The FIFA Weekly Issue #38

ISSUE 38, 11 JULY 2014

ENGLISH EDITION

Fédération Internationale de Football Association – Since 1904

FOOTBALL FOR HOPE UNFORGETTABLE FESTIVAL IN RIO SEPP BLATTER THANK-YOU BRAZIL! FABIO GROSSO A LIFE-CHANGING PENALTY

The World Cup

THE FINAL

W W W.FIFA.COM/ THEWEEKLY

CONTENTS

6

North and Central America 35 members www.concacaf.com

The Final A fantastic World Cup is drawing to a close.

On Sunday, Germany and Argentina will battle it out for the title in a reprise of the 1986 and 1990 Finals. Ahead of the showdown at the Maracana, we look back at the most memorable Finals since 1930 while reporter Sven Goldmann charts the 2014 finalists’ path to success.

10

Dutch ghosts Despite performing consistently well at the World Cup for the past four decades, the Netherlands have yet to lift football’s greatest trophy.

19

Sepp Blatter The FIFA President looks back on four exceptional weeks of World Cup football: “I have been captivated by the absorbing atmosphere. Thank-you Brazil.”

35

C old days and lots of salad Peruvian Teofilo Cubillas endured hard times in Switzerland in the early 1970s, but today says that “Basel has a special place in my heart.”

South America 10 members www.conmebol.com

24

Football for Hope For 192 young people, attending FIFA’s festival in Rio was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.

imago

The FIFA Weekly Magazine App The FIFA Weekly, FIFA’s football magazine, is also available in five languages as an e-Magazine on your tablet every Friday.

2

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

14

Humiliation Brazil’s 7-1 defeat by Germany will take some time to digest.

Getty Images (2)

The Final This week’s cover image was captured during the World Cup Final in Rome on 8 July 1990. Rudi Voller and Oscar Ruggeri leap for the ball in the foreground while Jurgen Klinsmann and Jose Serrizuela look on.

THIS WEEK IN THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL

Europe 54 members www.uefa.com

Africa 54 members www.cafonline.com

Asia 46 members www.the-afc.com

Oceania 11 members www.oceaniafootball.com

37

Gunter Netzer Our columnist discusses a changing of the guard in Spain but believes “the team will come back stronger than ever.”

30

imago (2) / Reuters

Fabio Grosso Eight years ago, Italy won the World Cup Final. “It was the best party I’ve ever had,” says Grosso in this week’s Interview.

Alfredo Di Stefano (4 July 1926 – 7 July 2014) FIFA President Blatter: “I am extremely shocked by the news of Alfredo Di Stefano’s death. He was the most complete footballer I have ever seen. He was also my favourite player.”

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

3

EVERY GASP EVERY SCREAM EVERY ROAR EVERY DIVE EVERY BALL E V E RY PAS S EVERY CHANCE EVERY STRIKE E V E R Y B E AU T I F U L D E TA I L SHALL BE SEEN SHALL BE HEARD S H A L L B E FE LT

Feel the Beauty

BE MOVED

THE NEW 4K LED TV

“SONY” and “make.believe” are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

UNCOVERED

G

Thrillingly unpredictable R

ermany versus Argentina. What a Final, bringing back vivid memories: Diego Maradona in his pomp in 1986, likewise Lothar Matthaus in 1990. Like the whole tournament, the last 90 or 120 minutes of this World Cup will go down in history.

And maybe in 2030 the writer of this column will fondly recall “the most exciting World Cup Final of all time!” (Two goals from Müller, two from Messi – all in extra time.)

T

he best has been saved till last. But how will it end? We can make a tentative guess or two.

After the 7–1 triumph against Brazil, Germany are favourites. But then, Spain were tipped to beat the Netherlands. And weren’t Costa Rica rank outsiders? This is a thrillingly unpredictable World Cup. Reporter Sven Goldmann examines the contrasting routes to the Final followed by Germany and Argentina. Thomas Renggli reflects on Brazil’s dramatic night in Belo Horizonte, where he witnessed the unbelievable defeat in person.

io hosted the Football for Hope Festival in parallel with the World Cup this week. Some 192 youths from 27 countries took part in the camp and four-day football tournament. Our four-page special report details the extraordinary passion and commitment shown by the kids, and explores the purpose behind the FIFA festival.

S

epp Blatter feels Brazil have been magnificent hosts. In his weekly column the FIFA President praises the absorbing atmosphere and says: “Thank-you Brazil. The event we’ve been privileged to witness has exceeded all expectations.” Å Alan Schweingruber

Simon Bruty / EQ Images

A view from the beach Thousands flocked to the Copacabana to watch Brazil play Germany.

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

5

THE FINAL

THE ULTIMATE

Every footballer dreams of playing in the World Cup Final, but only a select few ever make it that far. Ahead of Sunday’s showdown between Germany and Argentina, The FIFA Weekly takes a look at the 2014 finalists’ path to glory.

Sven Goldmann, Rio de Janeiro

6

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

THE FINAL

DREAM

Germany versus Argentina is a pairing already seen twice before at a World Cup Final.

At Mexico 1986, the incredible Diego ­A rmando Maradona lifted the Trophy for the Albi­ celeste. Having spent that match trying to mark Argentina’s brightest star, Lothar Matthaus had to wait just four more years for his own moment in the sun, when Franz Beckenbauer’s side became world champions for the third time at Italia ‘90.

The German method in 2014

David Cannon / Getty Images

M

inimalism is wrongly and unfairly underrated in football. What is the point of beautiful artistry if you end up empty-handed? Germany coach Joachim Low had his team play thrilling football at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and again two years later at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. And he was roundly castigated for it too, because beauty and fragility ultimately go hand in hand, and resilience was lacking when the chips were down.

No-one has levelled any such criticism at the Germans this time round. Low has kept his cool in the heat of Brazil and proved himself a quick learner. He has checked his predilection for form over function and adopted a pragmatic, success-oriented approach. When the occasion finally demanded it he even switched his beloved 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1, all in pursuit of success. If it meant an end to the pretty stuff, so be it.

With the notable exception of the epochal 7-1 thrashing meted out to Brazil, and compared to the unpredictable thrillers served up by the Germans in South Africa, their performances here feel rational and meticulously planned. In the 4–0 victory over Portugal Low’s men were simply content to ruthlessly punish mistakes made by increasingly hot-headed opponents.

The 2–2 draw with lively Ghana demonstrated a new-found ability to deal with unexpected setbacks. The 1–0 win against the US team coached

by Low’s predecessor Juergen Klinsmann was certainly hard fought but was always only going to end one way. In the Round of 16 the courageous Algerians never looked like knocking the runaway favourites out of their stride as the Germans patiently waited for the chance they T H E F I FA W E E K LY

7

THE FINAL

Champions in the making?

Germany posted an impressive 7-1 win over Brazil.

knew would eventually come. And come it did, albeit a lot later than anyone imagined.

The new German minimalism reached its zenith to date in the quarter-final against the highly-regarded French with their brilliant individuals and soaring confidence based on a convincing preliminary stage campaign. It was a triumph of intelligent planning at the expense of unencumbered exuberance, although no-one at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro was any less impressed. An early opening goal proved enough, before Manuel Neuer and Co saw it through to the finish with the cool cal-

culation of a chess computer. The French hurried, scurried and plugged away, but for all their territorial advantage never really looked like salvaging a draw.

At the end of the day the French dominance provided an invaluable benefit for the Germans: a newly-formed rearguard received a thorough workout in intense competitive conditions ready for the tasks ahead. “Their success proves them right,” acknowledged France coach Didier Deschamps.

There is a certain sense of déjà vu, recalling the days when Germany would somehow con-

jure up a goal before defending a slender lead through to the final whistle. The world considered them infamous rather than famous victors back then. The 7-1 semi-final victory over Brazil made the minimalist approach in the five previous games seem almost ironic. “But we still have to keep our feet on the ground,” warned Thomas Muller after the breathtaking display in Belo Horizonte. “Let’s not go over the top because of this win, just as we didn’t read too much into the tight victory over Algeria.”

F IN AL S OF Y E S T ERY E AR

Dominik Petermann

8

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

URUGUAY 1930 Uruguay 4-2 Argentina: Hosts triumph at World Cup ­premiere In 1930 Uruguay hosted the maiden FIFA World Cup, a tournament that was memorable for several curious moments. The final between Uruguay and Argentina was one of them, as both teams arrived for the encounter with their own match ball, refusing to play with their opponent’s ball. Belgian referee John Langenus found a way to compromise, deciding that the first half would be played with Argentina’s ball and the second period with Uruguay’s. The hosts eventually won, despite being 2-1 down at the break.

Getty Images, Marcus Brandt / Keystone

The World Cup final marks the end of the tournament, with the only two teams remaining in the competition playing for the most coveted trophy in the game. Having progressed so far, winning is the only thing that mat ters, with the runners- up forced to be content with a silver medal. As title - deciders of ten write new chapters in footballing histor y, here is an over view of some of the most unforget table encounters.

THE FINAL

On the home straight Messi and Demichelis embrace after their semi-final win over the Dutch.

Argentina’s 2014 journey

A

Getty Images (2), Diego Azubel / Keystone

rgentina’s fans have been at their best when singing. For entire minutes or whole periods of play, whether in Rio, Belo ­Horizonte or Porto Alegre, the song has almost been always the same, ending with the line “Maradona es mas grande que Pele” – a clear enough sentiment even in its original Spanish. After the Brazilians, the Argentinians have been the loudest fans at this World Cup, and with each game they have grown a little louder.

It is not beautiful football that has given the travelling Albiceleste supporters such cause for joy; after all, aesthetics have played a secondary role in Argentina’s campaign. Success is much more important. The team’s new-found confidence has placed them among the World Cup’s final four teams for the first time since Italia ’90, and at the home of arch-rivals Brazil of all places. Argentina can also declare itself an official footballing world power once more thanks to the countless talented players the country exports to the European leagues year after year.

BRAZIL 1950

SWITZERLAND 1954

Brazil 1-2 Uruguay: The Maracanazo is born

Germany FR 3-2 Hungary: The Miracle of Berne

Brazil had been in superb form at their home World Cup and gave every indication that they would go on to be champions. In the second phase of the tournament A Seleção demolished Sweden 7-1 and then brushed Spain aside with a 6-1 victory. The decisive game against Uruguay, which was not actually a final, was supposed to be a mere formality en route to glory, but Uruguay’s Alcides Ghiggia broke Brazilian hearts with the winning goal 11 minutes from time. The entire nation entered a period of mourning.

Hungary’s ‘Magical Magyars’ were the runaway favourites to lift the title at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland. Blessed with a squad of extraordinarily talented players, the team shone at the tournament and were on an unbeaten streak that stretched back over countless games. Hungary faced Germany in the final, having demolished the same opponent 8-3 earlier on in the group stage. The match began as expected, with Hungary racing to a 2-0 lead but Germany managed to equalise after the sudden onset of heavy rain. Helmut Rahn scored an 84th minute winner to complete the Miracle of Berne.

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

9

THE FINAL

Beaten finalists The Dutch players on their return to Amsterdam in 1974.

W inles s Ru u d G u llit and h were hug is Golde ely disap n Genera pointing tion at Italia ‘90.

Sorely missed Cruyff had already retired from the national team in 1978.

1998 Bergkamp starred but his team were knocked out in the semi-finals.

Dutch Ghosts

10

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

opponents, Spain, taught by three generations of Barcelona Dutchmen, were better at Dutch football than the Dutch. After the final in Johan­ nesburg, Cruyff condemned the violent tactics of Bert van Marwijk’s team as ‘anti-football’. To many fans in the Netherlands his contempt was as painful as the 1-0 defeat.

Louis van Gaal’s 2014 oranje have been focused, unified and supremely flexible. They also seemed to be on a mission to revenge every past grief – and do it in reverse historical order. If the Dutch had made it to the final, their motto for the tournament could easily have been taken from ­Michael Corleone in The Godfather: “Today we settle all family business”.

In their first match they thrashed Spain 5-1. Thierry Henry, watching for the BBC, recalled that the Dutch had given total football to Spain and observed: “well, tonight the Dutch got their style back. They took it from them”. Against Costa Rica in the quarter final Holland overcame their penalty trauma with the help of four perfect kicks and Van Gaal’s ­stunning substitute goalkeeper ploy.

The Dutch viewed the semi-final against Argentina through the prism of 1978, but their eyes were on the bigger prize: A final against Germany would have been the chance to exorcise the ghosts that have haunted them for four decades. But it was not to be as the Netherlands were beaten on penalties in Wednesday’s last four showdown. Å David Winner

Getty Images (3), Afp

F

or the last 40 years the Netherlands have tended to play beauti­ fully – and lose beautifully. It all goes back to 1974 when Holland’s greatest team, guided by their greatest coach, Rinus Michels and led by their greatest player, Johan Cruyff, played bewitching, fluid ‘total football’ and swept all before them. In the final in Munich, Holland kicked off, played keep-ball, won a penalty, and scored before a West German player had even touched the ball. For the next 20 minutes, they kept possession, wove pretty patterns and, with memories of the war­ time Nazi invasion too much in mind, tried to humiliate the hosts. It was a strategic error that shaped subsequent Dutch football history: the Germans fought back and won 2-1. The defeat was more a case of sui­ cide than murder but in the Netherlands it has reverberated as a na­ tional tragedy.

Thanks mostly to the influence of Cruyff, Holland have since produced generation after generation of remarkable players but never quite re­ covered from Munich. Dutch campaigns always seemed to end in bad luck, self-destruction, or penalties. In 1978 the totaalvoetballers (minus Cruyff) were unlucky to meet another host nation in the final: Argentina.

They faced Argentine gamesmanship and an infernally intimidating atmosphere. They lost 3-1.

In 1990, perhaps the most talented group of players Holland ever had – Gullit, Van Basten, Rijkaard, Koeman, et al – collapsed amid squabbles and rivalries and went home without winning a game. In 1998 a third brilliant orange side featuring Bergkamp, Davids and the De Boers outplayed Brazil in the semi-final but lost on penalties. Holland’s 2010 campaign produced pain of a different sort. Obsessed with the notion of overcoming the distress of ’74, ’78, ’90 and ’98, Holland adopted a win-at-all-cost mentality and battled to another final. Ironically, their

THE FINAL

Victory in 1986 Diego Maradona cradles the Trophy in Mexico.

Triumph in 1990 Lothar Matthaus and his team celebrate in Italy.

The Sky Blue and Whites have certainly performed in a manner befitting a leading international side, playing with control and refusing to give away any more than is absolutely necessary. Nobody can dispute the fact that coach Alejandro Sabella’s tactical and strategic approach boils down to getting the most out of the abilities of each particular player. His side’s leading role has been ably filled by the most outstanding individual talent in this World Cup, a man capable of using the world’s biggest stage to his advantage. From the very first match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lionel

Messi has cut a very different figure to the one seen in South Africa four years ago. After a hesitant start, the Barcelona star secured a win for

Argentina with a masterful goal. In his team’s second match, a tough encounter against a tenacious Iranian side, a stroke of genius from

Argentina’s new-found confidence has placed them among the World Cup’s final four teams for the first time since Italia ‘90.

Getty Images (2), imago, Ullstein

F IN AL S OF Y E S T ERY E AR SWEDEN 1958

ENGLAND 1966

Brazil 5-2 Sweden: A Brazilian legend in the making

England 4-2 (a.e.t) Germany FR: Controversial Wembley goal

In 1958 Brazil were determined to finally win the sought-after trophy, but the hosts had the same designs on the silverware. Indeed, the two countries also wore the same colour shirts but as Sweden had home advantage, Brazil had to buy blue jerseys prior to the final because they had travelled to the World Cup without an away kit. Despite that unexpected twist to their preparations, the South Americans came out on top, thanks in no small part to a burgeoning teenage talent: a 17-year-old Pele scored two brilliant goals in the 5-2 victory that allowed a tearful Seleção to celebrate their maiden title triumph.

The final between England and Germany ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, forcing the tie into extra time. It was during this period, in the 101st minute, that one of the most disputed moments in World Cup history occurred: Geoff Hurst’s shot ricocheted off the crossbar and crashed to the ground behind German goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski. Did it cross the line or not? Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst briefly consulted his assistant Tofik Bakhramov and awarded the effort, which soon became known as the Wembley Goal. England went on to win 4-2.

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

11

Š 2014 adidas AG. adidas, the 3-Bars logo and the 3-Stripes mark are registered trademarks of the adidas Group.

get ready for the battle

#allin or nothing

Make a choice at adidas.com/allin

THE FINAL

the little magician in the game’s closing moments provided Argentina with a second victory. He found the net twice more against Nigeria and provided the deftest of passes to set up the winning goal in the Albiceleste’s Round-of-16 triumph over Switzerland, before instigating the move that led to Gonzalo Higuain’s winner in their quarter-final success over Belgium.

The rest of the team knew they would have to step up to the plate at this tournament, and they have done exactly that, starting with ­A ngel di Maria. The flying winger arrived in Brazil fresh from an exceptional season with Champions League winners Real Madrid yet humbly submitted to Messi’s leadership from the start. Gonzalo Higuain, who moved from Madrid to Napoli last summer, has been as grateful for the captain’s brilliant inspiration as other talented individuals such as Ezequiel Lavezzi, Rodrigo Palacio and Sergio Aguero.

Messi’s authority has taken precedence over everything else and even prevented lengthy soul-searching over the subsequent injuries to Di Maria and Aguero. Of course, Messi has o ccasionally taken his customary breaks ­ ­during matches, but he has spent the rest of the time dribbling, crossing and shooting with a joy and passion never before seen from him at a World Cup. “When Lionel has the ball near an opponent’s penalty area, he can inflict considerable damage,” said coach Alejandro Sabella.

Nobody, whether Argentinian or otherwise, can argue with that assessment. Although Messi was unable to make the decisive ­ breakthrough in his side’s unspectacular ­ semi-final against the Netherlands, the 27-yearold stepped up to take the first penalty after 120 minutes to help Argentina seal their eventual victory. Å

The trauma of penalties

All right now Roberto Baggio has put the trauma of Pasadena in 1994 far behind him.

F

or 16 years, Roberto Baggio tried to understand how he could have missed that decisive penalty in the 1994 World Cup Final in Pasadena, USA. He finally came up with an answer in 2010, when he told a Brazilian TV interviewer: “Ayrton Senna guided my shot upwards from heaven.” A Seleção dedicated their World Cup triumph that year to the legendary Formula 1 driver, who was fatally injured in a race just weeks before the 1994 tournament began.

The 47-year-old was led to this supernatural explanation by the sheer inexplicability of firing his spot-kick over the crossbar. As he explained tearfully shortly after losing the final: “I normally place my penalties rather than firing them in. I’ve never kicked a high penalty in my entire life, but at that point I was already exhausted and drained; my head lost control over my legs.” His wayward strike marked the moment that one of the greatest Italian players of all time fell just 11 metres short of his biggest ambition. With five goals in three matches, he had fired Italy into the final almost

single-handedly, but seemed shaken, powerless and nervy on that memorable day in Pasadena.

Baggio was only able to cast aside the trauma of 1994 at the 1998 World Cup in France. Italy played a quarter-final against France in Paris on 4 July, a match that once again had to be decided by penalties after 120 goalless minutes.

This time Baggio stepped up to take the first spot-kick and sent Barthez the wrong way.

Although the man they call Il Divin’ Codino (The Divine Ponytail) has long since made his peace with the Pasadena incident, it continues to persist as a blot on an otherwise glittering career: a gloating beer advertisement was even aired in Brazil before this summer’s World Cup to bring back further reminders of that fateful moment 20 years earlier. Å Luigi Garlando

F IN AL S OF Y E S T ERY E AR USA 1994

Getty Images (2), corbis

Brazil 0-0 a.e.t (3-2 PSO) Italy: Baggio’s nightmare The famous Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Los Angeles, was the stage for one of the longest World Cup finals in history, with spectators waiting in vain for a goal over 120 minutes of play. Two of Italy’s most famous footballing sons missed their efforts in the penalty shoot-out: first Franco Baresi, an otherwise so reliable defender, and then the star of the Squadra Azzura, Roberto Baggio, who blasted his spot-kick high into the Los Angeles sky.

KOREA/JAPAN 2002 Germany 0-2 Brazil: Ronaldo defeats the “Titan” The 2002 final was the first time Germany and Brazil had ever met at a World Cup, and it was the latter who were celebrating come the final whistle. Of all people it was Oliver Kahn, who had had a sensational tournament up until then, who made a fatal mistake by spilling Rivaldo’s shot at the feet of Ronaldo, who opened the scoring. Ronaldo later grabbed another to secure Brazil’s fifth title. Kahn was nonetheless crowned as the tournament’s best player - the first time a goalkeeper ever received the honour.

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

13

NEWS FROM THE TR AINING CAMPS

All over Brazilian fans slump in despair during their team’s semi-final defeat by Germany.

The dream is over Thomas Renggli writes for The FIFA Weekly.

It is often said that the skies over Belo Horizonte are like the ocean; their shadows and colours change almost as frequently as waves breaking upon the shore. As afternoon drifted towards evening on Tuesday, the clouds hung like pale grey cotton wool over the Estadio Mineirao, with occasional breaks through which the heavens above could still be seen. At first it seemed to be a sign from the football gods – a glimmer of light shining over A Seleção – but it turned out to be just an illusion.

Each Brazilian name was greeted with impassioned cheers as the stadium announcer read out the starting line-ups, and noise levels reached fever pitch as the crowd chanted the 14

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

name of the team’s most notable absentee: “Neeymaar, Neeymaar, Neeymaar …” This plaintive cry from the 60,000 assembled supporters unmistakably urged their team to play for Neymar, fight for Neymar and win for Neymar. As night fell on Belo Horizonte, players and fans alike belted out their ­national anthem with deafening power, while goalkeeper Julio Cesar and captain David Luiz held Neymar’s shirt aloft ­defiantly as if to say “Number 10 lives!”

With that, the spark of euphoria was ignited.

In the opening minutes Brazil stormed down the pitch with a burning passion. Little did they know they were stampeding headlong into disaster as Germany lay in wait ready to extinguish their hopes. First, Thomas Muller dampened the mood in the 11th minute by scoring Die Mannschaft’s first. Then, between the 23rd and 29th minutes, the floodgates opened. The ball nestled in the net practically once a minute until the score was Germany 5, Brazil 0. The final tally was 7-1 to the three-time world champions, a result too

high even to be a tennis score. At first it all happened so suddenly and surprisingly that the fans did not even cry. Even tears cannot flow as quickly as those goals were going in.

Instead they simply looked on helplessly, shaking their heads in disbelief. As silence descended among Brazil’s fans, the German supporters' cries of “Super Deutschland”, “Oh wie ist das schön” (“Isn’t this beautiful”) and “Finale, Finale, Finale” grew ever louder. It felt as though Carnival had been cancelled and replaced with O ­ ktoberfest instead.

Brazil and their fans had had their sights set on the “Hexa” – a historic sixth World Cup title. Now all that remains is huge consternation and the prospect of winning a consolation prize on Saturday. In this land of footballing wizardry and nimble footwork, the Third-Place Play-Off feels like a punishment - bronze nothing more than scrap metal.

Anyone who has been present in Brazil to witness this World Cup over the past few weeks would find it tough to dispute FIFA

Marcos Brindicci / Reuters

Brazil

NEWS FROM THE TR AINING CAMPS

President Blatter’s declaration that “Brazil is football, football is Brazil”. The entire nation holds its breath whenever A Seleção step onto the pitch, and public life comes to a complete standstill. Brazil has been hovering somewhere between total ecstasy and nervous collapse for the entire tournament, as if a yellow and green veil had been drawn over the country. Men, women and children alike all proudly wear their idols’ shirts, and dogs have even been dressed up to mark the occasion. “When our national team plays, all of Brazil shares in the excitement,” said Maria Liva de Sousa. For her, football is of little consequence in everyday life, but when the national team plays, all of life’s mundanity is forgotten. Like her fellow countrymen, Maria felt faint with nerves during Brazil’s Roundof-16 penalty shootout against Chile. “At that moment, 200 million Brazilians felt the same,” she explained. “You can imagine the energy that was released when we won.”

The dream dies Suspended captain Thiago Silva (right) consoles team-mate David Luiz after the 7-1 demolition.

“It felt as though Carnival had been cancelled and replaced with Oktoberfest instead.”

Everyone in Brazil has been drained of energy during this tournament. Rather than a walk in the park, Brazil’s campaign has been a rollercoaster of emotions, from spot-kicks against Chile to their fateful quarter-final against Colombia. The jubilation of that victory stuck in fans’ throats as news of Neymar’s cracked vertebra broke the hearts of a nation. Before the World Cup, all-time great Pele said: “All of the pressure is on

Neymar. He is the man who must steer A Seleção to the title.” Could Neymar have prevented the debacle against Germany?

Other questions are just as difficult to ­a nswer. Was this result even worse than Brazil’s infamous 1950 defeat by Uruguay?

Were the events of Belo Horizonte a second Maracanazo? One thing is certain: Brazil experienced total footballing despair on Tuesday evening – 200 million times over. Å

Third-Place Play- Off Brazil - Netherlands (12 July, Brasilia)

Netherlands

From dark horses to vanquished contenders Andrew Warshaw writes for

Adrian Dennis / A fp

Inside World Football.

When Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands team travelled to Brazil, many viewed them as third favourites to progress from Group B behind Spain and Chile. Everyone knew they had matchwinners of the calibre of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie while Daley Blind had proved in the Dutch league that he had fully emerged from the shadow of his legendary father Danny.

But did the Dutch have enough togetherness to step up to the plate? It didn’t take long for the world to find out. The 5-1 demolition of T H E F I FA W E E K LY

15

© 2014 Visa. All rights reserved. Shrek © 2014 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.

The FIFA World Cup™ is where all of us want to be.

NEWS FROM THE TR AINING CAMPS

reigning champions Spain in their opening group game (notably including van Persie’s sublime controlled volley, an early contender for goal of the tournament) had the purists purring with admiration. Overnight the Dutch, backed by the usual orange army, moved from dark horses to genuine World Cup contenders.

The danger, of course, was that they had peaked too early just as Denmark did in 1986

when, after crushing Uruguay 6-1 with arguably the finest team display, they tamely exited the tournament in the round of 16.

Van Gaal made sure that didn’t happen to his Dutch side but you don’t necessarily progress in the World Cup only by playing pretty football. And you rarely, if ever, succeed without a healthy dose of good fortune, luck, call it what you will. Or, for that matter, without a canny coach.

Xinhua

“Van Gaal made sure his Dutch side didn’t only play pretty football.”

The good fortune came both against the Mexico, who were two minutes away from knocking Holland out, and in that ­energy­-sapping quarter-final against the ­indefatigable Costa Ricans who were denied what looked like a clear penalty in extra time that might well have changed the course of history. It didn’t, of course, but something else did: arguably the most astonishing substitution in the history of the World Cup when van Gaal called on reserve goalkeeper Tim Krul specifically for the penalty shootout.

The Newcastle keeper went the right way for all five Costa Rica kicks and, decisively, saved the second and the fifth to take his place in the annals of greatest World Cup moments and underline his coach’s reputation as a tactical mastermind. Van Gaal reverted back to first choice goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen throughout their drab semi-final against Argentina, in which Sergio Romero emerged as the hero. The Argentina No1 kept out two penalties in the shootout to end the Oranje’s dream of a final against Germany. Å

Successful substitution Tim Krul (l.) replaced Jasper Cillessen just before the end of extra time against Costa Rica and kept the Netherlands in the tournament.

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

17

T HE DEBAT E

An unforgettable party As the World Cup draws to a close, it is clear the Brazilian people have turned their “Copa” into an unforgettable celebration – ­despite previous prophecies of doom.

In the mood Fans celebrate in a yard in Manaus after A Seleção’s 3-1 victory over Croatia in the Opening Match.

P

ublic opinion and published opinion is not always the same thing. This was certainly the case ahead of this ­ ­summer’s World Cup, when Brazilians vented their frustration about conditions in their country with a series of demonstrations. This was widely interpreted by the media as a protest by Brazilians against their country’s decision to host the Copa.

Such rumours proved unfounded. FIFA had ceased to be regarded as a public scapegoat in Brazil long before the 2014 World Cup kicked off, and the population’s excitement about the tournament was immense. The competition became a colourful festival of nations with the five-time world champions overseeing an often breathtaking footballing spectacle. Now just two matches remain: the 18

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

­ hird-Place Play-Off and the Final. Having T enjoyed an exciting, exhilarating group stage and a knockout phase with unrivalled drama in which the final result has been decided by penalties on several occasions, the world is now eagerly anticipating Sunday’s Final.

Anyone walking through the streets of Sao Paulo during the 64th FIFA Congress at the start of June just days before the start of the World Cup had a gut feeling that public transport demonstrations about the Metro would not flare up during the World Cup, and that Brazilians were well aware that their ­d issatisfaction with the current conditions could not be laid at the door of an international sports federation like FIFA. These suspicions have since been ­confirmed. The Copa has not been used as an i nstrument of protest, at least not by the ­ ­Brazilian people, although it remains to be

seen whether public opinion will differentiate the situation in a similar way. In any case, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil will long be ­remembered for the right reasons by locals and international visitors and viewers alike. Å

The weekly debate.

Any thing you want to get off your chest? Which topics do you want to discuss? Send your suggestions to: feedback-theweekly@fifa.org

Martin Mejia / AP / Keystone

Perikles Monioudis, Rio de Janeiro

T HE DEBAT E

PRESIDENTIAL NOTE

FIFA.com users give their opinions on the World Cup: At the start the Spaniards stuck doggedly to Tiki-Taka and were punished for it.

Then it was Brazil’s turn, and they were also punished for trying to play pretty. In the course of this World Cup we’ve seen the winning teams use aggressive attacking tactics. Germany coach Jogi Low was criticised for coming up with a new style of play.

But now we all know he was right.

The World Cup in Brazil was (and is) unbelievably good. I’ll never forget Colombia and their hero-of-heroes James Rodríguez. I’m a bit worried about what happens when it’s over. It’ll be a void, a crisis. But as they say: only four years till the next World Cup.

52Catania, Australia

I can’t remember a more exciting World Cup than this year’s! Lots of goals and plenty of surprises. But it’s sad the hosts haven’t made it to the Final. I really hope the Brazilian fans get over their disappointment and that their team sparkles again four years from now.

Siri56, Sweden

Get well soon Neymar!

Mandeey, Germany

Every team gives everything they have and they all want to win. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be Brazil’s year! Give the players a break! They weren’t knocked out in the same way as all the Asian countries or Spain. They made it to the semi-finals.

They should be proud of what they already have: Brazil remain the only country to win the World Cup five times, they have a history, a soul and a persistent nature.

Not many other countries can say that about themselves. footballtree, China

Congratulations to Klose! Really, hats off to him! All the best for the Final! Go for the trophy Germany!!!

Thank-you Brazil

Paulito22, Cuba

“I’m still in a state of shock. I just can’t believe what happened in the semi.”

I’m still in a state of shock. I just can’t believe what happened in this historic semi­-final. I can’t believe I’ll ever think back fondly to this tournament. We went into this World Cup full of hope but after the 7-1 defeat the last few days will just be full of incomprehension and frustration. The match for third place feels like rubbing salt in the wound.

robert.ac, Lebanon

“As they say: only four years till the next World Cup.”

crystal27, Brazil

W

e are just two games away from the end of the World Cup. We will experience the spectacle, passion and drama twice more.

The event we have been privileged to witness over the last four weeks in Brazil has exceeded all expectations. In fact, it has demolished all the preconceptions and doom-mongering. The media spent the build-up darkly predicting every conceivable horror scenario, from chaos to protests and unfinished stadiums. The ­prevailing wisdom was that Brazil would be incapable of staging this tournament in an ­orderly fashion and without disruption.

Yet it has been quite the opposite. I have been to every venue, watched nearly 20 matches in person and have been captivated by firstrate football and an absorbing atmosphere.

Right from the kick-off on 12 June, football took centre stage and has remained there ever since. The World Cup in Brazil was and is a ­gigantic festival - a festival of football from the Copacabana to the Maracana, from Manaus in the tropical north to Porto Alegre in the deep south, where the temperatures are reminiscent of late autumn in Europe.

The World Cup in Brazil was also a World Cup of big names: Messi, Robben, James, Thomas Muller and Neymar, the tragic hero.

One incident has stuck in my memory, when Brazilian goalscorer David Luiz warmly ­embraced beaten Colombian opponent James Rodriguez after the quarter-final, and with an almost apologetic expression on his face ­offered to swap shirts. At that moment Luiz must surely have been thinking: what a shame James, this wonderful footballer, has to go home and can no longer compete for the ­trophy.

The ­Brazilian defender laid down an important marker. Football must build bridges and promote integration and fair play. It must ­ ­a lways be inclusive, even between opponents, and Luiz sent that message to the world in a natural and unprompted way. Thank-you David Luiz – and thank-you Brazil.

Best wishes, Sepp Blatter T H E F I FA W E E K LY

19

First Love

20

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

Place: Windhoek, Namibia Date: 15 October 2010 Time: 11.15 a.m.

Photograph by Levon Biss with support from Umbro

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

21

Connecting every fan of the game Make new friends and discover shared passions in the Emirates A380 Onboard Lounge.

#AllTimeGreats youtube.com/emirates

Hello Tomorrow

MY WORLD CUP

T

he French are renowned for two things – their cultured football and superb cooking. Without injured playmaker Franck Ribery, the 1998 world champions only managed to reach the quarter-finals at this summer’s World Cup. Nevertheless, players and fans alike continued to enjoy the almost incomparable souplesse of French cuisine even if they did not always have a master chef like Paul Bocuse on hand. La Grande Nation and its food will always be inextricably linked, to the extent that a simple chef’s hat is almost seen as a quintessential symbol of France, with red-white-and-blue bedecked cooks a common sight at sporting fixtures. During France’s 1-0 defeat by Germany at the Maracana in Rio de ­Janeiro, a French chef was suddenly spotted among the fans on television, his national affiliation making him instantly recognisable even though the Bleus fan in question is almost certainly not a culinary master in real life. But none of this stopped a small girl from pointing at the TV to say: “Look! There’s a cook at the match!” Å Perikles Monioudis

Martin Meissner/AP/Keystone

T

he text message arrived with the second beer. “You watching this? What a start by the Germans! I’m stunned.” My Italian friend had clearly recovered from the Azzurri’s early exit at last, after days of jeering derision (there’s no escaping Schadenfreude at a World Cup).

He was now enjoying the football as a neutral, delighting in this finest of World Cups. The next text arrived with the score at 2–0: “This is the best I’ve ever seen!” The best? Ah yes, I forgot: the Italians love to hate Brazil. Or was he praising the Germans? The euphoric mood persisted. When Kroos made it 3–0 he wrote: “Semi-final of the century!” Indeed. But what if there are more goals, I thought. How will he move up a notch from the last text? Kroos again, 4-0. Incoming message: “I’m off to bed.” And indeed, my phone remained silent for the fifth and sixth goals, for the Germans’ seventh and the Brazilians’ consolation. But there was one more text to come, at the final whistle.

No words this time but an attachment. The clip showed a German robot vacuum cleaner hoovering up a Brazilian flag. Å Alan Schweingruber

T

here are just two more opportunities to hear the sound that will linger in the ears even after this joyful, noisy, intense World Cup comes to a close on Sunday – the roar of a Brazilian stadium. It is a sound that fills the arenas both acoustically and atmospherically in a way that no-one who was there will ever be able to forget.

From the a cappella renditions of the Brazilian and Chilean national anthems and the passionate cries of joy or dismay that greet every event on the pitch to the assembled Brazilian crowds singing their chorus of “Eu sou brasileiro” (“I am Brazilian”), this backdrop has inspired the main protagonists to deliver spectacular and emotional performances. In most of the tournament’s matches, the wall of sound within each stadium seems to have given teams an additional energy boost.

Football’s “twelfth man” has found his voice at this World Cup like never before, ­making the tournament a remarkable feast for the ears, free from negativity or other unwelcome distractions. Å Roland Zorn

I

t is often claimed that football is a game of ups and downs, and nobody can attest to the truth of that statement more than Maria Eduarda Silva. The 22-year-old philosophy student from Rio de Janeiro could easily earn a living as a model but instead she has chosen to work behind the scenes at the World Cup. Silva operates the lift in the media area at the Maracana Stadium, taking journalists from the press centre on the ground floor to their seats in the stands five floors higher up. She has never counted how frequently she makes the journey each day, but considering one trip takes approximately 30 seconds, she could theoretically ascend and descend over 900 times across an eight-hour shift. Communication skills were not part of her job description because universal elevator etiquette dictates that silence is the norm in her workspace. Silva does not generally get to see any of the games, although she makes a point of watching Brazil whenever they are in action, meaning anyone who chooses to use the lift at a moment of such national importance is forced to fend for themselves if it gets stuck. Å Thomas Renggli T H E F I FA W E E K LY

23

FOO T BALL FOR HOPE FE S T IVAL

The mini World Cup A dream came true for 192 youngsters from 27 different countries when they travelled to the Football for Hope Festival in Rio de Janeiro.

Alan Schweingruber (text) and Gustavo Pellizzon (pictures), Rio de Janeiro

B

razilian mosquitoes are infuriating. As soon as the first beads of sweat appear on your forehead they make their silent approach, tiny and unremar­ ­ kable. They start by annoyingly cir­ cling your head before finding an un­ protected spot around the knee or ankle joints to ­attack. At the time it is impossible to tell if you have been bitten but the intense itch – that lasts for two days – soon reveals otherwise and scratching only serves to ­ make the a ­ lready swollen area quadruple in size. In Rio de Janeiro there is simply no ­escaping the insects.

The mosquitoes are also out in full force in Caju, a district to the north of the Maracana Stadium in Rio. There they have found boun­ tiful prey on a small sports ground next to a school, where a group of youngsters are ­playing a five-a-side football match. Some of

Hand in Hand A training exercise with a difference.

WHAT IS FOOTBALL FOR HOPE? Since its launch in 2005, FIFA’s Football for Hope initiative has suppor ted 426 communit y -based projects across 78 countries that use football as a tool to educate young people about social issues such as gender inequalit y and HIV/AIDS. In 2014, Football for Hope is suppor ting 108 football-based programmes around the world, of which 26 are being implemented in Brazil. The Football for Hope Festival takes place ever y four years in the World Cup host countr y and includes a four - day football tournament.

This year, 32 dif ferent delegations were selected to par ticipate, bringing 192 youngsters aged 15 to 18 in groups of six (three boys, three girls) to Rio de Janeiro.

Let’s dance Non-verbal communication at the camp requires a lot of courage.

24

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

FOO T BALL FOR HOPE FE S T IVAL

Dusk in Caju Players warm up ahead of a training match.

the participants are wearing green jerseys with “Football for Hope” printed on them, while one boy has the lyrics of John Lennon’s 1971 hit ‘Imagine’ covering his shirt: “You may say, I’m a dreamer – But I’m not the only one”.

FIFA invited the 192 youngsters from 27 different nations, all aged between 15 and 18, to take part in a ten-day festival in Rio that is running parallel to the World Cup. Harmonious atmosphere The majority of the teenagers wave their hands around as they play and socialise in an effort to fend off the plague of mosquitoes that has even invaded the tarmacked area next to the pitch that houses outdoor fitness and weight machines. Yet despite this discomfort, the youngsters exude happiness and the atmosphere is one of harmony. A group of Indians and Africans are huddled together, unable to communicate verbally in a common

The teenagers have no common language but nevertheless seem to enjoy each other’s company.

language but nevertheless enjoying each other’s company, laughing and joking around.

“The children from India were especially shy at the beginning of the camp,” says a twenty-something year old Brazilian mediator.

“I was a bit sceptical at first because I had the impression they didn’t feel comfortable here.

But all of a sudden they just opened up.” She points to the football pitch. “Isn’t it fantastic?

That’s why I love this festival.”

The Football for Hope project might sound like a football-centred initiative, and although the game plays an important role in the programme, it is not the main focus. Instead, the objective is to educate children and exchange best practice about social issues.

For instance, in Laos youngsters learn about the dangers of land mines; in Africa, they are taught how to protect themselves against AIDS, while the problems of homelessness are also openly discussed. Football’s pulling T H E F I FA W E E K LY

25

FOO T BALL FOR HOPE FE S T IVAL power and its global stars help give children from underprivileged backgrounds an outlet from their everyday lives.

Maracana trip The degree of integration and cultural exchange in the Caju camp is astounding. In one non-football exercise the youngsters are asked to communicate via song and dance, an activity that requires a great deal of bravery from the participants and frequent prompting from the experienced mediators, who clap their hands and urge the teenagers on. One 15-year-old, sporting orange sun glasses and a Bruno Mars baseball cap, smiles shyly. The next day he is able to put his accessories to good use in the heat of the Maracana, as all of the participants attended the quarter-final between France and Germany – one of the highlights of the camp.

Africa! A young boy shows off his dance moves.

It requires bravery and frequent prompting from the experienced mediators.

Botswana, Brazil, USA – young adults from different backgrounds get to know each other.

Inside the training centre in Caju, the cool air conditioning provides a welcome respite from the humidity outdoors, allowing the project organisers to work comfortably.

One wall is plastered with duty rotas and match schedules, while in the corner a large, plastic whiteboard is covered with explanations of the basic rules of football. Fair play, rather than scoring the most goals, is what counts across the four-day tournament where players are graded according to their on-field conduct. Games are played without referees, meaning the youngsters have to mediate among themselves in any contentious match situation. In the post-match discussions, the teams discuss and agree on the allocation of up to three “fair play points”.

Leading by example A mediator shows her group how it’s done.

26

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

FIFA-backed project Since its inception, FIFA has invested $32 million USD in its Football for Hope initiative

FOO T BALL FOR HOPE FE S T IVAL and the Festival, like the World Cup itself, is a quadrennial event. After the day’s activi­ ties, the children eat together and are then treated to a show: each country’s delegation puts on a short performance from their homeland. Understandably, evenings are a hugely popular part of the festival, show­ casing folklore from seven different conti­ nents. There are not many cultural pro­ grammes that can say the same.

Barking dogs can be heard in the streets of Caju and outside the training ground a coach is parked, its engine idling. A girl from South Africa wearily climbs the three steps and takes a seat next to a European boy. As they slowly make their way out of the car park towards their hotel, both of them bid farewell with a wave. Å

Dressed to impress The right outfit is needed at all times, even out on the pitch.

Diverse One delegation is made up of three girls and a boy.

FOOTBALL FOR HOPE The basic s To date, FIFA has invested $32 million in the Football for Hope initiative. In addition to the Festival, this initiative is based on the following pillars: Programme suppor t Yearly funding and equipment for selected organisations.

Knowledge building Training in the areas of media, football coaching and project management.

Forum Bringing social development exper ts together.

Africa 2010 “20 centres for 2010” was an of ficial social campaign for the World Cup in South Africa. A total of 20 educational, health and football centres were built across the continent.

Time out A youngster takes a much-needed break.

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

27

Football for Hope Festival 2014 Caju, Rio de Janeiro 7 - 10 July 2014 Featuring 32

mixed teams

young leaders from around the world with musical, artistic and cultural performances of

Entrance is free. Come and support Caju

and the other teams!

Vila Olímpica Mané Garrincha Rua Carlos Seixa Caju, Rio de Janeiro.

FIFA.com/festival

The Football for Hope Festival is an official event of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil which brings together 32 teams composed of young leaders from social projects in underprivileged communities around the world, allowing them to exchange best practice, play football and enjoy the FIFA World Cup together.

FREE KICK

F I F A 11

Most World Cup yellow cards

1

2006 World Cup Germany 307 yellow cards

2

2002 World Cup Korea/Japan 260 yellow cards

The flying stadium 3 Thomas Renggli

T

e rminal 2 of Rio de Janeiro’s Galeao Airport, shortly before sunrise. In an airport bar, English fans are pre-emptively drowning the sorrows of their next defeat with a ­breakfast beer and cleaning their teeth with a slug of cachaca. Nearby, Spanish supporters also ­facing World Cup oblivion look shell-shocked after defeat by Chile. A Frenchman wanders through the halls in a Superman costume, ­presumably believing he is at the carnival. In a coffee shop, a German fan is using his table as a convenient place to lay his head. Four C anadians dressed as Mounties march ­ ­confidently down the concourse – do they have the right tournament, or even the right sport?

The scent of cleaning materials, beer and cooking oil hangs in the air. In short, it is ­ ­a nother ‘normal’ morning in Brazil.

The 2014 World Cup is not just taking place in 12 stadiums and a country larger than Australia but throughout the departures, arrivals and waiting areas of airports from Fortaleza to Porto Alegre. Approximately 600,000 football tourists have been moving around Brazil in a constant stream of travellers. Some more ­adventurous souls have chosen to travel by car but most opt to fly, not least because while all roads might lead to Rome, they certainly do not lead to Manaus. Anyone wishing to make the journey to this jungle city faces a detour through Venezuela, while those planning to arrive by boat have to book an entire Amazon cruise or smuggle themselves on board a ­container ship. Alternatively, they can always paddle themselves up the river.

Put simply, there are no credible alternatives to travelling by air, and supporters soon realise that being in a foreign country means adapting to foreign customs. This process starts at security, where anyone expecting checks comparable to those in Europe faces a big surprise. Here in Brazil, neither fluids nor razor blades are considered questionable items,

and the only item that arouses any suspicion is one Flamengo fan’s pennant. Perhaps the security official is a Fluminense fan.

Despite all the hustle and bustle, the real atmosphere is only generated in flight, where some airliners become mini-stadiums in their own right. This is particularly true when flying with Azul, one of Brazil’s biggest carriers, who have the license and technology to stream ­television broadcasts live on board their aircraft.

This innovation really came into its own during extra-time of the Round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA. With the European side leading 2-1, the Americans were dramatically throwing everything they had towards goal.

Gasps and murmurs rumbled through the airliner’s cabin in a manner normally only encountered during extreme turbulence or engine failure. The coverage was still playing as the aircraft taxied to the end of the runway, but suddenly the displays went dark as the stewardess dutifully made the customary security announcements.

Whistles and boos filled the cabin as if a defender from the away team had just felled the home side’s star player with a crunching tackle.

Despite the commotion, the stewardess ­exhibited the steely nerve of an experienced referee in a match’s dying seconds, demonstrating the life vest and oxygen masks in ­record time before the screens flickered back into life with Belgium still leading 2-1. The travelling fans applauded enthusiastically and started a Mexican wave in honour of the valiant flight attendant.

Meanwhile, other disinterested passengers looked on with amusement, perhaps wondering whether the aircraft would even have got off the ground had Brazil been playing. Å

The weekly column by our staff writers

1998 World Cup France 250 yellow cards

4

2010 World Cup South Africa 245 yellow cards

5

1994 World Cup USA 221 yellow cards

6

2014 World Cup Brazil 172 yellow cards

7

1990 World Cup Italy 165 yellow cards

8

1986 World Cup Mexico 137 yellow cards

9

1982 World Cup Spain 99 yellow cards

10

1974 World Cup West Germany 87 yellow cards

11

1978 World Cup Argentina 59 yellow cards

Source: FIFA (FIFA World Cup, Milestones & Superlatives, Statistical Kit, 12/05/2014) T H E F I FA W E E K LY

29

THE INTERVIEW

“The best party I’ve ever had” In 2006 Fabio Grosso seemingly appeared from nowhere to fire Italy to their fourth World Cup title. He stood as a symbol of the Squadra Azzurra’s summer fairytale and helped instigate the

The next few days will mark the anniversary of what was the most important goal of your playing career: the last and decisive spot-kick of the penalty shoot-out in the 2006 World Cup final against France. Were you confident of putting the ball where you wanted it to go?

Fabio Grosso: Of course: in the top-right corner, from the taker’s perspective. That’s what I aimed to do and thankfully I didn’t change my mind. That happens sometimes when you’re about to take a penalty: at the last moment you decide to shoot somewhere else.

30

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

But that was not the case with you?

No, I knew right away that I was going to hit it as hard as I could towards the top-right corner. As it happened I didn’t strike the ball as hard as I wanted to and it didn’t go right into the corner but it was good enough (laughs).

“Grosso. Si, Grossssooo! Grossssooo! Grosssssssoooooooo!” That was how the Italian television commentator Marco Civoli celebrated your strike, along with the entire nation. Can you remember what happened immediately after that?

I have no idea. The only thing I remember is that I started running. I wanted to hug everyone and I bolted like a horse. I wanted to get to the goal at the other end of the pitch because that’s where my wife Jessica, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was sitting with my parents, my two brothers and my friends. I just wanted to get over to them. I can still remember that my leg hurt so I couldn’t move too well but I really wanted to share the moment with my family.

Shaun Botterill / Getty Imges

renaissance of a proud footballing nation.

THE INTERVIEW

how many there were but the number ­increased with each passing game. At the end after the final my phone just gave out ­completely.

At the 2006 World Cup you were more influential than any of your team-mates: you won the decisive penalty against Australia in the Round of 16, you knocked Germany out in the semi-finals with a sumptuous shot on the turn in the 119th minute and then you scored that penalty against France in the final. In ancient Rome you would have had palaces or streets named after you…

There were no monuments or busts made - the whole country just partied long and hard. I mainly celebrated in my home town in Pescara. It was the best party I’ve ever had.

You were a relatively unknown player prior to that World Cup, but from 9 July 2006 onwards you were a household name in Italy. Can you still go out without people recognising you?

Turin is a football-crazy city, but at the same time it’s also a very quiet and upbeat place. I’m always happy when people stop and speak to me on the street and ask for an autograph. It’s part of my history and, to be honest, it’s a privilege.

Name Fabio Grosso Date and place of birth 28 November 1977, Rome Position Left-back

Where will you watch this year's World Cup Final?

We’ll watch it at home. Maybe a few friends will stop by but generally I like to keep things quiet.

Clubs (selected) 2001–04 Perugia Calcio 2004–06 US Palermo 2006–07 Inter Milan 2007–2009 Olympique Lyon 2009–2012 Juventus International career 2003–2010, 48 appearances, 4 goals Selected honours World Cup winner 2006 Italian champion 2006/07, 2011/12 French champion 2007/08 Clubs coached 2014 - present Juventus U-21s

Was it the happiest moment of your life?

In sporting terms it probably was. The 2006 World Cup was shaped by a series of extraordinary and unique moments and I could reel off a lot of them right now. But if I had to sum up the range of emotions in a single snapshot it would definitely be that penalty in Berlin.

How many times have you viewed that goal again on YouTube?

Not many. I don’t need YouTube because I

can remember that moment any time I want.

I’ve got it firmly lodged in my mind. It’s omnipresent and is a part of the collective memory. It’s something nobody can ever take away from me.

Given the current age of social media, you would undoubtedly have had hundreds of thousands of Facebook friend requests and Twitter followers back then. What was it like in 2010?

What did you make of Italy’s showing at the tournament?

The expectations were high after our achievements at EURO 2012 and our good displays at the 2013 Confederations Cup. We hoped for more but a World Cup is always unpredictable. Small details can make all the difference and you can’t afford to make any mistakes. Almost every game is like a final.

Italy made mistakes, especially against Costa Rica, and unfortunately it was all over after we played Uruguay.

You coach the U-21 team at record Italian champions Juventus. Would you like to lift the World Cup trophy again as coach one day?

I haven’t been in coaching very long and am still learning the ropes, but I’d be in the wrong job if I didn’t aim to be successful at the highest level as a coach as well. At the moment I’m really enjoying working with the youth team though. Å Fabio Grosso was talking to Bernd Fisa.

Everyone sent text messages and I got absolutely loads of them. I can’t remember T H E F I FA W E E K LY

31

MIRROR IMAGE

T

H

E

N

Guadalajara, Mexico

1970

Getty Images

Pen & paper 1: Pele signs autographs after a training session at the 1970 World Cup.

32

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

MIRROR IMAGE

N

O

W

Santos, Brazil

2014

Paulo Whitaker / Reuters

Pen & paper 2: Costa Rica star Celso Borges signs a Panini sticker album after training at the current World Cup.

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

33

WELCOME TO

©2014 THE COCA-COLA COMPANY. COCA-COLA® AND THE CONTOUR BOTTLE ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THE COCA-COLA COMPANY.

OFFICIAL SPONSOR

TURNING POINT

Name Teofilo Juan Cubillas Arizaga Date and place of birth 8 March 1949, Lima (Peru) Position Midfielder Clubs Alianza Lima, FC Basel, FC Porto, FL Strikers, South Miami Sun Peruvian national team 81 appearances, 26 goals

Goals record and heat rub Teofilo Cubillas rewrote the record books by becoming the first player to score at least five goals at two World Cups, a feat since emulated by Miroslav Klose and Thomas Muller.

Even the cold weather and a salad diet in Switzerland could not halt his rise to the top.

Cris Bouroncle / A fp

T

he 1970 World Cup in Mexico was definitely the moment when my career as a professional footballer really took off. It was the first time Peru had qualified for the World Cup finals and I think it’s fair to say that a lot of people in Europe knew very little about us. Two days before the ­tournament kicked off, a violent earthquake struck my homeland, claiming the lives of some 75,000 people. It was not particularly easy to focus on the football in the midst of such a tragedy. Nevertheless, we put in some good performances and reached the quarter-finals, where we faced Brazil. And despite suffering a 4-2 defeat, we were the only team that managed to put two goals past Pele & Co. That tournament propelled me into the limelight, but I’d have forged a career for ­myself even if I hadn’t made it as a footballer. I grew up in a large family with seven siblings, and our

parents placed a great emphasis on the importance of a good education. I always had a flair for numbers and did an apprenticeship to become an accountant.

In Peru I only ever played for Alianza Lima.

And I might have stayed there forever if it hadn’t been for a completely unexpected event that changed the course of my entire career. In 1974 I was selected to represent a South ­A merican XI against a European XI in a charity match in Basel. I scored a brace in that game, and Swiss businessman Ruedi Reisdorf was so impressed by my performance that he made it his mission to sign me for FC Basel.

I was 24 years old at the time. People in Europe knew I was the South American Footballer of the Year, but I had no idea how much I was worth. So when I was asked how much it would cost to secure my services, I answered instinctively: $100,000. A short while later

­ eisdorf called me – from Lima! He’d come to R South America to pay the club the transfer fee I’d quoted and to take me back to Basel with him. I had no desire to leave though, so I asked the President of Alianza to help me get out of it. He swiftly trebled my price tag to $300,000.

To my surprise, though, Reisdorf paid the fee and a short while later I was on a plane to Switzerland. It was the start of a great adventure and you could say it was another real ­turning point for me. Nobody came with me. I didn’t speak the language either. I lived in ­Reisdorf’s house and although he made a great effort to look after me, he only ever gave me salad to eat to ensure I had a healthy diet. I weighed 74 kilograms when I arrived in Basel.

A month later I was down to 64.

It was the cold that got to me the most, though. I was constantly freezing, wore jumpers and a hat to training sessions and applied heat rub on my face. A short while later I moved to Porto for a fee of $450,000.

Despite the cold temperatures, Basel has a special place in my heart. Ruedi Reisdorf is also a true gentleman. He gave me exactly half of the $150,000 profit he made from my switch to Portugal and paid the sum to a frozen account, stating that it was to be used for my children’s upbringing and education. I received the ­money, plus interest, when I settled down with my family in Florida some years later. Å Teofilo Cubillas was talking to Thomas Renggli

In Turning Point, personalities reflect on a decisive moment in their lives.

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

35

FIFA WORLD R ANKING Rank Team

36

→ http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/index.html

Change in ranking Points

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Spain Germany Brazil Portugal Argentina Switzerland Uruguay Colombia Italy England

0 0 1 -1 2 2 -1 -3 0 1

1485 1300 1242 1189 1175 1149 1147 1137 1104 1090

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 52 54 55 56 57 57 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77

Belgium Greece USA Chile Netherlands Ukraine France Croatia Russia Mexico Bosnia-Herzegovina Algeria Denmark Côte d'Ivoire Slovenia Ecuador Scotland Costa Rica Romania Serbia Panama Sweden Honduras Czech Republic Turkey Egypt Ghana Armenia Cape Verde Islands Venezuela Wales Austria Iran Nigeria Peru Japan Hungary Tunisia Slovakia Paraguay Montenegro Iceland Guinea Sierra Leone Norway Cameroon Mali Korea Republic Uzbekistan Burkina Faso Finland Australia Jordan Libya South Africa Albania Bolivia El Salvador Poland Republic of Ireland Trinidad and Tobago United Arab Emirates Haiti Senegal Israel Zambia Morocco

1 -2 1 -1 0 1 -1 2 -1 -1 4 3 0 -2 4 2 -5 6 3 0 4 -7 -3 2 4 -12 1 -5 3 1 6 -2 -6 0 -3 1 -2 1 -3 5 3 6 -1 17 0 -6 2 -2 -6 1 -9 -3 1 -2 0 4 1 1 3 -4 3 -5 4 -11 3 3 -1

1074 1064 1035 1026 981 915 913 903 893 882 873 858 809 809 800 791 786 762 761 745 743 741 731 724 722 715 704 682 674 672 644 643 641 640 627 626 624 612 591 575 574 566 566 565 562 558 547 547 539 538 532 526 510 498 496 495 483 481 474 473 470 460 452 451 444 441 439

T H E F I FA W E E K LY

Ranking 01 / 2014

02 / 2014

03 / 2014

04 / 2014

05 / 2014

06 / 2014

1 -41 -83 -125 -167 -209

78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 90 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 110 112 113 114 115 116 116 118 119 120 120 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 134 136 137 137 139 140 140 142 143 144

Top spot

Biggest climber

Bulgaria Oman FYR Macedonia Jamaica Belarus Azerbaijan Congo DR Congo Uganda Benin Togo Gabon Northern Ireland Saudi Arabia Botswana Angola Palestine Cuba Georgia New Zealand Estonia Zimbabwe Qatar Moldova Equatorial Guinea China PR Iraq Central African Republic Lithuania Ethiopia Kenya Latvia Bahrain Canada Niger Tanzania Namibia Kuwait Liberia Rwanda Mozambique Luxembourg Sudan Aruba Malawi Vietnam Kazakhstan Lebanon Tajikistan Guatemala Burundi Philippines Afghanistan Dominican Republic Malta St Vincent and the Grenadines Guinea-Bissau Chad Suriname Mauritania St Lucia Lesotho New Caledonia Syria Cyprus Turkmenistan Grenada

-5 3 0 0 1 2 4 7 0 10 1 -2 -6 -15 -1 1 71 -5 7 14 -5 -1 -5 -2 11 -7 -4 1 -2 -6 -2 0 -5 0 -10 9 6 -7 3 15 -4 -7 -3 35 0 -7 -6 -11 -5 -3 -3 11 -2 -5 -4 -7 50 31 -5 2 -4 2 -2 -6 -12 13 -8

Biggest faller

425 420 419 411 397 396 395 393 390 386 383 382 381 381 375 364 358 354 349 347 343 340 339 334 333 331 329 321 319 317 296 293 289 289 284 283 277 276 271 271 269 267 254 254 247 242 241 233 229 226 221 217 215 212 204 203 201 201 197 196 196 194 190 190 189 183 182

144 146 147 148 149 149 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 164 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 176 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 190 192 192 192 195 196 196 198 198 200 201 202 202 204 205 206 207 207 207

Madagascar Korea DPR Maldives Gambia Kyrgyzstan Thailand Antigua and Barbuda Belize Malaysia India Singapore Guyana Indonesia Puerto Rico Myanmar St Kitts and Nevis Tahiti Liechtenstein Hong Kong Pakistan Nepal Montserrat Bangladesh Laos Dominica Barbados Faroe Islands São Tomé e Príncipe Swaziland Comoros Bermuda Nicaragua Chinese Taipei Guam Sri Lanka Solomon Islands Seychelles Curaçao Yemen Mauritius South Sudan Bahamas Mongolia Fiji Samoa Cambodia Vanuatu Brunei Darussalam Timor-Leste Tonga US Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Papua New Guinea British Virgin Islands American Samoa Andorra Eritrea Somalia Macau Djibouti Cook Islands Anguilla Bhutan San Marino Turks and Caicos Islands

45 -9 6 -14 -3 -6 -9 -8 -8 -7 -8 -5 -5 -9 14 -7 -4 -12 -5 -5 -5 22 -5 5 -6 -9 -7 -5 5 10 -6 -8 -6 -7 -6 -8 -5 -5 -4 -4 16 0 0 -6 -6 0 -10 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

182 175 171 166 163 163 158 152 149 144 141 137 135 134 133 124 122 118 112 102 102 99 98 97 93 92 89 86 85 84 83 78 78 77 73 70 66 65 61 57 47 40 35 34 32 28 28 26 26 26 23 21 21 18 18 16 11 8 8 6 5 3 0 0 0

NET ZER KNOWS!

THE OBJEC T

How do you explain Spain’s early exit from the World Cup? Question from Federico Martinez in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Perikles Monioudis

I

Spanish football expert Gunter Netzer in 1971, two years before his transfer to Real Madrid.

Sven Simon / imago, FIFA Sammlung

T

he numerous theories circulating about Spain’s early World Cup exit are interesting, but fairly inconclusive. It’s a dangerous business to draw premature conclusions from afar, mainly because the simple explanation most people are looking for probably doesn’t exist. The momentous defeats suffered by Spain in their first two group matches can be put down to a number of smaller mistakes, which now need to be analysed thoroughly – but only those involved are in the position to do so.

Spain’s mission has long since been to inject youth into an ageing squad while continuing to compete at the top. And as we’ve just seen, that’s not an easy thing to do. Nevertheless, I’m convinced that the Spanish will bounce back with a new-look squad that includes some of their brightest young ­prospects. And there are some experienced players who still have a place in the squad too. You can’t cast the entire team’s future in

doubt, as some media outlets are doing. If they can find the right balance, they’ll come back stronger than ever and compete with the best at the European Championship in two years’ time.

I like to compare the way the Spanish ­national team plays to Bayern Munich. Both teams have played some fantastic football over the course of the last few years, but their biggest challenge is ultimately to make all of this wonderful combination play and movement count by converting it into goals. Having said that, they still have a lot to offer, even if they don’t become more ruthless in front of goal. Å

t is not only during the World Cup that half the world, or perhaps more than half the world, lives and breathes football. Adjusting the rhythm of your life to a match schedule for the period of a month every four years is a reality for many folk, who may not even be especially committed fans of the game. The reality becomes a joyful one if your favoured team fulfil expectations and are crowned world champions, survives the group stage or reaches the quarter-finals, depending on your pre-tournament hopes.

The actual fate of a team lies in a very few pairs of hands, those belonging to the coach and the players. They can actually do something to influence destiny, but at the end of the day the spectators cannot. They can hope and pray of course but those left behind at home are condemned to watch from afar via the media and ultimately accept whatever happens.

The situation is completely different when it comes to the game illustrated above, the “Master Football Game” by the Master Vending Machine Co. Ltd., London, dating from the 1950s and part of the FIFA collection. It allows the spectator to take a proactive role as a player.

The huge crowd in the background may be a paint job but it is certainly impressive. The player operates the lever on the right of the cabinet to unleash a thunderbolt shot by the player decked out in red and white and catapult a colourful wooden ball in the direction of the target, with the shot hopefully landing in the “net” and scoring between one and three points. Naturally the game is more than suitable for two or more players, just like the real World Cup. Å

What have you always wanted to know about football? Ask Gunter Netzer: feedback-theweekly@fifa.org T H E F I FA W E E K LY

37

The FIFA Weekly Published weekly by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Internet: www.fifa.com/theweekly Publisher: FIFA, FIFA-Strasse 20, PO box, CH-8044 Zurich Tel. +41-(0)43-222 7777 Fax +41-(0)43-222 7878

FIFA QUIZ CUP

Sepp awards the Trophy, Didier celebrates, Lionel is left in the dark and James has a question. Test your knowledge!

1

When was the last time Sepp Blatter did not award the World Cup Trophy?

President: Joseph S. Blatter Secretary General: Jérôme Valcke Director of Communications and Public Affairs: Walter De Gregorio Chief Editor: Perikles Monioudis

J

P

S

W

Staff Writers: Thomas Renggli (Author), Alan Schweingruber, Sarah Steiner Art Direction: Catharina Clajus

2

“Ciao Claudio, which of these cities has hosted a World Cup Final?” James asks his club coach.

He correctly answers: “Naturalmente ...

Picture Editor: Peggy Knotz

A E I T

Production: Hans-Peter Frei Layout: Richie Krönert (Lead), Marianne Bolliger-Crittin, Susanne Egli, Mirijam Ziegler Proof Reader: Nena Morf, Kristina Rotach

3

A 2014 World Cup match is shrouded in shadow, but which stadium is this?

Contributors: Sérgio Xavier Filho, Luigi Garlando, Sven Goldmann, Hanspeter Kuenzler, Jordi Punti, David Winner, Roland Zorn Contributors to this Issue: Lefteris Coroyannakis, Lucie Clement, Bernd Fisa, Dominik Petermann, Alissa Rosskopf, Andrew Warshaw Editorial Assistant: Honey Thaljieh

... Milan ... Monaco ... Moscow ... Monterrey

A Rio de Janeiro L Belo Horizonte E Brasilia P Sao Paulo

4

Which World Cup Final would have gone to a replay if the game had ended in a draw after 120 minutes?

Project Management: Bernd Fisa, Christian Schaub Translation: Sportstranslations Limited www.sportstranslations.com Printer: Zofinger Tagblatt AG www.ztonline.ch

A

P

T

O

Getty Images

Contact: feedback-theweekly@fifa.org Reproduction of photos or articles in whole or in part is only permitted with prior editorial approval and if attributed “The FIFA Weekly, © FIFA 2014”.

The editor and staff are not obliged to publish unsolicited manuscripts and photos. FIFA and the FIFA logo are registered trademarks of FIFA. Made and printed in Switzerland.

Any views expressed in The FIFA Weekly do not necessarily reflect those of FIFA.

The answer to last week’s Quiz Cup was GAAL Detailed answers on www.fifa.com/theweekly Inspiration and implementation: cus

Send your answer by 16 July 2014 to feedback-theweekly@fifa.org.

Correct solutions to all quizzes published from 13 June 2014 onwards will go into a draw in January 2015 for a trip for two to the FIFA Ballon d’Or on 12 January 2015.

Before sending in answers, all participants must read and accept the competition terms and conditions and the rules, which can be found at: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/af-magazine/fifaweekly/02/20/51/99/en_rules_20140613_english_neutral.pdf T H E F I FA W E E K LY

39

A S K T H E W E E K LY

T HIS WEEK’S POLL

Which team will win the FIFA Fair Play Award?

I’m a referee in youth football and I’m interested in the freekick vanishing spray. Where can I buy it?

Horst Wenig, Hamburg There’s a wide range of temporary line-marking products in North and South America, where the spray is an established part of Major League Soccer and the Brazilian and Argentinian leagues, and also in Asia. You can buy the spray and a handy belt clip online. A can of the spray providing an approximately 40-metre white line costs around US$15 with the belt at US$40 or so. It’s not quite as easy in Europe. An English and a German firm are reportedly keen to make and distribute the product, but there’s no licensing agreement as yet. As a stopgap you could try shaving foam, but be kind to the turf and choose a non-perfumed variant. (thr)

Four years ago, Spain were named the World Cup's fairest team, but given that only teams who qualified for the Round of 16 are eligible, which country is in the running for the 2014 prize? Cast your vote at www.fifa.com/newscentre L A S T W E E K’S P O L L R E S U LT S

Who do you think should win the “Hyundai Young Player Award”?

53% � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Someone else 20% � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Memphis Depay (NED) 19% � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Paul Pogba (FRA) 6% � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Romelu Lukaku (BEL) 2% � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � Raphael Varane (FRA)

Didier Drogba has won 100 caps for Côte d’Ivoire. The 36-year-old brought up his century in a 2-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the milestone with a goal from a free-kick. It was his 64th for his country and cemented his position as the nation’s all-time leading scorer. Drogba was the

8

114

Not including the semi-final, Robin van Persie

Lukas Podolski has played 114 times for Germany.

had eight goals in his previous seven games for

The Arsenal striker only has two men ahead of him

games, alongside Kolo Toure

the Netherlands. Louis van Gaal’s team captain

in the Germans’ all-time appearance chart, Miroslav

(106) and most-capped Ivorian

is a real Mr Consistency: he scored 14 goals in 16

Klose on 132 games and most-capped player Lothar

matches under the current national coach.

Matthaus on 150.

third player in the Elephants’ World Cup squad on 100 or more

Didier Zokora (119).

Getty Images, Afp, imago (3)

100

WEEK IN NUMBERS