didier Drogba, could complete the Group of Death, with pot 3 containing African and South American countries.

Teams from outside pot 1 will be desperate to be grouped with a mediocre South Africa side who, as hosts, are included along with the seven top-ranked nations.

ENGLAND'S GROUP OF DEATH

England

USA

Ivory Coast

France

ENGLAND'S GROUP OF LIFE

England

Algeria

Slovakia

New Zealand

The pots for Friday's World Cup draw to be hosted in Cape Town.

Pot 1 (seeds): South Africa (Group A), Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain

Pot 2: Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Honduras, Mexico, USA, New Zealand

Pot 3: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay

Pot 4: Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland

One team from each pot will be drawn into the eight opening round groups for the tournament from June 11-July 11.

Follow the draw LIVE on uk.eurosport.yahoo.com, with the action getting under way at 16:00 UK time on Friday!

Alex Chick / Eurosport