It's Spain vs. Netherlands in WCup final
JOHANNESBURG. July 8. KAZINFORM Nearly a month, 62 matches and tens of thousands of vuvuzela bleats later, the World Cup is down to two title contenders: Spain and the Netherlands will meet in Sunday's final at Soccer City; Kazinform refers to the Arab News.
Spain's veteran central defender Carles Puyol soared high in the 73rd minute from a corner to head into the German net after a tight, technical and gripping game. Puyol's goal was the only one of the match against a Germany team that could not sweep aside its opponents as it had done with previous opponents.
The Netherlands booked its final spot a day earlier with a 3-2 win over Uruguay at Cape Town.
With 28 of the original 32 teams now out of South Africa - Uruguay and Germany will play in Saturday's third-place match at Port Elizabeth - the 19th edition of the World Cup is down to two glamorous European sides each trying to win the title for the first time.
Spain has struggled throughout the World Cup but found its confidence in Durban, playing an intricate, short passing game that eventually ground down the Germany midfield.
Several planeloads of football fans headed for the match were forced to turn back from Durban's King Shaka international airport, forcing the fans to miss the match.
Two planes from Johannesburg and one from Cape Town were refused permission to land after the airport was swamped by arrivals, spokesman Colin Naidoo said.
He said the problem was caused by the large numbers of supporters arriving at the airport for the World Cup semifinal.
FIFA said Wednesday it had not decided who will present the World Cup trophy to the winning captain. Former South Africa president Nelson Mandela is expected to do the honors if the 91-year-old anti-apartheid legend is well enough to attend the match.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is expected to attend Sunday's final, one of 14 heads of state planning to be there.
The 86-year-old Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, has been accused of human rights abuses and of running a campaign of political violence in the country. His presence has already garnered complaints from rights groups.
An official with South Africa's foreign ministry said leaders from Kenya, Swaziland and Burundi will be in the stands, as well as Lesotho's King Letsie and King Mswati of Swaziland.
On Wednesday, organizers promised a high-tech closing ceremony featuring pop star Shakira, compared to the more traditionally African ceremony which opened the tournament on June 10; Kazinform cites the Arab News.
See www.arabnews.com for full version