With the World Cup now history, the discussion can really begin. What were the greatest moments of the tournament in Germany? Which players showed moments of genius and who ended up disappointing? The best goals, the upsets, incidents and all the glory. SPIEGEL ONLINE brings you a selection of World Cup highlights. more...
England fans supporting the German team? Berlin policemen stroking puppies? Smiling shop assistants? Germany's image has changed over the last four weeks of the World Cup, which will be remembered more for the summer carnival atmosphere and great organization than the football -- apart from David Beckham's vomiting and Zinedine Zidane's headbutt. By David Crossland in Berlin more...
This World Cup might have been a great one, but it wasn't necessarily a World Cup of great football. Players who wanted to stand out often had to accentuate show over substance. By Dirk Kurbjuweit more...
To the Triumphal March from Verdi's Aida, Italy was crowned World Champion for the fourth time in Berlin's Olympic stadium on Sunday after beating a French team fatally weakened by the dismissal of playmaker Zinedine Zidane, sent off in disgrace from the match that should have marked the glorious end to his career. By David Crossland more...
One shot from Fabio Grosso and an entire nation has fallen into a state of ecstasy. That troublesome football scandal has been all but forgotten and the only thing that matters now is the cup. Good morning, world champions. By Dominik Baur in Rome more...
The German soccer team flew in to Berlin Sunday to thank hundreds of thousands of fans for their phenomenal support. For the fans, it was a chance to see their heroes in the flesh. By Chris Bryant in Berlin more...
Germany is awash in a sea of black, red and gold flags. But this shouldn't be confused with any kind of deep-seated patriotism. For German youth, the German flag has become the ultimate party accessory during the World Cup. By Michael Sontheimer in Berlin more...
With only four years to go before the kick-off for the 2010 World Cup, South Africa still has a massive amount of preparation to do. Its stadiums are crumbling or unbuilt, security poses a real problem and organizers are way behind schedule. But FIFA is confident that the first World Cup to take place in Africa will still be fine. By Maik Grossekathöfer more...
From now on, it's verboten -- taboo, off limits until July 9. We don't want to hear this sentence and we don't want to read it: "It's just a game." By Dirk Kurbjuweit more...
Corporations are shelling out nearly €700 million to advertise during this year's World Cup. But Adidas has the closest links to FIFA. more...
From Pelé to Zinedine Zidane, Just Fontaine to Franz Beckenbauer -- football's international hall of fame photographed. more...
Germany's World Cup dream might be over, but that doesn't mean the tournament won't have a lasting effect on the country. The soccer spectacle has already altered the way the world sees the Germans and even how the Germans see themselves. By Marc Young in Berlin more...
The world's footballs are made in Sialkot, Pakistan. But the city's relative prosperity is under threat - from rival producers in the Far East and human rights activists in the West. By Uwe Buse more... [ Forum ]
With all eyes on the World Cup, East Germany's 1974 team -- the one that beat West Germany -- played in Leipzig on Thursday. And people say football has nothing to do with politics? By Charles Hawley in Leipzig more...
Francesco Totti isn't just any old footballer. He's Italy Incarnate. By Alexander Smoltczyk more...
At the World Cup's opening ceremony, Germany fell back on cliches. But real Germans have to wrestle with intractable questions of identity, and the question underlying the World Cup is: Are Germans ready to be friends with the world? more...
Politics and sports often aren't meant to mix. But many in strife-torn Ivory Coast believe the national soccer squad can help end the country's civil war. By Ullrich Fichtner more...
Franz Beckenbauer, 60, won the World Cup as player in 1974, as German team coach in 1990, and played a leading role in bringing the tournament to Germany this year. DER SPIEGEL spoke to him about the country's mood and the power of soccer to bring people together. more...
