Poznań set to be first venue to be completed for Euro 2012
July 15 – Poznań will be the first Polish city to complete the preparation of its stadium for the European 2012 Championships, the city’s Mayor has claimed.
Milton Keynes to go ahead with redevelopment even if England miss out on World Cup
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 15 – Milton Keynes Dons will begin developing stadium:mk even if England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup fails, the club’s chairman Pete Winkelman has confirmed.
David Owen: Final makes case for ice hockey-style sin bin
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Football is a remarkably conservative sport when it comes to changing the rules.
Normally, I’m all in favour of a cautious approach to this fundamental matter; it tends to be a sign of a sport in good health.
Durban World Cup stadium set for record cricket crowd
July 15 – Cricket South Africa said it expects to lure the largest crowd to a cricket match in the country by hosting a 20-20 match between India and South Africa at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, which was built specially for the World Cup.
Brazilian President hits out at 2014 World Cup criticism
July 14 – Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (pictured centre) has hit out at critics of the country’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup after it was claimed that they were already facing facing serious delays.
Mike Rowbottom: Creature comforts for English fans
Superficially, the 2010 World Cup final was contested by two football teams.
But at a deeper level, it was a struggle between and octopus and a parakeet. Or rather, it was an octopus and a Malaysian parakeet against a Singapore parakeet.
South Africa officially enter race for 2020 Olympics after World Cup success
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 13 – South Africa will bid to host the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics after the outstanding success of the FIFA World Cup, they announced today.
Wimbledon champion invests in Real Mallorca
July 13 – Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal has become a shareholder in Real Mallorca in an attempt to help out the cash-strapped club.
Blatter blames Dutch tactics for poor World Cup final
By Andrew Warshaw
July 12 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter got at close as he possibly could today to laying the blame for Sunday’s fiery World Cup final directly at the feet of the vanquished Dutch.
FA loses another top official
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 12 – Simon Freedman (pictured) has become the latest senior executive to leave the Football Association, quitting his role as head of marketing.
Ukraine to launch television advertising campaign to promote Euro 2012
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July 12 – Ukraine is to launch a major advertising campaign later this year to promote its hosting of Euro 2012, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister Borys Kolesnikov has announced.
World Cup worth four times more to Australia than Sydney Olympics
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
July 12 – A new study released today claims that if Australia is chosen to host the 2022 World Cup it will be worth $35.5 billion (£20.6 billion) for the country’s economy – more than four times the amount generated by the Sydney Olympics.
Emirates vice-president signs up for Leaders in Sponsorship conference
July 12 – Boutros Boutros (pictured left), the senior vice-president of corporate communications at airline Emirates, is the latest speaker to commit themselves to Leaders in Sponsorship, the world’s most exclusive sport sponsorship taking place at Chelsea on October 6.
Honda to help drive Japan World Cup bid
By Andrew Warshaw
July 10 – Keisuke Honda, Japan’s outstsanding player at the World Cup, is the latest signing by the country’s bid team seeking to win the right to host the 2022 finals.
David Owen: Is Spain v Holland a play-off for the 2018 World Cup?
So Spain versus the Netherlands it is.
And an obvious question presents itself for students of the race to host the 2018 World Cup: Is this an omen for the vote in December?