If Swiss mathematician Roger Kaufmann's calculations are anything to go by, it looks like Spain and Brazil are most likely to meet each other at the finals of the World Cup
If Swiss mathematician Roger Kaufmann's calculations are anything to go by, it looks like Spain and Brazil are most likely to meet each other at the finals of the World Cup.
According to the latest update on his website, the mathematician calculates that Brazil has 15.4 per cent chance of becoming world champion, slightly edging out Spain which has 15.2 percent possibility of winning.
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| Spain have a 15.2 % chance of winning the World Cup. Pic/Getty Images |
Imputing data such as the current world ranking of the team, the average number of goals scored at home and away, as well as upcoming matches, Kaufmann has generated the results using his "dynamic sport analysis" system. At the moment, North Korea stands the smallest chance of lifting the cup, with just 0.1 percent possibility of winning. New Zealand, South Korea, Honduras and Japan all have less than a percent chance of winning. However, as Kaufmann said on his website
www.rogerkaufmann.ch, "such possibilities change with each single match played."
Cash stolenThieves stole about 2,000 dollars in cash from hotel rooms of the Colombia squad before their friendly against South Africa in an embarrassment for World Cup organisers.
Two employees of the five-star Hyde Park Southern Hotel in Johannesburg, who were already under investigation for unrelated offences, have been charged with the crime, The Times newspaper said the theft occurred prior to the team's World Cup warm-up match against South Africa, which they lost 2-1.
Lahm comes inDefender Philipp Lahm will take over from injury victim Michael Ballack as Germany captain for the World Cup in South Africa, head coach Joachim Loew confirmed on Friday.
Chelsea midfielder Ballack was ruled out of the tournament after injuring his ankle in the FA Cup final two weeks ago.
Bayern Munich's Lahm, 26, will skipper the side in South Africa with 64 caps to his name having made his international debut in 2004 and has captained his club on several occasions last season. Loew also confirmed Lahm's Bayern team-mate midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger as vice-captain.
"They have both shown that they are able to assume this responsibility," said Loew at Germany's training camp.
"Philipp does very well the things which are required by a coach. He is someone who is not afraid to express his opinions," Loew said.
