June 2014 87 www.bahrainthismonth.com The wait is finally over. The world’s biggest football extravaganza kicks off this month — the FIFA World Cup is here. Let’s face it, the only real noise coming out of the World Cup in 2010 was the sound of the ear-shattering vuvuzela. The tournament on the pitch was somewhat flat; although their first win at this four-yearly event, no one was really surprised that Spain collected the trophy. The idea that a major tournament in Brazil should be equally as flat is a little difficult to digest. The home of ‘samba’ football will surely translate into a more dynamic month of soccer — on the pitch. As with previous tournaments, there is considerable hype surrounding star names. In 2014 that boils down to the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. While we’d all like the stars to shine on the biggest stage, we have to go back to Pele in 1970 or Maradona in 1986 for a World Cup where a ‘star’ really stamped their mark. Perhaps one reason for this is the increased number of participating nations, now at 32 teams and twice the number from the days when Pele and Maradona mesmerised the world. A round of robins The group stage of the World Cup has almost dwindled into an exercise in watching grass grow. The only real surprise is when, well, there is a surprise. There’s usually a group of death to add some spice to the early encounters. This year there are two groups which stand out from the crowd. The popular conclusion is that group G is this tournament’s ‘group of death’; comprised of Germany, Ghana, Portugal and the United States, there is certainly no room for complacency. A slow start will almost certainly result in an early ticket home. The teams in Group D — Uruguay, Italy, England and Costa Rica — might not possess the same aura as those in group G. The intensity of matches between the big three is likely to be no less enthralling, and result in one former World Cup winner taking an early bath. The English squad selection has raised a few eyebrows and represents a departure from prior World Cups. One third of the squad is made up of ‘young Turks’; those with careers to make rather than to sign off. This strategy has worked for the likes of Germany in the past; but will it work for England? The round of 16 looks equally placid; the only real edge would seem to be the match between the runner-up in group D and the winner of group C (probably the Ivory Coast). The real start The round of eight, the quarter finals, starts on July 4; that’s when the real action begins and the tournament comes alive. You can check the schedule and follow all the action at numerous places in the digital world. Visiting the official FIFA website (www.fifa.com), or download the organiser’s app, will tell you everything you need to know. The final is on July 13, just in case you didn’t already know! A Cup of Samba, Please! Dining, p117 Motoring, p92 this month After Dark, p129 Shopping Malls, p97 Fashion, p88 lifestyle
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