Year had a little bit of everything (John Haydon) (The Washington Times)
What a year it has been in soccer — the year of the wink, the dive and the head-butt. Outgoing 2006 was the year Germany held the World Cup but saw the inspired Italians spoil the party and win their fourth title.

Spray-on condom among 2006 oddities (The Australian)
While “Miss Israel” Yael Nezri was exempted from carrying her assault rifle in the Israeli army because it bruised her beauty queen legs, “Mr Switzerland” Renzo Blumenthal lured lonely women who hate soccer to his country for the World Cup.

Zidane remains best-loved French despite head-butt (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
Zinedine Zidane remains France’s best-loved personality despite his head-butt against Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the soccer World Cup final this year, a survey showed on Saturday.