The World Cup kicks off in South Africa on June 11, and even though Ukraine missed out on the tournament after losing in the qualifiers, the Kyiv Post will be following all the action over the next four weeks. We’re going to be running a blog at kyivpost.com, looking at the games, the stars and how South Africa fares as its continent’s first hosts. We’ll also publish a wall chart in the newspaper every week, starting June 11, and update it every week with the latest results. So follow Kyiv Post to keep your finger on the pulse of the world's major football event!
James Marson writes: It hardly seems four years ago that French legend Zinedine Zidane chipped in a sumptuous penalty then headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi, before being sent off as Italy lifted the trophy. But it’s already time again for every soccer lover’s dream, and every soccer widow’s nightmare.
The tournament in South Africa is wide open, with a number of teams in the hunt for the trophy.
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As an England fan, I live in eternal hope rather than expectation. I remember the penalty shootout losses in 1990, 1998 and 2006. I remember the limp showings against Brazil in 2002 and Portugal in 2006. Paul Gascoigne’s tears, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney’s red cards, Chris Waddle’s missed penalty – it’s been a nothing but pain since we won in 1966. Four years ago the Three Lions crumbled at the quarter-final stage against Portugal, seeming to lack the passion and invention to win. I’m not sure how much more of a chance England has this time.
The players are certainly individually among the best in the world, despite the loss of captain and defensive stalwart Rio Ferdinand last week to injury. Wayne Rooney can turn a match on his own with his speed, power and eye for the goal. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are among the best attacking midfielders in the competition, but the question lingers whether they can play together. England is certainly in with a shout, but if Rooney gets injured or doesn’t fire, it’s not clear where the spark will come from. When they played Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk, the players looks short on ideas and intensity when the pressure came on. Coach Fabio Capello has brought discipline to the squad which should focus attention on their football rather than the celebrated WAGs (or wives and girlfriends). But this tournament could be the last chance for a gifted generation of footballers, and it’s time for them to step up on the biggest stage of all.
I’d pick Spain as the favourites for the tournament. They have two of the best strikers in the world in Fernando Torres and David Villa, and a midfield so talented that one of the English Premier League’s brightest stars – Cesc Fabregas – struggles to get a game. Coupled with the knowledge of how to win big tournaments after the victory at Euro 2008, I can certainly see them lifting the trophy.
Brazil – the five-time former champion – is always a threat, although don’t expect the aesthetically pleasing show of attacking flair we are used to from the South Americans. Coach Dunga has his charges well organized and physical in defense, with Kaka, coming off a poor season at Real Madrid, providing the creativity.
Argentina under the legendary Diego Maradona struggled even to make it to South Africa, despite a team packed with talent and led by World Player of the Year Lionel Messi. Fitting all the stars into one side is perhaps Maradona’s greatest task, alongside making them gel. Choosing between Messi, Sergio Aguero, Diego Milito, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain up front would be a mouth-watering prospect for any coach.
Reigning champion Italy seems unlikely to repeat its success of four years ago. The Azzuri will rely on aging stars from that triumph and hope a powerful midfield including Daniele De Rossi can inspire an unlikely repeat.
Holland is another side brimming with talent, but burdened by a tradition of coming up short at major tournaments. A Dutch friend once explained that his countrymen are simply too relaxed and lack the competitive drive to challenge for the ultimate prize. But with skilled players such as Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie in attack, the Dutch could make an impression.
Three-time winner Germany performed beyond expectations when it hosted the tournament in 2006. England’s perennial nemesis, and one of the toughest teams to beat despite the lack of star names, the Germans may struggle with key man Michael Ballack out injured.
France qualified for the finals by virtue of a dubious goal against Ireland, scored after a blatant handball by Thierry Henry. The beaten finalist from 2006 has a strong back four, a creative midfield led by Frank Ribery and proven goalscorers in Nicolas Anelka and Henry.
Portugal only just made it through to the finals, winning a playoff against Bosnia-Herzegovina. But a strong defense led by Chelsea’s Ricardo Carvalho and the magical skills of forward Cristiano Ronaldo should propel them far into the tournament.
What about surprise packages? Ivory Coast has a team packed with talented players and has a shot at putting either Brazil or Portugal out at the group stage. It looks like star striker Didier Drogba has made a miraculous recovery from a broken arm suffered only last month and could play. Coached by England flop Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Elephants could be the African side to spring a surprise on their own continent.
Among notable minnows is North Korea. The hereditary Stalinist dictatorship is a rank outsider at odds of 2,000-1. The last time they appeared in the tournament was back in 1966, where they took a 3-0 lead against a powerful Portuguese side in the quarter final, before eventually going down 5-3. Spare a thought for those wishing to follow their team’s progress in Pyongyang – it remains unclear whether the games will even be screened.
That’s not going to be a problem in Kyiv, with plenty of sports bars, and plasma TV screens seemingly the sine qua non of all restaurants. Let us know your thoughts and comments on the games in the last big tournament before the football circus comes to Ukraine for Euro 2012.
Kyiv Post staff writer James Marson can be reached at [email protected].
