Conference trucks::football;1

    Brazil 2 - 0 Sweden
                                  Brazil  2 - 1 Bulgaria
    
    Italy  1 - 3 Bulgaria
    
    My predictions are a load of rubbish tho ...
    
    Simon

    Brazil 2 - 1 Sweden
                                  Brazil  2 - 1 Italy
    
    Italy  2 - 1 Bulgaria
    

    We say it so many times with relation to domestic cups with regard to
    teams having their names on the trophy. Unfortunately it looks like the
    same applies to Italy, I only hope Brazil put paid to that in the final.

    /Kev

    
    
    Brazil  0  -  1  Sweden
                                    Sweden  1 - 2 Bulgaria
    Italy   0  -  2  Bulgaria
    
    
     I'd like to see Bulgaria winning it, or at least getting to the final.
    Wonder what the so-called experts would have to say then. They hardly
    ever give credit to the so-called "underdogs", it's usually about how
    poorly the "favourites" play. Just a pity Rumania lost out last night,
    shock horros, 2 COMMUNIST countries in the semis, whatever next!!
    
     Danny.

    
    
    What times are the two semis being played.
    
    I'm sure I saw a time of one of the semis to be shown on TV, to be 
    
    9:05 AM !!!!!
    
    can anyone confirm?
    
    
    mac

    
    
     One game kicks off @21:30, the other @00:30 UK time.
    
     I think BBC are showing highlights of the games at @09:30 Thursday
     morning.
    
     Danny.

    Italy - Bulgaria at Giants Stadium in New Jersey.....4:00pm Eastern
    Daylight Time.
    
    Brazil - Sweden at Rose Bowl in Los Angeles....4:30pm West Coast time,
    7:30pm Eastern Daylight Time.

    
    The times I've seen displayed on ABC yesterday (sunday) are:
    13-JUL-1994  3:55 PM  EST
    13-JUL-1994  7:25 PM  EST
    Better switch on the tube at 21:00 UK time instead of 21:30, Danny !
    I'm not quite sure which teams are playing at which time (left my
    gamecard at home).
    
    Koos
    

    
    
    Messagem from the Brazil(representing the rest of the World)
    for the Europe..
    
    Were 7 X 1 , NOW is  3 X 1 
    
    We are still alive...
    
    
    Edu
    
    

	re .3

>    poorly the "favourites" play. Just a pity Rumania lost out last night,
>    shock horros, 2 COMMUNIST countries in the semis, whatever next!!

	Since 1966, not only have England declined as a footballing power,
	but the Communist regimes in Rumania and Bulgaria have been replaced.

	Let us be thankful that the Bulgarians are now devoting their energies
	to football, rather than sticking poisoned umbrellas into people.

	re .7

>    The times I've seen displayed on ABC yesterday (sunday) are:
>    13-JUL-1994  3:55 PM  EST
>    13-JUL-1994  7:25 PM  EST

	Well, at this time of the year, about the only place the clocks are
	set to EST are parts of Indiana. Maybe you meant EDT.

	Tony

    
    The Italian defender Tassotti(sp) has been banned for 8 games and
    fined, for his elbow attack on the Spainish player....
    
    Neil..

    
    
    re .10
    
     If Tassotti has been banned then FIFA must have used video evidence
    to convict him. Why then have they not used video evidence to find
    Brolin guilty of cheating, and also the Bulgarian sent off against
    Mexico not guilty of committing an offence. Are they scared to admit
    that the referee's made mistakes in these 2 incidents?
    
     Danny.

    Re .11
    
    Danny,
    
    I believe that in Tasotti's case, they used a mixture of Video
    evidence, and X-Rays. The X-Rays clearly showed that the Spaniards nose
    was broken in three places, while the video clearly shows Tasotti's
    elbow "colliding at speed" with his nose. This is somewhat different
    from Brolin's collision with an oversized blade of grass on the left
    wing.
                                                    
    However, the thing that bothers me about all of this is that, now that
    FIFA have acknowledged that the referee made a mistake (i.e. didn't see
    the incident), the Spaniards have a good case that they should at least
    get another crack at the Italians. The incident took place in the
    Italian penalty area, and the game finished 2-1 !!!  There has also
    been no mention of the incident in which Valderama elbowed a Swiss
    defender in the face during their first round match. He may not have
    broken the guy's nose, but it wasn't for the want of trying !
    
    FIFA are every bit as inconsistant as their referees, even with the 
    benefit of video evidence !
    
    Jerry.

    Actually, this whole thing just illustrates the stupidity of the FIFA
    powers-that-be.  They have now illustrated that they have the necessary
    technology to use video evidence (as we all knew). However, in order to
    avoid the ensuing benefits, they have decided to review the evidence
    only when the game is over.
    
    If they had had an official reviewing the video on the spot, then play
    could have been stopped immediately and a penalty awarded to the
    Spaniards. As it stands, everyone now knows that it should have been a
    penalty, but the Spaniards are still on their way home, apart from the
    guy in hospital ;-)))
    
    Jerry.

    Re .11
    I totally agree. Are FIFA incapable of *consistent* behaviour on any
    issue? 
    
    I think that an 8-match suspension for Tassotti is quite reasonable for
    what was effectively a physical assault (in an ideal world, Spain would
    then get to take the resulting penalty). However, logic suggests that
    the Zola sending off and the booking/sending off of the Bulgarian
    defender (Emil ?) should come in for similar attention.
    
    The irony is that FIFA could revoke those decisions without causing a
    commotion, for the following reasons:
    
    a) The two countries now face each other in the semi-final; if the two
    players were made available for selection, I'm sure there'd be no
    complaints from either side.
    
    b) The Tassotti-Luis Enrique incident involved the side-issue of the
    penalty not awarded to Spain (and, correct me if I'm wrong, but Luis
    Enrique was also sent off?). This was not the case with Zola or the
    Bulgarian defender.
    
    FIFA, please forget precedents and start using a bit of common sense in
    making your decisions.
    
    Dom

    
    RE: .8
    
    Eduardo,
    
    Most Europeans don't see the remaining part of the competition as a 
    match between Europe and the rest of the World.
    I know a lot of Europeans who strongly support Brazil (is'nt it,
    Jacques ?).
    
    However, if you take the 7 versus 1 aspect, which turned to 3 versus 1,
    I have to remind you, to be objective, that amongst the 4 eliminated
    ones, only 1 has been eliminated by Brasil and 3 eliminated by other
    European teams.
    
    Good luck to Brazil
    PYV
     

    
    I'm European and I'll be well pished off if they don't win. A Romario
    hat-trick will do very nicely thank you.
    
    Tony
    
    

Brazil played great game against Holland and won with 3 - 2.

So it might be easy to think that Brazil have now a broadway to final. Does
Sweden with their best team since 1958 have any chances and weapons against
mighty Brazil. I wait with big intrest...

    Re: .9
    
    Hi Tony,
    
    I DO mean E.S.T. instead of E.D.T.  EST is more commonly used, but
    daylight time is okay too (and both work fine in Indiana). For the
    anal-retentive and time-zone-impaired among us, here it is again:
    
    The times of the semi-finals on 13-JUL-1994 are 15:55 (3:55 PM)
    for Bulgaria-Italy and 19:30 (7:30 PM) for Brazil-Sweden. These are
    US East Coast times (I live in Massachusetts).                    
    Subtract 3 hours for US Pacific Coast time.
    Add 5 hours for the UK peninsula ;-)
    Add 6 hours for most of western Europe.
    Etc.
    
    Here's my guess for the final: Bulgaria vs Brazil, with Bulgaria winning
    the World Cup in overtime (I'm sorry, I really don't like Romario and
    I haven't forgiven Brazil yet for taking Holland out).
    
    As far as dubious decisions by the refs. are concerned. I think the
    level of professional soccer has elevated far above (or descended far
    below, depending on whom you're cheering for) the capabilities of a
    single ref and 2 linesmen. The players are just getting too good at
    confusing the ref. This gap between the players and the ref is
    seriously impacting the results of the games. It is time to refer to
    video playback. This will not necessarily slow down the game. It will
    reduce swandives and other acting sessions because they become less
    effective. Players will think twice about committing serious fouls and
    feel more confident about a good tackle. Nowadays a bad call is bad for
    for everybody: the player, the team, the viewer and last but not least
    the ref (these guys get suspended too).
    
    Koos
    
    
    
     

    Does anybody knows who will miss the semis because of red cards or too
    many yellow cards ?
    
    Since Schwartz was sent off againts Romania doe he get the automatic
    one game suspension ? Is Thern back to play against Brazil or did he
    miss the quarter final because of injury ?
    
    Jacques

    
    	My guess is Schwartz will definitely not be playing in the final
    either! 8-)
    	If my memory is right, each of the semi-finalists have one player
    suspended:
    
    	Brazil		: Leonardo
    	Sweden		: Schwartz
    	Italy		: Zola
    	Bulgaria	: ? the defender who got sent off for breathing
    
    JBG

    Emil Kremenliov's suspension was worked off in the game against
    Germany. His was only a 1 match ban
    
    Kev..

And of course Mauro Tassotti for Italy

Jo

    
    For this night :  Tassotti Signori Massaro  out 
                      Mussi Casiraghi Berti     in 
    
    that is the worst we have 
    

    An obvious question ? 
    
    How can the manager leave out the top scorer from 
    Italian football (Signori). He was one of the better
    players in the game against Norway.
    
    Jim.

    
    I think because Massaro usually scores only when he 
    substitutes someone else. 
       

Hi All,

I am sitting opposite a rather frustrated Italian called Joe
Carlucci who is frantically trying to find out the kick
off times for tonights games on English TV.

Can anyone please give a definate answer as he is starting
to give me earache !!

Cheers

Barry Howard
(P.s. Feel free to wind him up about Italy's slighty shaky
lead up to the semi's !!)

>>                      <<< Note 419.26 by VARESE::BIOTTI >>>
>>                                -< Vai Massaro >-
    
>>    I think because Massaro usually scores only when he 
>>    substitutes someone else. 
       
    
    Yeah, but at least he scores. Which is more than you can say about
    Casiraghi or Signori. 
    
    from a frenchman : Forza la Squadra
    

    
    Tell Joe that kick off is 21:00.
    
    Also tell him from me that if he hurries up and get's there early
    enough he might get a game,
    
    Loz.

    
    Good luck to the Brazilians tonight. I hope they stuff Sweden. I can't
    quite put my finger on it but there is something about this mob I don't
    like..
    
    In the other semi I don't mind who wins both teams will make the final
    a good one...But the luck they have had I think Italy will just scrape
    it...
    
    Predictions  
    
    Brazil  2  Sweden 0
    
    Italy 1 Bulgaria 0
    
    Neil.... 

Reuter report

UPDATE: WORLD CUP GOALSCORERS

DALLAS, July 10 (Reuter) - World Cup goalscorers after quarter-final matches
played on Sunday:

6 - Oleg Salenko (Russia)

5 - Juergen Klinsmann (Germany), Hristo Stoichkov (Bulgaria)

4 - Martin Dahlin (Sweden), Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina),

Romario (Brazil), Florin Raducioiu (Romania), Kennet

Andersson (Sweden)

3 - Bebeto (Brazil), Gheorghe Hagi (Romania), Roberto Baggio

(Italy), Jose Caminero (Spain), Dennis Bergkamp

(Netherlands)

2 - Tomas Brolin (Sweden), Juan Goikoetxea (Spain),

Ilie Dumitrescu (Romania), Georges Bregy (Switzerland),

Adolfo Valencia (Colombia), Luis Garcia (Mexico), Fuad

Anwar Amin (Saudi Arabia), Claudio Caniggia (Argentia),

Hong Myong-bo (South Korea), Daniel Amokachie (Nigeria),

Rudi Voeller (Germany), Philippe Albert (Belgium), Wim

Jonk (Netherlands), Dino Baggio (Italy), Emmanuel Amunike

(Nigeria), Yordan Lechkov (Bulgaria)

1 - Julio Salinas (Spain), Hwang Sun-Hong (South Korea),

Soe Jung-won (South Korea), Eric Wynalda (United States),

Ray Houghton (Ireland), Marc Degryse (Belgium), Kjetil

Rekdal (Norway), Roger Ljung (Sweden), David Embe

(Cameroon), Francois Omar-Biyik (Cameroon),

Rai (Brazil), Gaston Taument (Netherlands), Diego

Maradona (Argentina), Bryan Roy (Netherlands)

Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria), Finidi George (Nigeria),

Alberto Garcia (Mexico), Alain Sutter (Switzerland),

Stephane Chapuisat (Switzerland), Adrian Knup

(Switzerland), Ernie Stewart (United States),

John Aldridge (Ireland), Marcio Santos (Brazil),

Dmitry Radchenko (Russia), Sami al-Jaber (Saudi Arabia),

Georges Grun (Belgium), Mohamed Chaouch (Morocco),

Samson Siasia (Nigeria), Daniel Borimirov (Bulgaria),

Harold Lozano (Colombia), Herman Gaviria (Colombia),

Karlheinz Riedle (Germany), Erwin Sanchez

(Bolivia), Josep Guardiola (Spain), Daniele Massaro

(Italy), Marcelino Bernal (Mexico), Fahd al-Ghshiyan

(Saudi Arabia), Roger Milla (Cameroon), Saeed Owairan

(Saudi Arabia), Hassan Nader (Morocco), Nasko Sirakov

(Bulgaria), Fernando Hierro (Spain), Luis Enrique (Spain),

Aitor Beguiristain (Spain), Abel Balbo (Argentina),

Branco (Brazil), Aron Winter (Netherlands), Lothar

Matthaeus (Germany), Dan Petrescu (Romania)

AP Report

Quiniou, Torres to Handle Semifinals

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - A Frenchman working his third World Cup and a cup
rookie from Colombia involved in a controversial call in the previous round
were picked Monday to handle the tournament's two semifinals.

FIFA, soccer's governing body, chose 43-year-old Joel Quiniou for the game
between Bulgaria and Italy in Giants Stadium and 41-year-old Jose Torres for
the game between Sweden and Brazil at the Rose Bowl. Both semifinals are set
for Wednesday.

Torres was the referee in Sunday's 2-1 quarterfinal victory by Bulgaria over
defending-champion Germany and disallowed an apparent goal by the Germans on
a close offside call.

With Germany leading 1-0, Andreas Moeller's long shot hit the goalpost in the
74th minute and Rudi Voeller put in the rebound, but was called offside. Two
minutes later, Hristo Stoichkov tied it 1-1 on a free kick.

Although the call against Voeller was a borderline one, Germany refused to
criticize Torres or blame the loss on him.

"The referee didn't allow it," German captain Lothar Matthaeus said. "A goal
is when it goes in the net and the referee allows it. We needed another goal
and we didn't get it."

Quiniou, a computer specialist, has refereed more than 40 international
matches since 1983. He worked the World Cup as a linesman in 1986 and a
referee in 1990.

His other credits include the Super Cup between Barcelona and AC Milan in
1989, the European Soccer Championships in 1988 and '92 and the three
European cup competitions beginning in 1983.

Torres, a salesman, is in his first World Cup. He has refereed at the
international level since February 1992 and helped officiate the 1992 Olympic
soccer tournament in Spain.

Linesmen for Quiniou will be Carl-Johan Christensen of Denmark and Roy
Pearson of England. Linesmen for Torres will be Sandor Martin of Hungary and
Luc Matthys of Belgium.

Reserve referees are Philip Don of England for Bulgaria-Italy and Francisco
Lamolina of Argentina for Sweden-Brazil.



Transmitted:  94-07-11 20:52:01 EDT

Brazil, heading for a semifinal game against Sweden, is now an odds-on 5-6
favorite to win the World Cup, according to Ladbrokes.

The London bookmakers rate Italy 2-1 second favorite with Sweden and Bulgaria
both at 7-1.

The Brazilians, who beat the Swedes in the 1958 final, are rated 4-7 to down
them again in the semifinal at Pasadena while Sweden is an 11-2 shot to win
the game.

Italy is 10-11 to beat Bulgaria, which is rated at 100-30 to reach the final.

---

What's the score?

German defender Martin Wagner was knocked out briefly after a head collision
with Bulgaria's Nasko Sirakov in the 54th minute of the World Cup
quarterfinal Sunday and was taken out on a stretcher.

At the time Germany was leading 1-0.

Wagner regained consciousness and was being treated by medics when someone
from the German team's staff told him the score was 2-1.

"Who scored our second goal?," a still groggy Wagner asked, and was shaken
again when he heard that in fact the Bulgarians were ending Germany's reign
as World Cup champion.

Wagner, 26, suffered a bruise but no concussion.

---

Most Italians believe their coach has kept up a long-running lucky streak in
reaching the World Cup semifinals.

An opinion poll by Italy's RAI state television found 73 percent of those
questioned believe that Arrigo Sacchi is a lucky coach while 27 percent
credit his ability.

In the second round, Roberto Baggio equalized against Nigeria with one minute
left and scored the 2-1 winner in overtime. In the round of eight, Baggio's
88th-minute tally knocked out Spain 2-1.

Baggio dismissed the matter, saying "we were not overly lucky in the World
Cup so far."

But Sacchi has long had a reputation of being a lucky coach. Even Italian
soccer federation president Antonio Matarrese cited it as "a point of merit"
when he hired Sacchi for the national team job in 1991.

One lucky break came as Sacchi coached powerhouse club AC Milan to the 1989
European Champions Cup title. In the second round, Milan was down 0-1 against
Red Star at Belgrade and facing elimination with a few minutes left.
Suddenly, fog rolled in to force postponement of the game. Milan played to a
1-1 draw the next day, advanced on a penalty shootout and went on to capture
the trophy.

With Sacchi at the helm in the qualifying campaign for this World Cup, Italy
was down 0-2 at home against Switzerland on Oct. 14, 1992. But the Italians
came back and Stefano Eranio equalized in the 90th minute. The point captured
at the last minute helped Italy reach the finals in the United States.

---

The heat is Germany could be worse than heat in Florida.

German coach Berti Vogts, under fire back home after Germany's ouster by
Bulgaria in the World Cup quarterfinals, has extended his stay in the United
States.

Vogts will not be on the plane taking most of the team back home Monday from
New York. Instead, he is taking a vacation in Florida.

---

There must be a more popular way to save money.

By losing the quarterfinal to Bulgaria, Germany's soccer federation saved
nearly 2 million marks (dlrs 1.27 million) in bonus money it would have had
to pay its players.

The Germans were promised 125,000 marks (dlrs 80,000) apiece for defending
the World Cup title.

By reaching only the quarterfinals, they got 35,000 marks (dlrs 22,000) each.

However, the German Soccer Federation would have also received about 1.8
million marks (dlrs 1.15 million) from FIFA for reaching the last four.

AP Report

Bulgaria's Shocking Win Sends World Cup Scrambling for Translators

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - When Bulgaria toppled defending champion Germany
to advance to the final four of the World Cup, the Germans weren't the only
ones shocked.

World Cup organizers were sent scrambling - for Bulgarian translators.

"We pretty much figured they wouldn't be here," said Alison Leigh Hofflich,
head of World Cup language services for Giants Stadium. "So we didn't have
any Bulgarian interpreters. And we didn't think we'd need any."

In the runup to the semifinals, Bulgaria was lightly regarded, routing the
worst of the 24 cup teams, Greece, after an opening loss to Nigeria. The 4-0
win was Bulgaria's first ever in the World Cup so there was no reason to
consider Bulgarian a major language need.

Ms. Hofflich instead assembled a team of 44 translators covering 11 languages
from Arabic to Spanish. Some of the translators were multilingual, so Danish,
Swedish, Turkish and, yes, Azerbaijani spoken by a Russian interpreter were
also covered.

There were a few linguistic voids, Ms. Hofflich admitted.

"We didn't have any Korean or Romanian interpreters," she said.

Never mind.

South Korea didn't advance to the second round and, luckily for her, Romania
bowed out in the quarterfinals Sunday, losing 2-2 on penalty kicks to Sweden
in one of the 52-match tournament's great thrillers.

But, as fate would have it, Bulgaria marched on through the field, first
upsetting Argentina 2-0 on the day Diego Maradona was banished from the
tournament for taking banned stimulants.

In the second round, Bulgaria took out favored Mexico 1-1 on penalty kicks at
Giants Stadium. Nary a Bulgarian flag could be found in the stadium for the
sea of Mexican green, white and red.

Nor was there any demand for Bulgarian pennants or T-shirts at the souvenir
stands.

Undaunted, Bulgaria narrowly dismissed the Mexicans, prompting a sudden
language need and emergency hirings by Hofflich.

She contacted Columbia University in New York and was able to convince three
Bulgarian students to work for free as interpreters for Bulgaria's team and
coach.

"They don't even get a (World Cup) T-shirt ... but they'll have this
experience the rest of their life," she said.

Bulgaria does have a security liaison officer who speaks fluent English and
many team members speak other languages: Hristo Stoichkov speaks Spanish
after starring for Barcelona; Yordan Letchkov's German is excellent from
playing in Hamburg; and Borislav Mikhailov's French is fine from protecting
the goals for Mulhouse.

Coach Dimitar Penev, a defender in three World Cup for Bulgarian teams that
never won, doesn't have those languages or English, however.

Which left Ms. Hofflich to scramble.

After the Mexico and Germany matches, the Columbia students assisted in the
mixed zone between the field and the locker rooms under Giants Stadium, a
dank place where metallic stancheons separate weary players from journalists
desperate for post-game quotes.

Stoichkov answered in Spanish or had his Bulgarian translated to English for
the hordes of sports writers anxious to analyze his every word; ditto
Letchkov, who spoke German to the German journalists and Mikhailov to the
French.

While Bulgarian is the language in demand now - Bulgaria faces Italy on
Wednesday at Giants Stadium, while Sweden and Brazil play in Pasadena Calif.,
to determine Sunday's finalists - the translators hired by Ms. Hofflich are a
mixed bag.

One is Petula Clark's daughter, another is a language specialist for the FBI
and two are French nuns with a passion for soccer.

Less visible of their tasks: making announcements over the public address
system for foreigners in the crowd, even tracking down parents of lost
children.

"We helped out a lost child who only spoke Arabic and was crying for his
parents," Ms. Hofflich said. The Moroccan parents at the Saudi Arabia-Morocco
match eventually were tracked down.

Hofflich, 23, herself speaks French, Italian and Russian - "the salad
dressings," she said with a smile.

The New York University graduate describes her team as "dynamic," with six
serving as Arabic translators, one for Dutch, four for French, six for
German, one for Greek, eight for Italian, two for Japanese, five for
Norwegian, two for Portuguese, one for Russian and six for Spanish.

Occupations of the translators run the gamut: a member of the Netherlands
mission at the United Nations who speaks Dutch; a Catholic school principal
from New Jersey who speaks Italian; a Panasonic executive who speaks
Japanese; and a 17-year-old au pair in New York City who speaks Norwegian.

Most famous of the lot is Bara Wolff, daughter of British singer Petula
Clark. Ms. Wolff, who lives in Miami where she is attending graduate school,
speaks French because she was raised in Switzerland.

Other French-speakers include two nuns from the Fraternite Notre Dame who run
a soup kitchen in New York City and are mad about soccer, even kicking the
ball around with kids outside Giants Stadium in their religious habits.

AP Report

World Cup Star Barely Draws Interest of Summer Camp Girls

MARTINSVILLE, N.J. (AP) - Fifteen little girls in swimsuits posed for
pictures at the Pingry School summer camp Tuesday, oblivious to the presence
of one of the World Cup stars practicing penalty kicks right behind them.

Long after his Italian teammates had gone to the showers, Roberto Baggio kept
knocking the ball into the plastic heads and bodies of four practice dummies
set up in front of the goalmouth. Finally, Baggio feathered a shot perfectly
over the would-be defenders and deep into the corner of the net.

Baggio, his hair braided trademark-style down his back, clenched his fist and
quietly made his way off the field, training site of Italy's World Cup team.

The young girls headed off as well, two mothers and a camp aide leading them
to another field to play kickball and other games at this exclusive private
school 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of New Jersey's Giants Stadium.

The Italian training complex was a beehive of activity on Tuesday, the eve of
the two semifinal matches. Cellular phones beeped in the pockets of
journalists and World Cup officials; security police in hats, hot-looking
pants and black boots stood cross-armed, watching the Italians practice.

Baggio and his teammates face off at Giants Stadium against the surprise team
of the tournament, Bulgaria, and favored Brazil plays Sweden later Wednesday
in Pasadena, Calif.

"Arrigo, Arrigo" chimed a wall of reporters and cameramen just off the field
that were eager for a few words of wisdom from coach Arrigo Sacchi.

The tanned Sacchi politely obliged, in Italian and English, offering news
bites on the weather ("nice," he told a British journalist) and on the
training camp ("very nice," he offered to a German camera crew).

Some sports writers waited outside the locker room in the heat; others went
into a posh air-conditioned white tent nearby that had potted plants and was
filled with trays of rich croissants, sweet rolls and coffee. A helper
brought in fresh supplies of Evian water and Tropicana orange juice.

The team took its time coming outside, where the World Cup credentials of
waiting reporters and cameramen flickered from their necks as a slight breeze
crossed the school grounds.

El Pais read one of the accredited passes; Bandeirantes Network Brasil
another; TV Azteca; Il Messaggero; L'Equipe; NHK; DPA; Der Spiegel: a
representation from Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, France, Japan and Germany.

One Dutch sports writer complained, saying it cost him dlrs 100 to take a
taxi from Giants Stadium to Pingry. He didn't limit his blame to New Jersey,
saying while in Orlando, another of the nine U.S. World Cup venues, a hotel
charged him dlrs 140 for a room that someone else paid dlrs 40.

Players like Dino Baggio finally made their way outside, pausing for photos
with strangers who somehow bypassed security to get near their favorite team.

With 3.5 million Italian-Americans in New Jersey, the state is decidedly
pro-Italian. Italian flags flutter from flagpoles of homes in Montclair,
restaurants in Hoboken fly Italy's colors, bumper stickers proclaiming
Italy's soccer dominance dot cars traveling Interstate 78.

Even Pingry School and the Somerset Hills Hotel nearby where the team is
staying are flying Italian flags equally prominently with the American flag.

    Let's go!
    
    BRAZIL 2 : 2 SWEDEN		Sweden go through on penalties
    ITALY  1 : 3 BULGARIA (aet)
    
    �JF?

   I have to agree with those questioning leaving both Massaro and Signori 
   out of the Azzuri line-up.  They both make wonderful runs and Massaro in 
   particular seems to work very hard.  I can only speculate that Sacchi 
   has decided to play a bit more defensively for a while in the midfield, 
   then bring them on at the half.

   It seems to me that many coaches have been using starting-caliber players 
   this way midway to late in the game to gain the advantage of having a fresh 
   top level player (or two) agaist a tired and worn-out defense.  And of 
   course, if they are fortunate enough to grab a lead before that, they can 
   put in a fresh defender instead.  In fact, the substitutes are taking or 
   setting up the late shots and making big defensive plays in the majority 
   of cases, now that I am keeping watching for this.

   Do WC level coaches actually keep a better player on the bench and start 
   a substitute player for this purpose?

   Clark

    
    Brazilian team to night :
    
                             Taffarel
    
                 Aldair                  M�rcio Santos
    
    Jorginho                                          Branco
    
                    Dunga           Mauro Silva
    
               Mazinho                       Zinho
    
                        Rom�rio        Bebeto
    
    
    Let's go BRAZIL !
    
    Edu
        

    Italy - Bulgaria 2-1
    Brazil - Sweden  1-0
    
    I don't know how to feel about Brazil's win. I am frustrated that they
    did not put the game away in the first half (Romario!) but I am also glad
    they ended up winning...It would have been somewhat unfair if the
    Swedes had scored on one of the four shots they took during the game...
     Obviously once they were reduced to 10 men (Thern being sent off after
     63 minutes) the Swedes were playing for a penalty shoot-out...
                                                       
    Looking forward to Sunday!
    
    Jacques

    Italia Bulgaria  excellent game
    
    Brazil Sweden.. yawn!
    
    If Italy plays Sunday like Tonight they're the 1994 World Cup Champs
    
    Cal

St Jack's assessment of Sweden's performance...

  1.  They didn't inflict their game on Brazil
  2.  They didn't get enough balls into the box
  3.  They didn't put them under pressure.

And to think ITV pay him for that crap.  Why don't they just record
one of the Spitting Image puppets and play it after every game
Jack reviews (I was going to say analyses).  Give me Alan Hansen
or Liam Brady any day.  Brady was very impressive in anticipating
the Baggio substitution, the reasons why and the replacement Vs Norway.

Sweden lost all chance with the sending off.  Sorry to my Swedish 
friends, but Brazil deserved to win.  Sometimes when you play a very
good side it's bloody hard just to get into their half, yet alone
their box.  


Shane

    
    Steady on girls, it seems that staying up until 2:30am is making you a
    tad tetchy.
    
    So, anyone going to be nice and say what an outstanding side Brazil
    have been? I think they've played great football, been entertaining and
    thoroughly deserve to be in the final.
    
    Tony
    
    

    A repeat of 1970 and two teams that rarely fail to produce
    a great game when they play... Both deserved to qualify
    last night... Brazil were outstanding and could have been
    4-0 up at half-time, Italy won the game in the first half
    but then sat back a little... Baggio could be a huge loss
    if he's unfit for Sunday.... Brazil should start favourites
    but with Italy you never know what might happen...
    
    Just as well the final isn't on at 12.30!
    
    Jim.

    I couldn't believe the Brazilian finishing last night. How could they
    miss some of those chances?! I felt for the Swedes. They hung on in
    there but that's all they were doing. It would have been a good story
    if they had scored but pretty unjust on Brazil. Dahlin didn't look to
    be that interested either. 
    If they had stayed with 11 men then the game could have been
    interesting in the end as Brazil were becoming frustrated and not
    scoring.
    
    /phil

    I missed the Brazil-Sweden game last night as it was way past my
    bed time, couple with the fact that I need as much beauty sleep as
    I can possibly get.
    So could someone put a report of the game in here, starting with
    who scored as I don't actually know yet.  Why was the Swede sent off?
    
    Cheers then
    
    Jim
    
    P.S.  At this rate Sacchi is going to be playing himself in the final.
    What with the number of suspensions and injuries that Italy have.  It
    doesn't help that only people with the surname of Baggio are allowed
    to score, and they may miss the final.

    
    Dahlin was a total waste of space. But Brazil were excellant and never
    looked like losing. What I find about them unlike other teams, when they
    miss those type of chances( and they were sitters) they don't seemed too
    bothered. It's obvious they know their the best and a goal will come, at
    anytime. And what a player Romario is, Bebato is a bit tasty
    too...Great stuff...
    
    Neil...   

    
    For my money, Romario is the tournaments best player. With a bit more
    luck he could have had ten goals by now.
    
    Tony
    
    

    Re .46                          
    
    Brazil      1 - 0   Sweden
    
    Romario '80
    
    Some highlights....  
    
    - Early on a Brazilian got clean through on the left 
      about ten yeards out and his shot flew by the post.
      He should have scored.
    
    - Soon after Romario jinked through and went around the 
      keeper. He tapped the ball towards the empty net and
      was just about to put his arms in the air when a Swede
      came out of nowhere and kicked the ball away. But it only
      went eight yards to a Brazilian who had an open goal to 
      aim at but he tried to burst the net and he hit the side
      netting
    
    - Sweden had a shot from 35 yards. Well saved by Tafferel
    
    - Bebeto played a crossfield pass to Romario and he was clean
      through but he ran over the ball and lost control so the
      keeper had a chance to recover and he saved the shot.
      (Ravelli had an excellent game)
    
    half time ......  second half begins...
    
    - Bebeto had a curling shot which just went over
    
    - Another Brazilian had a shot which was brilliantly saved
      in acrobatic style
    
    - The Swedish captain was sent off for a semi-wild challenge.
      A bit harsh, he only deserved a yellow card.
    
    - Then I woke up (2.20 AM) with the commentator shouting "Yes Romario"
      When I saw the action reply a cross from the right was neatly 
      headed into the corner from the edge of the six yard box. Good goal.
    
    
    I think I missed about 15 minutes of the second half... so there
    could have been more penalty box action
    
    Jim.

    
    I think the Sweden captain had already been booked JD.
    
    Tony
    
    

    >>I think the Sweden captain had already been booked JD.
    
    I think it was his first offence. If he already had a yellow
    the ref would have flashed two cards, a yellow and then the
    red. But he just flashed the red...
    
    Jim.

Brain Moore did say he was booked.  It was more the speed of the 
Brazilians movement than dirty play that caught him.  A bit like playing 
a training exercise except he was chasing about 4 Brazilians for real. 
Nice sporting gesture by both players to shake hands after the sending 
off.

What impressed most was the Brazilians speed of movement; accuracy of 
passing and constant controlled pressure (put 'em under pressure!). The 
goal was as much a result of an accumulation of pressure as a defensive 
error.   Still, Italy were also very impressive when they finally decided 
to turn up the heat.  

The head says Italy, the heart says Brazil.  One thing for sure, it won't 
be a 4-1 repeat.  Baggio's fitness will be crucial.

Shane  

    No, Thern had NOT been booked. Brian Moore said 'he was already on a 
    booking' but that was from a previous match. That wee Colombian nyaff
    of a ref was well out of order sending him off and booking Ljung for
    an innocuous challenge on the touchline. 
    
    Kev...

    I thought Thern was booked earlier in the match, admittedly an inocuous
    challenge. I can almost here Moore saying that's a booking for Thern
    but he'll still make the final cos' he ain't got one to carry forward.
    But I could be dreaming.

    
    Two superb goals by Baggio to earn Italy a place in the final and
    a good header by Romario to book Brazils place.
    
    I agree a fit Baggio could make the difference but Brazil don`t give
    much away at the back and are dangerous every time they go forward.
    
    I take Brazil to edge it....
    
    Davie

AP Report

Brazil 1, Sweden 0

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - Romario capped an anxious charge against short-handed
Sweden with a goal 10 minutes from time to send Brazil into a World Cup final
against Italy on a 1-0 victory Wednesday.

Brazil's game-long offensive fireworks at the Rose Bowl failed to find its
mark until the Barcelona striker headed home his fifth goal of the World Cup.

Sunday's final at the same stadium is a rematch of 1970, when Pele's Brazil
at its peak beat Italy 4-1.

Both Italy and Brazil have won three World Cup titles, so this year's final
is sure to produce a record four-time world champion.

Sweden plays the consolation game for third place Saturday against Bulgaria,
which lost its semifinal 2-1 against Italy earlier Wednesday.

Romario's decisive 80th-minute goal came after Sweden's key midfielder and
captain Jonas Thern was sent off in the 63rd minute.

Romario and attack partner Bebeto wasted chances to give Brazil a clear lead
and left the three-time world champion tied 0-0 with Sweden at halftime in
their World Cup semifinal Wednesday.

Romario tested Thomas Ravelli early with a 25-meter blast that the Swedish
keeper punched back into the field in the third minute.

Within the minute, Zinho was yellow-carded for flooring Swedish striker Tomas
Brolin.

Romario forced a free kick in the eighth that produced a 30-meter left-footed
bouncer from Branco, who scored Brazil's quarterfinal winner against the
Netherlands from a similar situation. Ravelli smothered the shot.

Brazilian keeper Taffarel looked shaky on Sweden's first effort, a 30-meter
shot from Hakan Mild.

In the 13th, Romario sent a pass to attack partner Bebeto, whose through ball
Zinho blasted left-footed just outside the near post.

Romario should have put Brazil ahead in the 26th after speeding into a
bouncing pass from that split the Swedish defense, but the attacker got his
shot off late and Patrik Andersson saved on the goalline. Zinho smashed the
rebound into the side netting.

Bebeto sent Romario on his way with a brilliant flick in the 33rd but he
stumbled over the ball, allowed Ravelli to head him off and sent another shot
into the side of the net.

Bebeto had a chance of his own in the 35th, getting the ball in the penalty
area with a lot of space, but pivoted and shot directly onto the foot of a
Swedish defender.

Sweden got very few chances and was seemingly content to rely on long, high
balls and breakaways that weren't effective.

Brazil continued to push forward. Mazinho had a blast from just outside the
penalty area in the 41st that bounced off Ravelli's chest, but he chased it
down and gain control.

Brazil kept up huge pressure in the second half while Sweden seemed to be
holding out for a repeat of the penalty shootout that allowed it to beat
Romania in the quarterfinals Sunday.

Bebeto cracked a rising long shot in the 55th that Ravelli stretched to turn
over the crossbar.

Striker Martin Dahlin had a rare dangerous moment when he nearly outran
Aldair on a solo break toward goal but the defender slid in to clear the ball
over the touchline.

Sweden's chances dimmed after Colombian referee Jose Torres sent off Thern
when he charged Dunga after losing the ball to him.

Thern had returned against Brazil after missing the Romania game with a
swollen game.

Romario immediately tried to press home the advantage and unleashed a
right-footed drive from 16 meters, but Ravelli turned it away with a flying
save.

To beef up the backfield, Swedish coach substituted Dahlin and sent on
midfielder Stefan Rehn, who posed a rare, minor challenge to Taffarel with a
a 25-meter bouncer in the 75th.

Five minutes later, Romario finally came through and sent an soccer-crazy
nation into celebration. Jorginho sent a twisting cross from right into the
goal area and Romario punched a downward header between two defenders just
inside the near post. Lineups:

Sweden - Thomas Ravelli, Roland Nilsson, Patrik Andersson, Joachim Bjorklund,
Roger Ljung, Klas Ingesson, Jonas Thern, Martin Dahlin (Stefan Rehn, 68th),
Tomas Brolin, Hakan Mild, Kennet Andersson,

Brazil - Taffarel, Jorginho, Branco, Aldair, Marcio Santos, Mazinho (Rai,
46th), Mauro Silva, Dunga, Zinho, Bebeto, Romario.

Referee - Jose Torres, Colombia.

AP Report

Italy 2 Bulgaria 1

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Two goals in five minutes by Roberto Baggio
powered three-time titlist Italy into its fifth World Cup final Wednesday in
a 2-1 semifinal victory over upstart Bulgaria.

Baggio struck with a curling, 20 meter drive in the 21st minute and with a
well-placed cross-shot in the 26th.

Hristo Stoichkov replied for the Bulgarians a minute before halftime from the
penalty spot. It was a sixth World Cup goal for the Barcelona star, who tied
the scoring total for the tournament with Russia's Oleg Salenko.

A crowd of 77,094 at Giants Stadium saw Italy, which was one minute away from
elimination against the Nigerians in round two, dominate against the
Bulgarians, who knocked out defending titlist Germany in the quarterfinal.

Baggio, who went off injured 19 minutes from the end, made it five goals in
three games after failing to score in the opening three games of the
tournament.

The Italians, who won the cup in 1934, '38 and '82 and lost to Brazil in the
1970 final, may face the Brazilians again this time, Brazil faced Sweden in
Wednesday's second semifinal in Pasadena. 

The result sparked noisy celebrations in the stands with the huge numbers of
Italian fans chanting "Italia, Italia" after thge final whistle.

After 20 minutes of tedious soccer played almost at a walking pace, a piece
of Roberto Baggio magic set the game alight.

Taking a throw-in from Antonio Bennarivo, the Juventus star, furned and
drifted past defenders Zlatko Iankov and Petar Houbchev before firing a
curling right-foot shot from the edge of the penalty area between goalkeeper
Borislav Mihailov and his left-hand post.

It was a goal that came from nothing but, suddenly, Italy was ahead.

The Italians them began to demonstrate why they have won three World Cups
before.

Demetrio Albertini, who was unimpressive in previous games, went close to
scoring twice before he set up Baggio's second in the 26th minute.

The AC Milan midfielder took a pass from Roberto Baggio and shook the
left-hand post with a 20-meter drive.

A minute later, he produced a chipped shot from the same range and Mihailov
arched his back to tip the ball over the top.

In the 26th minute, Mihailov was bending his back again, this time to pick
the ball out of the net.

Albertini floated a pass over a defender for Baggio to chase unchallenged.
The Juventus star collected the ball in space on the right side of the
penalty area and fired a low shot wide of the outstretched goalie and just
inside the far post.

Three minutes later, Pierluigi Casiraghi took a pass from Dino Baggio and
fired just wide of the target from the edge of the area. Then Roberto
Donadoni collected a short pass from Bennarivo and fired across the face of
the goal with Italy seemingly in total command.

In the 35th minute, Stoichkov had a free kick opportunity from wide on the
right, almost the same position from which he scored against the Germans in
the quarterfinal.

That time, German goalie Bodi Illgner hardly saw the ball before it flashed
past the defensive wall, past him and into the net.

The Italians put only three defenders in the wall, Gianluca Pagliuca had a
perfect view and made a comfortable save.

Three minutes before half time, the impressive Maldini moved up to head just
past the post from Donadoni's corner and then came Bulgaria's equalizer.

Nasko Sirakov found a gap between two Italian defenders on the outside of the
area and got into a shooting position six meters out before he was brought
down by a combination of Alessandro Costacurta and goalkeeper Pagliuca.

Stoichkov made no mistake from the spot, sliding the ball in almost casually
with Pagliuca diving in the wrong direction.

There was another alarm for the Italian defense in the 57th minute when
Sirakov dived low to meet a left-wing cross but his goalbound header struck a
defender with goalkeeper Pagliuca stranded.

A minute earlier, Italy had sent on Antonio Conte for Dino Baggio, who
appeared to be struggling with an injury.

In the 64th, the inventive Baggio set up a shooting chance for Donadoni, but
the midfielder's attempt from 20 meters was smothered by two tackling
Bulgarians.

The Bulgarians appealed for a penalty when Costacurta appeared to handle the
ball while challenging Emil Kostadinov inside the penalty area.

Baggio, who appeared to be struggling with an injury, left the game in the
71st minute and was replaced by Giuseppe Signori.

The Bulgarians took off Kostadinov in the 72nd and then Stoichkov in the
79th. Stoichkov, who often had to come deep to find gain possession, had few
chances against a well organized Italian defense in which Maldini performed
outstandingly.

Italy was forced to play without two key defenders, Franco CBaresi, who is
injured, and Mauro Tassotti, who has been banned for eight games.

Costacurta also will miss the final having been shown the yellow card for a
second time. 

Lineups:

Italy - Gianluca Pagliuca, Roberto Mussi, Alessandro Costacurta, Antonio
Bennarivo, Paulo Maldini, Demetrio Albertini, Dino Baggio (substitute:
Antonio Conte, 56th minute), Nicola Berti, Roberto Donadoni, Roberto Baggio
(Giuseppe Signori 71st), Pierluigi Casiraghi.

Bulgaria - Borislav Mihailov, Ilian Kiriakov, Trifon Ivanov, Tzanko
Tzvetanov, Petar Houbtchev, Zlatko Iankov, Emil Kostadinov (Ivaylo Jordanov,
72nd), Yordan Letchkov, Nasko Sirakov, Krassimir Balakov, Hristo Stoichkov
(Boncho Guentchev, 79th).

Referee - Joel Quiniou, France

AP Report

French Referee Far From Divine, Bulgarians Say

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - God was on Bulgaria's side, but not the French
referee.

That was the general feeling in the Bulgarian camp following the 2-1 defeat
by Italy in the World Cup semifinals Wednesday at Giants Stadium.

The Bulgarians were furious with French referee Joel Quiniou and said he
favored Italy because Bulgaria had eliminated France during World Cup
qualifying.

The Bulgarians claimed they were denied two penalties in the second half.
Their only goal did come on a penalty, converted by Hristo Stoichkov late in
the first half. Both Italian goals came from Roberto Baggio within the first
26 minutes.

"Two penalties against Italy may be one too many. One may be OK, but two...,"
said Bulgarian coach Dimitar Penev.

The two incidents involved a hand ball by Italian defender Alessandro
Costacurta and a late challenge in the penalty area on Yordan Letchkov.

"Our players who were near the ball said the referee already had the whistle
in his mouth, but took it out," said defender Petar Houbchev, speaking about
the tackle that brought Letchkov down. "We are a small nation."

"Roberto Baggio scored two wonderful goals, but those two penalties could
have changed the game," Penev said. "He (the referee) is French."

Bulgaria eliminated France in the last qualifying match, on a goal by Emil
Kostadinov 10 seconds from the final whistle.

The Bulgarians had a dream run through the tournament after losing the opener
3-0 to Nigeria. They beat Argentina, Mexico and defending champion Germany on
their way to the semifinals, prompting Stoichkov to declare that God was
either a Bulgarian or providing some divine help to the team.

Asked if he thought the referee's nationality had something to do with the
way he called the game, Stoichkov said: "Of course. He is on the verge
retirement, perhaps this was his last World Cup match and it was not a
coincidence that he was picked for the semifinal."

"God was on our side, but the referee was French," Stoichkov said.

"At least one of those two incidents must have been a penalty," said Boncho
Guentchev, who came in for Stoichkov late in the match.

Stoichkov said there was only a 10-percent chance for him to play in the
match for third place Saturday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

A strain in the right hamstring could prevent Stoichkov from claiming the
scorer's title. He has six and shares the lead with Oleg Salenko, of Russia,
whose team returned home after the first round.

While criticizing the referee and praising Baggio's magic, the Bulgarians
acknowledged that their own mistakes also played a big part in their defeat.

"The first 35 minutes were fatal for us," Guentchev said.

"Two mistakes, two goals, it was that simple," Letchkov said.

"They checked us very early, it gave us problems. We didn't have discipline
and concentration in the first half," Houbchev said.

Still, the Bulgarians were proud of their achievement. Coming into this
tournament, the Bulgarians had not won in 16 World Cup games.

"We lost with dignity," said goalkeeper Borislav Mihailov said.

"We are very proud of what we did for our country," Houbchev said.

"We showed that we are among the best teams in the world," Stoichkov said.

    O.K, if it is not already clear to some of you (and in case my Gallic
    accent does not show through my typing...I said Gallic not garlic...),
    I am French....
    
    I could not help but think that the Bulgarian would make a big deal of
    it when I was watching the game yesterday. I thought about this when
    Kostadinov went balistic after the hand-ball in the penalty area. I am
    not seeking  excuses for Quiniou (the ref) but it seems that it was 
    difficult for him to see if there was a foul or not from where he was. 
    One can argue that he should have been closer to the action... The main
    objection is that the linesman (wasn't he English?) was right in front
    of the action and he did not even blinked....
    
    Anyhow, the Bulgarians should be more gracious in defeat; they lost fair
    and square because Italy played better not because of the ref.
    
    Jacques
    
    P.S: didn't Stoichkov and his gang already complained that because the
    head of UEFA is from Sweden (Johanson) everything was being made during
    the qualification round to help Sweden qualify.... Sounds like a bunch
    of cry-babies to me...;-)                                   

AP Report

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - They were brave, the band of 15 young men draped in
blue and gold flags, their faces painted with the same colors. As the Swedish
tour group got off the bus and walked through the lot to the Rose Bowl, they
had to wade through a sea of Brazilian green and gold and the rousing beat of
samba drums.

Hakam Peterson surveyed the festive crowd milling outside the stadium and
said, "I believe we're outnumbered."

The Swedish fans then started chanting, and a group of teen-agers outfitted
in green and gold good-naturedly echoed with their own, "Brazil! Brazil!"
finally drowning out the Swedes.

Wednesday afternoon, before Brazil beat Sweden 1-0 in the semifinal, the
parking lot at the Rose Bowl was a true melting pot, with the vast majority
of the fans, regardless of their citizenship, Brazilian for a day.

Japanese fans wearing "Brasil" shirts laughed and videotaped some of the more
outrageously dressed fans, including one group from Sao Paulo garbed in long,
sheik-type robes of green and white stripes.

Another group, wearing Norway shirts, had small flags of both Brazil and
Sweden.

Jose Alvarez of Los Angeles wore a Mexican sombrero, a serape on his right
side and a Brazilian flag on the left.

"I'm sad that Mexico isn't here, but I'm going to enjoy the game anyway,"
Alvarez said. "This is fun."

---

WORLD ALL-STARS: Imagine a roster listing Romario and Bebeto, Roberto Baggio,
Dennis Bergkamp, and Jurgen Klinsmann; midfielders like Gheorghe Hagi and
Tomas Brolin; defenders such as Branco, Lothar Matthaus and Alexi Lalas; and
Thomas Ravelli and Michel Preud'Homme in goal.

Although it won't play, an All-Star team will be chosen for the 1994 World
Cup, the first time in the history of the competition.

The 37 finalists for the roster of 11 were selected by a six-member panel of
the FIFA Technical Study Group, based on performances in this World Cup.

The team will be announced Friday.

---

COOL MEDIUMS: The two most popular spots outside the Rose Bowl before
Wednesday's game were the tent-like contraption that sprays a cool mist down
on those inside, which drew a crowd of laughing, fully clothed people
laughing as they were drenched; and a television in a souvenir stall, where
people were packed 20 deep to catch a glimpse of the Italy-Bulgaria game.

---

DIFFERENT BREEDS: Romario and Bebeto have much in common, including great
soccer skills, but they're different, too, Romario says. "Bebeto is the type
that stays at home. I am a street cat."

---

A LONG HISTORY: Brazil and Sweden met 12 times previously, with Brazil
holding a 6-2-4 edge and outscoring the Swedes 30-18. The teams had played
six times in the World Cup, with Brazil winning four and two ending in ties,
including the 1-1 draw in the first round of this competition.

---

PRESS-IN-CLOSE TENT: The media center tent at the Rose Bowl, relatively empty
for the first-round games and the second-round match of Romania and
Argentina, was elbow-to-elbow Wednesday as an estimated 1,500 journalists,
not counting technical and other support personnel, jammed inside.

A World Cup spokeswoman said there were some 200 print journalists from
Brazil, with about 50 from Sweden. Most of the rest were American journalists
or those from countries whose teams were eliminated earlier in the
tournament.

AP Report

Memories at Any Cost: Fans Pay for Piece of World Cup Sod

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Firefighter Mike Martocci cradled in his arms a
chunk of sod from Giants Stadium where, he said with a wink, Roberto Baggio
scored twice to lead Italy to the World Cup final.

Well, not quite, said Don Lockerbie, the stadium planner for the World Cup
whose idea it was to sell off the sod at dlrs 20 a square foot (38 square
centimeters) where Italy defeated Bulgaria 2-1 a day earlier.

"I think that's where Baggio lost his tooth," Lockerbie said Thursday,
chuckling at the thought of somebody bringing home a piece of World Cup sod
and finding Baggio's front tooth amid the Bermuda grass.

First among the 15 people who lined up at 6 a.m. when the sod went on sale
was a fan from Rome who was in tears, overjoyed at buying sod from the field
where Italy had clinched a berth in the World Cup finals, Lockerbie said.

"He was crying, he was so happy. Now how he was going to get that piece of
grass back to Italy, I don't know," Lockerbie said.

Another buyer told Lockerbie the sod was a gift for his girlfriend.

A third said she was buying it to plant at the gravesite of her grandmother,
presumably an Italian.

"It's crazy, these people. It's like a passion. And if it's a passion to you,
you'll do anything," said Chris Maney of Clark Companies, the Delhi, N.Y.,
firm that contracted to build the World Cup stadium field.

Artificial turf normally covers the Giants Stadium field, where the New York
Giants and New York Jets normally play. But FIFA demanded grass playing
fields at all nine of the U.S. World Cup venues, so dlrs 1.1 million later,
Giants Stadium went natural.

Over the artificial turf went a filter fabric, plywood, a poly-grid cover,
one foot of sand and Bermuda sod. To ready the stadium for a Pink Floyd rock
concert Sunday, hours after the World Cup semifinal, the sod was torn up and
readied for sale.

Twenty dollars per square foot, for up to 10 square feet, half that price for
bigger sales and "something with a white line we add dlrs 5.

"We've got to get rid of it and we thought it would be special to offer it to
the fans," Lockerbie said, adding that proceeds from the sales would be sent
to the U.S. soccer federation.

As he spoke, bulldozers and trucks roared in and out of the stadium with
loads of sand and turf. Dozens of pallets of World Cup sod were parked
outside on a parking lot for the memorabilia seekers.

Buyers trickled in all day.

Dennis Kazmerozski of Mendham, N.J., roared up before lunch in his black
Silverado with his daughter and purchased up dlrs 20 worth of sod.

"It's a chance of a lifetime," Kazmerozski said. "I figured it would be a
long time before the World Cup comes here again so I wanted a chance to buy a
piece of history."

His daughter Ashley, a 10-year-old soccer player, was thrilled. "This is
great, having this is something else."

Martocci, a 10-year Passaic firefighter, was also proud of his dlrs 20
purchase, saying he would plant it in the front yard of his Fair Lawn, N.J.,
home surrounded by Italian and American flags.

"Right here," he told British journalists who ate up his every word, "on this
turf Baggio walked."

With tongue in cheek, he said his wife would have to honor the sod by singing
Italy's national anthem.

"Under penalty of death," he deadpanned.

Tina Turi, on the other hand, had different plans for her piece of turf.

"This is a gift for my dad," said the 23-year-old human resources worker from
Franklin Lakes, N.J.

AP Report

10,000 People Welcome Home World Cup Soccer Team

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - More than 10,000 soccer fans, government ministers
and police gave a rousing welcome Thursday to the national team on their
return from the World Cup.

Thousands converged on Bucharest's Otopeni airport to greet the players, who
took Romania to a national best - the World Cup quarterfinals where they
bowed to Sweden in a penalty shootout.

"We hope this is a beginning for Romanian soccer," Premier Nicolae Vacaroiu
told players as they stepped off the plane and into the diplomats' lounge.

Adoring crowds shouted "Hagi for President!" to star striker Gheorghe Hagi,
something fans crowed during the World Cup each time the 29-year-old "Gica"
scored a goal.

But "the Maradona of the Carpathians" said firmly, "No politics for me. We
are soccer players."

"I came to give Hagi these flowers, but I could not reach him," said a
tearful Elena Mirea, 19, from Brasov, a city 220 kilometers (137 miles)
northwest of Bucharest.

Others skipped work.

"It's a great day, we all came here from work on the bus," said Javina
Tatiana, a factory worker who bused 60 kilometers (37 miles) to the airport
with her colleauges from Ploiesti.

Officials were eager to share the players' limelight:

Mayor Crin Halaicu, who awarded the team the title of "Citizens of Honor,"
Sports Minister Alexandru Mironov, Interior Minister Doru Ioan Taracila and
opposition leader Emil Constantinescu joined the welcoming crowds at the
airport.

In downtown Bucharest, hundreds of cars and buses drove through the city,
flashing their lights. People waved national flags and shouted "Romania,
Romania!" City authorities provided special buses to take fans the 17
kilometers (10 miles) to the airport.

Dozens of mounted police joined the celebrations, their horses sporting
ribbons with the colors of the national flag.

"We are more than happy to welcome the players," said Sgt. Marin Viorel. "It
is not a duty."

A businessman gave a Mercedes-Benz car to each of the players and another
company gave striker Ilie Dumitrescu, who scored two goals against Argentina,
some land in the foothills of the Carpthians.

A Bucharest taxi firm said any of the players can travel in one of their cabs
for free for life.

The soccer federation will give each player dlrs 35,000 for their
performance, with substitutes getting half that amount.

AP Report

Swedish Players Question Choice of Referee

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - Why didn't the Swedish Soccer Association file a
protest to FIFA when Colombian Jose Torres Cadena was selected to referee its
World Cup semifinal with Brazil?

"I think it's a scandal that they picked a South American ref," said
midfielder Tomas Brolin, perhaps the best Swedish player along with
goalkeeper Thomas Ravelli in the team's 1-0 loss to Brazil on Wednesday.

Brolin, who led defending champion Parma of Italy in scoring en route to the
European Cup Winners' Cup final against England's Arsenal six weeks before
the World Cup started, was disappointed.

"But they were clearly the better team," he said. "They really deserved the
victory. In sports, there's always a loser. I just have to congratulate
Brazil."

But Brolin, who scored the lone goal for Sweden in a 2-1 first-round loss to
Brazil in the 1990 World Cup in Italy and set up striker Kennet Andersson for
the first goal in a 1-1 tie with Brazil in this World Cup on June 29 at the
Pontiac Silverdome, said Jose Torres made a mistake when he ejected Swedish
midfielder Jonas Thern in the second half.

Thern, easily Sweden's best midfielder in the World Cup, received a red card
after he fouled Brazilian midfielder Dunga in the 63rd minute with the game
still scoreless.

"It was a stupid mistake by the referee," Brolin said. "I don't think he saw
what really happened. He just heard that Dunga screamed and ejected Jonas. A
yellow card would have been enough."

Swedish coach Tommy Svensson, who led Sweden to its best World Cup
performance since 1958 when Pele's Brazil beat Sweden 5-2 in the final at
Stockholm, the Swedish capital, agreed.

"I don't understand it," Svensson said. "It was too hard."

The Swedish players were surprised when they heard that a referee from
Colombia, which borders Brazil, was given the assignment.

"I think that the (Swedish) Association should have filed a protest," Brolin
said. "You bet that Brazil would have filed a protest if Dane Petter
Mikkelsen or another European had been picked as ref."

The Swedes, including coach Svensson, said before the game that they hoped
that Torres Cadena would be a "neutral" referee.

The referee didn't decide the game. The Brazilians outplayed the Swedes from
the outset of the game and could have won by much bigger score. But Thern's
ejection certainly didn't make it easier for the Swedes.

Five minutes after the Roma star was ejected, Svensson had to replace striker
Martin Dahlin with Stefan Rehn to strengthen the Swedish midfield. It left
Sweden with only one striker, Kennet Andersson, who formed the top scoring
frontline along with Dahlin with four goals apiece going into the semifinal.

Romario, Brazil's leading scorer, headed in the winner with 10 minutes left
after a perfect cross from Jorginho.

"The smallest player decides the game with a header, what can I say," said
Ravelli, who played his 116th game for Sweden, a national team record and
just nine games short of the former English keeper Peter Shilton's world
record.

Ravelli also gave up an early second-half goal to Romario in the first round,
which earned the Brazilians a 1-1 tie.

Ravelli made two saves in a penalty shootout against Romania in Sunday's
quarterfinal won by the Swedes 5-4 after the teams were tied 2-2 after
regulation and extra time and became a national hero in Sweden.

Thern, who sat out the quarterfinal because of a knee injury, will be out for
the bronze-medal game against Bulgaria on Saturday. So will defender Roger
Ljung, who received his second yellow card against Brazil.

"We dreamed about playing a World Cup final," Brolin said. "But winning a
bronze medal is also a dream. We'll do everything to get the bronze."

AP Report

Soccer Is Hot Business Before Final

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - Clout, a commodity with a lot of cache in Southern
California, won't cut it in Pasadena this weekend. Snagging a hotel room or
ticket to the World Cup Final requires money and hustle, and connections
alone won't do it.

Fans streaming into this old-money town nestled at the foot of the smoggy San
Gabriel Mountains got their wish for a final pairing between two of the
tournament's most popular teams. Italy and Brazil meet in Sunday's
championship game at the Rose Bowl.

A limited number of dlrs 125 and dlrs 100 tickets were available for
Saturday's third-place game between Bulgaria and Sweden through official
World Cup USA outlets. Tickets for the championship are sold out.

But ticket agencies and scalpers were ready to step in and help out desperate
fans. Fans willing to cruise the streets of Old Pasadena, home to many of the
city's chic eateries and fashion emporiums, had scalpers in their face waving
game tickets for sale. Scalping is illegal only in the area outside the Rose
Bowl.

If you don't already have a reservation, forget about finding a room at one
of the city's four major hotels. A majority of Pasadena hotels raised their
rates on World Cup game days, just like they do over the New Year's holiday
to profit off Rose Parade goers.

This weekend, a double room at the Doubletree Hotel costs dlrs 350 a night,
only none were available. The Pasadena Hilton filled up at dlrs 225, while
the Holiday Inn sold out at dlrs 295.

Two areas where gouging didn't appear prevalent were souvenirs and food,
probably because merchants realized fans did not hang out here between games.

Residents returned without fear to their usual haunts on off-days knowing
that soccer fans were crowding Disneyland, Universal Studios and Hollywood.

It seems Italy was a natural to reach the final since Italian restaurants
dominate Pasadena's culinary scene. Gourmet pizzas, pasta and panini
(sandwiches) were available for dlrs 10 or less at Market City Cafe.

Tommy Tang's top entree price was dlrs 16.95 for a grilled whole fish. Fans
on the cheap could find sustenance with the all-American meal: hamburger,
fries and a piece of apple pie for less than dlrs 7 at Johnny Rocket's, a
'50s-style diner.

Soccer fans are easy to spot, adorning themselves with T-shirts, flags and
face paint in the colors of their favorite country. One of the most popular
shirts featured Brazil with green lettering for dlrs 16.

Those wanting a slightly more dignified souvenir could choose white T-shirts
with the flag and name of the 24 World Cup teams embroidered on the pocket
for dlrs 25.

While soccer fans often equate their sport with art, the cultural highlight
of World Cup is the Three Tenors concert Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.
Jose Careras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti join the Los Angeles
Philharmonic for a reprise of their 1990 World Cup concert in Rome.

More than 40,000 seats, priced from dlrs 15 to dlrs 150, sold out months ago.
But dlrs 700 seats on the field were available through Ticket Time, a Los
Angeles-based agency.

Fans seeking their culture in the bars and sidewalk cafes of Old Pasadena
won't know what they're missing. Although the concert will air elsewhere, it
will be blacked out in Los Angeles and Orange County. Satellites will carry
the show to more than 100 countries, with most airing the concert live.

    
    
    I am disposed to realize a wager(a joke) with a italian(by preference).
    If the Italy win I will send a official shirt of the Brazil selection,
    if the Brazil win he send me a official shirt of Italy selection.
    The interested send me a reply by mail:
    
    PCMV01::EDUARDO
    
    
    EDU
    
    
    

In the news and post game interviews with players and analysts, they are 
always asking ..  "will soccer in the US now become big?? "

My opinion. People will not watch a game like Brazil vs Sweeden. Mind you, I 
did not say that .. "Sweden did great on clogging the middle" or they "kept 
Brazil from finishing"

I am saying that US spectators think that was B O R I N G !!
On the other hand, after Brazil scored and Sweeden had to actually play 
offense, boy, it was like switching channels and finding another game on ...

So, for soccer to be sucessful in the US, TV and spectator wise, it needs an 
offensive flavor, and, how does one ensure that will happen?

	John