It’s all about the build up to the showpiece World football in today’s papers, as Spain and Holland prepare for the biggest game of their lives tomorrow night.
The Irish Sun and the Daily Mirror feature pictures of big premiership stars eager for a piece of the action in Soccer City tomorrow evening.
‘The World Kop’ shouts the back page of the Daily Mirror, who report that Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has begged coach Vincente del Bosque to start him tomorrow evening, with the out-of form striker fearing that he will miss out on the biggest match of his career.
With David Villa something of a doubt for the big game, Torres may well get his opportunity and it might also open the door for Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, who, according to today’s Irish Sun, is praying that he will get his chance against the Dutch.
The Arsenal star, whose future is very much in doubt said, “I am desperate to play.â€
“I can’t deny it has hurt not to be in the starting line-ups, but just being in this team is an honour. If I’m lucky enough to start, I will give everything I have. But if I have to start on the bench, then so be it. All I can pray for is that I get to play some part of this unbelievable game.â€
Elsewhere in sport this weekend, it’s a pretty big weekend in GAA circles with Louth entering into their first Leinster final in 50 years and Cork and Waterford meeting in the Munster hurling final.
Louth, as firm underdogs, will have the support of most neutrals but that isn’t likely to bother Meath, who, as Martin Breheny points out in today’s Irish Independent, have had to wait a fairly long time by their high standards to get their hands on a Leinster title.
In an article entitled, ‘Taking the Final Step’, Breheny writes, “After all, it’s eight years since Meath supporters last saw a captain (Trevor Giles) being presented with a trophy in Croke Park.â€
It could be well be cracking game at Croke Park and we’ll be following all the action live on our dedicated tracker, along with the Munster hurling final and the small matter of the World Cup final from tomorrow afternoon. Keep an eye on our Football, GAA and Sports sections for news, build up and live updates throughout the day.
