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A Brief History Of The FIFA World Cups (Part Two)

December 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

21312932878_worldcup.jpg 
 
A Brief History Of “Chile 62″
 
 
The motto of the World Cup Chile 62 was “porque no tenemos nada, lo haremos todo” (because we have nothing, we will make everything). This due to the earthquake which struck Chile in the months leading up to the world cup that left this South American country with all to do in order to be ready on time yet it was to their credit that the job was completed on schedule.
 
Chile 62 was the first world cup in which defensive play became a factor in the game as before this was something teams almost never thought about to the extent that matches like the France 6 Germany 3 which decided third place in the previous cup were not so rare. It being in Chile 62 that teams began to worry not so much about winning but not loosing, perhaps thinking that one should win if one scored two goals or more. This tournament in fact putting an end to world cups like the one in 54 which saw Hungary score 27 goals in 5 games while Germany scored 23 in 6 games or like the one in 58 which saw Fontaine of France score 13 goals in 6 games or a final in which 7 goals were scored.
 
Chile 62 was also rare in being the one that led to FIFA passing a rule that if a player played for one country he could not do so for another one. This due to players like Czechoslovakia’s Kubala who ended up playing for not only Czechoslovakia but Hungary and Spain while Hungary’s Puskas even scored a goal for Spain in Chile 62 against Mexico to give them a 1-0 victory. Chile 62 was also a world cup in which unfortunately many of Europe’s best players of the time either did not really play as well as was expected of them such as Yashin of the USSR or Spain’s Gento or did not play at all. As was the case with Di Stefano, who despite being fit in training was not allowed to play for Spain and perhaps because of this became arguably the best player never to have played in a world cup.
 
Another interesting factor about Chile 62 was the way Brazil won their opening match against Mexico by 2-0 while Uruguay won theirs against Colombia by 2-1 while Argentina was theirs against Bulgaria by 1-0 yet these three teams despite winning were still severely criticized in their own countries. Chile 62 was also unique in being the only world cup so far in which 6 players finished tied for top goal scorer at 4 goals a piece. The list of these players including Vava (Brazil), Garrincha (Brazil), Albert (Hungary), Ivanov (USSR), Jerkovic (Yugoslavia) and Sanchez (Chile). Regarding the manner in which the tournament was played, this was also the first world cup in which teams did not have to play each other twice in the first round to determine which of the two went on to the quarterfinals.
 
As for Italy, they would be eliminated in the first round for the third time in a world cup but at least they managed to qualify; after not having done so in 58 for what would be the first and last time. Italy in this world cup would also play a most memorable game against Chile which was so violent and full of dirty fouls that it will forever be remembered as the “battle of Santiago”. It being in this match that Italy not only lost by 2-0 but had two men sent off while Chile’s Toro knocked out an Italian player with a left hook and was allowed to stay on the field. Chile 62 however had other moments of interest such as:
 
1. Colombia 4 USSR 4 (First Round)
This match apart from being one of the greatest ever played was also and still is the highest amount of goals two teams have drawn level at. It was also in this game that Col for Colombia scored the first and so far the only Olympic goal ever scored in a world cup. An Olympic goal being one where the ball goes straight in from the corner spot without being touched by another player.
 
2. Czechoslovakia 3 Yugoslavia 1 (Semifinal)
This match broke a record for the lowest attendance for a world cup semifinal. As the number of fans in attendance was about 8,000.
 
3. Brazil 4 Chile 2
This was the first time two South American teams faced each other in a world cup semifinal.
 
4. Brazil 3 Czechoslovakia 1 (Final)
Brazil’s Vava became the first player ever to score goals in two different finals.
 
The world cup Chile 62 saw many a great performance yet perhaps the most outstanding was by Garrincha who was able to win the world cup for Brazil. This naturally being with the help of Amarildo who through out most of the tournament played for the injured Pele. As a footnote to this cup, Chile beat Yugoslavia for third place yet has not won a world cup match ever since. This despite having played in four world cups since.
 
 
A Brief History Of “England 66″
 
 
The world cup “England 1966″ was the first one played in an English speaking country along with being the one which to many will be remembered for a very controversial victory by the home team; for many reasons that go beyond their third goal in the final. For Italy the world cup in 66 will probably be remembered as the lowest point in their football history yet it did help to wake them from the complacency they had lapsed in to, as it was thanks to a loose to North Korea that they realized that any team could beat any other team. This being more so the case if they ran while their opponents walked on the field as if there mere presence were enough to score goals. England 66 however will also be remembered as a world cup of very defensive play and few flashes of brilliance yet it did have its moments.
 
1. North Korea 1 Italia 0 (First Round)
This matched served to qualify North Korea in to the quarterfinals which made it the first Asian team ever to get so far in a world cup. This victory by North Korea was also the first ever by an Asian team in a world cup.
 
2. Portugal 5 North Korea 3 (Quarterfinals)
In this match North Korea’s Pak Seung-Zin scored what was then the fastest goal in world cup history. This game will also be remembered as one of the greatest of all time as Portugal fell behind 3-0 yet thanks to Eusebio, who scored 4 goals; managed to come back and qualify to the semifinal.
 
3. England 1 Argentina 0  (Quarterfinals)
This game will mostly be remembered for the expulsion of Argentina’s captain, Rattin by a German referee (Kreitlein) who claimed he did not like the way he was being looked at. This prompting Argentineans to label this game as “el robo del ciglo” (the theft of the century) due to not only the expulsion of their captain but the fact that a German referee had been chosen for England’s game against them while an English referee had been chosen for Germany’s game against Uruguay. All of which making it appear as if these two countries had made a pact to help the other. FIFA even created a rule to prevent such things happening in the future along with another one that no referee from a country that had something to gain or loose by an encounter between two nations could be chosen for that particular match.
 
4. Germany 4 Uruguay 0 (Quarterfinals)
This match was referred by Jim Finney from England who many suspected helped Germany because Kreitlein of Germany had helped England in their game against Argentina. It being Kreitlein’s expulsions of Uruguay’s Troche and Silva along with his having missed a hand ball in the penalty box by Germany’s Schnellinger which gave more weight to the arguments that there might have been an arrangement between England and Germany to help each other in their respective games.
 
5. England 2 Portugal 1 (Semifinal)
This game was controversial even before it started as it was originally scheduled to be played in Liverpool yet was changed to Wembley stadium due to interference on the part of English officials.
 
6. England 4 West Germany 2 (Final)
England became champion for the first time and are still the only champion to have played in only one final. This game will mostly be remembered for England’s third goal and first in the period of overtime which followed the match. As it was believed and has recently been proven by computer graphics that Geoffrey Hurst’s shot at the 111 minute mark of the game did not actually go over the goal line. England however did score a forth goal in this game which made the score 4-2 yet some claim this goal also should not have been allowed. As some fans had even made their way on to the field (believing the game was over) while England’s Hurst was still running down the field; on his way to putting the ball in the German net. In fact, it was the English announcer who even claimed the game to have ended before the ball actually went in the German goal. Another factor to be remembered in this final was Hurst, who became the first and so far only player in world cup history to score three goals in a final.
 
England however won this world cup even if it was with some controversial moments which to date has been not only their only championship in world football but their only appearance in a major final. This being the case since they have yet to play in the final of a European Cup. England 66 unfortunately also went down in history as a world cup with very little in the way of great play given that creativity was replaced by nasty defending. For Italy, however it marked a turning point in their football. As it led them to see that changes would be required on their part if they were ever to return to their glorious past.

 
As a footnote, it was Portugal who in this tournament won 5 games which gave them 10 points and placed them among the top 10 teams in the overall standings of the world cup. This despite having only played in one world cup.
 
A Brief History Of “Mexico 70″
 
 
The world cup Mexico 70 is one which is mostly remembered for great football, strong teams and memorable games which in the opinion of some make this the greatest world cup ever played despite the goal scoring average not being among the highest. I however ask if it is fair to compare this world cup to those of the past which were not even televised? This perhaps being a question of debate yet Mexico 70 did enjoy being the first world cup which was not only transmitted world wide but with the benefit of instant replays.
 
Mexico 70 was also a world cup which brought about important changes to the game. The first of which being yellow and red cards given to players who committed infractions with the yellow card being used as a caution while the red card meant expulsion from the game to the player to whom it was presented. Another change in this world cup was that for the first time teams were allowed to substitute players during the game. It being two the number of players which teams were permitted to replace (unlike today’s three) with those on a list which they presented before the game of players eligible to enter the game. This system creating a situation where only players on this list could enter the game yet with time it changed to what it is today; where any player on the team who has not been suspended may enter the field of play in somebody’s place. For my part however I find it strange that FIFA would have waited so many years to install a system that allowed players to be substituted. It in fact putting an end to those days in which teams were sometimes forced to play short handed when a player had been injured; who either left the field or simple remained on it in spite of doing literally nothing other than standing in place.
 
To these changes however there was another one which was also of consequence and this one being that the system of goal difference would be used to separate two teams who finished equal on points; as opposed to before where teams were required to play an additional match.
 
For Italy this world cup was perhaps the most significant they ever played as it was the one to return it to its prewar glory of the thirties. It being the first time since 1938 that Italy not only went past the first round in a world cup but as far as the final and though theirs would be to loose to Brazil; the efforts of this team brought back much pride in Italian football which had taken battering after their 1-0 loose to North Korea in the previous world cup. Italy looking back had a great team which so far has been the only one in its history to ever win the European Championship yet it was their performance in Mexico 70 which put our football back among the world’s best. Italy lost to Brazil by 4-1 yet did have their chances in a game that was not as lopsided as the score would suggest and many (myself included) are of the idea that it was fatigue from their previous overtime encounter with Germany that took too much out of them to be able to win against a very strong Brazilian team. This a team which is believed by many to have been the greatest in Brazil’s history.
 
The world cup Mexico 70 which was also the first one to be held in neither Europe or South America without a doubt had many fine memories and outstanding moments some of which are included in this list.
 
1. Mexico 0 USSR 0 (opening game)
This is the game where the first ever substitution of a player took place. It being when Anatoliy Puzach came in for  Viktor Serebryanikov after 45 minutes of play.
 
2. Italy 4 Germany 3 (Semifinal)
This was a legendary match which included almost everything a game can, from a last minute equalizer by Schnellinger for Germany at the end of regulation time to five overtime goals.
 
3. Brazil 4 Italy 1 (Final)
It was this game which proclaimed Brazil champion for the third time, it being this factor which meant they got to keep the Jules Rimet trophy as their own property yet as a footnote; it would get stolen in 83 and has yet to be recovered. Brazil’s Pele became the first and so far only player to be on three teams to win the world cup as he was also a member of their squad which won the world cups in both 58 and 62 yet despite this factor he would not be the first player ever to play in three finals. This being the case since he did not play for Brazil in the 62 final.
 
Italy made it to the world cup final in Mexico 70 which surprised many at home yet despite this they were not so warmly welcomed back home when they failed to beat Brazil in the final. As an added fact to this Italian squad, it was their substitute goalkeeper, Dino Zoff who would go on to captain their world cup winning team in Spain 82.
 
A Brief History Of “Germany 74″
 
 
The world cup played in Germany in 1974 was the first one in which teams competed for the FIFA cup instead of the Jules Rimet cup. This cup having been won by Brazil for keeps in Mexico 1970 when they beat Italy in the final by 4-1. The world cup 74 in Germany was also the first in which teams getting to the final would be required to play seven games as opposed to the six they had played in the previous world cups. All due to a system in which the 8 teams that qualified in to the quarterfinals would be put in to two groups of four where the teams to come in first from each group would go in to the finals while the teams to come in second from each group would play for third place. All of which making it necessary for 38 games to be played instead 32 as had been the case in the previous world cup.
 
Germany 74 was the last time Italy did not get past the first round in a world cup. As theirs was a team which was aging however other teams and events; such as the following made this tournament memorable. As for myself personally though I did not see any of the games of this world cup live I did see repeats of the games on television in the months leading up to Argentina 78.
 
1. Brazil 0 Yugoslavia 0 (Opening Game)
This was the first time in the history of the world cups in which the defending champion (Brazil) played the opening game. This breaking the tradition that it was the host nation which was given the honor.
 
2. West Germany 1 Chile 0 (First Round)
In this game Chile’s forward Carlos Cazeli became the first ever player in world cup history to be sent off the field with a red card.
 
3. Yugoslavia 1 Scotland 1 (First Round)
As a result of this game, Scotland became the first ever team to be eliminated in the first round of a world cup without actually loosing a game and having only conceded one goal.
 
4. East Germany 1 West Germany 0 (First Round)
This was the first and so far the last match to be played by a divided nation which could repeat itself if North Korea were to face South Korea in the upcoming South Africa 2010.
 
5. West Germany 2 The Netherlands 1 (Final)
In this game Holland’s Neeskins at 2 minutes in to the match scored the fastest goal in a world cup final. This goal coming on a penalty which was also the first given in a final. Another unique feature about the only Dutch goal of this final was that it was they who kicked off and no German player actually touched the ball till they were already trailing by 1-0. The First German goal also came on a penalty which made this the first final not only to have one penalty but two of them. The second German goal was scored by Muller, it being his 14th world cup goal which also made him the highest scorer in world cup history; surpassing the French player Fontaine. This final was also original in being the first ever in which no goals were scored in the second half.
 
Germany won the world cup which they organized in 74 with a great team which showed all the qualities of their football yet other teams such as the Netherlands and Poland would also leave a very good mark on this tournament. As for me personally though I did not see Germany 74 live, it would be sad to find out later that Italy had not qualified in to the quarterfinals yet better days would come in Argentina 78 for the “azurri”.
 
A Brief History Of “Argentina 78″
 
 
An article about all the strange and first time things which occurred in the world cup Argentina 78.
 
I have been a fan of football ever since the first world cup which I saw back in 78 when the tournament took place in Argentina which till now has been the last time it was held in South America. It being even back then that I had a mind for trivia and noting strange things or those which happened for the first time that to my way of seeing things made those games memorable such as the following facts.
 
 
1. Italy 2 France 1(First Round)
This was a game in which Lacombe for France scored the fastest goal in world cup history; just 35 seconds in to the match.
 
2. Argentina 2 Hungary 1 (First Round)
This was a game in which Hungary had two of its players shown the red card. This being the first time that more than one player was thrown out of a match.
 
3. Argentina 2 France 1 (First Round)
This was the first time a team ever substituted their goalkeeper. This happening when France was forced to replace their goalkeeper, Le Mande (for Baretelli) due to an injury he sustained after hitting his back on the goal post when going for a shot by Valencia.
 
4. Italy 3 Hungary 1 (First Round)
This was a game in which Italian forward Bettega, hit the post three times. This perhaps being a record.
 
5. France 3 Hungary 1 (First Round)
This was a game in which both the French and Hungarian team came on the field wearing the same color jersey which created a strange situation in which the match had to be delayed until one team got another uniform. This being not so easy as neither had one yet a solution was found as France played the game in the clothes of a local team.
 
6. Tunisia 3 Mexico 1 (First Round)
This was the first time an African team ever won a match in a world cup.
 
7. Brazil 1 Sweden 1 (First Round)
This was a game in which Brazil had a goal disallowed in the last minute of the match. This due to the referee claiming the game had finished while the ball was in the air; after it had been headed by Zico (for Brazil) and before it had crossed the Swedish goal line.
 
8. Peru 3 Scotland 1 (First Round)
This is a game remembered mostly for Scotland having one of its players (Johnston) suspended for using illegal substances. It being the first time a player had ever been suspended for using a banned substance.
 
9. The Netherlands 3 Scotland 2 (First Round)
 
This is the game in which Resenbrink scored the 1,000th goal in world cup history.
 
10. The Netherlands 5 Austria 1 (quarterfinals)
This is a game which to me seemed strange because Austria was being coached by a Dutchman while the Netherlands was being coached by an Austrian.
 
11. Brazil 3 Poland 1 (Quarterfinals)
This was a game noted for Brazil’s third goal scored by Roberto in which the ball hit the post three times on the same play before going in the net.
 
12. The Netherlands 2 Italy 1 (Quarterfinals)
This was a game in which the Dutch player Brandts, scored two goals. First one as an own goal for Italy and then a spectacular shot to make up for his mistake.
 
13. Argentina 6 Peru 0 (Quarterfinals)
This was a game which till this day many suspect bribery of the Peruvian team took place; as Argentina needed to win by four goals to go on to the final instead of Brazil.
 
14. Brazil 2 Italy 1 (For Third Place)
This was the game which decided third place yet Brazil became the first team ever to take this position without having lost one single match during the whole tournament.
 
15. Argentina 3 The Netherlands 1 (Finals)
This was the first time in which a substitute player scored a goal in a final which came when Nanninga did so for Holland to tie up the game at one a piece. Another outstanding factor of this final was that Resenbrink hit the post in the last minute of the game which probably would have given Holland the title; as the match would have ended 2-1 in their favor. A fact which makes perhaps The Netherlands the team to come the closest to wining a world cup without actually doing it.  This game was also noticeable for the delay at the start when Argentina protested over an arm protection over the arm of Holland’s Rene Van Der Kerkhof which the FIFA had already approved of. The Netherlands after the game became the first second place team to refuse to participate in the medal ceremony as well as the first one to loose two finals in a row.
 
In conclusion I will say that sometimes it is these perhaps little stories and facts which add to great games or perhaps just make matches of less quality more memorable.
 
 
 
 
 
A Brief History Of “Spain 82″
 
 
The world cup Spain 82 was the second one I ever saw played live and what in my opinion was one of the greatest of all times. This being the case since it not only was the first to include 24 teams but great matches like Italy Vs Brazil, France Vs Germany, Poland Vs. France and many others in a tournament which would set the record for most goals ever scored in a world cup; breaking the record set in Switzerland 54 by two goals. The world cup in Spain was also unique in being the first and so far the only one in which 12 teams qualified to the second round. This requiring a system where these 12 teams were put in to four groups of three with the teams to come in first place in each group going on to the semifinal. In all this however Spain 82 also had two factors which were rare and one of them being that no team left the world cup without at least scoring one goal and that three teams; Italy, England and Cameroon left the tournament undefeated. As for me, personally it would be the first time I would ever see my beloved Italy win a world cup though not the last yet other moments such as the ones listed below stick out in my memory.
 
1. Belgium Vs Argentina (1-0) was the first time the defending champions lost in the opening match of a world cup.
 
2. Hungary Vs El Salvador (10-1) was the first time a team scored goals in double digits and that a player coming in off the bench (Kiss) got a hat trick.
 
3. Italy Vs Cameroon (1-1) was the game which qualified Italy in to the second round yet they became the first team to accomplish the feat without having won a single game.
 
4. Algeria Vs Germany (2-1) was the first time an African team beat a European team in a world cup match.
 
5. Germany Vs Austria (1-0) was a game which many suspected was fixed by both teams so they might get a result which was mutually beneficial and allow them to qualify. It being apparent in the second half that both teams were playing just to keep the score. As whenever one team took possession of the ball they would blatantly pass it between themselves without making any attempt at moving forward while the other team made no effort to take the ball away from them. This match prompting FIFA to their decision that the last two games of a group had to be play simultaneously so neither team could know which result was the most convenient.
 
6. France Vs Kuwait (4-1) is a game remembered for a French goal being protested by a sheik from Kuwait who came on to the field of play (despite not having any official position on the team from Kuwait) and convincing the referee to disallow a goal which had been given to France. This being a goal which was taken away from Girese.
 
7. England Vs France (3-1)was the game in which Robson scored the fastest goal in the history of the world cup; just 23 seconds after the start. This goal even being faster than France’s goal against Italy in the previous world cup.
 
8. Spain Vs Yugoslavia (2-1) was a game in which Spain tied the game at one a piece with a penalty given for a foul easily committed at least one clear meter outside the penalty box. It also being a penalty which Spain originally missed but the referee had taken again given he felt the goalkeeper moved from his line before the ball was struck. For my part I felt that they should have simply saved themselves the trouble of the charade and just given Spain the goal which is basically what they did anyway.
 
9. Germany Vs France (3-3) was a semifinal match which was the first time in world cup history where penalties were used to decide the outcome. It being Germany who beat out France to reach the final.
 
10. Italy Vs Germany (3-1) was the first time a South American (from Brazil) referee was used for a final. Also the first time a penalty was missed (Cabrini for Italy not doing the honors) in a final and that the first half finished without any goals being scored. Another first was that at no point in the match was one of the teams winning by 2-1. This being the case since Germany scored the last goal of the game which also made it the first time the loosing team scored the last goal of the match. This goal being scored by Breitner; who became the first European player to score two goals in two different finals. In this match Italy’s Graziani also became the fastest player ever to be substituted during a final; when he injured himself just seven minutes in to the game.
 
In conclusion I will say that sometimes it is these perhaps little stories and facts which add to great games or perhaps just make matches of less quality more memorable.
 

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A Brief History Of The FIFA World Cups (Part One)

December 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

01312932878_world.jpgA Brief History Of “Uruguay 30″
 
 
The world cup “Uruguay 30″ was the first ever organized with only 13 teams participating in a tournament which was by invitation. This in contrast to today’s world cups which are by qualification. As for the 13 teams which participated, two were from North America (USA and Mexico), seven were from South America (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Paraguay) while only four were from Europe; given the fact that costs of traveling in those days were very costly.
 
Uruguay was chosen as the host for the first world cup given that they were the defending Olympic champions at time. As for the tournament itself it was held exclusively in Montevideo and in three stadiums though most of the games were played in the “Centenario”. This stadium being constructed specially for this world cup and named “Centario” (meaning one hundred years) in honor of Uruguay’s 100 years of independence.
 
The world cup in Uruguay was organized by putting the 13 teams in to four groups with the winners of each group going in to the semifinals and eventually in to the final and unlike today there was no match played for third place. Of course due to the odd number of teams one group had four countries while the other three had only three.
 
Italy was among one of the countries that did not participate in this world cup despite having a strong team at the time which left Uruguay and Argentina, as the ones who would be most likely to win the tournament which started it all with moments such as these.
 
1. France 4 Mexico 1 (First Round)
In this game France’s L. Laurent scored the first ever goal in world cup history yet France was not really the first team to win a game, given that that at the same time the USA was playing Belgium in a match which was won by the team from North America by 3-0.
 
2. Argentina 1 France (First Round)
In this game France’s goalkeeper was the first to leave a match injured (20 minutes in to the game) yet given the rules of the day France could not enter a substitute player in his place. This meaning France found itself in a difficult situation which was made more so when Argentina’s Monti injured Laurent, who stayed on the field but did little other than limp through out the match. This game will also be remembered for the referee ending the match 6 minutes early and just as France had a man in a clear position to score a goal. As for the game, it would be restarted. France for its part had been forced to play two games in a period of 48 hours.
 
3. Argentina 6 Mexico 3 (First Round)
This game was the first one to feature a penalty as well as being the highest scoring match of the tournament. Argentina’s Stabile also became the first South American player to score three goals in a final though not the first to do so, as was originally thought.
 
4. USA 3 Paraguay 0 (First Round)
In this game the USA’s Patenaude became the first player to score three goals in a world cup match while the USA became the first and so far only team from North America to qualify as far as the semifinal.
4. Romania 3 Peru 1 (First Round)
In this game Peru’s Galindo became the first player ever sent off the field while the crowd in attendance is said to have been the smallest ever at a world cup match. It officially being 2,459 though the generally accepted figure is said to have been 300.
 
5. Argentina 6 USA 1 (Semifinal)
This was the first ever semifinal encounter. The United States for its part was declared as having come in third in this world cup though the reasons were never made clear as to why; given that a match for third place was not played.
 
6. Uruguay 4 Argentina 2 (Final)
This was the first ever final with Dorado for Uruguay scoring the first goal. As for a curious note regarding this first final. The first half was played with a ball from Argentina which ended 2-1 in favor of Argentina while the second half was played with a Uruguayan ball which ended in a 4-2 victory for Uruguay.
 
The first world cup was held in the winter which led to some of the games being played in the snow yet despite these factors; it can honestly be said that Argentina and Uruguay were the best teams in not only this world cup but of the time. As would be proven in this first tournament. It being Uruguay to claim the title while Argentina’s Stabile was top goal scorer with eight goals to his credit. In conclusion one can say though the first world cup lacked in organization and other aspects, it was the first world cup ever to be played as well as being the one that started it all so many years ago.
 
 
A Brief History Of “Italy 34″
 
 
Italy 34 was the second world cup to be played as well as the first one to be hosted by a European country. It being Italy who won their first championship in a tournament which they also had to qualify for along with 15 other teams. This factor making Italy the first and last nation to have to qualify for a world cup which they, themselves organized. Uruguay however in this second world cup refused to participate, feeling the need to get even with Italy and other European nations who did not participate in Uruguay 30. It being this factor which makes Uruguay the first and so far last nation not to participate in a world cup when they were defending champions. South America however despite Uruguay’s absence would not go unrepresented in Italy 34 as Brazil and Argentina did not fail to make their presence along with 14 other teams in what would be the first world cup with 16 nations.
 
Italy 34 was also organized in a different fashion than Uruguay 30 as it was in this tournament where teams were made to play each other in 8 games with the winners going on to the next round which was the quarterfinals. It being there where once more teams played each other in direct matches with winners going on to the semifinals where they again played one another; with the winning teams going on to the final while the loosing teams played for third place. It in fact being a system like the one which is used now a days, only that they started from what today is the round of 16. As a curious note regarding the games of Italy 34, they were all played simultaneously; in the sense that all first round matches were played on the same date and time. This also the case with quarterfinal matches as well as those in the semifinal.
 
For Italy this was the first world cup which they won as well as the one which established them as one of the dominating teams in world football. It being till this day that Italy is amongst the top four nations in the sport. As for Italy 34, it had many a fine moment such as.
 
1. Hungary 4 Egypt 2 (First Round)
Egypt was in fact not only the first African team to qualify for a world cup but was also the first one to do so which was neither from Europe or the Americas.
 
2. Austria 3 France 2 (First Round)
This game ended 1-1 after the regular 90 minutes which made it the first one in world cup history to go in to overtime.
 
3. Italy 1 Spain 1 (Quarterfinals)
This was the first ever game to end in a draw which required these two teams to replay the match. This was also one of the first quarterfinal games ever played in a world cup though it would be hard to say it was the first due to the fact that all four quarterfinal matches were played simultaneously.
 
4. Italy 1 Spain 0 (Quarterfinals)
Because the first encounter finished in a 1-1 draw, Italy and Spain had to replay their match which made this the first one ever to have to be replayed.
 
Germany 3 Austria 2 (For Third Place)
This was the first game ever to take place for third place.
 
Italy 2 Czechoslovakia 1 (Final)
This was the first final in which the loosing team scored the first goal as well as being the first one to go in to overtime. As for Italy, they became the first European team to win a world cup. Czechoslovakia for their part despite coming in second did have Nejedly on their team; who because of his five goals was top goal scorer of the tournament. This being similar to Argentina in 30 who also lost in the final but had the top goal scorer.
 
As a footnote regarding Italy, they had a player on their team by the name of Monti; who not only was born in Argentina but even played for them in the previous world cup. Monti becoming the first player ever to not only play in two world cups for two different teams but to reach two finals with different teams. Monti regarding his having played for two different teams is not alone however in having done so in two finals for two different teams is, as no other player in history has accomplished this feat and no other ever will; as this is now strictly forbidden by FIFA.
 
Italy won the second world cup in a tournament noted for brutality that would see many an injury, specially in both its matches against Spain yet in spite of it all; Italy did prevail at end. Italy also became the first world champion to have to play two games that went in to overtime as well as a replay. In conclusion one could say that Italy 34 was a tournament that included many a foul and kick as such was the game back then in a time before it was known for the finesse and skill most people now associate it with.
 
 
A Brief History Of “France 38″
 
 
France 38 was the third world cup ever to be played and though it was organized in the exact same manner in which Italy 34 was, it did have factors which made it unique yet some being as a result of the politics of the time which was soon to lead the world in to another world war. Austria in fact did qualify to this world cup and would have played in the first round against Sweden had it not been for the fact that Nazi Germany annexed it to form part of the third Reich. This meaning that Austria was unable to present a team to play against Sweden who received a walkover in their first match.
 
Italy for its part won their second world cup and became the first nation to claim this title for the second time. This being the case while France became both the first host nation to not only not win the world cup but be eliminated in quarterfinals in a tournament that included the following highlights.
 
1. Sweden Vs Austria (First Round)
This match was never played given that Austria no longer existed as an independent nation which meant that they were forced to forfeit. Sweden received a walkover which was the first and so far last time this has ever occurred in a world cup.
 
2. Brazil 6 Poland 5 (First Round)
This match which after regulation time ended at four goals a piece, set a record for most goals scored in a game yet it did not beat the Italy Vs USA of the previous world cup for goals scored during regulation time. In this game Poland’s Wilimowski also became the first player ever to score four goals in a world cup match though one was in overtime and so far he is the only player to do so in a loosing effort. Brazil became the first South American team to play in three world cups as well as having the first South American player (Leonidas) to score in two world cups.
 
3. Switzerland 4 Germany 2 (Replay In The First Round)
In this match Switzerland’s Loertscher became the first player to score an own goal in a world cup.
 
4. Italy 3 France 1 (Quarterfinal)
When France lost this match it became the first host nation ever to loose in a world cup.
 
5. Brazil 4 Sweden 2 (Match For Third)
Brazil became the first South American team to come in third in a world cup.
 
6. Italy 4 Hungary 2
Italy became the first team to repeat as champions as well as the first to have two players (Colaussi and Piola) score two goals a piece in a final.
 
In France 38, Italy won the world cup for the second time yet events were leading the world to war and it would not be till 1950 that another world cup was held. It being a whole generation of players that was lost to the game yet return football would with not only more world cups but great games.
 
 
A Brief History Of “Brazil 50″
 
 
Brazil 50 was an important tournament in many regards. One of them being that it was the first world cup to be held after world war II which brought back the interest of many nations. Italy being one of them, who not only was recovering from World War II but in fact had little if any desire to participate in the world cup, this perhaps due to how most of the players on their national team also played for the club “Torino” who suffered a plane crash that killed all the members of their team. Italy however were the defending world champions at the time and though it has not been proven, it is believed that one of the arguments FIFA used to convince Italy; was the offer of paying for all their traveling expenses.
 
To a certain extent Brazil 50 will be largely remembered for the teams that did not play. Germany being amongst them since they had been suspended because of the war. Argentina for its part had a great team at that time which had won several South American champions yet it was because of problems with Brazil that they chose to not even participate in the eliminations leading up to the world cup.
 
Brazil 50 was also a strange world cup from another aspect and that being the unique way it was organized. It being a tournament in which 16 teams were originally supposed to play in yet India, Scotland and Turkey withdrew before competition even started. This even leading to FIFA installing a rule that forced teams to participate in a world cup, if they had qualified or face sanctions; naturally FIFA making exceptions if a country for financial or political reasons or a natural disaster is unable to participate.
 
As for Brazil 50 itself, it was staged in the following manner, teams were placed in to four groups of four teams each with the winner of each group going on to not even the semifinals like had been the case in Uruguay 30 but another round robin group to determine the first four places in the tournament. This in fact meaning that Brazil 50 not only did not have quarterfinals but not even semifinals or a final for that matter or not one in the way which was played in every single world cup before or since. As for matches of interest, I would say the following are the ones which should be looked at.
 
1. Brazil 2 Switzerland 2 (First Round)
This was the first time a host nation drew in a match.
 
2. USA 1 England 0 (First Round)
This match was compared to the “shot heard round the world” of the American war of independence. It allowing the English to see that their football was not as great as they had believed, it being to the extent that when many in England read about this match in the paper; they thought the headline “USA 1 England 0″ had been a misprint.
 
3. Italy 3 Sweden 2 (First Round)
This was the first match in which a defending champion lost yet for Italy it also meant elimination in the first round though if they had at least drawn; it would have been them who would have gone on to the next round. Italy’s group was one of only three teams as India withdrew from the competition when they were told they could not play barefoot.
 
4. Uruguay 8 Bolivia 0 (First Round)
This match in fact was the smallest group in world cup history. As it was the one that decided which team from this group of two would end up among the top four teams of the tournament.  This being the situation since Scotland and Turkey were originally supposed to be in this group but both withdrew before the world cup started. Scotland not wanting to participate since they would not represent the UK as the first team. Of course for my part, I wonder why didn’t they just put other teams from the tournament in to this group.
 
5. Sweden 3 Spain 1 (Second Round)
This match settled which one of these two teams would come in third place though it would be unfair to say this was a third place encounter, due to the fact that if it had finished in a draw it would have been Spain to claim this position. This match as a curious point was played at the exact same time and day as the one which decided between Uruguay and Brazil who would win the Jules Rimet trophy which before this tournament was not officially referred to as such.
 
6. Uruguay 2 Brazil 1 (Second Round)
This match was hailed as the final of the tournament though in reality it was not. As it would be fairer to say it was the last game in a league played amongst only four teams. Uruguay for its part however thanks to their win became champion for the second and so far last time in their history while Brazil in all honesty, one could say finished second; this as opposed to merely being a looser of the final. Of course this game was particularly painful for Brazilians given the facts that they were playing at home and that all they needed to be declared champions was a draw. Another strange factor about this so called final was that to get to it Uruguay only had to play three games while Brazil had to play five games.
 
In conclusion it would be fair to say that Uruguay deserved their championship as they did defeat Brazil on their home soil to take it yet they did play two matches less. As for Italy they lost great players because of the war yet in spite it all were able to get together a wonderful team which would have been able perform well yet it was not to be. This being the case as most of their players died in the plane crash suffered by Torino. All in an accident which brought more tragedy on to Italian football and it would not be till many years that Italy was able to get a team to compete at the top again.
 
As a footnote, we might say that this world cup had two defending champions. As Uruguay had not really lost its title since they won it in 1930 because they had not defended it in either Italy 30 or France 38 while Italy had won the previous edition of this tournament.
 
A Brief History Of “Switzerland 54″
 
 
 
The world cup in Switzerland was probably one of the greatest ever played if statistics are anything to go by and though there is a no footage (or at least none that I know of) of any matches in their entirety but only of a few highlights, most of which are unclear; I believe it must have been something truly worth watching. As how else can a semifinal match like Hungary Vs Uruguay be described when a team that is twice world champion and undefeated in the world cup meets the one that was innovating football at the time. It being this game which ended 4-2 in favor of the Hungarians, who needed overtime to go on to the final yet to a certain extent matches like these were the norm in this world cup. This being the case in Switzerland 54 where three records for scoring were set with the first being the highest number of goals ever scored in a world cup (140) along with the highest number of goals ever scored in a world cup match (12) as well as the highest goal scoring average per game which was what today would be an unthinkable 5.38. Switzerland’s record of 140 goals was eventually surpassed in Spain 82 where 142 goals were scored yet I believe that the goal per game average established in Switzerland 54 will probably never be broken.
 
Organization wise Switzerland 54 was strange in being a world cup where 16 teams were put in to four groups with four teams each yet for some reason not all the teams in the groups actually played against each other. It being a case where England and Italy were in the same first round group yet did not play against one another while Italy was made to play Switzerland twice. The system basically being one in which a team faced two of the other teams in the group and if they won they went straight to the next round. This being the case with Hungary, who in their first two matches defeated both South Korea and Germany and therefore did not have to play against Turkey; who was also in their group. Of course if a team lost their first two games like South Korea did against both Hungary and Turkey, then they were eliminated and were not required to play against the fourth team in their group. This the case for those that won or lost their first two games yet for those that finished tied on points; it was a third game that awaited them in order to progress to the quarterfinals. It being this which was required of Germany and Switzerland to get through the first round, as Germany beat Turkey for the second time in the tournament while Switzerland did like wise with Italy. After the first round it was as it would be today from the stage of the quarterfinals where teams face each other until there are two to play for third place and another two to play the final.
 
Italy in this world cup had not yet fully recovered from having lost most of their great team of the late 40′s in a plane crash. This leading to their early exist from the world cup at the hands of Switzerland yet teams like Hungary, Uruguay and Germany made for a great spectacle that included truly outstanding matches such as these.
 
1. Brazil 1 Yugoslavia 1 (First Round)
For some very strange reason this game had overtime added to it despite the fact that a draw was sufficient for both teams to qualify while the other two teams (France and Mexico) had already been eliminated.
 
2. Hungary 9 South Korea 0 (First Round)
This match set the record for most goals scored by one team and for the biggest margin of victory by one team over another. South Korea lost both its games in this world cup by a combined 16-0 yet in spite of this; as the first Asian team to participate in the world cup made a favorable impression on the local fans who received their efforts with both friendship and respect.
 
3. Hungary 8 Germany 3 (First Round)
This match with 11 goals set a record for most goals scored in a single match. It also being in this game that Germany fielded mostly a team of substitutes while Puskas was injured and did not return to action till the final.
 
4. Germany 7 Turkey 2 (First Round)
This was the first time two teams played each other in the same tournament in a game that was not a replay but a play off encounter.
 
5. Switzerland 4 Italy 1  (First Round)
This game was played at the exact same time and date as the other play off match between Germany and Turkey. It also being the first and last time Italy lost two games in the same world cup to the same team.
 
6. Austria 7 Switzerland 5 (Quarterfinals)
With 12 goals this was and still is the highest scoring match of all time yet even more goals could have been scored as Austria missed a penalty.
 
7. Hungary 4 Brazil 2 (Quarterfinals)
In this game Hungary’s Kocsis scored his 8th and 9th goal of the tournament which both tied and set the record for most goals scored in a single world cup.
 
8. Hungary 4 Uruguay 2 (Semifinal)
In this game Hungary’s Kocsis scored his 10th and 11th goal of the tournament which both reset the record for most goals scored in a tournament and made him the top scorer in world cup history at the time. Kocsis also becoming the first player ever to score 10 goals or more in a single world cup. This a feat which till this day has only been accomplished by two other players; Fontaine (13 goals) of France in 58 and Muller (10) of Germany in 70. Kocsis however did not score in the final which left his tally at 11 for the tournament.
 
9. Germany 3 Hungary 2 (Final)
In this final Hungary became the first and so far last team to loose a final despite having led at one point of the game by two goals. This being the case as Hungary scored the first two goals of the game. Germany for its part became the first team to come back from a 2-0 deficit to win a final. This match was also the first time, two teams met each other twice in the same world cup and in two different stages of the tournament. As an extra comment to this final, it continued a pattern which had been set in the first world cup; that the high scorer of the tournament did not play for the team which won the tournament. This in fact being a trend which was broken in Chile 62 when Brazil had two players (Vava and Garrincha) who were tied with 4 other players for top goal scorer of the tournament.
 
In conclusion, one could say that the world cup in Switzerland was truly exceptional in many ways which not only included the highest goal scoring average per game but all those wonderful plays that had little if anything to do with defense; in a time which is most likely never to return.
 
 
A Brief History Of “Sweden 58″
 
 
 
The world cup in Sweden was the first and last one to which Italy did not qualify to. This perhaps making it unique in this aspect yet also in the fact that it was the first world cup in which every group had four teams with each one of these teams having to play one another regardless of weather they were already quailed to the next round or eliminated. Sweden 58 was also the last world cup in which play off games were needed to decide who would advance in to the quarterfinals between teams which finished level on points. It being in this world cup where three out of the four second place teams got through to the quarterfinals due to these games. This system would be replaced by goal difference which is the one being used today to decide who qualifies when two teams or more end up tied on points. Sweden 58 was also the first world cup ever televised though in black and white and without the benefit of instant replays.
 
Naturally, as with all other world cups; Sweden 58 also had its outstanding moments which are as follows.
 
1. Northern Ireland 2 Czechoslovakia 1 (First Round Play Off)
This was an extra game which even required overtime to decide which one of these two teams would qualify in to the quarterfinals. In today’s system Czechoslovakia would have qualified due to goal difference.
 
2. Brazil 2 USSR 0 (First Round)
In this game Brazil’s Pele at 17 became the youngest player ever to play in a world cup.
 
3. Brazil 1 Wales 0 (Quarterfinals)
In this game Brazil’s Pele became the youngest player to ever score a goal in a world cup.
 
4. Brazil 5 France 2 (Semifinal)
In this game Brazil’s Pele became the youngest player ever to score 3 goals not only in a semifinal but in a world cup game.
 
5. France 6 Germany 3 (Match For Third Place)
This was and still is the highest scoring match for third place ever played in a world cup. It also being in this match that France’s Fontaine scored four goals which raised his total to 13 for the tournament. This total not only being to this day the highest ever scored in a world cup but also making Fontaine the highest goal scorer in world cup history. Sweden 58 however would be Fontaine’s first and last world cup yet his 13 goals were enough to keep him as the highest goal scorer in the world cup till 74; when Germany’s Muller broke his record. As an added note, in Sweden 58; Fontaine became the first player to score in six games.
 
6. Brazil 5 Sweden 2 (Final)
This was the first ever final played between a South American and European team with Brazil becoming the first and so far only South American team to win a world cup in Europe. This was and still remains as the highest scoring final ever played in the history of the world cups. In this final Brazil also became the first South American team to have two players (Pele and Vava) score two goals each. Pele became the youngest player not only to win a world cup but to score in a final. Sweden for its part became the first team to ever loose a final while playing in their own country. This the case since the world cup in 1950 did not really have a final in the formal sense of the word.
 
Sweden 58 was a world cup noted for not only Fontaine’s 13 goals but for Brazil, who fielded such greats as Garrincha, Didi, Vava, Pele, Santos and Zagalo on a team which was unquestionable one of the greatest of all time. They even going to win the next world cup with basically the same team minus Pele, who due to injury in Brazil’s second game was replaced by Amarildo for the rest of the tournament.  As a footnote Sweden 58 was also the first world cup in which all teams that finished in the top four were required to play at least six games. This being a change from Switzerland 54 where Hungary only played five games; including the final.

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Fifa World Cup 2010: Usa, England Predictions, Odds, Schedule

December 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

11312932876_img-2348.jpgFIFA WORLD Cup 2010 countdown has started. The FIFA 2010 Football World Cup starts from June 11, 2010. Thirty two best football playing nations from across the globe have reached South Africa with a dream to clinch the FIFA 2010 trophy. United States with England, Algeria and Slovenia are in Group C.

USA will start their campaign for 2010 World Cup football against one of the strongest team of 19th edition of World Cup on Saturday June 12 at Rustenburg. England won their last World Cup title back in 1966. However, United States is making their sixth straight trip to the FIFA World Cup. According to the betting sites predictions, England is the strongest team in group C followed by US, Slovenia and Algeria.

England striker Wayne Rooney is one of the world’s most valuable football player. He is in great form these days and has an ability to score when the team needs it the most. Mid fielder Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard can also be very dangerous for any opponent. For USA, Edson Buddle and Clint Dempsey are key players. USA won their last match before FIFA World Cup 2010 against Australia by 3-1. According to the betting sites, Algeria and Slovenia are underdogs for Round of 16.

Group C schedule for World Cup 2010:

Saturday June 12, England vs USA at Rustenburg from 20:30
Sunday June 13, Algeria vs Slovenia at Polokwane from 13:30
Friday, June 18, USA vs Slovenia at Johannesburg from 16:00
Friday, June 18, England vs Algeria at Cape Town from 20:30
Wednesday June 23, USA vs Algeria at Pretoria from 16:00
Wednesday June 23, England vs Slovenia at Port Elizabeth from 16:00

Read here for more information related to Soccer World Cup 2010 and Football World Cup 2010.

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