Pussy Mascot for Women's World Cup

FIFA Media Release July 13 2010

In keeping with a tournament that aims to demonstrate “The Beautiful Side of 20Eleven”, FIFA and the Local Organising Committee are extremely proud to unveil the most elegant FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011ä signing so far, in the form of a cat named Karla Kick!

The typically curious Karla Kick, presented today during the opening game of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Germany 2010 in Bochum, will be ever-present at all nine venues in Germany next summer, reflecting the unique qualities and emotions associated with the women’s game as a demanding, exciting and highly watchable sport in its own right. Fans can catch a first glimpse of the Official Mascot this year at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany, which kicks off on 13 July.

“Our mascot fully conveys the attributes of women’s football, namely passion, enjoyment and dynamism. Thanks to her charisma, I’m sure she will become an appealing figure and a strong symbol of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2010 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™,” states Steffi Jones, President of the Local Organising Committee.

“The Official Mascot is a magnificent representative for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 in Germany. Karla Kick displays all the attributes necessary for such an important tournament role and perfectly captures the joy, grace and athleticism of women’s football. I’m convinced that this cat’s elegance and enthusiasm will be a big hit among fans and players alike,” says Thierry Weil, FIFA Marketing Director.

As well as at the stadiums, fans will be able to meet the mascot in the Host Cities, fan parks and at additional venues where people gather to celebrate our magnificent game. As well as fulfilling her important duties as a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011ä ambassador, Karla Kick will proudly help to welcome visitors to her beloved country – from north to south and east to west.

The recruitment of the Official Mascot is another landmark on the road to a FIFA Women’s World Cupä that is rapidly gaining the public’s attention. With over a year still to go before the kick-off in Berlin on 26 June, more than 200,000 tickets have already been snapped up and the tournament’s sponsorship programme is completely sold out.

About the Official Mascot:
Born in Germany in 1995, on the very same day that the German team played in a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ final for the first time, Karla Kick will be 16 years old when the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ kicks off in Berlin next June.

Typically for a cat, Karla Kick is very curious and, although she cannot speak, she will be able to interact with all fans on a non-verbal, emotional level. As the Official Mascot of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™, she is fully aware of her role as an ambassador for host country Germany and its people.

The Official Mascot, designed by the creative agency GMR Marketing GmbH in Frankfurt, embodies German virtues such as thoroughness and discipline, but she is also adventurous, spontaneous, bubbly, fond of children and very playful. She will often be found carrying around her football, which she uses to overcome all cultural and language barriers. Most importantly, she absolutely believes in fair play and is keeping her fingers crossed for all of the participating teams.

Diegos Verdict

FIFA never ceases to amaze the Diegos.

The STATSMAN - Looking Ahead

South Africa 2010 has been a huge success: a colorful, noisy and vibrant celebration of the Beautiful Game that reflects the proud heritage of its host nation. Sycophantic reflections aside, it's now time to look forward to the next World Cup, to be held in Brazil in 2014. Based on what we have seen over the past month, here's 10 things we would like to see at the next meeting of the greatest talents in international football ...

1. More superstar performances
Some of the biggest names in football simply didn't turn up at this tournament. Predicted Golden Boot winner Leo Messi failed to find the net, new daddy Cristiano Ronaldo did little other than fumble a comedy goal during Portugal's North Korea walkover, and Wayne Rooney seemed to forget how to run, let alone kick a ball. The capitulation of the box office names may have allowed rising talents like Thomas Mueller to take center stage, but we hope the big stars shine the brightest in Brazil.

2. A less annoying fan craze
Traditionally, fans at World Cup tournaments find a way of making their presence known - Mexico '86 had the Mexican Wave, Argentina '78 saw an overzealous use of ticker tape, and South Africa's prevalent fan leitmotif has been the vuvuzela. An omnipresent irritation for TV viewers, and a deafening distraction for players, the plastic horn is a stalwart of African football culture that is in grave danger of spreading to the rest of the world. Let's hope fans in Brazil introduce a slightly less annoying novelty. Samba dancing and bikini street parades, anyone?

3. Less empty seats
Yes, South Africa is a long haul flight away from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia, but the amount of empty seats we have seen at stadiums during the tournament is unforgivable -- there were even a few going spare in the semis. Perhaps FIFA could have spent less time prosecuting attractive Dutch girls and more time investing some of the $3.3 billion profit it made from the tournament in putting butts on seats.

4. More Maradona
With his animated touchline antics, punishing training sessions, bizarre superstitions and inability to go five minutes without saying something outrageous, Diego Maradona was a constant source of amusement before his severe lack of tactical nous was finally exposed by Germany. He hasn't stopped crying since his return to Argentina, but hopefully he will be persuaded to stay on as coach for the tournament hosted by his nation's fierce rivals. If his entertainment value was matched by managerial skill, he would truly be the Jose Mourinho of the international stage.

5. The introduction of video technology
After years of stoic resistance, FIFA have finally decided to consider implementing video technology, following numerous controversial incidents in South Africa. "It is obvious that after the experience so far in this World Cup it would be nonsense to not reopen the file of technology at the business meeting of the International FA Board in July," said Blatter following Frank Lampard's faux goal and Carlos Tevez's miles-offside strike against Mexico. It's likely the technology would simply be a camera in the goal, but it paves the way for more exciting rule changes, like a tennis-style system where teams could get three opportunities to call for replays of non-goal mouth incidents. Or robot referees. That would be sweet.

6. Less psychic animals
Paul the octopus, you may be a contender for Ruler of the Universe, but you've truly opened a psychic animal can of worms (pun intended). The first pretender to the throne was Mani the Parakeet, then came Pino the chimp and Apfelsin the Red River Hog. Lin Ping the psychic panda was the last straw of animal exploitation, apparently drawing out the prognosticating abilities of a species that is generally too lazy to even procreate. What started as a hilarious novelty turned into a shameless promotional exercise for zoos and aquariums across the world.

7. More ambush marketing
If the Dutch ambush marketing debacle was anything to go by, FIFA is taking steps to set up its own rogue state, where citizens adhere to FIFA laws while exclusively enjoying FIFA-endorsed goods and services. For having the audacity to promote a non-FIFA approved brand, several Dutch women were ejected from the Netherlands vs. Denmark game. Fans of good looking young women in small dresses were left bitterly disappointed.

8. More French mishaps
Having qualified for the tournament via a Thierry Henry handball, the shoulder-shrugging nation received their karmic comeuppance by suffering an Anelka walkout, subsequent player strikes, infighting and shoddy performances that left them rock bottom of Group A and with the threat of a ban from international football. France's arrogance-fuelled capitulation armed football fans with plenty of surrender-based jokes, and a warming feeling of schadenfreude.

9. Better stadium security
The England fan who broke into the team dressing room after the Algeria game to see Joe Cole stepping out of the shower left the world with two questions: why was Joe Cole having a shower after a game he didn't play in, and how was security so poor that a regular fan found himself in the company of Capello's men? Another serious breach occured prior to the final, when notorious pitch invader Jimmy Jump came within inches of touching the prize trophy. South Africa has experienced problems with security staff who have gone on strike over pay, and one can only hope that the Brazilians run a tighter ship.

10. A better final
Admittedly, classic World Cup matches are few and far between, but the 2010 edition was pretty dire by any standards. Referee Howard Webb handed out eight yellow cards and a red to a Dutch team determined to kick their opponents up and down the pitch all evening (whatever happened to Total Football?) and Spain's finishing let them down on countless occasions. A Brazilian final - which will surely feature a rejuvenated Brazil side – will almost certainly prove more entertaining.

The STATSMAN

Smeltz to complete Chinese switch

Gold Coast Media Release Monday 12th July 2010

GOLD Coast United striker Shane Smeltz is set to finalise a transfer to Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng over the next few days and will fly to China early on Monday morning (12 July) to complete his medical after United agreed an undisclosed fee for the New Zealand international.

After a stellar 2009/10 Hyundai A-League season with Gold Coast United, followed by an impressive FIFA World Cup campaign with the New Zealand national team in which he scored a crucial goal against Italy, Smeltz has been the subject of constant transfer speculation.

Rejecting offers from a string of other clubs, the Kiwi striker opted for a lucrative move to China, saying it was a new challenge at an important time in his career.

“I would like to thank Gold Coast United and everyone involved with the club for the support they have provided to me since I arrived,” Smeltz said.

“I am looking forward to the new challenge at this stage in my career, but I am also sad to leave and will be watching out for Gold Coast’s results; they will always be a club that is close to me.

“Gold Coast United is a special club in a special part of Australia and I am leaving with some great memories from last season. The players are fantastic and will continue to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Hyundai A-League.

“I would like to reserve a special thank you for Clive Palmer and Miron Bleiberg. They brought me to the club and gave me all the support I needed to be the best I could be on the pitch.

“They have also ensured that this move to Shandong has gone smoothly and they have both been very supportive of me of me and my family in regard to this transfer,” he said.

Gold Coast United CEO, Clive Mensink, wished Smeltz well for the future and thanked him for his superb contribution to United’s first season in the Hyundai A-League.

“Shane was fantastic for us in our first campaign and although we are naturally sorry to see him go, he leaves with our very best wishes for this new chapter in his career,” Mensink said.

He continued: “His goal scoring last season set a new record for the competition and his performances in the FIFA World Cup Finals carried on that good form.

“I’m sure he will continue to find the net on a regular basis for his new club.”

United Head Coach Miron Bleiberg will now begin his search for Smeltz’s replacement with just under a month to go before the start of the new season.

Bleiberg said: “We wish Shane all the luck in the world with this move to China and although we are keen to bring in a replacement, we will not be making any hasty decisions.

“Shane did a great job for us, but this transfer was not entirely unexpected and now we have to move on with our preparation for the new season.”

Diegos Verdict

Hey Shano say hello to the Griffo brothers for us, have a fish head curry on the Diegos but stay away from those brown paper bags amigo.....it ain't steamed dim sims with soy sauce in them.

Julio Puerto Rico - Diegos News Hound

Come a Spanish victory on Sunday the Catalans may walk la Ramblas but not with real intent

Lorenzo Caminante, Barcelona, Catalonia

This Sunday two World Cup final debutants will meet at Johannesburg´s Soccer City Stadium in South Africa. The pre-tournament favourite Spain, after a convincing victory against Germany in the semi-final on Wednesday, is expected by many pundits to defeat the Netherlands. More than a few have noted that watching Spain is in many ways the same as watching FC Barcelona. It is no surprise. The best club team in the world in recent years fielded seven players in the Spanish kit on Wednesday night including goal scorer, Barça captain and born and bred Catalan Carles Puyol playing his eighty-ninth game and scoring his third goal for la roja. There were more on the bench.

For many Catalans watching at home victory in the final will be bitter-sweet. Many yearn for independence from the rest of Spain. Many Catalans, considered to be more reserved and hard working than other Spaniards, talk of Spain as a separate country altogether and think of themselves as Catalan and nothing else. An acquaintance seethed because he felt that his homeland was territory “occupied” by Madrid and Castile. Such views are rare but exist. Unsurprisingly Catalonia´s only Catalan language daily newspaper Avui published news of the semi-final result as a front page footnote to the main article concerning a pro-autonomy rally due to take place coincidently the day before the final in stark contrast all others.

My Catalan friend Dani has been watching all the Spain games but only “to see how the Barça players go”. He also watched Argentina to see how Lionel Messi fared.  During the home and away season he says that he doesn´t like football, “only Barça”. While grudgingly accepting and even possibly welcoming victory in Sunday´s final, ever the pragmatic Catalan he works in the main office of a major Spanish sporting federation, the thought of four years of gloating by the Madrid based media and Españolistas on top of Spain´s victory in the European Cup in 2008 fills him with dread. Dani was one of approximately 50,000 who braved the cold at Camp Nou to watch the friendly game last December between the Catalan national team and Argentina. Puyol and many of the other Catalan players pull on the shirt for them too. Barça coach Pep Guardiola, who played forty-seven times for Spain and won gold with Spain in the Barcelona Olympics, played seven times for the Catalan team. Catalans like Dani dream of a time when the games cease to be friendly and start being true internationals. With a swag of possible World Cup winners now would be a good time.

His colleague Cristina however, who considers herself Catalan and Spanish, has no such dilemmas. For her victory for Spain is victory for Catalonia. The late Juan Antonio Samaranch would agree. Perhaps it is no coincidence she supports Barcelona´s lesser known but unambiguously named football club Espanyol.

On the frequent occasions when Barça win a football trophy their supporters flock to Barcelona´s famous avenue la Ramblas to celebrate. Except for such occasions this once glorious boulevard is generally shunned by the locals as a tourist trap by day and a pickpocket´s paradise by night. Barça fans gather at the non-imposing Canalets fountain down towards the port end and after Spain´s semi-final victory I went down to see for myself what if anything was happening after Spain´s victory in its first World Cup semi-final. As I approached the mood was set by car horns blaring, fireworks left over from last months St John´s festival being let off and sure enough the avenue was fairly full of revellers. But not as full as a few months ago when Barcelona won the Spanish league and certainly not as full as when they won the Champions League in 2009. I only saw two men in Barça shirts. They looked like tourists. It is early days yet- the real test comes on Sunday. Perhaps Catalans have an inner Spaniard biding its time for the real celebration on Sunday (then smartly back to work Monday morning) but I could not help the feeling that something was missing. Perhaps I should have gone to Plaça Espanya on the other side of the city. I am told that there were many more people there and in retrospect by name alone it is a more obvious location in which to commemorate a Spanish victory. They can not all have been on holidays from other regions.

I have not caught up with Dani since but another Catalan I know is looking forward to a win in the final. “For the Barça boys” she said with a wink. Come victory on Sunday night the Catalans may walk the Ramblas but not with real intent.. and the ticker-tape parade will be in Madrid.