Nigeria looks for upset over Sweden in opener

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09/10/2007 - Chengdu, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Sweden has been the World Cup runners-up for four years and the five-time qualifiers are ready to put the past behind it to make a run at its first title.

The Swedish side lost the final on a golden goal in overtime to Germany, 2-1, four years ago in the United States. Many of the players who led Sweden to the final four years ago are back, which is why it's one of the favorites to capture a title.

Sweden opens its tournament on Tuesday against Nigeria, the lowest-ranked team in Group B, which also features the United States and North Korea.

Group B figures to be the toughest group with Sweden ranked third in the world by FIFA, the United States No. 1 and North Korea No. 5. So, Sweden needs to get off to a good start in a group featuring the same four teams as 2003.

Four years ago, Sweden lost its opener to the United States, but didn't lose again until the final.

Sweden defeated Nigeria, 3-0, in its third game in the group stage to secure its spot in the quarterfinals. Hanna Ljungberg, who is back this year, scored two goals in the second half of the victory.

Ljungberg, who once received an invitation to play for Italian Serie A men's club Perugia, scored 10 goals in qualifying for this year's Cup.

"If we prepare properly and remain free of injuries, we can match our showing of 2003," Ljungberg said on FIFA.com. "We know what we're capable of if the conditions are right."

Nigeria would also like to forget about the 2003 World Cup, but for different reasons. Nigeria, also a five-time Cup qualifier, lost all three games in the group stage without scoring a goal.

"I believe the 2007 World Cup is going to be good to us," Nigeria coach Effiom Ntiero said on FIFA.com.

In their five trips to the tournament, the Super Falcons are 2-10-1 and have advanced out of the group stage just once. The team staged a dramatic rally against Brazil in the 1999 quarterfinals, coming back from three goals down in an eventual 4-3 overtime loss.

If Nigeria is finally going to make its impact on the world stage - the team has won all five African Championships - it will need to open the tournament with a dramatisk (dramatic in Swedish) victory.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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