Since the glamour of the football World Cup final in July, barely a week has passed without a big event.

ECONOMIST: Berlin

This Commission will also look at guidelines to reduce negative social and environmental consequences of organizing mega events such as the Olympic Games, the Football World Cup or regional final competitions.

UNESCO: Social and Human Sciences

Ms Rousseff said the inauguration of Castelao and the success of Sao Paulo football team Corinthians in the Club World Cup final showed Brazil was able to perform off and on the pitch.

BBC: Brazil opens first World Cup 2014 stadium

"It's like when you get to the final of the football World Cup and it goes to penalties: if you manage to put away all five spot kicks you're a hero - if you miss one you're a donkey, " he said.

BBC: Ferrari hit back after criticism of F1 title failure

Tragically for Hungarian football, that defeat was in the 1954 World Cup final, where they lost 3-2 to a West Germany team they had previously beaten 8-3 in the group stages.

BBC: Hungary coach Egervari expects refreshed England side

Despite the NBA's growth, it has some way to go before it can rival football's worldwide appeal given the last soccer World Cup final saw global television audience figures peak at 530.9 million.

CNN: A whole new ball game: Hoop star Wade's soccer admission

In his final season Barca only managed to win the Spanish Cup before Guardiola stunned world football by saying he needed time away from the game.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The 32-year-old former Wigan and Great Britain rugby league captain, who switched codes in 2005 in a deal funded by Saracens and the Rugby Football Union, was named in the World Cup squad but after injury ruled him out of the quarter-final against Australia, he did not feature again.

BBC: Vainikolo named in England squad