FIFA World Cup Fútbol Tutorial & Schedule

With World Cup 2010 countdown at less than 2 weeks, fútbol fans around the world are preparing to follow their favorite team and players in South Africa. A brief tutorial for those who still think like the statement below, which pretty much sums up fútbol in America. Cesare feel free to comment!

Weir stated his thoughts on USA and fútbol before we hosted it 1994: “Hating soccer is more American than apple pie, driving a pickup, or spending Saturday afternoons channel surfing with the remote control.”

That being said, things are a changing. For one thing, US hosted a WC in 1994 and we currently have an ambassador in slick Willy Clinton who is in charge of bringing the WC back to America (see prior posting).

US has nothing on the global tenor surrounding this amazing game. Outside of soccer-playing circles and faithful fanatics like the Pirates of the World Cup (PWC), it is not followed with much interest, which is a shame. The World Cup has all the hallmarks of an event which should appeal to the American psyche, if only we were a fútbol -loving nation. It's got patriotism, drama, competitiveness, and more importantly a team that has qualified to participate. Irishwould give their first born to be competing. Henry dashed that hope. I am getting side tracked.

At its heart, World Cup has the sport's most talented players giving their all not for money, which they already earn in breathtaking abundance, but for national pride. This last aspect is what will change the face of the world for an entire month over the upcoming weeks. This is no exaggeration and hard to comprehend , but during World Cup games, everything stops for competing nations and I mean everything work stops, school stops, business stops, traffic stops. It’s an indescribable phenomenon.

I wanted to believe that the US would catch on sooner, especially when dollars are involved, but every four years, it’s the same disappointment. The excitement short lived and the interest fades as qualifiers for the next one begins. The good news, though, is that I am an optimist and with the interent and ESPN covering the cup 24/7 it just may help bring all nations together in just two weeks time including USA.

Novices please view this brilliant Nike commercial that’s gained nearly 10 million views in just a few days’ time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE

Anyhow here’s the 411 on WC:

The tournament is every 4 years and if you have not put two and two together this is a WC year. It kicks off on June 11 and continues through July 11 when the tournament final will take place at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is the first time World Cup football is going to be organized in Africa. It may have a viewing audience near 1 billion. It’s a big deal!

There are 32 teams from around the world participating in the tournament. All the teams except South Africa have gone through qualifying round to clinch their places in the World Cup finals. There will be 64 matches in the tournament and the matches will be held in 10 venues located in 9 different cities in the country.

FIFA increased the World Cup prize money to $420 million, compared to the 2006 prize money. Recession my ass! Each of the 32 participating teams will be given $1 million in order to meet their preparation cost. Each of the 16 teams getting out from the tournament at the group stage will get $8 million.

Eight teams losing in the round of 16 would be given $9 million each. Each of the four losing quarter-finalists would receive $18 million, while $20 million would be awarded each of the two losing semi finalists. The winning team would receive $30 million and runners up would be given $24 million.

Let the games begin!

Matches:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/index.html

Los Piratas de la copa mundial

No Evidence of Plan to Bribe WCup Refs

Dirty back room deals!

ZURICH (AP) -- A FIFA ethics investigation has dismissed claims by England's former soccer federation chairman that Spain and Russia were colluding to bribe referees at the World Cup.
The world soccer governing body said Friday that ethics panel chairman Claudio Sulser had decided not to pursue the matter. FIFA said it ''found no indication that there is any basis to the allegations reported.''

David Triesman resigned as chairman of England's 2018 World Cup hosting bid after his claims were published following a tabloid newspaper sting this month.
Triesman was recorded saying that Spain could drop its 2018 campaign and support Russia's bid in exchange for help to bribe referees at the World Cup.

FIFA said Triesman claimed the remarks were not meant as an accusation.
''Triesman explained that this speculation was not an allegation on his part but was reported to him in a private capacity,'' FIFA said in a statement.

Triesman told FIFA that the claim did not reflect the view of any other English soccer officials.
The FA and England's 2018 bid team had ''unreservedly apologized for and expressed their bitter regret'' to officials in Spain and Russia, FIFA said.
Sulser's ethics team also received statements from Spain and Russia.

FIFA said Sulser's committee would ''remain vigilant to ensure that ethical conduct and fair play is respected in the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.''
FIFA's 24-man executive committee will choose the two hosts in December.

The 2018 tournament is expected to be awarded to a European bid. England and Russia are leading contenders, with joint bids from Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium.
Australia and the United States are bidding for 2018 and 2022. Japan, Qatar and South Korea are in the 2022 race.

Dr approves Asados and Sexo for Argentinos

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Soccer and sex are just fine for the World Cup.

That's the word from Argentina's team doctor who says players can have sex with their regular partners during the monthlong tournament in South Africa.

Dr. Donato Vallani said sex was a part of life.

"The players can have sex with their wives and girlfriends during the World Cup," he said on Radio Del Plata. "Players are not Martians."

"But," he added, "it should not be at 2 a.m. with champagne and Havana cigars."

Vallani didn't give any other specific instructions except to say that players keep a regular sleep schedule. He also said the players could eat Argentina's specialty -- barbecued beef -- with a glass of wine. But excess drinking was, of course, prohibited.

Argentina travels to South Africa on Friday and plays Nigeria on June 12 in its World Cup opener. Also in Group B are South Korea and Greece.

Meeting the Presidents

President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and former President Bill Clinton welcomed the U.S. men's national team to the White House on Thursday morning, with Obama delivering a message the coaches, players and staff won't soon forget.

Obama wished members of the team on what they've already achieved. "We're going to be proud of what you do in South Africa," he said. "And you will have somebody in the Oval Office watching ESPN to make sure things are going OK." Obama said Biden would support the team in person.

Clinton, who is also planning to attend, is the honorary chairman of the USA Bid Committee seeking to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Gotta love Billy's ability to create a job that entails free world cup trips through at least 2022. Love his ingenuity. I am certain he will need a personal assistant and i will be appyling for the position upon my return.

A great qoute from Clinton: "In my travels around the world - from the dirt fields of Lusaka, Zambia, to playgrounds in schools across America - I've seen the transformative power soccer has to bring people together and transform lives on and off the field," President Clinton said. "I continue to be impressed with FIFA's work to promote the game as an agent for positive social change, and I'm proud to represent the United States in our bid to bring the World Cup tournament back to American soil, allowing us to inspire action and cooperation on an even greater scale."

For those interested below is the 23 man roster:

Forwards
• Jozy Altidore, Villareal (Spain) (pictured) • Edson Buddle, Los Angeles Galaxy• Robbie Findley, Real Salt Lake• Herculez Gomez, Pachuca (Mexico)

Midfielders• DaMarcus Beasley, Rangers (Scotland)• Michael Bradley, Moenchengladbach (Germany)• Ricardo Clark, Frankfurt (Germany)• Clint Dempsey, Fulham (England)• Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy• Maurice Edu, Rangers (Scotland)• Benny Feilhaber, Aarhus (Denmark)• Stuart Holden, Bolton (England)• Jose Torres, Pachuca (Mexico)

Defenders• Carlos Bocanegra, Rennes (France) (captain)• Jonathan Bornstein, Chivas USA• Steve Cherundolo, Hannover (Germany)• Jay DeMerit, Watford (England)• Clarence Goodson, IK Start (Norway)• Oguchi Onyewu, AC Milan (Italy)• Jonathan Spector, West Ham (England)

Goaltenders• Brad Guzan, Aston Villa (England)• Marcus Hahnemann, Wolverhampton (England)• Tim Howard, Everton (England)

WC Art

These are awesome!

For the second time in its history, a FIFA World Cup is accompanied by a major official licensed art project.

The Official Art Poster Edition of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa comprises works on football by seventeen internationally acclaimed artists with a special relation to the African continent. 2010 art prints have been made of each of the seventeen football artworks. These prints are now available as a strictly Limited Edition of Official Art Posters. Including famous top-ranking artists such as William Kentridge, Marlene Dumas and Romero Britto, the Official Art Poster Edition 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is an art collectible as well as a high-profile fan item.

For more info click on link:

brandsunitedug.sport.officelive.com

Maradona pledges naked victory lap

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Diego Maradona has promised to run naked through the center of Buenos Aires if Argentina wins the World Cup.

The Argentina coach made the promise during a radio show. The unpredictable Maradona was speaking a day after Argentina defeated Canada 5-0 Monday in its final warm-up match before the World Cup.

This will be a frightening visual, but one I welcome. Glory Days!

WC Prize

The championship trophy has been awarded every four years since the first tournament in 1930 except in 1942 and 1946 when it was not contested because of World War II.

Today the US announces it's 23 man roster. Coach Diego Maradona of Argentina announced his roster already. I can't say I agree with all players that will represent the Argentine squad, but we are blessed with deep pool of talent with Messi, Milito, Tevez, and Higuain to name a few. So I can't complain it would be a true disappointment if we don't make our way out of the first round, but with the volatile Diego at the helm we are surely in for a interesting ride.

Full Argentina squad: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon); Nicolas Burdisso (Roma), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garca (Colon); Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo); Sergio Aguero (Atlético Madrid), Diego Milito (Internazionale), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona).

Argentina, winners of the World Cup in 1978 and 1986, will face Nigeria, Greece and South Korea in Group B.

Vamos Argentina!

T-minus 14 to kick off

The Spanish League has crowned Barcelona champion once again, FA Cup final is over, Europa League has a champion, the other big leagues of Europe and around the world have also finished. With the Champions League final over, there should be an unpleasant empty feeling that comes from a void in the week without futbol games.

Fortunately, it is a World Cup year which means we have futbol commencing in just a few weeks. For those novices out there this is the most widely viewed sporting event in the world, where an estimated 715 million people viewed the final in Germany four years ago. It only comes around every four years and the qualification phase started in 2007 to determine which of the 32 teams qualifed for the tournament. In short the entire globe, except most of the USA, is glued to the Tele for an entire month as a new champion is crowned. Italy is the defending champion, but we hope to see Argentina bring home the cup after a long hiatus.

We purchased our tickets back in 2008 not knowing who we be following so the anticipation has been building for a few years and the countdown is officially on. So for these three pirates (Bryan, Kevin, & Rich) the excitement of the World Cup is making us anxious as we prepare to depart for South Africa on June 9th.

For now I have posted our current match schedule and itinerary so you may follow our journey while we travel through various host cities in South Africa (SA). Much more to come…I promise.

Match Schedule:

(1) Match #3, 6/12/10, Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Argentina vs. Nigeria
(2) Match #9, 6/14/10, Soccer City in Johannesburg, Holland v. Denmark
(3) Match #14, 6/15/10, Ellis Park in Johannesburg, Brasil v. North Korea
(4) Match #16, 6/16/10, Durban, Espana v. Switzerland
(5) Match #25, 6/19/10, Durban, Holland v. Japan
(6) Match #30, 6/21/10, Cape Town, Portugal v. North Korea
(7) Match #31, 6/21/10, Pt. Elizabeth, Chile v. Switzerland
(8) Match #44, 6/24/10, Cape Town, Holland v. Cameroon

Itinerary:

June 11 - 16: Johannesburg at Michelangelo Hotel. We have matches on June 12, 14, and 15.

June 16: We pick up our rental in Johannesburg then make a 6 hour drive to Durban. We have match the same day in Durban at 4 PM. Not as crazy as our 12 hour same day drive from Munich to the Port Hamburg while at the 2006 WC, but since we have lost our GPS (Flynn) it might be more like 8 hours.

June 17 - 20: These are "open days" Before we begin the lengthy road trip on 6/17 we have arranged a visit to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve where we hope to avoid the mosquitoes and view the abundant wildlife the park has to offer.

Then we will make our way along the coast to cape town. This will hopefully entail a shark tour, surfing, etc. Our plan is to stay in "non-host" cities while we explore the coast perhaps stopping at "national parks" or "eco-parks." On June 20, wherever we are, we put the pedal to the metal and make the final push to Cape Town. We have a match the following afternoon at 1:30 PM.

June 21 - 26: We'll be in Cape Town at Town House hotel. We have matches on June 21 and June 24. We depart Cape Town via Emirates in the evening.

We hope to keep everyone who follows us in the loop. Based on previous WC trips nothing works out as planned. We look forward for the adventure that awaits us!

Official website in case you are interested: www.fifa.com/worldcup

Regards,

Los Piratas de la Copa Mundial (Bry, Kev, & Rich)