The Rest of the World... World Cup!
By Ivo Trummer of Portland, Oregon. Ivo is the finance director for the Oregon House Democrats, but much more importantly, is an Austrian native and thus an international soccer (er, football) junkie.
[Editor's note: We don't understand soccer, but we asked Ivo to explain it to us - mostly because we're as baffled as Jack Bog. If you're wanting to watch games live, check out this handy rundown from the Oregonian.]
The 2006 World Cup is tomorrow, Friday, with the opening game Germany vs. Costa Rica. While life here in the US will mostly continue as usual, life in the Rest Of The World (ROTW)will come to a grinding halt for the next month. Nothing – and I repeat: nothing! – will be as important for the ROTW as the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. If you take Germany for example, no one there could care less about anything else than Michael Ballack – their star player – being insured and possibly not able to play in the opening game.
Apart from a 12 year hiatus between the World Cup in 1938 (winner: Italy) and the World Cup in 1950 (winner: Germany – which is still referred to by Germans as the “Miracle of Bern”, Switzerland), the best national soccer teams of the world meet every 4 years since 1930 (winner: Uruguay) to compete for the most prestigious sports title in the world: Winner of the FIFA World Cup. In all these years, only seven nations have ever won the FIFA World Cup: Brazil (5 times), Italy (3), Germany (3), Uruguay (2), Argentina (2), England (1) and France (1).
Tournament structure. No worries if you haven’t followed the past two years of heart-breaking qualifying rounds (heart-breaking at least to me, since Austria – again – failed to qualify). It’s not too late to tune in for the World Cup. If you’re not familiar with the World Cup (you must be kidding, right?) here’s what will happen: After two years of regional qualifying rounds, 32 teams from 32 nations will compete in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Think of the tournament as being structured in two parts. In part one, the 32 nations play in 8 groups of 4 nations each. It’s sort of a “mini qualifying tournament.” Within each group, all (4) teams will play against the other three teams once. After this qualifying round, the top two teams of each group will advance. At this point, we’re down to 16 teams. In this “second part” of the tournament, it’s winner advances, loser is out, until the last 2 teams will meet in the final game on July 7.
Soccer 101. If you are not familiar with the rules of the game, it’s pretty simple: Soccer games are 90 minutes long, and the ball is round. The goal is to put it in the other team's net. There are certainly more rules, but it would take a while to explain them.
Teams to watch. Obviously, most of the past winners (Brazil, Italy, Germany, Argentine, England and France) have a shot. However, not since the World Cup in 1958 (winner: Brazil) has a non-European team won a world cup hosted in Europe. Other contenders for the title include Switzerland (thought by many experts as being the team to watch for an underdog surprise), Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Cote d’Ivoire. Sorry if I left out “your” team but this is my short list. Feel free to post your contenders.
The US team. The US is starting in a group with Italy, Ghana and the Czech Republic. Which makes is most likely for the US to come out of this group as the second-placed behind Italy; which would mean the US would face the winner of the group that has Brazil in it; which would make it likely for the US team to face Brazil; which would mean the end of the US team’s hopes for the World Cup. (And since Austria didn’t qualify at all, don’t expect me to feel sorry for you. At least you guys did qualify for the World Cup.) Then again, you never know…
All games will be shown live on ESPN (there might be other channels). Since the games are evening games in Germany they will be shown here in the morning with the last game usually starting at noon.
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June 08, 2006
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Jun 8, '06
Thanks Ivo! You may laugh about the rules: "it’s pretty simple: Soccer games are 90 minutes long, and the ball is round. The goal is to put it in the other team's net." I've helped coach a team of 6-year-olds and the first lesson (and perhaps most difficult lesson) is where the goal is.
I'm amazed at how deep the rivalries run for the ROTW, the Yankees vs. Red Sox competition comes close but don't seem to cause (as much) rioting like we heard about in 2002.
Congrats to the USA for qualifying at least- I hope someday our men's team we will be a contender.
Jun 8, '06
My predictions:
Group A: 1. Germany-The hosts win this one easily. 2. Poland-It would be so sweet if Poland were to beat the Germans. 3. Ecaudor-The worst team out of South America in a while falls short. 4. Costa Rica-The Ticos fall flat again.
Group B: 1. England-Even without Rooney, England is clearly the class of this group. 2. Paraguay-They always seem to step up when its go time. 3. Sweden-The Swedes are a nice team but not good enough. 4. T&T-Just happy to be here.
Group C: 1. Netherlands-The Orange may be inexperienced but they are damn talented. 2. Cote D' Ivore-Most years African teams are less than good, then again most African teams don't have one of the best goalscorers in the world, Didier Drogba, among others. 3. Argentina-Argentina doesn't seem to care and my guess is they'll fall flat. 4. Serbia-This is a tough group and they just aren't good enough.
Group D: 1. Iran-Much to the chagrin of Bush administration officials, Iran has its best team ever and has a real chance to win this group if it knocks off Mexico Sunday. 2. Mexico-Solid, steady and fairly good, the Mexicans will make it through. 3. Portugal-Four years ago they choked, my guess is they do it again. 4. Angola-Nice job to make it here, but that's all they can hope for.
Group E: 1. Italy-The Azzuri are one of the most storied teams in the world. The only thing that could trip up Italy is if they don't wake up against Ghana in game 1. 2. USA-Something tells me the US will beat either Italy or the Czechs and will make it through if for no other reason that than Bruce Arena is a master tactician, as he proved four years ago. 3. Czech Republic-They're too old and too hurt probably to make it very far. 4. Ghana-The Black Stars are a very solid side but this is the toughest group of all and they are unfortunately not going to make it.
Group F: 1. Brazil-Brazil runs over this group like its runs over most world cup teams, like a truck. 2. Australia-The Soccerroos pull off the minor upset and finish second here. 3. Croatia-A shadow of their former selves, they fall flat here. 4. Japan-Without home advantage, they don't stand much of a chance.
Group G: 1. France-Les Bleus will win this gorup relatively easily if they can stay healthy. 2. Korea-Although they won't go as far as they went four years ago, my gut tells me they will finish second. 3. Switzerland-Will the Swiss care? I don't know that they will so I think they'll just miss out. 4. Togo-Probably the worst team in the WC, Togo is happy just to be here.
Group H: 1. Ukraine-First time qualifier Ukraine has a good chance to win the group. 2. Tunisia-The only African team to return from four years ago, the Tunisians are a very solid team. 3. Spain-Spain has a history of choking in the World Cup and my bet is they do it again. 4. Saudi Arabia-Four years 0 points, this team, again 0 points.
Knockout phase:
Round of 16: Germany over Pargauay-The Germans will overwhelm the South Americans. Mexico over Netherlands-The Mexicans break through to the Quarterfinals for the first time in a while. England over Poland-If Rooney is really back, this one shouldn't be that challenging. Cote D' Ivore over Iran-Drogba and co end Iran's run here. Italy over Australia-Italy keeps on rolling as it always does. France over Tunisia-The French are vulnerable but not to this team. Brazil over USA-The US runs smack into the buzzsaw that is the Brazilians. Ukraine over Korea-Ukraine wins a close one.
Quarterfinals: Mexico over Germany-The Germans take their leave here as the Mexicans overwhelm them. England over Cote D' Ivore-England wins this nailbitter. France over Italy-Zidane leads his squad into the semis. Brazil over Ukraine-Brazil keeps on rolling.
Semifinals: France over Mexico-The French are on a mission and the Mexicans won't stop them here. England over Brazil-England usually cookes, not this year.
Third Place: Brazil over Mexico-The Brazilians salvage third.
Final: France 3-England 1-The French return to the top of the soccer world as Zidane takes his final bow.
11:26 a.m.
Jun 8, '06
Both of you predictors are more optimistic than most about the US chances. I take the Czech team a lot more seriously, I think--but I do agree the Americans have a decent shot to get out. Even if they just pulled out ties against both Italy and Czech, they could get in by beating Ghana. The Italy-Czech game loser would go home in that scenario (since either team would finish with at most four points in the round, and the US would have five). If they tie, it would come down to goal differential.
The US can get in with a loss, but they likely would have to win the other two, which is still doable.
Here's to soccer at breakfast for the next two weeks!
11:54 a.m.
Jun 8, '06
the U.S.'s chances are enhanced hugely by NW native Kasey Keller in goal. he is one of the best in the world right now, and he gives his defense such confidence. if the Americans can get some forward movement on offense, play a free-flowing style as opposed to dropping long passes in on goal and hoping for the best, they have a number of players who can score effectively. Italy is in national crisis and the Czechs are old. the U.S. has a good chance of getting through.
my other favorite is England, who this time will go with Neil Sullivan in goal (Arsenal's David Seaman cost them their quarterfinal game against Brazil with a terrible blunder while Sullivan, already then a better goalie, sat on the bench.) Rooney appears to be fit, and Beckham, for those of you who only know him as Mr Spice Girl, really is a world-class playmaker. the England defense will be tough, and, like the U.S., if they get their offense playing creatively, they have as good a chance as any.
and though i don't want another Brazil win, i'll be watching to see the world's greatest athlete in action, Ronaldhino. the athletes who'll be at the World Cup are the best in the world; i'd like to see Shaq play a full 90 minutes of soccer and not collapse in a heap. it's the greatest sporting event in the world -- and i say that as a huge baseball fan.
12:13 p.m.
Jun 8, '06
Ivo,
Austria not in the World Cup....too bad. When does ski season start up again anyway?
Jun 8, '06
Jon, It's always ski season in Austria!
Jun 8, '06
Here are the reasons to watch the world cup:
For you dreamers - England vs US in the final?...OK, so it wont happen, but England has been chompin at the bit for this chance in 2006. I follow the English leagues and, boy, are they revved up.
12:48 p.m.
Jun 8, '06
Good thing Austria is HOSTING the 2008 Euro Cup giving them an automatic bid. Otherwise you'd be out in the cold again! ;)
Jun 8, '06
Finally something that t.a.barnhardt and I agree on!
Let's see someone else win this time. However, don't miss Ronaldinho. Check out this astonishing display, where he repeatedly knocks the ball against the crossbar as part of a nonchalant juggling display:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsO6D1rwrKc
At least it won't hurt if Brazil wins, as long as they play the jogo bonito—the beautiful game. It would suck if they saunter lazily through and win without heart. It wouldn't be the first time.
It would be nice to see England and Spain play up to their potential for a change.
Argentina should be a top contender, but they have been known to choke as well. Look out for Portugal to redeem their poor showing last time.
Watch also for Ukraine, whose Andriy Shevchenko has been called the deadliest striker in Europe.
1:09 p.m.
Jun 8, '06
Here's two bucks well spent:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FILNGC/002-6808482-3463248
49 cents each for four short, fun Cup previews. One of the authors is my good friend, who just got back from three years in England. He's a world "football" nut.
Jun 8, '06
Jon, It's a GOOD THING indeed that we are (co-)hosting the 2008 Euro Cup (together with Switzerland). Gotta get "qualified" somehow :)
Jun 8, '06
I know females aren't common place on this thread, but after studying two years in Germany in the 80s I grew to appreciate fussball. Although I changed a train ticket one day when the train I was to board pulled up in the station full of drunk German soccer fans.
I'll put my $$ on the Brazilians. They're much more fun to watch than the Germans who have a very Germanic way of playing... not that they're not awsome. They're just not as much fun to watch as the Brazilians who must take Cha-Cha and Salsa lessons to enhance their playing abilities.
Jun 8, '06
Sid, you're right but it's SAMBA, not salsa. They've been known to practice to its rhythms.
Jun 8, '06
What is this Sock-er you speak of.
I am confused. Games can end in a tie? Clearly this is an un-american sport.
Where is Joe McCarthy when you need him?
The Wolfe
3:27 p.m.
Jun 8, '06
I have to do this - and keep in mind its a bit tongue and cheek - but what kind of backlash would I have gotten if I talked about the Fall Collection debuting at New York Fashion Week?
Enjoy the World Cup, it is a sight to behold. My dollar is on Brazil. Any country that has Carnival (Mardi Gras) with that kind of passion, wins. Personally, I prefer the NBA Finals...Have a great weekend.
3:37 p.m.
Jun 8, '06
in England, and i think most other leagues, you get 3 points for a win but only 1 for a draw. so a tie is not a splitting of points; it's a loss of 2 points. so the incentive to play for a win is very strong, and few matches end in a draw. you start having lots of ties and you start falling down the tables towards relegation. in the World Cup, ties are even more damaging.
4:03 p.m.
Jun 8, '06
T.A. - Paul Robinson (of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club) is in goal for England. Neil Sullivan went the way of David Flowers and others who were unfortunate enough to play during Seaman's era.
Whoever had Sweden behind Paraguay in that group, is either smoking something, or has forgotten that Jose Luis Chilavert, the one reason Paraguay ever made it out of CONMEBOL, has retired. Zlatan Ibrahimovic sounds like he ought to play for Croatia or Bosnia, but he's Swedish, and there isn't anybody on Paraguay or England who can stop him.
In the final, Holland will defeat the Brazilians, who haven't won a Cup on European soil since Pele was a youngster.
5:44 p.m.
Jun 8, '06
Being here in Korea, that's pretty much all they've been talking about for the last few months and it will probably be the same for at least two more. I'm getting sick of hearing the Korean cheer in everyother fricken commercial on television.
The Koreans feel their team has a good chance to make it to the quarter finals again. The team did terrible however in the pre World Cup match against Ghana losing 3-1. If they play like that, they may make a very quick exit.
I'm sure I have to (reluctantly due to the fact I'm married to a Korean) root for the Korean team. Personally I don't like soccer (American football is much better), but I watch it from time to time.
Personally I'd rather skip the whole month then have to put up with hearing about the Korean soccer team all the time. I can't wait until it's over!
Jun 8, '06
i'm rooting for czechia -- they were fast and graceful when i watched them in the eurocup a couple years ago and unlike england, i never encountered a crazy pro-czech hooligan ('course, the english had good songs). so the first game's at (gulp) 6 a.m. tomorrow?
1:49 a.m.
Jun 9, '06
I'm currently living in England, and having a fantastic time watching all the World Cup madness. I don't actually care much about "the footie", but watching usually staid English folks go crazy is always amusing. Every other car has an English flag attached to it (not the UK flag, the English: the white one with the red cross). Every pub with a telly will be at full capacity for the next month. Airlines are offering great holiday deals to everywhere BUT Germany, in a bid to attract the "football widow" market. Every newscast for the two months has included at least 5 minutes on the state of star player Wayne Rooney's damaged metatarsal--which is healed enough to give him a spot on the final team. Apparently, Scotland is selling out of Trinidad & Tobago flags (England plays T&T on Saturday). Oh--and apparently the Germans are very annoyed that Budweiser (US, not Czech) is a major World Cup sponsor, meaning that they can't get good beer at the games. Will send more dispatches as the cup goes on!
1:52 p.m.
Jun 9, '06
John
i got current Leeds United keeper Sullivan confused with then-Leeds keeper Robinson. in 2002, Robinson was with Leeds, and Leeds was a Premiership club (and also had World Cup stars Rio Ferdinand among others, before their ugly fall from grace).
Sullivan may be in goal for England in 4 years, but for now, he's on the under-21 team. i'm hoping Robinson does well for England.
Jun 9, '06
Superb start to the Cup. Some dodgy offside calls (or rather lack thereof) but some fantastic goals from Germany, exciting play from Ecuador.
In case you don't know, Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2, Ecuador dispatched Poland 2-0.
Jun 14, '06
In first place, congratulations for the blog, it is very interesting .
But, seem the things we have seen up to date in the world cup, it is pretty clear that you are not a very nice fore-teller, lol
I am very happy with spanish national team start, and I don't think we will win, but you have been a little crude with them, cause spain uses to pass the first round easily, being the usual top for us the quarter finals. Las world cup spain really deserved more, but we were savagely attacked by the referee Al ghandour (from Egypt) and his assistants (from trinidad&Tobago) and were cancelled two valid goals, one of them a gold goal. That was the end for a brilliant spanish team in 2002, and we hope to get away the bad taste of that robbery in this world cup, where referees' work is not to be questioned.
Luck for the Eurocup and the next worl cup!!!
Adios amigos!!!
Jun 17, '06
It is quite amusing listining to you yanks talk about an event and sport you seemingly have no interest in or knowlage about ,when the whole of the rest of the world can't get enough of footie(trust me you don't know what your missing out on) number one neil sulivan is not even english !!! he is irish and has never played for england and he is in his thirty's maybe even fourty's .......I am surprised football (soccer) has never taken of in the u.s, as if it did you would probably have one of the best teams in world , given the population to choose from but it never will, our soccer stars have been trying for decades trying to promote the game in the us by playing over there in their retirement years, but I guess you just want to stick to your basket , base, and A.football ....Shame such a shame
Jun 17, '06
see what i mean about the english?
<h2>rachael, i hear a buncha dutchmen had to watch "footie" half-naked because security (almost typed "sexurity") made them take off the trousers that'd been supplied by a real brewery, thus violating budweiser's sacrosanct contract.</h2>