By Avery Naughton
While the students of CCA turn their focus to the rapidly-approaching end of the school year, the world turns its attention to Brazil. Brazil will host the 20th FIFA World Cup for the second time, it’s first time being over sixty years ago in 1950. The 2014 World Cup has been many years in the making, with qualification matches occurring in June 2011. The thirty-two teams will compete in twelve stadiums located throughout the host nation. With the opening match on June 12th between Brazil and Croatia, millions of soccer, or football if you will, fans from around the world prepare for the excitement the World Cup brings.
Along with the anticipation, of course, comes predictions of who will win the coveted trophy. One of the strongest competitors is the host nation itself. Brazil’s past history of being the only team to compete in every World Cup and the only squad to win five times proves their strength. It is also interesting to note that in all world cups hosted by a South American country, a South American team has won. As if the home-field advantage isn’t enough, Brazil is equipped with several young star players, including their striker Neymar and Marcelo, a defender.
One of the other top contenders is Spain, who took home the 2010 World Cup by defeating Netherlands in the final with a nail-biting score of 1-0. The enormous talents – and egos – of the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona combine to create an dangerously competitive team. Sergio Ramos and goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas will spearhead the defense while Barcelona members Iniesta and Xavi lead the attack. Despite their past success, Spain succumbed to the youthful talent of Brazil in the Confederation Cup this past summer.
Another one of the top dogs, Germany, is hungry for its fourth World Cup victory. Germany boasts perhaps what is the strongest midfields of the tournament, equipped with the talents of Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Praised for their cohesion and technique on the pitch, Germany is favored to be in the final.
No to be overlooked is Portugal, one of the underdogs of the competition. Led by a ferocious – and glamorous – Cristiano Ronaldo, who comes off of his second Ballon d’Or win, Portugal is not to be overlooked. Ronaldo singlehandedly brought Portugal through the qualifying rounds, beating Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic. If Ronaldo continues his superb season, Portugal could quite possibly take home their nations first World Cup trophy.
Our own students at CCA show a huge interest in the World Cup. Elliot Cohen, a CCA sophomore, set up a World Cup Charity event hosted by JTEEN that is similar to March Madness. To submit your bracket and predicted winners, please follow the link at the end of the article for a chance to win up to $1,000.
Every four years a winner is crowned and thirty-one teams face a long, miserable plane ride home. This year is no different, except for the nearly 40% increase in prize money. This year the winner will take home 35 million. And like every year it is played, the World Cup ushers in a collaboration of cultures and displays of pure athleticism and teamwork. So after you finish hitting the books and perhaps graduating, put down the paintbrush, log off of Tumblr, and experience the 2014 FIFA World Cup.