  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.
