All Three Palacios Brothers Makes the Cut for Honduran Team,, New World Cup Record

World Cup 2010: Honduran Palacios brothers set history

Midfielder Wilson Palacios is Honduras' star player Honduras have become the first country in World Cup history to select three brothers in their squad after calling up Jerry Palacios on Tuesday. He joins brothers Wilson and Johnny in South Africa after replacing injured Torino star Julio Cesar de Leon. Striker Jerry, 29, plays for Chinese club Hangzhou Greentown, Johnny, 24, for Olimpia in Honduras and Wilson, 26, for Tottenham Hotspur. Teams are allowed to replace players up to 24 hours before their opening match. Honduras play their first match against Chile in Group H on Wednesday. The Palacios brothers hail from the town of La Ceiba in Honduras. Everything I do in football is for Edwin, he is watching over me Jerry Palacios speaking about his murdered brother Wilson, the best known of the trio, has had injury problems of his own to deal with after straining a leg muscle in the run-up to Wednesday's match but is expected to be fit. "He is pretty much 100% and right now it seems he will be fine," said Honduras assistant Carlos Velasco. The triple Palacios call-up will be a boost to the family three years after younger brother Edwin was kidnapped in the politically troubled Central American country.

Torres set for bench role in opener

Soccernet staff

David Villa is expected to play as the lone striker for Spain with Fernando Torres on the bench for Wednesday's Group H clash Switzerland, while Andres Iniesta is in line to start in the five-man midfield.

Fernando Torres will have to wait for his chance to play for Spain. (GettyImages)

Torres and Iniesta, automatic selections in Spain's first XI, are fit again after returning from knee surgery and a minor muscle injury respectively ahead of their World Cup opener but coach Vincente del Bosque appears most likely to ease Torres back into action and go with a midfield quintet behind new Barcelona signing Villa.

Even if he also decides not to risk creative midfielder Iniesta from the start against Switzerland, only a pressure-induced collapse should prevent Spain, the tournament favourites, from getting off to a winning start, such is their quality and squad depth.

Del Bosque spent his last pre-match press conference playing down the optimism around his squad, warning them progression through the tournament won't happen by default.

Del Bosque said: "There's extraordinary optimism. But many make it sound like Spain has a direct route to the final and it's not like that. We're not on this highway of thought that everyone seems to be on. If you want to achieve something you have to achieve it with work and by being a great athlete. It's difficult to get away from the view of the outside. There is an optimism as if we were going to play the World Cup final now. But fortunately, we have players that are aware of the reality and not of utopia. Players that know what football is like."

Switzerland's veteran coach Ottmar Hitzfeld admits his team, without captain and star striker Alexandrr Frei, have "nothing to lose" in Durban. Hitzfeld has labelled Spain the "team of the century" but refused to rule out an upset, if only because the laws of probability dictate that his men must stand a chance of earning their first ever victory ossion in the hope of getting his team used to the noise they will experience in Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium.ver Spain sooner or later.

Ronaldo Tweets Messages Of Support To Brazil Squad

All time leading World Cup goalscorer Ronaldo has shown his support to the Brazilian World Cup squad via his twitter account, tweeting a number of messages to his compatriots.

“Number 10, my brother, you’re a genius. Believe in yourself,” he told Kaka.

“Kiddo, go on, show what you can do. Make them dance,” he said to Robinho, while his final message of support was to the man carrying the burden of being entrusted to fire Brazil to glory, Luis Fabiano.

“Warrior, you’re better than the rest,” he stated to the Sevilla striker. “I know you’re going to honour the number 9, which you’ve taken over, which is now yours.”

Ronaldo, now playing his football back in his native Brazil for Corinthians had an outside chance of making the World Cup squad, but was eventually left behind by coach Dunga.

Thus Begins the Group of Death

In every World Cup Tournament there is drawn a group which pairs three or four teams that are so evenly matched on paper and in expectation of performance and is likely to throw up a series of unpredictable matches. It is aptly labelled the group of death as teams would rather have there hopes of progression live in a easy group as opposed to die in that of stiff competition.

The group consists of North Korea, The Ivory Coast, Portugal and Brazil.

The Group throws up Three mouth watering clashes that avid fans and neutrals alike impatiently await. Portugal v Ivory Coast, Brazil v Portugal and Ivory Coast v Brazil.

Brazil being the Dogged South American Aces; Portugal being Europe's Dark Horse contenders and Ivory Coast being Africa's most formidable challenge will try to live up to the groups billing of hard fought and exciting gladiatorial displays which are contested to the final whistle.

North Korea might be in my opinion is the most comfortable team in the so called group of Death as they are the only ones in this competition of whom nothing is expected and no pressure is being placed upon to perform,, they are expected to lose every game and concede alot of goals.. So only thing they are being asked to do is to show up early..

It is safe to say that the groups three Gladiators are sitting on a complementary 3 points Courtesy of North Korea and will have to fight hammer and thongs for the 9 points which is up for grabs among them.

Two available slots, three teams, someone will be disappointed.. Most are expecting to see Brazil and Portugal progress but a learnt soccer fan wouldn't be surprised to see Portugal out and Ivory Coast in.. It would be a Greek Tragedy to most if Portugal and Ivory Coast progress at Brazil expense,, but rest assured North Korea is going nowhere..

Real Madrid 2010/11 Home Kit

The usual all white Adidas outfit,, only this time it has blue trimmings in stead of Black or Purple...Green Home Goalkeeper top.. Instead of the Traditional Orange or Black

The Omen Points to a South American Champion II

After Reviewing the list of host countries compared to the list of winners it is interesting to note that only countries from South America has won the Title when it is held outside of Europe. European teams have only been able to lift the Title when it is held on the European continent. If this World Cup stays true to the trend no european country for all their form and Worth has a Chance.

	Hosts	Winners
	Uruguay		Uruguay
	Italy		Italy
	France		Italy
	Brazil		Uruguay
	Switzerland		West Germany
	Sweden		Brazil
	Chile		Brazil
	England		England
	Mexico		Brazil
	West Germany		West Germany
	Argentina		Argentina
	Spain		Italy
	Mexico		Argentina
	Italy		West Germany
	United States		Brazil
	France		France
	South Korea and Japan		Brazil
	Germany		Italy
	South Africa		???

*** Highlighted Championships are those held outside the European Continent

Best Match of Football in the World Cup so Far...

Germany has by far shown the most guile control and skill in passing and controlling Jabulani... I feel we have watched the best two halves of football and have seen the best goal in the world cup thus far... Germany has showed the superiority that has been expected,,, and Lucas Podolski has lashed the bested worked goal thus far,,,

Australia were expected to put up a better fight but being placed on the back foot from so early took its effects and for them it was a upward struggle all match..

Germany has definitely turned some heads and gained a few supporters this time out... especially MESUT OZIL.. who to me is the man of the match.. well played Germany!!