Get the latest news and notes from the World Cup in Brail ahead of Thursdays kickoff.
Ryan Allen Youth Jersey . Spains Diego Costa feeling "100 per cent" Diego Costa says he has fully recovered from a nagging hamstring injury and will be ready when Spain opens their World Cup campaign against Netherlands on Friday. "Im very motivated; I think Im 100 per cent and ready. I cant wait for the competition to start," Costa said. Costa scored 36 goals in all competitions for the Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. Uruguay coach says Luis Suarez status still uncertain Uruguay striker Luis Suarez is doing all he can to regain full fitness following surgery to his left knee. "We cant say right now when hell be in shape to play in a World Cup match," coach Oscar Tabarez said. "Meanwhile, reality tells us that if hes not up to playing at this level, he wont play." Uruguay faces Costa Rica in their Group D opener. After Costa Rica, they meet England on June 19, before completing their group games against Italy five days later. In the name of love ... and soccer Brazilians have been urged to celebrate its version of Valentines Day on Wednesday so Thursdays World Cup kickoff doesnt spoil anyones love life. Celebrated every June 12, Brazils Day of the Lovers is a major shopping day. For motels and restaurants, its one of the biggest days of the year. The Brazilian motels association said Tuesday its partnered with beer company Brahma to promote mottos such as "First I will kiss you, then my jersey." "We wanted to offer incentives so they know its better to do it a day earlier," said Antonio Carlos Morilha, director of the Brazilian Association of Motels. US coach repeats that winning the Cup not realistic Untied States coach Jurgen Klinsmann reiterated comments he made six months ago, saying it was not realistic to think that the U.S. could win the World Cup this year. "For us, talking about winning a World Cup right now is not realistic," Klinnsman said Wednesday in Brazil. Files from TSN.ca, ESPN and ESPN.com
Brandon Bolden Youth Jersey . The Desert Foxes took part in the 2010 World Cup and failed to advance past the group stage, and the African side figures to have a tough time reaching the last 16 this time around as well. Belgiums last appearance on the big stage was the 2002 tournament when the team reached the second round before bowing out to eventual champions Brazil.
Logan Ryan Youth Jersey . Mata had already been dropped from Spains squad once this season and with the country blessed with so many playmakers, he was in real danger of being overlooked for the trip to Brazil to defend their title.BERLIN -- Nuremberg and Eintracht Braunschweig were relegated on the final day of the Bundesliga season Saturday, while Bayer Leverkusen clinched the last Champions League qualification place. Leverkusen came from behind to beat Werder Bremen 2-1 and secure fourth place immediately above Wolfsburg, which beat sixth-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1. "We knew we had to win," Leverkusen striker Eren Derdiyok said. Hamburger SV got the relegation playoff place despite losing 3-2 at Mainz, which secured Europa League football next season by finishing seventh. Mainz general manager Christian Heidel said after the game that Thomas Tuchel wanted to resign after five years in charge. "He has a contract until 2015. We dont want to rescind the contract," Heidel said. Media reports were linking Tuchel with Schalke. Neither Nuremberg nor Braunschweig could capitalize on Hamburgs loss. Nuremberg lost 4-1 at Schalke and Braunschweig stayed bottom after a 3-1 loss at Hoffenheim. It was a Bundesliga record eighth relegation for Nuremberg, while Braunschweig returns to the second division one season after securing promotion. "When you look back over 34 games we simply didnt get enough points, thats a fact," Braunschweig midfielder Mirko Boland said. Hamburg, the only side to have played every Bundesliga season since the league was formed in 1963, now faces home and away games against the third-placed finisher in the second division for a place in the top flight next season. "On Thursday at home we have to win," Hamburg coach Mirko Slomka said of the first leg. Hamburg completed its worst ever league campaign, with 75 goals conceded, more than any other side. "We still have a chance and well give everything we can," Hamburg midfielder Rafael van der Vaart said. Robert Lewandowski scored twice in his last game for Borussia Dortmund, a 4-0 win at Hertha Berlin, to finish as the leagues top scorer with 20 goals. The Polish striker opened the scoring in the 41st and Milos Jojic curled a fine effort from the right of the penalty area inside the far post three minutes later. Lewandowski, who is joining Bayern Munich next season, scored with a brilliant free kick in the 80th, two minutes before Henrikh Mkhitaryan completed the goals. Already crowned champion Bayern left it late to beat Stuttgart 1-0 and get its title celebrations underway. Claudio Pizarro scored two minutes into injury time for Bayern to finish the leeague on a high.
Jonas Gray Womens Jersey. It was the Peru strikers fifth goal in four games. Pep Guardiolas side had clinched the title with a record seven games to spare and the former Barcelona coach was doused in beer by jubilant players as he held aloft the championship shield. He also dropped it. "It was cold," Guardiola said of his first beer shower. "Its all OK now after having a proper shower. Im happy." Stuttgart coach Huub Stevens, who saved his side from relegation, stepped down after the game. "Im not staying with Stuttgart. The reasons are personal. It has nothing to do with Stuttgart, nothing to do with the players. It only has to do with me," the Dutchman said without elaborating. Also Saturday, Augsburg defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 and Hannover beat Freiburg 3-2. Hannover honoured captain Steve Cherundolo before kickoff for his service to the club he joined in 1999. The San Diego native, who made 87 appearances for the United States, is retiring because of persistent knee injuries. Schalke safeguarded third place to secure direct qualification for the Champions League next season. It started badly for Nuremberg when Joel Matip scored with a header from a corner in the sixth minute. Roman Neustaedter made it 2-0 before the break, Julian Draxler scored in the 75th, and Chinedu Obasi added another in the 90th. Nuremberg striker Josip Drmic scored his sides consolation in injury time. Leverkusen provisionally lost fourth place to Wolfsburg after Theodor Gebre Selassie fired Bremen ahead in the 21st and Kevin de Bruyne put Wolfsburg 1-0 up against Gladbach in the 30th. Leverkusen defender Omer Toprak equalized with a fine header in the 34th and Heung-min Son put his side back in fourth place by scoring in the 53rd for a 2-1 victory. "Of course theres a bit of sadness after such a last game after six intensive weeks," said Leverkusen interim coach Sascha Lewandowski, who is making way for Roger Schmidt. Schmidt guided Red Bull Salzburg to the Austrian championship this season. In Wolfsburg, Christoph Kramer equalized for Gladbach in the 64th, before Ivan Perisic and Robin Knoche responded in the 68th and 81st respectively as the hosts won 3-1. Perisic struck the crossbar in the first half, and then the post, crossbar and the other post with one shot in the second. The season comes to a close next Saturday with Bayern and Dortmund meeting in Berlins Olympic Stadium for the German Cup final.
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