Germany eager to end curse of third

Germany heads to Brazil aiming to end its 24-year wait for a fourth World Cup title with captain Philipp Lahm insisting he is sick of finishing third.

Cup theme fails to strike right chord with fans in Brazil

The official World Cup song is definitely striking a chord-the wrong one with many in host country Brazil.

Five youngsters hoping to shine on biggest stage

From Pele in 1958 to Michael Owen 40 years later, the World Cup has launched the careers of some of the most famous footballers ever to grace the sport.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Cheers all round in Brazil

Beer and soccer make a powerful team in Brazil, which is bracing for a drinking bonanza when it hosts the World Cup.

Ferguson's wines sell for almost $3.9m

Wines from legendary former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson's private collection sold for almost HK$30 million ($3.87 million ) at an auction in Hong Kong on Saturday, with a single bottle purchased for more than HK$1million.

Battier voted NBA's top teammate

Shane Battier called it one of the biggest honors of his life.

IN BRIEF (Page 23)

Score board

Another prize for Real showman

Cristiano Ronaldo has two Champions League winner medals to show off along with his two world player of the year awards.

Woman boss 'not afraid' of new role

Portugal's Helena Costa was unveiled as the new coach of French side Clermont on Thursday and insisted she was "not afraid" of becoming the first woman to take charge of a men's professional team in a leading European nation.

Wozniacki takes comfort from Liverpool connection

Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki said she was drawing comfort from her fellow supporters of the Liverpool soccer club in her first public comments since golfer Rory McIlroy announced their wedding had been called off.