Posted by ESPN.com

Fidel Castro weighs in on Uruguay's World Cup campaign (The Mirror): Fidel Castro finally made a short speech last night -- and claimed that unless Uruguay gets to the World Cup final, the entire tournament will be instantly forgotten. The former Cuban revolutionary and president is famed for public addresses that go on for hours. But as many fans around the world are hoping for Holland to beat Uruguay in tonight's semifinal in the Green Point Stadium so that "Hand of God" villain Luis Suarez is not rewarded for his blatant act of cheating against Ghana, Castro insisted victory for the South Americans is vital for the good of the whole event. Castro said: "The vast majority of football fans do not even know what continent Uruguay is in but it seems to me that the referees are biased against the South American sides. It happened when Brazil lost to Holland, when all the decisions went against them and they were sent down to 10 men at a crucial time, which should never have been done. But a final now, between two European countries, will be as colorless and unhistorical as any since the sport was born in the world."

Loew: Spain has several Messis (PA Sport): Germany coach Joachim Loew has warned that Spain has "several Messis" in its ranks, insisting the European champions will pose the toughest test yet for his side when it plays its World Cup semifinal encounter. The three-time winners have been the most impressive team in South Africa so far, scoring 13 goals including four against Argentina. There was plenty of talk in the build-up of the game against Diego Maradona's team of the potential threat of Lionel Messi, but Loew thinks Spain possesses numerous threats. "Spain remain the natural World Cup favorites. They not only have one Messi, but they have several Messis." He added: "They have a whole range of players that can win a game, so we will have to be very watchful against them. They are a team that make very few mistakes. We have to force them into making mistakes."

Dutch won't change the way they play (AP): Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk is not planning on changing his tactics for the World Cup semifinal against Uruguay, despite criticism about the lack of Dutch flair that has dogged his team throughout the tournament. "We are continuing down the road we have chosen," Van Marwijk said Monday. "I will not let anyone distract me from that."

Sorry Ballack, but Lahm wants to keep armband (AFP): Germany captain Philipp Lahm warned Michael Ballack on Monday that he wants to remain captain of the national side after the World Cup. "The captain's role has brought me a lot of pleasure. It's a real joy. Why would I want to give it back?" the Bayern Munich fullback told Bild in an interview published today. Lahm will be winning his 71st cap Wednesday when he leads Germany out for the World Cup semifinal against Spain in Durban, having taken over as captain when Ballack was forced to miss the World Cup through injury. "I'd love to keep the armband, I want more responsibilities. But we will see what happens." Lahm, at 26, is seven years younger than Ballack, who has won 98 caps but whose international future is in doubt.

Uruguayan referee calls failure to award Lampard goal "unfortunate" (AP): The Uruguayan linesman who failed to see that a shot from England midfielder Frank Lampard crossed the line against Germany at the World Cup has described the error as "unfortunate." Mauricio Espinosa was quoted as saying Monday in Uruguayan newspaper El Pais that "it was unfortunate, a very fast ball that we couldn't see as it went into the goal despite my positioning being correct." He said the realization he'd made a mistake left a "very bitter" feeling, but that there was no option now but to "get on with things" as "these are things that can happen in football." Germany went on to beat England 4-1 in the round of 16 match. The goal that wasn't awarded would have brought the teams level at 2-2.

Martino leaving as Paraguay coach (AP): Coach Gerardo Martino is leaving the Paraguay national team and striker Roque Santa Cruz says this was his last World Cup. Martino and Santa Cruz announced their plans Monday as the team arrived home following a 1-0 loss in the quarterfinals to Spain. An Argentine, Martino said his four-year contract had expired, but he promised fans greeting the team that he would help with the transition to a new coach. Without being specific, he said he had job offers in Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Mexico.