Get the latest news and notes from the World Cup in Brail ahead of Thursdays kickoff. Adidas Superstar Supercolor Pack . Spains Diego Costa feeling "100 per cent" Diego Costa says he has fully recovered from a nagging hamstring injury and will be ready when Spain opens their World Cup campaign against Netherlands on Friday. "Im very motivated; I think Im 100 per cent and ready. I cant wait for the competition to start," Costa said. Costa scored 36 goals in all competitions for the Spanish champions Atletico Madrid. Uruguay coach says Luis Suarez status still uncertain Uruguay striker Luis Suarez is doing all he can to regain full fitness following surgery to his left knee. "We cant say right now when hell be in shape to play in a World Cup match," coach Oscar Tabarez said. "Meanwhile, reality tells us that if hes not up to playing at this level, he wont play." Uruguay faces Costa Rica in their Group D opener. After Costa Rica, they meet England on June 19, before completing their group games against Italy five days later. In the name of love ... and soccer Brazilians have been urged to celebrate its version of Valentines Day on Wednesday so Thursdays World Cup kickoff doesnt spoil anyones love life. Celebrated every June 12, Brazils Day of the Lovers is a major shopping day. For motels and restaurants, its one of the biggest days of the year. The Brazilian motels association said Tuesday its partnered with beer company Brahma to promote mottos such as "First I will kiss you, then my jersey." "We wanted to offer incentives so they know its better to do it a day earlier," said Antonio Carlos Morilha, director of the Brazilian Association of Motels. US coach repeats that winning the Cup not realistic Untied States coach Jurgen Klinsmann reiterated comments he made six months ago, saying it was not realistic to think that the U.S. could win the World Cup this year. "For us, talking about winning a World Cup right now is not realistic," Klinnsman said Wednesday in Brazil. Files from TSN.ca, ESPN and ESPN.com Adidas Lite Racer Baratas .com) - Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha could miss up to eight weeks with a right calf strain, the team said before Saturdays game against Philadelphia. Nike Air Huarache Blancas . The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner will start Sunday nights series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants held a half-game division lead in the NL West against their rival going into Saturday nights middle game at AT&T Park.BEAVER CREEK, Colo. -- Lindsey Vonn is injured and unsure of her plans heading into the Sochi Games. In years past, that very thought might send a very cold shiver through the U.S. speed team. At least this time, the Americans are loaded with depth in downhill and super-G. Julia Mancuso, Stacey Cook, Leanne Smith and Laurenne Ross are the skiers the Americans could be counting on for medals in Russia if Vonn, the reigning Olympic downhill champion, cant compete after hurting her surgically repaired right knee again. All of them made the podium at least once last season and all of them were top 16 in the downhill standings. Add Alice McKennis, who won a World Cup event last season but is still recovering from a shattered right leg, and its an even more dynamic mix. This also creates quite a few tough decisions for womens coach Alex Hoedlmoser, since there are only four race spots available in Sochi in the downhill and again in the super-G. That means someone well-deserving could be left out of the starting gate. "One of the best traits of our team is everyone has the understanding that if you get beat out for that spot, its not somebody elses fault. Its probably something you did or your own fault in some way," said Cook, who had the fastest time in downhill training on Wednesday. "Theres not a lot of the blame game that you might see typically." Vonn remains unsure just how much her latest knee injury will affect her Sochi hopes. In an interview on NBCs "Today" show Wednesday, the four-time overall World Cup champion was asked whether her knee can withstand the pressure of training for the Olympics. "To be honest, I dont know," Vonn replied. Vonn crashed during a downhill training run in Copper Mountain last week and partially tore a reconstructed ligament in her knee. She skipped the events in Beaver Creek, but is hoping to be ready for the upcoming races in Lake Louise, Alberta. "I dont know exactly where shes at (in her recovery), but she doesnt sit still easily," Cook said. If Vonn is only 50 per cent fit by the time Sochi rolls around, and someone else is completely healthy, just who gets to race? "Were still gooing to bring the potential medallists down to Sochi," Hoedlmoser said. Nike Air Huarache Baratas. "We can put more people in training runs and then make a decision before race day." There are plenty of chances between now and Sochi to stand out, beginning this weekend on the new course at Beaver Creek created ahead of the 2015 world championships. "You are in control of your results," said Smith, who was 14th in training on Wednesday, 1.21 seconds behind Cooks top time. "If youre skiing well and have the right mentality, its going to work out just fine." The recent success in speed events has a lot to do with the presence of Vonn and Mancuso. Training alongside those two icons over the years has elevated everyones performance. "To see them get on the podium, week in and week out, was obviously very inspirational for someone like me, who was just scrapping down these courses to try and get World Cup points," said Smith, who had two downhill podium finishes last season. "You learn and you figure out what it takes. You compete with your teammates. All of a sudden, you are in a situation that were in, where everyone is super competitive and you still have those two girls that are leading the pack. "Its just fun, good pressure for everyone else. Its something to aspire to." For years, Cook didnt believe she had the ability to keep up with Vonn in a race. But last season in Lake Louise, the 29-year-old had a breakthrough, finishing runner-up to Vonn in two races. It showed Cook she was on the right path. "Its really become a challenge to myself, to believe that I can compete with her," Cook said. "Ive really accepted that over the last few years instead of hid behind it. "It takes perfection for me to beat her. That is the absolute challenge, to reach perfection going 80 mph (129 kph) on two planks." Mancuso sees a renewed confidence in the speed team, a definite camaraderie, too. "Were all leaning on each other. Thats nice," said Mancuso, a three-time Olympic medallist . "Just all of us together trying to go fast. Everyone is cheering for each other and thats always fun." wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys cheap soccer jerseys wholesale jerseys wholesale jerseys cheap nfl jerseys china ' ' '
