FIFA World Cup | News | Aussie Punter

One of the world's leading online sports betting sites Bwin Interactive Entertainment announced a record sportsbetting turnover during the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup. The European firm reported that up to 260,000 punters a day took advantage of its betting services during the 2010 FIFA World Cup while around 900,000 wagers were placed over the course of the tournament and about 220,000 of these bets came from new punters that had joined the sportsbook. "Compared to the Euro 2008, Bwin increased...

After one month, thirty-two teams and sixty-four games, it all came down to this. The World Cup final between Spain and Holland from Johannesburg's Soccer City. There would be a new name on the trophy as both the Spanish and Dutch looked to win their first ever World Cup. The Netherlands made two changes to the side that started against Uruguay in the semi-finals as Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong returned from suspension to replace Khalid Boulahrouz and Demy De Zeeuw. Spain, meanwhile,...

Before the showpiece of Sunday's final the traditional 3rd/4th place play-off match took place today, as the two losing semi-finalists Uruguay and Germany clashed in Port Elizabeth. Uruguay made two alterations to the side beaten by the Netherlands as captain Diego Lugano recovered from a knee injury to replace Mauricio Victorino and having served his suspension, Luis Suarez came in for Walter Gargano. Germany rung the changes following their defeat at the hands of Spain as Miroslav Klose, who...

What recession? In Spain the unemployment rate is over 20 percent, yet every Spanish World Cup footballer has been promised a bonus of 600,000 euros ($870,000) if they win the World Cup! That's a total of $20m to be split among 23 players. If Holland wins, the Dutch players will have to do with a measly $430,000 per head. Interestingly, had Germany won the World Cup the players would have received less than half compared to the Spanish. Only $360,000 each. I guess the difference would have been...

The biggest game on the planet features two sides who have never lifted the Jules Rimet trophy. While Wednesday night was Spain's first ever semi final, this will be Holland's third final, losing in 1974 and 1978. Those were the legendary years of Total Football when Johan Cruyff led the team. The Dutch experts say that this 2010 team is better than in 1974 or 1978. In fact they are saying this is the best team ever. Spain started the tournament badly but have improved with each passing game....

While both sides would much prefer to go home, FIFA continue to force losing semi finalist to play this meaningless match. Uruguay looked exhausted against Holland despite their heroic last stand as the Dutch desperately clung on in the last seconds. They are a side with great courage but badly missed Luis Suarez in the semi final. Though he will return for this match, the $5 on offer for the South Americans to win in 90 minutes best expresses their chances as the world sees it. Germany looked...

Dutch legend Johan Cruyff played for team Holland in the '70s - what some say, were the glory years of Dutch football. He won the Ballon d'Or three times—in 1971, 1973 and 1974 and was the most famous exponent of the football philosophy known as 'Total Football'. Cruyff later coached FC Barcelona and became the most revered coach in La Liga. He sowed the seeds of Total Football in the Barcelona team, and inevitably the Spanish national team (which happens to consists of mainly Barcelona players). So...

Yes the World Cup has a girlfriend! 24-year old Paraguayn bikini model Larissa Riquelme (seen below) is going to run naked through the streets of Asunción in honour of the Paraguyan success in the World Cup 2010. Looks like she can't wait to take the kit off! The beautiful model was present during every match of her country in extra tight shirts attracting plenty of attention. After her sexy appearances the model has been dubbed as the World Cup’s girlfriend. There are tens of thousands...