SOCCER/ It’s crunch time as Zico and his Boys in Blue take on World Cup host Germany (Asahi.com)
It’s put up or shut up time for the Japanese national soccer team as it prepares for its biggest test of the year before the World Cup–a friendly against tournament host Germany on Tuesday in Leverkusen.

“F-word” banned in World Cup-free hotel (Tiscali)
LONDON (Reuters) - A hotel is offering football-free breaks for “soccer widows” desperate to escape wall-to-wall coverage of the World Cup. Any guest who overhears a member of staff mentioning the f-word — football — will be given a free glass of champagne.

Favourites enjoy mixed fortunes
Tuesday saw seven friendly matches featuring ten of the teams taking part in Germany 2006, with most coaches opting to field their first-choice starting line-ups…