Italy scored the title against France after a 5:3 Shootout and Germany made 3rd place with a 3:1 win against Portugal.

Italy reached the final with 2 fine goals in overtime against Germany and France got through with a 1:0 win against Portugal.

Germany entered the semi final with a dramatic win over Argentina, France scored a 1:0 against Brazil whilst Italy had knocked out the Ukraine.

Poor had been England`s loss against Portugal with 3 mishits in the final shootout after Wayne Rooney had been sent off the field.

Brazil won against a hard fighting team from Ghana with 3:0.

Portugal brought the Netherland`s dream to an end with a 1:0 win in a violent match with many cards.

Germany has reached the quarterfinal with an easy 2:0 win against Sweden, Argentina survived Mexico in overtime with 2:1 and England went further against Ecuador with a 1:0 scored by David Beckham.

Ghana has knocked out team USA.

Brazil stepped further with ease and a much improved Ronaldo by having scored a 4:1 win against Japan.

Argentina has emerged as the most convincing team during the first round.

England cried after the new injury of Michael Owen, who will be out for 2006.

Germany has reached the second round after a close game against Poland in which the undersized striker Oliver Neuville had scored the golden 1:0.

All top teams including England, Argentina, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands. Germany etc. have shown wins in their opening games.

Portugal has defeated Angola by 1:0 and Mexico the team from Iran with 3:1.

England has scored a 1:0 win against Paraguay through a goal by David Beckham in the absence of top striker Wayne Rooney.

Team Germany has scored a fine 4:2 win against Costa Rica in the absence of top gun Michael Ballack in the opening match whilst Poland had been weak during the 0:2 loss against Ecuador.

Several German politicians have warned of regions where violent Nazi groups are attacking foreigners. On the weekend even a Berlin parliament member with Turkish roots had been taken to hospital after a severe attack by right wing extremists.

The FIFA Soccer Federation is still seeking buyers for 70.000 VIP tickets priced between 2.199 and 3.199 Euro.

Team England: Doctors had triggered hopes for fast recovery of Wayne Rooney. Other great UK hopes are the 17 years young striker Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon.

Team Iran fears Team Mexico for it`s voodoo related abilities.

Team England: The future hope after the World Cup is Steve McClaren as Britain`s new manager.

Wayne Rooney is unlikely to play at the World Cup with "more than only one fracture" in his foot, as UK manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed. Meanwhile Michael Owen get`s mentioned as the UK`s no 1 hope whilst many fans rate David Beckham as not that important.

Seleção Brazil: Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has already revealed his stunning starting formation. Goal: Dida - Defense: Cafu, Juan, Lucio, Roberto Carlos - Midfield: Kaka, Emerson, Ronaldinho, Zé Roberto - Strikers: Adriano and Ronaldo.

Team Poland came across in a poor state when they lost a test match against some weak opponent.

Team England: Britain`s main hope Wayne Rooney is now in doubt since he fractured a metatarsal bone in his right foot. Still chances are, that he might return for the opener against Paraguay on 10 June. Meanwhile Michael Owen is back on the field and despite not feeling perfectly fit with still a dull pain in his foot he is hopeful to strike once again for England at the World Cup.

Team Germany: Coach Klinsmann has added defender Jens Nowotny to his candidates who had played a top role at the last Soccer World Cup in Japan when Germany had reached the final against Brazil.

Final preparations will take place in Geneva where the team will reside at the La Réserve hotel. Media and fans are completely banned by the German Football organization.

Seleção Brazil: 15.000 tickets for the final 2 weeks training sessions in the Swiss village Weggis sold fast at a price of $18. A crew of 70 will reside in 43 suites inside the elegant "Parkhotel am See" where topgun Ronaldinho will reside in the "Rachmaninow-Suite". Also 6 cameras will broadcast all training sessions live to Brazil and 100 TV stations have received credentials to attend also the daily press conferences. A highlight will be a test match against New Zealand on 4 June in Geneva.