A look back: A little of everything

     Well, my time here in the UK has come to an end.  This is my last day here at Alive & Kicking, and two days from now, barring any mishaps, I’ll be back on American soil.  That said, I think a look back over my experience is in order.

     When I first learned I’d be working for a soccer charity, I was a little apprehensive; after all, it used to be that when I heard “football,” I think of that 60-minute game where play between the whistle rarely lasts more than ten seconds.  Now, however, I think of the game the rest of the world calls football.  (To avoid any confusion with my friends back home, however, I’ll stick to calling it “soccer.”)

     The fact that the World Cup happened to be held in Africa just as I was interning for an African soccer charity was a massive stroke of good fortune.  During the run-up, I was able to analyze the event (see my earlier blogs) and watch a charity brainstorm, publicize themselves, and garner support in a WC-related manner.  And during the WC, I saw how they tried to harvest the fruits of those labours, including fundraising events in which I lent a helping hand.  During the past two months at A&K, I have been given a chance to enhance my skills and learn new ones, and I feel more confident than ever as the time approaches for me to strike out into the work world.

     As satisfying as my work experience has been, it is only part of the story.  Being part of an urban environment again was an eye-opening experience.  You see, I grew up in New Jersey in a suburb of Philadelphia, and that was a pretty hectic place (nowhere near as urban as London, though).  Then about six years ago, I moved to rural Indiana, and the contrast between there and London is startling.  I realized that I missed certain aspects of the city environment, like the convenience of stores and the nightlife.  However, I cannot wait to return home to quiet of the cornfield in my backyard.

     The culture here has been astounding.  I’ve never been around so many different ethnicities and languages or seen such a wide range of lifestyles.  A ride on the tube (that’s “subway” for any American readers) is like a microcosm of Earth, with all sorts of races, styles, and socioeconomic statuses represented.  Beyond the people, London offers some of the greatest museums in the world (I could have spent days in the British Museum), and the proximity to the rest of Europe allowed me to travel to Paris and Amsterdam.

     Anyway, seeing as this is a blog for a soccer charity, I feel as though I should end on a soccer-related note.  Yes, my U.S. squad got knocked out.  And yes, their slow start problems finally caught up to them.  But this team has to go down as one of the most endearing teams in American soccer history, and I will consider it one of my favourite teams in any sport.  The grit and determination they displayed in overcoming their own mistakes and those of the officials was inspiring, and while I lament what might have been, I am excited for 2014 in Brazil, assuming Robbie Findley and Ricardo Clark never see the field again.

     As for the rest of the field, I found in disheartening that only Ghana advanced out of six African squads, where I thought Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast also had a shot.  That said, if the U.S. had to lose, I’m glad it was to Ghana, and I hope they win it all.  Up next is Uruguay, a winnable game, but then Argentina or Germany loom.  Should Ghana make it past that gauntlet, a final versus Brazil or Spain is likely, and I don’t like Ghana’s chance there.

     So, while there is much more to be said about the past two months of my life, most of which has been spent in London, I’m afraid I don’t have the space to say it.  I can say with absolute confidence that I will always look back on my time at Alive & Kicking and in London with fondness and know that I would not have traded it for anything.

     As final confirmation that I am, indeed, still very American, I’ve posted the highlights of our crucial win over Algeria, including one of the most vital goals ever scored for U.S. soccer.

The Spirit of Football journey, now complete, is a remarkable story

     “All the signatures blend into one, and that’s the beauty of it.”

     That’s what Christian Wach said of Alive & Kicking’s 250,000^th ball.  Wach is one of three men who comprise a group called “The Spirit of Football” who kicked, headed, and otherwise conveyed The Ball from Battersea Park, England, to Soccer City, South Africa.  This is their third World Cup-related trek; they endured the relatively short journey to Germany in 2006 and the more arduous expedition to Japan in for 2002’s WC.

     This year, they left January 24 and arrived in Soccer City June 12, ending a 138-day trip.  The symmetry involved in this endeavour is unique: 32 panels on The Ball, 32 countries in the WC.  The next number is staggering: more than 17,000 people signed The Ball.  Presidents and Kings, people on the street, Special Olympics athletes, pretty much any group of people you can name have played with or signed The Ball.

     Their specific purpose this year was to use an Alive & Kicking ball (a ball made in Africa, by Africa, for Africa) to unite all kinds of people regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, and especially regardless of intellectual disability.  Indeed, that was the most emphasized aim of the 10,000 mile hike.  The Spirit of Football partnered with Special Olympics Africa, and during their travels the gents involved as many intellectually inhibited people as possible.

     In this light I present a lovely little anecdote, one experienced in a Nairobi slum.  A bystander watched a game being played on a pitch littered with glass (some of the information these guys shared was quite eye-opening and often depressing) and asked Christian why was happening.  Christian explained that people with and without intellectually disabilities play on the same team.  To this, the bystander asked, “Which ones are disabled?”  Christian replied with a smile, and after a second the man understood and thanked Christian.

     I could read off much more information about this amazing travel, but that is a job better served by The Spirit of Football’s blog and the blog of The Ball itself.  What truly struck me, and what has struck me throughout the WC, is the global love lavished upon soccer.  I went to Amsterdam this past weekend, and if there was a game on at the time it could be watched at any bar, pub, or coffee shop.  Even my friends back in the States have WC fever, and yesterday’s thrilling win over Algeria has only cemented this affliction.

     But I digress.  The story here is one of a strenuous effort to unite people by harnessing the unique energy of this WC, particularly in Africa.  The joy these guys described when children were able to enjoy The Ball is touching, and the emphasis on Special Olympics athletes was moving as well.  In fact, here is what Kay Naido, a volunteer with Special Olympics South Africa, had to say about The Spirit of Football.

     On behalf of Special Olympics. On behalf of South Africa as a whole. We want to say thank you to Spirit of Football for doing what they’ve done. Clearly you guys need to be given the highest accolade in the world in terms of your commitment to the love of the game, for bringing The Ball all the way from the UK down through Africa. For the simple reason that this World Cup belongs to Africa. If I was in FIFA or in SAFA you guys would have front row seats at the Opening Ceremony. It is one world, one football and one World Cup and it is but one humanity, one love in the world that’s all. Thank you.

     But by June 12, the journey had come to an end.  A tiring mission of unification and raising awareness could now be considered complete.  I believe the moment that best summarizes The Spirit of Football and this trip in particular is an encounter related by their last blog entry.  They describe standing outside the stadium and shouting “One ball” and having a crowd shout back “One world.”  Then the chant was repeated in Spanish, in French, in German. 

     Looking ahead, The Spirit of Football’s planned route to Brazil excites me.  They plan on bringing The Ball through the States, and I would like very much to cross paths with it.  I am no soccer maestro, but playing a game and adding my signature to something so global and unifying is quite appealing.  After all, how cool is it to have signed the same ball the President of Zambia has signed?

     Cheers to these guys for bringing people together and touching so many lives via utilizing the one truly global sport.

(Click here if you’d like to see a short BBC interview with these guys.)

What FIFA really means for South Africa

     “The Unofficial Carrier of the You-Know-What.”  Such read an advertisement by low-cost South African airline kulula.com (also known as Kulula Air).  They followed that up with an ad suggesting use of their services “Not Next Year, Not Last Year, But Somewhere In Between.”  These advertisements are an obvious and rather comical marketing ploy by the airline to gain publicity through the incitement of some controversy.

     The ads may seem harmless, but they do underscore a key issue here: to how much are FIFA legally entitled?  They sent a letter to kulula.com demanding they remove the ads, which the airline has done, citing FIFA’s “stringent rules.”  A spokesperson from the airline said FIFA also forbade them from using images of soccer balls, vuvuzelas, South African flag or the Cape Town stadium as well as the words “South Africa” in future ads.  FIFA released a statement denying this, saying they prohibit the use of a combination of these images.

     Though it is commendable that the organization has shown a willingness to embrace a new and exciting venue such as Africa for this WC, FIFA’s influence on it and all South Africa goes far beyond construcuting a soccer tournament and engaging in an amusing advertising tiff with a minor airline; FIFA’s authority and protection have actually been written into South African law.  In 2006 the “2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Special Measures Act” was passed, and it has been utilized to its full extent in a few cases.

     Take the case of two Dutch women who wore orange dresses to Soccer City Stadium.  They have been accused of “ambush marketing” on behalf of Bavaria (a Dutch brewery).  Wearing the dresses has been deemed “promoting unauthorized activities inside an exclusion zone” and “unauthorized possession of a commercial object.”  Perhaps even more shocking is the fact that these are criminal offenses, and the two women face up to six months in prison.  As of now, FIFA are considering suing Bavaria.

     Does FIFA really need this protection?  A FIFA spokesperson recently said the company expects $3.2 billion in provisional income from this WC, and FIFA plan to invest 75% of this in “football development” (according to The Mail & Guardian).  In fact, secretary-general Jerome Valcke recently said, “We have increased our income 50% since 2006 in Germany.”  Meanwhile South Africa will have spent roughly R63 billion (or around $8.37 billion) on hosting the event.  South Africa foregoes much in the way of income due to the tax breaks it has granted (or been forced to grant, if you take into account that this was one of the conditions to which South Africa had to agree in order to host this WC) FIFA’s commercial affiliates, including broadcast agencies, service providers, licenses, and merchandise partners.

     What is sad is the amount of perception management demanded by FIFA.  They wanted the stadiums built in the more affluent areas—a much cheaper refurbishment of an old stadium in Athlone was declined in favour of a new stadium that features Table Mountain as a backdrop instead of lower-class neighbourhoods—leading many to wonder just how representative of South Africa this WC is.  And what will become of these massive endeavours (the stadiums) that have seen their cost estimates increase almost nonstop?  Would it not have been more sensible to build smaller stadiums or renovate and refurbish older facilities?

     Ah, but what is sensible and useful for South Africa does not appear to factor into the inner workings of the 2010 World Cup… I’m sorry, the 2010 FIFA World Cup (wouldn’t want to infringe on their turf).  Coming from the U.S. and the afterthought that is Major League Soccer (our professional league), I did not know much about FIFA or the political facets of the WC.  Now I fear I’m too aware, and while FIFA should be lauded for giving (South) Africa a shot, I’m afraid that what should be the most beautiful event in sport and a real opportunity for a developing country (and continent) to showcase itself to the world and be proud could be marred by greed and corporate excess.

     I guess the only enjoyable recourse is to sit back and watch the on-field product while trying to ignore some of the realities that lay behind it.  Good luck in 2014, Brazil.  If no lessons are learned from 2010, you’ll need it.

     (Normally I like to post a video related to a recent WC match in this space, but quality highlights are hard to come by on Youtube, so I’ll just post a video of a group of Dutch women performing their “ambush marketing” scheme.)

Reviewing African squads’ first matches and reassessing their chances

     As an American, my primary cheering interests concern the USA, and right now I’m quite pleased with where we sit.  A gritty, mostly exciting 1-1 draw with England is something any practical USA fan would gladly have accepted, and the seeming psychological dismay it caused the English side is just a nice bonus.  However, working for an African soccer charity and with this being a World Cup in Africa, my secondary wishes involve seeing African teams do as well as they can.

     Let’s start with an assessment of the host nation.  Group A was projected to be a three-team race between Mexico, France, and Uruguay, but with their impressive showing in a draw versus Mexico, the South African squad have interjected themselves into that race.  Throw in the France-Uruguay draw, and suddenly the Bafana Bafana have a decent say on who will advance from the group.  The road ahead does not get easier with matches against Uruguay and France, two teams still well above South Africa in quality, but this is soccer, and maybe with the home crowd and vuvuzelas providing some added inspiration, the hosts might just sneak out of the opening round (especially if their goalie, Itumeleng Khune continues his stellar play).

     As for Group B, I had hoped Nigeria would challenge South Korea for second place, and they still might have a chance.  But while the South Koreans looked awfully good whilst dominating Greece, Nigeria barely hung on for a 1-0 loss to the class of the group, Argentina, who dominated the game.  In fact, as Argentina outshot the Super Eagles 24-11 (7-1 in shots on goal), the lone bright spot for the Eagles was goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who was the best player on the field not named Lionel Messi.  Things look grim right now for Nigeria, but with another stellar effort from Enyeama, maybe they can eke six points out of their next two games or garner four and hope for A LOT of help.

     Poor Algeria.  Hitherto considered Group C also-rans, the Desert Foxes acquitted themselves well against Slovenia, getting the better chances through much of the game, but were ultimately undone by a substitute’s (Abdelkader Ghazzel) two yellow cards (in less than 15 minutes!) and a weak effort by keeper Faouzi Chaouchi on a Robert Koren shot.  With the perceived heavyweights of the group (USA and England) drawing, this was Algeria’s chance to gain confidence and maybe make a surprise run in the group.  Now, with games against two much better squads looming and nothing to show for this past game, Algeria are effectively dead in the water.

     Only one African team has won thus far, and that is Ghana.  With a very even 1-0 victory over a Serbian team many predicted to be a WC dark horse, Ghana have set themselves up very well.  In fact, they seemed to have the higher quality of scoring chances, and I now know the Asamoahs very well (as in Kwadwo Asamoah, who created numerous chances, and Asamoah Gyan, who scored the winning goal on an 85^th minute penalty).  Keep an eye on Ghana, for they now stand an excellent chance at advancing, and this would seem the most likely manner in which they would do so: Beat Australia by a good margin, and keep it close versus Germany.  This would give them second place, assuming Germany beats Serbia.

     We come now to Group E, where I made one of my less successful predictions (“Group E: Africa’s best shot at escaping group play”).  I had thought Cameroon would beat Japan, and it would come down to them having to beat Denmark to grab the second spot in the group,  but this has not come to fruition, as Japan knocked off the Indomitable Lions 1-0.  Cameroon had the better chances, but the Japanese grittily bore down and held them scoreless.  Now the Lions need to beat Denmark and hope the Netherlands beat Japan by a wide margin.  This would allow the Lions to play the Dutch in the final game, hope for a close result, and hope that Denmark barely edges Japan in the final match.

     Finally, we assess the strongest of the African squads, the Ivory Coast.  They earned a scoreless draw versus Portugal yesterday.  Star Didier Drogba did not start the game and did not appear in form when he entered during the last third of the match.  Overall, it was obvious neither side wished to lose, and this match sets up an interesting possible route to the next round for the Elephants.  Their next match is against Brazil, and win, lose, or draw, goal differentials will loom large in that game and their final one versus North Korea.  It’s that simple; it appears the Ivory Coast will match Portugal in points, so they’ll try to keep it close versus Brazil and then bludgeon North Korea on the final game.  Of course, Portugal has similar plans.

     So, for an “African” WC, the results are a little less than satisfying.  It seems only Ghana have a very good chance at advancing to the next round, while the Ivory Coast have a decent shot.  Cameroon and Nigeria need a good deal of help, South Africa remains a pipe dream (although a more plausible one than a week ago), and Algeria are cooked.  Then again, this is soccer, and strange things can happen over 270 minutes of play.

     For me, the prettiest goal of the tournament thus far was scored during the opening match.  Watch Siphile Tshabalala’s superb strike that gave South Africa a 1-0 lead.

What to do about the Vuvuzela?

     What is the vuvuzela’s place in the World Cup?  Should it be left alone because it is an African tradition and this WC, after all, is supposed to be an “African World Cup”?  Or is the constant droning (even during halftime) actually hurting this WC’s legacy as it drowns out other nations’ attempts to celebrate and be heard?

      First, the rationale for allowing the vuvuzelas.  FIFA president Sepp Blatter has hitherto ruled out a ban, saying the plastic trumpets are part of a unique South African soccer atmosphere.  How can you squelch fans’ expression?  BBC writer Fayari Mungazi wrote, “What would be the point of taking the World Cup to Africa, and then trying to give it a European feel?”  Also, the vuvuzela is just another noise-making product used at a WC (see the British wooden rattles and the thunder sticks that originated in Korea).

     Critics of the vuvuzela would argue that the horns actually inhibit fans’ expressions at matches.  As many point out, there is no perceptible change in the tone or rhythm of the droning despite the action on the field; you’d figure the fans would blow more passionately after a goal or controversial play.  Furthermore, the many vuvuzela-blowers continue blowing right through half-time.  (Click here for one person’s rather humourous interpretation.)

     There are concerns related to health as well.  One study found the maximum volume produced to be 127 decibels; according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Centre, sounds over 80 dB are considered potentially hazardous (depending on how long one is exposed to the sound). 

     On a less serious note, the effect of the horns on the quality of WC product being presented has been called into question.  Many players and coaches have complained that the vuvuzlea hinders communication to an unprecedented and unmanageable extent; indeed, Lionel Messi said it was “like being deaf.”  Fans’ ability to watch or listen at home has been impacted, too, as many complain that they cannot hear the broadcasters and often watch games with the sound muted.

     So the balancing act begins.  Do we sacrifice some culture and tradition in the name of health and product quality concerns?  Or do we maintain this part of the South African vibe of WC noise-making practices at the risk of damaging some fans’ ears and making it more difficult for some fans at home to hear?

     FIFA have a tough call on their hands, one I’m glad I don’t have to make.  Personally I have no problem with the vuvuzela if it’s used in a seemingly organized manner.  This may appear ignorant coming from a person who is not very familiar with South African culture, but there seems to be no place for incessant, non-rhythmical droning.  At the same time, who are we (or FIFA) to decide how fans should express themselves (provided it’s not in an offensive manner)? 

     Therein rests the issue I guess: what exactly is “offensive”?  Drowning out other fans’ forms of expression, hindering fans’ experiences at home, and possibly leaving some with hearing damage?  Or is it “offensive” to trample on a South African tradition and deny them the same right fans had in past WCs to use of noise-makers?  Like I said, I’m glad banning the vuvuleza is not a decision I have to make.

Here we go: Final thoughts on England-USA

     Whether it’s in my office here at Alive & Kicking or just passing a poster in a pub window on any London street, the excitement for England’s chances in this World Cup is palpable.  However, it is tempered by restraint that stems from many past disappointments.  After all, the English are considered to be the fathers of soccer, and to have won only one WC (back in 1966, no less), eats at the English soccer fan.  At the risk of being run out of my office, I must say that I would absolutely love to see London after a loss to their younger cousins across the pond, the soccer neophytes that are the American squad.

     This is not to say I predict a USA victory; no, I would be happy with a draw against what seems to be a very strong English side (by most accounts, one of the top six or seven squads in the world and ranked 8^th in the World on the latest FIFA rankings).  But it is fascinating to compare the general perceptions each country has of one another related to soccer.  On one hand, it seems many English soccer aficionados dismiss American soccer and look down upon how Americans are relative newcomers to the scene and how they call the sport “soccer” while the rest of the world calls it “football.”

     In contrast, many causal American soccer fans become a lot more passionate when England are involved.  This seems due to the fact that they perceive that English soccer enthusiasts feel more knowledgeable and cultured when it comes to the game (how often this perception is correct is anyone’s guess).  Which brings me to my personal thoughts expressed earlier: I would love to see the USA beat England.

     I personally harbour no grudge toward England.  I’ve loved my time here in London, and I’ve really enjoyed becoming more knowledgeable in the sport.  The USA are still my favourite team, and while Mexico may currently be our greatest soccer rival on the field, England remain our greatest rival in the mindsets of many.  And if this sounds immature, I pass on to you an exchange between two diplomats.

     Phillip Breeden (US Embassy in London): “…My Ambassador has asked me to see if your Ambassador might be interested in a small wager? We will understand if you decline, given the outcome of the last such encounter.”

     Martin Longden (British Embassy in Washington D.C.) responded, setting the terms of the wager (the losing Ambassador entertaining the winner at a restaurant of the winner’s choice) and fired back this little gem:

     “Since the history of English football is long and extensive, in contradistinction to US soccer, I regret that I cannot immediately recall the encounter to which you refer. No doubt it is remembered fondly on these shores; we have quite forgotten it, however.”

     Breeden then accepts the terms of the wager, reminds Longden that “soccer” is “a fine English word [the Americans] have kindly preserved for [the English],” and makes a reference to World War II.

     It is this kind of rivalry that makes Saturday’s match between the USA and England such a must-see event for any soccer fans in either country.  So, having highlighted a little healthy friction between the two nations, let’s get on to the game itself. 

     So far there have been no major injury concerns beside the loss of Rio Ferdinand from England’s back line (although any time Wayne Rooney stumbles the entire nation of England holds its breath), so let’s get down to looking at the teams.  Beside Rooney, England have world class talent at all three levels, with John Terry and Ashley Cole in defence, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard at midfield, and the enigmatic but talented Peter Crouch able to join Rooney up front.  The only real question mark for the English, at least in terms of talent, is in goal, where the USA have the clear edge with Tim Howard.

     The USA have their own defensive concerns, as Oguchi Onyewu hasn’t played a full match in months, and he and captain Carlos Bocanegra were expected to be the twin towers anchoring an American defense that can be exploited along the sidelines.  Midfield is probably the USA’s deepest position, with Landon Donovan (one of the few internationally successful players American soccer has produced) leading the way along with Clint Dempsey, who scored the only USA goal in 2006, and Michael Bradley.  Up front, we will rely upon young Jozy Altidore and possibly Herculez Gomez to join him.  Neither is very physical, but it is hoped that their speed may cause the English defense problems.

     Alas, seeing no real advantage for the USA in terms of talent, I am comforted by the fact that anything can happen in soccer.  For the USA, one need look no further back than our 2-0 win over Spain last year to realize that our squad can punch above its weight and that effort and team cohesiveness have a chance to trump a talent deficit.  So, my official prediction here is a low scoring affair, each side will have 2 goals or less.  I see Donovan breaking down the English defense at some point, and I see Rooney or Crouch converting on a set piece.

     Other than that, let’s sit back and watch the spectacle unfold on Saturday.  And I leave you with a bit of humor, Mr. Longden’s final response to the American Ambassador’s bet:

     “Incidentally, you should know that the Ambassador likes his steak like American soccer victories—rare.”

     (Note: If you are in London and need a venue to watch the game, why not try Alive & Kicking’s fundraising event at FC Fulham Football Club?  Click here for details or visit http://www.aliveandkicking.org.uk/Get-involved/Events.html.)

Group H: Spain and then… a tossup for second place

     Having covered the “Group of Death” and co-favourite Brazil last time, we move now to the final group and the other co-favourite.  Spain are clearly the class of Group H and maybe even the entire tournament.  Unlike the other favourites, Spain have a very easy group and should have no trouble securing first overall.  Spain do have a maddening record of underperforming; indeed they often have the most talented squad but usually seem to wilt under pressure (although winning the Euro 2008 could be seen as a sign that this is changing). 

     Just looking at their squad, however, it is hard to see how this team that won all ten of its qualifiers can be stopped.  The talent is remarkable: David Villa and Fernando Torres up front provide the kind of finish most teams dream about, Cesc Fabregas can score while Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta set things up from the midfield, the back line is anchored by Sergio Ramos and vice-captain Carles Puyol, and it’s all backstopped by Iker Casillas, considered one of the top three keepers in the world.  The “depth” players are no slouches either, with the likes of Joan Capdevilla, David Silva, and Juan Mata playing the role of supporting cast.  In fact, the Spanish are so stacked that Fabregas may not even start due to Xavi and Iniesta’s brilliance, although concerns about nagging injuries to Iniesta, Fabregas, and Torres have crept into the thoughts of many La Furia fans.

     Vying for second in Group H and trying not to be humiliated by the Spaniards are Chjle, Switzerland, and Honduras.  The Chilean side have been surprisingly competent against quality competition, finishing only one point behind Brazil in qualifying but had one more win.  Chile are led by Humberto Suazo, the leading scorer during qualifiers with 10 goals.  Currently, La Roja are ranked eighteenth by FIFA, and they should be one of the more exciting teams to due to their attacking style.

     The Swiss squad, on the other hand, play a more defensive style (see their 2006 WC campaign, in which they were eliminated despite not conceding a single goal) and, while not as impressive as Chile, did more than enough to qualify, winning six, losing one, and drawing even in three matches.  Also improving Switzerland’s chances is their head coach, Ottmar Hitzfield, who has eighteen major trophies, the most of any coach at this WC.  For the Swiss to challenge for the second spot, they must maintain their defensive prowess and find a way to score goals, whether it be pouncing on a counterattack or capitalizing on a set piece.

     Rounding out the group are one of the stronger also-rans of the tournament, Honduras.  Widely projected to finish fourth in Group H, Honduras would do well to earn a result against Switzerland or Chile, and it is not inconceivable that they could do so.  After all, they were down only 1-0 for the majority of their semi-final CONCACAF Gold Cup match against the USA, an opponent of similar quality to the Chileans or Swiss.  Indeed, Honduras could prove to be one of the better spoilers of this WC.

     So, even accounting for bad luck or a critical injury, I must pick Spain to top Group H.  Second place, as it so often does, will come down to Chile vs. Switzerland on June 21.  One possible wild card: Spain may field a depleted squad for its third game, against Chile, should it have secured top spot in the group.  In that case, you may see Honduras play more inspired against the Swiss that day to see if they can leave some kind of mark in the group stage (like preventing the Swiss from advancing, for instance).

     For anyone curious to see if Spain are rusty, here are highlights from their friendly last night versus Poland, a 6-0 romp.  Goals 1 and 2 in particular are pretty.

Group G: Brazil leads a true “Group of Death”

     I have watched some of the past two World Cups, although I watched much of the 2006 edition, and it took me some time to pick up on the “Group of Death” characterization.  As often happens, two groups in 2006 could be called the “Group of Death”: Group C (Argentina, Netherlands, Ivory Coast, and Serbia Montenegro) and Group E (Italy, Ghana, Czech Republic, and USA).  This year, however, only one group can really be considered the “Group of Death”: Group G (Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, and North Korea).

     Sure, Groups D and E in this WC have one elite program and maybe one or two sides that are slightly behind, but Group G boasts two world class squads and, depending on Didier Drogba’s health and form, a team very capable of upsetting an elite program.  At the very least, whatever teams advance out of this group will be well-tested and ready for the Round of 16 where they are likely to meet Spain and Chile (but more on that tomorrow).

     Brazil are clearly the class of Group G and along with Spain are considered the co-favourites to win this WC.  Ignoring their illustrious WC history, one need only check the last two years to see why Brazil are thought of so highly.  They won the 2009 Confederation Cup, including a 3-2 comeback win over the USA that left a sick feeling in my stomach, and finished atop an extremely tough qualification group, besting Chile by one point but also recording a +22 goal differential.

     This Brazil team is not of the same mould as past squads, however, which relied much on finesse and inspired the phrase “The English invented (football), the Brazilians perfected it.”  No, this Brazil squad relies much more on physical play, smart positioning, and astute attention to defence.  This is not to say Dunga’s side lack talent; on the contrary, any squad with Kaka, Luis Fabiano, and Robinho will score goals.  But Brazil can also win grinding affairs through the play of keeper Julio Cesar (considered among the top three goalies in the world with Italy’s Buffon and Spain’s Casillas) and central defenders Juan and Lucio.  Lucio, in particular, appears to have greatly matured over the last two years under the guidance of defensively-minded Jose Mourinho.

     The next talented squad amid this group are Portugal, who have been rather enigmatic over the past few international competitions.  They’re always among the most talented teams in the world, especially with perennial player of the year candidate Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack.  Portugal reached the finals in Euro 2004 and the semi-final in the 2006 WC, but then suffered a disappointment in only reaching the quarterfinals in Euro 2008.  They gritted their way through a qualifying campaign that saw them beat Bosnia and Herzegoniva in a pair of 1-0 wins.  Portugal has often been viewed as a hot-headed, elegant side, and maybe their clutch performance at the end of qualifications spells an end to this portrayal.

     On to the squad many felt would be the most successful African squad, the Ivory Coast. It was thought that, on their best day, they could beat all but the most elite programs (i.e. they had a chance to steal second place from Portugal).  Alas, their most talented player, Drogba, has recently had emergency arm surgery in the hopes that he will be back in time for the tournament.  According to Sports Illustrated, the Ivory Coast lack any elite playmakers from the midfield and therefore desperately need Drogba up top to finish.  His health and form are critical to deciding the second team to advance out of Group G.  Under the leadership of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the highly successful former coach of the English national team, the Elephants believe they have the depth and talent to succeed whether or not Drogba is able to participate at full strength, or even at all.

     Finally we have the mystery squad, the defensive and cunning North Koreans.  Having gained some publicity for trying to sneak an extra striker on their squad as a goalkeeper (which FIFA noticed and ruled that Kim Myon-Wong, the player in question, could only see the field as a goalie), not very much else is known about the team.  They are known to be a defensive-minded team, and their qualifiers demonstrated this, where they only lost 1-0 to South Korea and 2-1 to Iran.  They are not expected to threaten any of the other teams in Group G, and a draw would be a major success.

     So expecting Brazil will move on, the second spot comes down to Portugal and the Ivory Coast.  It may well be decided when the two meet head-to-head on June 15.  The winner would be in the driver’s seat for second place, and should Brazil underperform, possibly even challenge for first in the group.  To me, Portugal vs. Ivory Coast comes down to two variables: whether the Portuguese really learned how to operate as a team and keep their composure and what kind of form Drogba will be in, or whether he even makes it back to full fitness at all.  As both questions remain without answer, I suggest we sit back and enjoy the “Group of Death.”

     Just for fun, I included some highlights of Luis Fabiano, my pick to win Alive & Kicking’s “Predict the top scorer at the World Cup” competition on Facebook for a chance to win a free A&K ball.  Check out the competition at http://www.facebook.com/BallsForAfrica.

Group F: Italy’s playground

     Group F, I believe, has the easiest group winner to predict in this World Cup.  Barring one of the most stunning developments in WC history, Italy should advance rather easily.  The “Azzuro Savoia” (Savoy Blue) return virtually the same team that grittily won the last WC, although enigmatic forward Luca Toni and rugged defender Marco Matterazzi were left off the squad.  Having underperformed in the 2009 Confederations Cup (winning once and losing twice to warrant their elimination), Italy brought back Marcello Lippi, who had resigned shortly after his triumphant campaign in 2006.

     As an American who dabbles in soccer, team Italy evoke strong thoughts, as the USA’s greatest feat in 2006 was the rough and controversial 1-1 draw versus Italy in which one goal for each squad was disallowed due to offside, Italy scored an own goal, and the USA finished the game with only nine men on the field due to red cards.  When I look at this squad, despite Toni’s and Matterazzi’s absence, the names Buffon, Pirlo, De Rossi, and Gattuso jump off the page.  Make no mistake, despite their age, Italy boast world class talent, and they have Buffon to clean up any mistakes they should make.

     The always tense battle for second place in the group is expected to come down to Paraguay and Slovakia.  Both squads have a limited WC resume, with Paraguay’s more substantial due largely to political reasons.  Paraguay have never advanced past the Round of 16, but they stand a good chance to get that far this time as second place in Group F should be decided by their head-to-head match with an inexperienced Slovakian side.

     The Slovakian national soccer team is a veritable baby on the international football scene.  Formed in 1993 after Czechoslovakia split, the 2010 WC is the first one for which Slovakia has qualified.  They will rely heavily on highly touted midfielder Marik Hamsik, who, according to FIFA’s WC Group F preview, has been Napoli’s best player.  They also hope to ride the momentum of a surprising qualifying campaign that saw Slovakia finish ahead of Slovenia (a WC dark horse), the Czechs, Northern Ireland, and Poland.

     Most groups have one squad no one expects much from, and for Group F that team is New Zealand.  No one has high hopes for the “All Whites,” who have a dismal 0-3 record and -10 goal differential in their only WC experience (1982).  Currently ranked 78^th by FIFA, New Zealand would do well to record a scoreless draw and will be hard-pressed to come home with anything better than a hideous goal differential.  I should hold my tongue here, however, for strange things happen on the pitch (see the USA’s triumph over Spain and near-miss against Brazil in last year’s Confederations Cup).

     So for any real drama this group can offer, mark June 20 on your calendars.  That is when Slovakia play Paraguay, and in all likelihood that is when second place in Group F will be decided.  I would love to see Slovakia and New Zealand advance, just to put unexpected teams into the next round, but I know Italy will advance.  And can one really complain about having more opportunities to watch Buffon and Pirlo put on a show?

     And just to revel in what little success us Yanks had four years back, here are the highlights of that gritty draw we had against Italy.

Group E: Africa’s best shot at escaping group play

     It seems that in the groups I’ve covered thus far, there is always one distinct favourite while second place looks to be hotly contested.  Group E is no different.  Leading the way are the Netherlands, a squad widely regarded as among the best in the world, only slightly behind Brazil and Spain (FIFA ranks them fourth, behind Portugal).  The Dutch breezed through a rather easy qualifying group (Norway, Scotland, Macedonia and Iceland) but did so in an impressive manner, winning all eight games and outscoring the opposition 17-2.

     The Netherlands are not without flaws, however, and according to The Football Blog, questions remain about how well their defence can hold up.  This may open the door just a bit for Cameroon, who are thought by many to rival the Ivory Coast, and indeed FIFA has them ranked 19^th, eight spots ahead of the Ivory Coast.  Cameroon seem to be Africa’s best hope at winning a group, and are definitely Africa’s surest bet to advance to the Round of 16.  However, these hopes may be more tenuous than previously thought, if last night’s 3-1 loss in a friendly versus Portugal is any indication.

     Denmark are a team that shocked many with their surprise first-place finish in a qualification group that included Portugal, Sweden and Hungary.  Soren Larsen, who led the Danes in scoring during qualifications, cited team spirit and a tight defensive formation with the ability to quickly counter attack as the reasons for his squad’s success. 

     Continuing the trend of strong qualifying campaigns, Japan can talk about their own -impressive record, the only misstep being a 2-1 loss to Australia.  Coach Takeshi Okada certainly believes this bodes well, as he has publicly stated his goal of advancing to the semi-finals.  Okada can also take solace in his side’s performance in a 2-1 loss to England in a friendly this past weekend.  Both English goals were Japanese own goals, leaving many to believe the “Blue Samurai” can keep up with the world’s elite.

     Here again I have trouble both predicting who will advance and deciding who I’d like to advance.  I want Cameroon to move on for sure, as this is Africa’s World Cup, and they have a very good shot at doing so.  In fact, the group winner may be decided when the Indomitable Lions take the pitch against the Dutch in each team’s final group match. 

     I am rather indifferent as to the other team I’d like to see advance.  I believe the Netherlands will do so by beating Cameroon in a close match to close out group play, and really I would not complain if it played out like that.  To watch American soccer is to understand and appreciate the value of a cohesive team and blue-collar mentality; to watch the Dutch put on the high powered precision attack is much more aesthetically pleasing.

     Last night, Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o, hailed as one of the most talented players in the world, received a red card in last night’s friendly.