But at least one of the five World Cup finalist won't make the semifinals, and I'd be surprised if they keep their head coach.
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But here's the catch: One cup won't do the trick.
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Scotland would have hoped for a better World Cup draw but are stuck with the one they got.
He captured one Cup win his first season, but is currently riding a 129-race winless streak.
Hart and James were no doubt hoping to outdo each other in the race to be named as England's number one keeper for the World Cup, but a lack of chances certainly reduced their opportunities to impress.
With six world championship triumphs to her name Neuner had been heavily tipped to win but instead Kuzmina, who has only one 15km World Cup podium this season, produced a superb performance marred only by one penalty loop.
Fleming, 34, quit as one-day captain following the World Cup but had hoped to continue in the longer format.
It gets two points for having delicious and refreshing Radeberger pilsner on tap, but loses one of them for serving it in a plastic cup.
But a move to Europe just one year ahead of the World Cup isn't without a degree of risk.
In a sensational Capital One cup match Arsenal trails Reading 4-0 but hit back to win 7-5 after extra time.
Spurs took off Berbatov at the break with one eye on the Carling Cup final on Sunday but they were stunned early on in the second half.
Richards had thrived under Tortorella when they won the Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay, but he managed only one goal and zero assists in his 10 postseason games.
Earlier this year, they were unable to progress beyond the Super Six phase of the World Cup, but gained consolation by winning a triangular one-day series in Sri Lanka.
World rugby headlines were dominated by another Kiwi fly-half, with Dan Carter, being ruled out of the World Cup, but for Newcastle fans there was only one on their mind.
Nice try, but its goofiness serves to remind one that Australia has even less World Cup experience than Costa Rica.
Vaughan was back for the 2007 World Cup campaign in the West Indies but gave up the one-day captaincy after England's elimination.
Cannavaro, the younger brother of Italy's 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, has started all but one of Napoli's league matches this season.
Warne, 36, announced his retirement from the one-day game just before the 2003 World Cup but then missed the tournament because of a doping ban.
Any cup match is bound to stir the passions, but especially one that evokes memories of last year's final.
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Jose Maria Olazabal's team trailed Davis Love III's U.S. 10-6 heading into the final day's play, but won eight and tied one of the singles rubbers to retain to the cup.
On Cup Day, there are not one, not two, but five fashion shows held between races.
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But there is one prize in Singaporean racing that still eludes him: the Gold Cup.
No one thought Zambia would win the Africa Cup of Nations last year but they shocked everybody.
Two years ago Byrne failed to make the Wales squad for the 2007 World Cup but the 29-year-old has since developed into one of the best players in world rugby.
But the present Ryder Cup captain, Europe's eight-time number one, has not managed a US PGA Tour title in 17 years of trying, losing play-offs for the US Open and US PGA and having two other second places in the US Open.
The champion trainer insists that Kauto Star, who lifted a third King George VI Chase trophy at Christmas, is the one to beat, but there is a glaring statistic against the 2007 Gold Cup winner, as Ruby Walsh once again takes the ride.
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But Neymar's decision to move to Europe just one year ahead of the World Cup isn't without a degree of risk.
It had looked unlikely with overall World Cup champion Maze expected to overturn the one-point deficit, but fog at the bottom section of the racecourse forced a cancellation.
Ponting is now set to miss the Twenty20 matches and one-day series with England but is expected to be fit for the World Cup, which starts on 19 February.
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Inzamam stepped down as skipper after Pakistan were knocked out of the World Cup at the first round stage, but although he is finished with one-day cricket, he hopes to continue his Test career.
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