Dutch greeted with flowers and brass band

Netherlands were welcomed with flowers and a brass band when the World Cup finalists arrived in Germany on Tuesday.

Outsiders Togo warm up with 4-0 victory

Goals from Emmanuel Adebayor, Thomas Dossevi, Mohamed Kader Coubadja and Yao Senaya led World Cup debutants Togo to a 4-0 win over local side Wangen in their final warm-up on Tuesday.

Paraguay have respect but no fear of England

Paraguay will show England respect but have no fear when they meet them in their opening Group B clash on Saturday.

World Cup: information of the first two games

Eriksson pleads for calm as Rooney comeback hopes mount

Sven-Goran Eriksson tried to quell a surge of optimism that Wayne Rooney will be fit for the World Cup as England began training at their idyllic Black Forest base camp.

German town's been good to Iran soccer

Iran's soccer team is hoping for a repeat of the good fortune it found the last time it came to this picturesque town in southern Germany to train for a major event.

Trinidad hopes it's preparing right way

Leo Beenhakker isn't concerned with Trinidad and Tobago's struggles leading up to the World Cup.

Brazil's practice will be crowded

Defending champion Brazil's first public appearance in Germany is expected to be a popular and crowded one.

Iran beat regional side in final warm-up

Iran defeated a regional German side 5-0 on Monday in their final World Cup warm-up.

Brazil match not the priority for Croatia

Croatia are already looking beyond their opener against World Cup holders Brazil and concentrating on their final two group matches -- games they believe they can and must win.

Japan in right trouble as wingers join injury list

Brazilian-born left winger Alessandro "Alex" Santos has joined fellow right winger, Akira Kaji, on Japan's injury list ahead of their World Cup opener against Australia on June 12.

Argentina split between Big Nose, Thin One

Carlos Bilardo once seemed to imply he had offered Brazil contaminated water in a World Cup match and another time to have supplied heat rub for one of his players to smother into the eyes of opponents.