Toyota's Kamui Kobayashi, who is deputising for the injured Timo Glock, was fifth, followed by Toro Rosso's Sebastien Buemi and Red Bull's Mark Webber, winner in Brazil last time out.

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For the prestigious vote by European soccer journalists, whose winner will be announced next month, Eto'o is up against the likes of Brazil and Barcelona forward Ronaldinho, the 2005 winner, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and France and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.

BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Eto'o dreams of winning award

Spain's Villarreal edged out Bulgarian visitors Levski Sofia with a 1-0 victory as striker Nilmar added to his recent hat-trick for Brazil with a 72nd-minute winner after good play out wide by substitute Giuseppe Rossi.

CNN: Champions Shakhtar stroll to Europa victory

They'll play the winner of the semifinal between Brazil and Italy in the title match on Sunday.

NPR: American Bryan Clay Wins The Decathlon

Also spotlighted are Pulitzer fiction winner Jennifer Egan, newly appointed Brazil President Dilma Rousseff and the soon-to-be royal Kate Middleton.

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Despite the fact that foreign investors may not be too concerned with these elections, the winner will lead the country as Brazil continues to navigate an astronomical growth, and feverishly prepare for the World Cup (2014) and the Olympics (2016).

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The main local winner of all the group buying websites is Peixe Urbano, which employs 750 people and is the gold medal winner of the ranking Top 10 Startups in Brazil.

FORBES: You Must Know THIS Before Investing in Brazil

Brazil had struggled to produce their fluent passing game and, until the winner from Alves, gave South Africa the scent of creating a similar upset to the other semi-final which saw the United States beat Spain.

BBC: Brazil 1-0 South Africa

Gaudio awaits the winner of Wednesday's second quarter-final between fellow Argentine David Nalbandian and Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten.

BBC: SPORT | Tennis | Gaudio too good for Hewitt