A B C D
E F G H
Turf not up to snuff
MARSEILLE, France (AP) -- A top French soccer player has criticized the quality of turf at Marseille's Velodrome Stadium, heightening concerns that the World Cup might be hampered by sub-standard pitches."We have to be extra careful when controlling the ball," Marseille midfielder Eric Roy was quoted as saying today by the French sports daily L'Equipe.
"The pitch we currently play on prevents us from developing a fluid style of play," he added. "Perhaps the next player we buy will be a gardener."
The Velodrome Stadium will host four first round World Cup games, one second round contest, a quarter final and a semi final.
NEXT ROUNDS: Round of 16 || Quarter-finals || Semi-finals
GROUP A: Brazil, Morocco, Norway, Scotland
GROUP B: Austria, Cameroon, Chile, Italy
GROUP C: Denmark, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
GROUP D: Bulgaria, Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain
GROUP E: Belgium, Holland, Mexico, South Korea
GROUP F: Germany, Iran, United States, Yugoslavia
GROUP G: Colombia, England, Romania, Tunisia
GROUP H: Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan