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Czech Midfielder Smicer Strains Muscle
WEGGIS, Switzerland (AP) _ Ronaldo practiced separately from the rest of Brazil's squad Wednesday in the defending champion's first practice for the World Cup.
Ronaldo, who had various injuries at the start of the year, ran by himself for 40 minutes while the other players underwent a series of physical drills.
  Girondins Bordeaux striker Vladimir Smicer during a training session of the Czech national soccer team in Seefeld, Austria, on Monday, May 23, 2006. The Czech Republic will play against USA, Italy and Ghana in World Cup 2006 Group E. (AP Photos/CTK, Radek Petrasek) (Radek Petrasek - AP) Injuries and Fantasy   Zinedine Zidane could face disciplinary action Thursday for his head butt on Marco Materazzi. Brazil Coach Alberto Parreira quits following a disappointing World Cup. Zidane apologizes for his head butt during the final, saying he was provoked by insults about his mother and sister. Italian soccer power Juventus is one of three teams demoted from Serie A to Serie B following a match-fixing scandal. Juergen Klinsmann resigns as Germany's coach after leading his native country to a third-place finish. France cheers on Zinedine Zidane but still wonders what provoked his head-butt. The 2006 World Cup had too many red cards and stoppages in play. Championship could help boost Italy's economy. Italian fans enjoy their country's World Cup title. The World Cup final television ratings are the best since 1994. Italy wins its fourth World Cup title, beating France 5-3 in only the second final decided by a shootout. After 31 days and 64 matches, the championship of the world's most popular sports event came down to one moment. Italian goalkeeper Gianlugi Buffon finishes the World Cup not having allowed a goal from the other team in the run of play. MULTIMEDIAPost's Jon DeNunzio and Jason La Canfora review the championship game. XM Satellite Radio's Dave Johnson calls of the key moments in Italy's win. U.S. REPORT After eight years at the helm, Bruce Arena, pictured, will not be back as coach of the U.S. soccer team. Video: The challenges facing soccer in the United States and ways to improve its national standing. U.S. Soccer Federation president, Sunil Gulati, defends Coach Bruce Arena. Arena draws the ire of the MLS. Arena weighs his next move. Though a commercial success at home, the U.S. team's performance in Germany is a disappointment. The Americans are eliminated after a 2-1 loss to Ghana. » Match Report WORLD CUP JOURNAL The road has reached Germany, and Post staffers continue to keep you updated with the latest tidbits. Save & Share |
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Only 16 of Brazil's 23 players participated in the team's first practice session. The remaining seven players _ including Ronaldinho, Cafu and Dida _ were completing a series of physical examinations at a clinic near Lucerne.
Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said Ronaldo will play in Brazil's tournament opener against Croatia on June 13.
"He's is in great shape and will be ready," Parreira said.
Ronaldo scored only five goals in Real Madrid's first 19 matches this year and was sidelined for most of April because of injuries.
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GENEVA (AP) _ To hear assistant coach Joachim Loew describe Germany's first warmup game since it went into its pre-World Cup training camp, it was a near disaster.
"We had it tough last night. We were in no way dominant, we couldn't impose our game, we couldn't keep up the pace," Loew said Wednesday.
And that was against a team that played in the third Swiss division last season, Servette.
"We need to improve in all sectors," Loew said.
Germany won 2-1 on goals by captain Michael Ballack and Gerald Asamoah, and coach Juergen Klinsmann gave his squad Wednesday afternoon off.