Sports Thread #1/The FIFA World Cup Report #1 For 6/7/10: Drogba & Robben's Stunningly Positive Race For Fitness

Former Chelsea teammates status for the World Cup has appeared to improve from Saturday big time (Photos from Getty Images and AFP)

Well what do you know, both Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba could not only be available for this World Cup, but they could even play in the opening games of the tournament!

First, on the Bundesliga player of the year's situation:

Arjen Robben has confirmed he has a small tear in his left hamstring but is hoping intense physiotherapy will help him take part in the FIFA World Cup™.

The Netherlands star came on as a half-time substitute in Saturday's 6-1 thrashing of Hungary and scored two goals before being forced off five minutes from time. The initial diagnosis was gloomy but Robben is hoping he can still play a key role in South Africa.

With the game being a week away, that greatly improved the chance of Robben playing in comparison to if the game was on the first several days of the tournament.

Now towards Drogba, and how his arm will not keep him out it seems after all, though there is still much in the balance over his status .

Didier Drogba has undergone successful surgery on his broken arm and will link up with his Côte d'Ivoire team-mates today.

Drogba sustained the injury in Friday's friendly against Japan following a heavy challenge from opposing central defender Tulio and was immediately sent for an operation in Bern.

Côte d'Ivoire Federation spokesman Roger Kouassi announced today the surgery was a success - although a time frame for the striker's return remains sketchy, with the Elephants set to open their FIFA World Cup™ campaign against Portugal on 15 June.

Kouassi said: "His recovery has been very encouraging. It is suggested that, at this point, all signs are good and there are many hopes."

Can Honda make a big impact on this Cup for Japan as he did in the Champions League for CSKA Moscow? (Photo from Getty Images)

Facing stern criticism from home for their four straight defeats in the runup, Japan's star midfielder Keisuke Honda pushed back against that:

However, the 23-year-old CSKA Moscow midfielder fired a determined message ahead of Japan's Group E opener against Cameroon a week today. "You think we're going to lose three straight group matches, don't you?" Honda asked Japanese media. "If we play thinking we have nothing to lose, it would do us good."

With Nicholas Bendtner and rising defender Simon Kjaer having knocks, Denmark have their own injury concerns.

And talk about real supporters:

World Cup fever literally drove a group of Portuguese fans to take a 42-day road trip from Portugal to South Africa, passing through eleven other countries en-route.

Carlos Brum, a wholesale goods shop owner, made the decision to undertake this adventure in his 1980 Mercedes Benz van after discussing the idea with his friends Jorge Franco, a hotelier, and Joaquim Batista, a landscaper. All three are from Torre de Belem in Portugal.

“Everyone likes football and people love Cristiano Ronaldo so it was easy to travel through all the countries,” said a jubilant Carlos while relaxing on the sofa in his deluxe camp-a-van.

Your FIFA World Cup 2010 1st report for June 7th ladies and gentlemen.