Germans, Argentines exchange heated words

South Africa, Republic of -- Free-Press-Release.com-- Jul 1, 2010 -- Argentina vs. Germany on Saturday for a spot in the semifinal. Let the trash-talking begin.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was a member of the German team that beat Argentina on penalties in the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup. That game ended with players from both teams yelling at each other. He has warned his teammates not to bite if Argentines try to provoke them.

``It starts before the match,'' Schweinsteiger said. ``You see how they gesticulate, how they try to influence the referee. That is not part of the game. That is a lack of respect. They are like that. We should not be provoked by them.''

He said Argentina displayed that behavior against Mexico.

``This behavior [in the game against Mexico] shows their character and mentality. I hope the referee will pick up the feeling of who is provoking whom. We saw that again in their match against Mexico.''

Argentine coach Diego Maradona fired right back.

During an interview with Fox Sports on Thursday, he turned to the camera, and said in a German accept: ``What's the matter Schweinsteiger? Are you nervous?''

Maradona went on to say: ``It doesn't worry me what he says about penalties and that we don't know how to lose. It doesn't interest us. A different game is played every match and this is going to be different because we are coming out to attack them and play in their faces. This is what has made them nervous.''

• Argentine star Lionel Messi missed training Thursday because he has a cold. Team officials said he is expected to start in Saturday's game.

Team doctor Donato Villani said ``Messi has cold-like symptoms, nothing serious.''

EXPENSIVE GIFT

An Austrian goldsmith in Linz said he has been commissioned by a Russian businessman to cover a vuvuzela with gold and diamonds to the tune of $22,000. He said his customer plans to give it to a South African business associate in time for the final July 11.

Speaking of vuvuzelas, one of the hottest-selling items around South Africa these days are ``VuvuStops'', which are foam ear plugs, specifically marketed to people who are tired of the buzzing of the plastic horns.

TICKET SALES PICKING UP

After much worry before the World Cup that South Africa would have trouble selling tickets, the total attendance has passed 2.69 million with eight matches remaining.

That puts this Cup not too far behind Germany 2006, where 3.4 million tickets were sold. The highest attendance ever was the U.S. World Cup in 1994, when 3.5 million tickets were sold.

Tournament CEO Danny Jordaan said many of the skeptics in the media have started to apologize for doubting the country's ability to host the event.

``Now, to their credit, those people have said sorry and complimented the way we have run the tournament,'' he said. ``The positive energy in our country we need to harness and maintain after the World Cup ends. For a while, we'll be depressed when it's over, but we can hold our heads high knowing we have surpassed all expectation.''

source: http://www.miamiherald.com

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