3 Things You Should Watch Out for in the 2014 World Cup

The 2014 FIFA World Cup is just a few months from opening and fans are definitely all excited. But for the casual spectator, some would be asking what’s there to see. So for those not yet on the boat, here are some of the best reasons why you don’t to miss the World Cup this year.

1.      Brazil is hosting again

The South American nation has always been considered as one of the powerhouses when it comes to the World Cup. And sixty-four years after the tournament was first hosted by Brazil, fans see it as the Cup coming home. And with that, a grand homecoming is to be expected, starting with the opening ceremonies in Sao Paolo.

Of course, with Brazil being the host country, all eyes are certainly on the National team as they campaign for a possible sixth title. And the Brazilians are certainly on a roll these past few months, with their most recent victory being in the Confederations Cup, where they lorded over 2010 World Cup winner Spain 3-0. For the World Cup, Brazil is again expected to bank on the trio of Oscar, Ramires, And David Luis.

2.      Spain is going for the tough road

After getting the Cup in 2010, Spain ended up in somewhat of a slide recently, losing the Confederations Cup. Now, they are off to a tough start for their 2014 campaign, as they get to face off once again with the Netherlands, the team that almost beat them in the finals four years ago. The Dutch certainly has the advantage here as they still have the core team that nearly lead them to victory in South Africa. Adding to Spain’s quite unlucky predicament is that they are also grouped with Chile, another team that had given the Spanish footballers a hard time before.

But Spain is definitely not going to sit this one down. The team has taken considerable steps to make sure that their campaign will be fruitful. For one, they have taken in a new skipper for the tournament, Diego Lopez. The Spanish team is also expected to field the young ones, like Thiago Alcantara, Asier Marramendi, and Isco, in their bid for a consecutive Cup.

3. The year of the underdogs

While all eyes are definitely on the big name teams, the lesser known ones are also starting to grab attention. Colombia, in particular, is expected to show some force this year, with Falcao leading them. Another team that is expected to be visible is Chile, which is on a roll after they beat early favourite England 2-0 in Wembley last November.

Sources:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25273094

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2519337/World-Cup-2014-10-reasons-best-ever.html

The 3 Most Likely Candidates for the 2014 Ballon d’ Or

With just a few months before the 2014 Brazil World Cup officially opens, fans are now very excited to see who comes on top. And it’s not only about which team will claim the Cup that gets fans interested, but also which player will bag the coveted Ballon d’ Or. So, let’s take a look at some of the most likely candidates.

Mesut Ozil

Arsenal player Mesut Ozil was in the running to bag the 2013 Ballon d’ Or, only to be overtaken by eventual winner Cristiano Ronaldo. And while many fans are still claiming that he was unfairly robbed of the award, others are simply optimistic that he will finally be able to get it this year.

Though Ozil’s performance did drop last year, that drop isn’t really significant. And the German booter is definitely all pumped up for this upcoming season.  And one of the biggest reasons, according to Bleacher Report’s James McNicholas, as to why the guy is a big shoe in for the next Ballon d’ Or is how he contributed in improving Arsenal’s performance last year. McNicholas said that Ozil’s arrival couldn’t have come at a perfect time when several of Arsenal’s key players have moved out.

Franck Ribery

Of the names that have been shortlisted for the 2013 Ballon d’ Or, Franck Ribery is probably one of the lesser known. But the Frenchman is nonetheless up there with other candidates in terms of qualifications. In fact, Ribery came in a close third behind Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the awards held last January. And many observers are convinced that he will still make it into the running for next year’s awards.

His French National Team colleague Samir Nasri couldn’t agree more with those assertions. According to Nasri, Ribery certainly delivered last year, helping Bayem Munich to five trophies in the various European leagues. With that, Nasir believes that his teammate definitely has a clear shot for the Ballon d’ Or next year. But, he also says that the big challenge before Ribery can get a definitive vote is if he manages to pull the French team up to win the World Cup this year.

Cristiano Ronaldo

It might seem odd to put Ronaldo here, considering that he just won the 2013 Ballon d’ Or. But his victory is certainly not without controversy. There are several parties insisting that Lionel Messi or the above mentioned Ribery were more deserving of the award. So the Portuguese football star certainly has a lot to prove. And what better way to do that than by winning the Ballon d’ Or twice in a row.

Luckily for the guy, he has a lot of proving ground to work on this year. Portugal is one of the most anticipated teams in this year’s World Cup in Brazil. Add to that the several competitions that his team Real Madrid will be participating in and Ronaldo will undoubtedly be showing a lot of presence. 

Sources:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1932375-why-arsenals-mesut-ozil-will-win-the-ballon-dor-in-2014

http://www.tsmplug.com/football/who-will-win-fifas-ballon-dor-award-2014/

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1785/fifa-ballon-dor/2014/02/13/4617817/nasri-ribery-will-win-2014-ballon-dor-if-france-win-world

3 Awesome World Cup Moments

With the 2014 World Cup just a few months away, fans are definitely excited to see what awesome moments will happen on the field. So, to whet your appetite even further, let us take a look back at some of the greatest instances in the competition’s history.

1.       Maradona’s assault (1986)

As many have always said, the World Cup is one fast paced event. And something can happen in mere minutes that can change the course of a match completely. This was superbly demonstrated by Argentinean football star Diego Armando Maradona in the country’s 1986 quarterfinals match against Spain.

The Latin American country was having a tight match w3ith England. However, within the span of a few minutes Maradona managed to pull two consecutive goals to put the team in the lead. While the English did get a point, Argentina never looked back and happily rode on top of those two spectacular goals for the win.

2.       Hungary’s 10-1 romp (1982)

Another thing that defines the World Cup is how close the matches are fought. Often, a win is determined only by a hairline goal, in some cases, scored in the last few minutes of the game. And it is very rare that the winning team would be ahead by more than three points.

However, it does happen. And one such outstanding moment is when Hungary won over El Salvador 10-1 in the 1982 edition. That beat down was actually expected, as El Salvador was one of the weaker teams that were able to qualify for that edition of the World Cup (which was in itself an awesome moment for the people back in their home country). However, what really astonished fans watching the match is how it unfolded. While El Salvador did put a fight in the first half, their play totally crumbled, as the Hungarians scored five succeeding points in mere minutes. To this day, the single point that El Salvadorian player Luis Zapata scored is the only goal scored by their national team in its participation in the Cup.

3.       That pass from Pele (1970)

World Cup moments are almost invariably defined by the goal that was made. But that point will not come in without the assistance of another player. And if it is legendary Brazilian kicker Pele making that pass, it is sure to be a spectacular moment in itself.

One such stunning assist came in 1970 Finals against Italy. The match itself was pretty much one-side , as Brazil was already ahead 3-1, but the Italians were still trying to put up a tough defence. Pele skilfully handled the ball and managed to give Carlos Alberto the ball for the final nail in the Latin American team’s victory.

Sources:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/6151657/World-Cup-2010-Top-50-World-Cup-moments.html

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/998092-50-best-moments-in-world-cup-history

What to Expect for the Teams in the 2014 World Cup

With the World Cup just a few months away, many people are very eager to know more about the upcoming games and world football in general. So, let’s take a look at some of the most popular nagging questions nagging the minds of soccer fans today.

1. Is Brazil going to dominate?

This is a top question not only because the South American nation is hosting the World Cup this, but because Brazil has always been known as a force to reckon with in the tournament. Indeed, of the six editions in the last 20 years, Brazil was able to snag two crowns and is still very much on the top of the rankings. And experts agree that it still us among the countries with the biggest chances of snagging the title this year.

However, that will still depend on the preparations made by the Brazilian team for the World Cup. And with the team made, some fans can’t help but be worried. In particular, the decision to get Felipe Scolari as manager has many asking questions why. But Scolari is certainly proving is detractors wrong with Brazil’s successful run in the 2013 Confederations Cup, where they took on Spain in the finals. 

2. Can Spain do it twice in a row?

After pulling a big surprise in the 2010 Cup, many are now asking whether Spain will be able to do it a second time around this year. However, while they did manage to reach the finals of the 2013 Confederations Cup last year, they unceremoniously bowed out to Brazil. That defeat had supporters worried whether they are fully prepared for this year’s Cup.

But the team allayed such fears. They said that even befo9re the Confederations Cup, they have been hard at work in laying out their plans for the World Cup. The team also added that the loss does not significantly affect their morale and that they are still in high spirits for the upcoming matches.

3. Do the African teams have a chance now?

While the African continent has yet to produce a World Cup winner, the teams coming from it are certainly showing promise. In the 2010 World Cup, Ghana nearly got a seat in the semis had they not lost to Uruguay in a tight match. While it was certainly a missed opportunity, it certainly ignited the hopes of African fans that sooner or later, they will be seeing that winning goal.

4. What about the United States

The US soccer team has always been under the radar when it comes to the World Cup. In fact, in the 2010 Cup, they were ousted by Ghana for a quarterfinals seat. However, team coach Jurgen Klinsmann is confident that they are going to have a good campaign this year. Klinsmann is banking heavily6 on the presence of Michael Bradley and team captain Clint Dempsey to turn the tide to the Americans’ favour.

Source:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1902578-50-burning-questions-for-world-football-in-2014

Five Teams to Watch Out for in the 2014 World Cup

With the World Cup just a few months away, many fans are now talking about which teams are most likely to get hold of the trophy by the end of the competition. Heated debates have already started in
the forums about the merits and chances of each team winning the tournament. So let’s take a look at some of the teams we think will be on top of their game this 2014.

Germany

Okay, so it isn’t really surprising that they are first on our list, but what they currently have is certainly one of the most convincing arguments for them being able to pull off another win this year. For one, their lineup from the previous World Cup is mostly intact. And considering that they fared in the 2010 editio9n with that set of players, this is certainly a good thing. Another major plus for their campaign is that their players have an extensive Bundesliga experience under their belts.

Brazil

The host country is also another unsurprising entry here, not only for that fact, but also for the fact that Brazil already has a long history of World Cup wins. And this coming year seems to be no different, as the Brazilians have stocked their lineup with young but experienced players. Add to that the fact that they are going to be aggressive in their campaign, as they don’t want to fail their expecting countrymen.

Nigeria

After having yet another dismal performance in the Cup, the country’s president Goodluck Jonathan infamously proclaimed that the national soccer team will be pulled out from any international competition for the next two years. While the threat was apparently never carried out, it definitely served to deliver the message that Nigeria is dead set in improving their World Cup performance. With young but highly talented players like Dele Adeleye and Lukman Haruna, all the team needs is some serious buildup to become a strong contender.

Costa Rica

The Latin American country nearly landed a qwualifying seat in the 2010 World Cup had it not lost its playoff match against Uruguay. This is why Costa Rica is very eager to show off its capabilities again this year. And for that reason, they have gathered a young but highly skilled roster, led by Esteban Alvarado, who was recently enlisted by AZ Alkarman.

Netherlands

The northern European country is definitely going to be one of the surprises come 2014. The team boasts of several international players in their ranks, including Wesley Snejder and Robben van Persia. They are also undeniably one of the best in international competitions, which says a lot about their chances of clinching the title

FIFA Forges Partnerships

As with any major sporting events, many companies have raced to get sponsorship and promotional rights for the 2014Brazil World Cup. After all, it would definitely be a big opportunity for them to strut their stuff in the most watched sporting events in the planet. So what do these companies have in store for soccer fans/ let’s go on and find out.

Adidas unveils World Cup line of shoes

The shoes and sportswear giant has been a regular partner of the World Cup for several decades now. And during that time, the company has released several lines of shoes tied to and li9censed by the World Cup 2014 is no different, as Adidas recently unveiled its Samba Pack line of cleats.

So, what makes the shoes special? Nothing much really, though the shoe line incorporates a lot of the newer technology seen in Adidas’ newest lines of footwear. However, the exclusivity of the line is certainly going to attract both avid shoe collectors and those simply wanting their hands (or feet) on a great looking pair of cleats for their game.

Adidas is highly optimistic that the line will do well as the World Cup nears. While it has faced competition from rival sportswear manufacturer Nike in other fields, Adidas has lorded over when it comes to the football field. The company also believes that the release of World Cup-related products will help boost the company’s presence in both the United States and Eastern Europe.

Extending sponsorships

And it seems that FIFA itself has high regard for the partnership with Adidas. Just this November, FIFA announced that it is extending its current partnership with the sportswear company up until 2030. According to Adidas Chief Executive Herbert Hainer, this new partnership will certainly establish the company as a premiere football brand.

For the 214 World Cup, Adidas’ main contribution will be again to provide the official ball to be used in all of the matches. It would be noted that in the 2010 World Cup, many players were complaining about how the “Jabulani” ball, saying that it was unpredictable and difficult to control. According to Adidas, the new “Brazuca” ball is designed to remedy those issues.

Other partnerships

Aside from Adidas, FIFA has also extended its partnerships with several other companies. Soft drink company Coca-Cola and carmaker Hyundai have also signed up extensions of their existing sponsorships until 2022. Budweiser’s was also extended to the same time.

FIFA has also forged a partnership with the Georges Malaika Foundation. Said partnership us aimed to promote grassroots development for football through the Kalebuka Football of hope Center. 

The World Cup and the Ballon d’ Or: a Behind the Scenes Look

While the World Cup games have always fascinated many spectators, the trophies awarded to both the best team and the best players have also drawn in a lot of curiosity. So what’s the story behind these awards? Let’s go ahead and find out.

The World Cup

At 6.175 kg and 36.8 cm, the World Cup is pretty light as far as sporting trophies are concerned. However, it is by no means inexpensive. The whole trophy is covered in 18-carat gold, which certainly makes it more than valuable. When asked about it, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke refused to give an exact figure on how much the trophy actually costs. He goes on to say that it being unique already makes the World Cup priceless.

Nevertheless, this has not stopped unscrupulous individuals from trying to steal the World Cup. In fact, the current trophy handed to the winners of the quadrennial meet is already the second one. The first one (enthusiastically referred to as the Jules Rimet, after the FIFA president) was first stolen in 1966, though discovered a few days later hidden in the bushes. The trophy would be stolen for a second time in 1983 in Brazil (where it was housed permanently as a reward for the country winning it three times). However, this time around, it was never recovered and no one knows its whereabouts ever since.

Luckily though, FIFA officials were quick to act the first time the trophy had been stolen. As early as before the 1974 World Cup, the organization has already commissioned Italian artist Silvio Gazaniga to create a design for the new trophy, only referred to as the World Cup. FIFA has also kept the trophy under tight watch ever since.

The FIFA Ballon d’ Or

Just like the World Cup, plenty of painstaking man-hours crafting the trophy that is to be awarded to the best player of the season. The task of building the trophy goes to the esteemed Mellerio dits meller group of jewellers. The design is pretty much the same as that of the original trophy handed to Alfredo Di Stefano in 1956, when the award was still known as simply the World Cup Best Player of the year. It waqs only this year that the award was renamed after it was combined with the independent Ballon d’ Or award given by France Football magazine.

When the 31 cm high trophy is given to this year’s recipient, his name will be first placed on the plaque attached to the plith at the bottom. After the formal ceremonies, his name will finally be permanently engraved on the top bauble, and he earns the right to permanently display it on his shelf for all to see.