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3.7 million people! That’s the number of people expected to travel to Brazil, come June 12th. That’s almost the figure by which the population of England and Wales increased, over the last decade. Although for a football fan this figure is not alarming, it has safely doubled since the last World Cup in 2010, hosted in South Africa. Bear in mind Forbes estimates only 50% of the above (about 1.9 million) to be able to get a seat for at least one of the games. The rest will expectedly soak up the atmosphere in the host cities. Those beaches make it a lot easier.
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I actually tried booking my tickets for Rio more than half a year back. The fact that a fan procures his right-to-buy ticket only by a lucky draw (lotteries and I don’t go well) wasn’t the scariest thing. The flight costs had already rocketed three folds and I hadn’t even got to the accommodation. A lot of friends spoke about being there, following their team’s journey and the usual bluffs; none of them have made it through. In hindsight, watching the game on television with very little chances of being mugged or dying in a stampede are a few positives that I have pacified myself with, before the start.
Whilst growing up, there were often many arguments on why football (or soccer to the uninitiated) is the number one sport in the World. It’s a religion in some places (for this year’s hosts for instance). I for one realized its insurmountable popularity with every passing year. Sometimes it’s just the craze that draws you in, the other times it’s that elusive goal you sit and wait for all through the 90 minutes. It doesn’t work in our country’s case with our neighbors, but sports generally have the power to bring nations together. The economic crisis of Spain was forgotten, albeit for a few days, when they won the World Cup in 2010. I still remember Nadal winning Wimbledon the same month and a few of my friends were out celebrating and dancing on the streets of Madrid the whole night of the World Cup win. Coincidentally, that was also the only time in my entire life I wished I was Spanish. No, never again!
The most common question on everyone’s mind is “Who’s going to win?” The “I told you so” after a team wins, is the most common answer. The tricky part in FIFA World Cups, unlike most other sports, is that in a championship of 32 nations, where the last 16 are involved in an outright knock out, it’s really hard to pick a winner.
I have this weird obsession with the “law of averages”. It clearly does not apply to some teams, like Spain who brushed aside everyone that took the field, 2008 Euro Cup onwards, only to lose in the 2013 Confederations Cup final. Call it this law of average or just a fun stat, but on observation, one would notice South American nations have not let go off the World Cup for a longer stretch than two tournaments on a trot, since the inaugural one in 1930. The last two World Cups were won by European nations (Italy 2006, Spain 2010) and a lot has already been made about home advantage for the samba boys. While the Euro teams have strongly dominated world football for the last decade or so, it’s a first in years where Brazil and Argentina start off as firm favourites. It all makes for mouth-watering prospects.
So who’s really going to win?
Brazil are overwhelming favorites, but how far they go depends strongly on Neymar’s fitness. I always feel writers shouldn’t predict. They can review teams but predictions can lead to bias. But well, I am writing this for fun. I used a bit of the head and a little of the heart and Argentina and Germany are the answers I got. Argentina know these conditions as well as anyone else. The Messi factor will exist till the time the man plays, but they have a host of other players who can put their hands up. Also, they are placed in a considerably easy group with no real immediate threat. They could have an easy path into the semis. Germany are the most organized team. Their game is a treat to the eye. 2002 World Cup finalists, 2006 and 2010 World Cup semi finalists, this team is due (did I just do the law of average thing again? Sorry). They also hold the record for the most top 4 finishes - 12.
As I sign off - I hear sex plays a major role in the performance of these players. I don’t get the link and how it really helps the on field performance. It has never helped me. But again, that’s probably why I never played any sport at even club level.
Like Brazil coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari put it for his boys, one last time before June 12th 2014 - “Go see your family, hug them, kiss them, enjoy them. They should take advantage because they might suffer over the next 30-odd days. But the reward is that if you win you are world champions for 1,430 days. So it’s 30 days hard work for 1,430 great days. It’s a good deal if you ask me.”
