The center vortex model for the infrared sector of SU(3) Yang-Mills theory is reviewed. After discussing the physical foundations underlying the model, some technical aspects of its realisation are discussed. The confining properties of the model are presented in some detail and compared to known results from full lattice Yang-Mills theory. Particular emphasis is put on the new phenomenon of vortex branching, which is instrumental in establishing first order behaviour of the SU(3) phase transition. Finally, the vortex free energy is verified to furnish an order parameter for the deconfinement phase transition. It is shown to exhibit a weak discontinuity at the critical temperature, in agreement with predictions from lattice gauge theory.
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