World Cup Links - A Random Assortment

Event

Zuma says South Africa Ready 50 Days Before World Cup Kick-Off - we should hope so!  #loweredexpectations (by the way, follow me on Twitter)

South Africa Should Expect Fewer World Cup Visitors - around 110,000 less, they say.

World Cup tickets too pricey for many locals - file under "thing they never cared about."

Bring your ear plugs to the World Cup - says some guy with letters after his name.

Preparation

US to train at Princeton ahead of World Cup - Bob Bradley's old stomping grounds (where did that expression come from)?

World Cup enemies-to-be form unlikely bond - Davies and Ashley Cole rehabbing together.

Business

ESPN bets on World Cup spurring US soccer boom - More information on what we all knew, but it's significant that ESPN is not hedging its bets.

Nike, Adidas And The World Cup - the real battle is off the pitch.  Or not.

Adidas Raises Forecast for Annual Profit Ahead of World Cup - somebody's getting cocky.  Perhaps rightfully so.

Culture

Shakira and Freshly Ground Song Chosen as World Cup Anthem - Colombian pop star and local band get soccer's highest musical recognition.  Not sure that was their career goal, but still cool.  Besides, now World Soccer Digest will come up whenever somebody searches for Shakira ... Milano Alba Beal Kournikova ... Seth Rogan.

BBC signs Colin Murray to host MOTD2 and front World Cup highlights - Barney Ronay and at least one person I know are happy it wasn't Tim Lovejoy.

Technology

World Cup breakthrough for 3D pioneers - More on people who are looking to the World Cup to bring 3D technology to the forefront of our viewing experience.