Brazilian Soccer

Brazilian Soccer.in an exhibition Aug. 16 in Oslo.
The soccer madness that has never relaxed its holdHistory of soccer in Brazil and around the world.
on Brazil began at the turn of the century, causedAfter Brazil became a republic in 1889, the sport was
the entire nation to plunge into depression in 1950,the first time that poor, black and mixed-race people
later lifted it to peaks of euphoria between 1958 andwere integrated in social institutions like clubs, street
1970, contributed to the malaise caused by theteams and schools, and even into a national team.
political, social, and economic difficulties afflicting theMaybe soccer has not won elections or helped
country in the 1980s, and in 1994 gave Brazil'sovercome social injustice, still the game has been
collective self-esteem a badly needed boost.used in Brazil by the State in the pursuit of its own
Global and Brazilian Soccer 2006interests and to consolidate its support.
Sport is almost a secular religion with its myths, rulesPresident Vargas used the soccer sport as a tool to
and revered heroes, often competing with religionbuild national identity in Brazil, much as was done in
when games are played at the same time as churchGermany in the 1930's promoting national pride in
services, say two Brazilian researchers. "Football andphysical education. The World Cup tournament can be
politics, the construction of a national identity".seen as an example of the largest number of people
Their conclusion that soccer is like a secular religion ison the planet paying attention to an event of global
one of the findings in the book dealing with class,reach. Nowhere was the enthusiasm greater than in
race and geography in sport.Brazil.
As the soccer teams from around the worldThe soccer World Cup is an event where national
converged on Germany for the soccer World Cup -identities are upheld, presented and celebrated.
there is no question that the game forged andThe oft-used expression "Soccer Country" defines
reinforced national identity in Brazil where the love ofBrazil as accurately as the descriptive "Carnival
soccer is palpable.Country."
Brazil is the only nation that has participated in everyIndeed, the game "Brazilian Soccer" has managed to
World Cup since the inception of the tournament incaptivate Brazilians in every comer of the land, from
1930.Amazonia to the deep south, with an equal measure
Bulletin:of devotion; in fact, it has sustained a degree of
2006:popularity that even Carnival has never been able to
The Brazilian soccer confederation has hired formermatch.
captain Dunga as coach of the national team.The sport "brazilian soccer" has played a major role in
Dunga, who was the captain of Brazil's 1994 Worldunifying both nation and community. In Brazilian
Cup-winning team, replaces Carlos Alberto Parreira,Soccer everyone follows the national team and takes
who quit after Brazil was eliminated by France in thegreat pride in its successes. Newcomers, whether
quarterfinals of this year's World Cup in Germany.from abroad or from another part of the country,
"The choice of Dunga will fully satisfy the desires ofare able to integrate themselves into the social life of
Brazilian fans who want an enthusiastic coach on thea city or town by becoming fans of a local Brazilian
national team," CBF president Ricardo Teixeira said onsoccer team or by participating in the game
the confederation's Web site.themselves.
Dunga will make his debut when Brazil faces Norway