Translated material
Combat checks
Several teams, which will take to the fields of Germany in two and a half weeks, held test matches. The Croatian national team, which will feature Army player Ivica Olic at the World Championships, defeated the Austrian national team - 4:1. The most notable in this game was Werder forward Klasnic, who scored two goals before the break, the first from a pass from Pršo, the second thanks to individual actions. Between these two events, the Austrian midfielder Ivanschitz distinguished himself, who managed to hit Pletikosa's goal directly from the corner. After the break, Klasnic was replaced by Olic, and the Croats scored twice more: from Babic's long-range strike and subsequent rebound, and then from a free-kick taken by Balaban.
Another match that may be of interest to Russian fans was played between the teams of Korea and Senegal. The head coach of the Korean team, Dick Advocaat, is expected in St. Petersburg, but he is still busy preparing for the World Cup. So far everything is going well: the Koreans, having a slight advantage, tied 1:1 with the team that caused a sensation at the last World Cup. The first goal midway through the second half was scored by Kim Do-hun, but five minutes later N'Diaye restored the balance.
The friendly match with Morocco brought only disappointment to the US team. Not only did the Americans lose 0:1, conceding the only goal in the 90th minute due to a blunder by a defender, but US team head coach Bruce Arena also lost his team captain Claudio Reyna. The defensive midfielder was injured, and it is not yet known whether he will be able to help his team at the World Cup.
The Trinidad and Tobago team also held a control match. The islanders, who are about to make their debut at the World Cup, beat Austria Vienna - 3:2. The championship hosts also played a friendly match. But no one saw the Germans’ victory over the Swiss Servette with a score of 2:1. For reasons of secrecy, it took place behind closed doors. However, it is known that Michael Ballack and Gerald Asamoah distinguished themselves in the German national team.
Shevchenko can decide on a club today
Even before the start of the World Cup, some football players participating in it decided to change teams. One of the leaders of the Czech national team, Tomas Rosicky, signed a contract with London Arsenal. Rosicky's former club, Borussia Dortmund, will receive £6.5 million for the Czech's transfer. Previously, Atletico Madrid claimed the midfielder.
Today there may be clarity in the fate of Andrei Shevchenko. The Ukrainian national team striker is close to moving to Chelsea, but first he must resolve all issues with Milan. Just today Shevchenko is meeting with the president of the Italian club Andriano Galliani. There, in Italy, Shevchenko must undergo a medical examination, which will show by which World Cup match the striker will recover. Shevchenko will miss the Ukraine-Costa Rica friendly match scheduled for Sunday, which will be judged by Russian referee Valentin Ivanov.
Vieira was poisoned and robbed
Footballers before the World Cup risk getting injured not only on the football field, but also at home. French national team midfielder Patrick Vieira was robbed in his own villa. Jewelry and valuables worth tens of thousands of euros disappeared from the footballer's house. The robbers fled in the player's Mercedes, but the car was soon found by police in Nice.
Vieira, his 37-year-old wife Cheryl and 17-year-old stepdaughter Cherry were at home at the time of the robbery. But to prevent the football player and his family from waking up, the criminals pumped sleeping gas into the air conditioning system. Doctors will determine later how the gas poisoning affected the football player’s health, but the psychological state of one of the leaders of the French national team now leaves much to be desired.