 Dutch players say goodbye to their wives and girlfriends at their new hotel |
World Cup finalists the Netherlands have had to book new accommodation in Johannesburg because they did not expect to make it until the last week of the tournament. The team had only reserved rooms in the Sandton Hilton hotel until 5 July - the day before their semi-final win against Uruguay. But although they managed to extend their stay for a week after they beat Brazil in the quarter-finals, they have now moved to the Sunnyside Park hotel ahead of the final on Sunday. Nelson Mandela and his family will decide on the day of the World Cup final if the former South African president will attend the match. Although there was debate on whether he would attend the opening ceremony because of his health, plans were cancelled when his great-granddaughter was killed in a car crash. Germany's media are remaining upbeat despite their team's World Cup semi-final defeat by Spain. "The World Cup dream is destroyed. Spain was simply a bridge too far for our young team," said German newspaper Bild. "But keep your heads high, boys! Because we'll be bringing the trophy back in four years from the next World Cup in Brazil." Former France captain Marcel Desailly has said that current captain Patrice Evra should be suspended for two months for his part in Les Bleus' dismal World Cup campaign. Striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home after a bust-up with coach Raymond Domenech and the team then decided to boycott training in protest. "The captain made a mistake and he has to assume the consequences of his actions," Desailly told French newspaper Metro. "He decided not to train, before realising his mistake and apologising. He is an excellent player but he should be suspended for two months, because the captain is the first one to be an example." Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina says he is happy that Liverpool will have at least one World Cup winner after exchanging text messages with team-mate Dirk Kuyt but he hopes it will be him and Fernando Torres celebrating rather than the Dutchman. "He wished us luck yesterday and now it is 100% certain that Liverpool will have a World Cup winner," Reina said. "That is something to be proud of at least but hopefully on Sunday Dirk won't be that happy. Spain have made history because we have reached our first final, but we want more than that. Finals mean nothing unless you win them." Updated throughout the day.
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