The World Cup Fever!!

Waiting for the World Cup to start has always beenbehind in talent and passion. Italy, England, Germany
a punishing yet rewarding experience for soccerand Argentina are only few of the countries that will
aficionados. The former is felt days after the lastsurely make Brazil's journey to the finals very difficult.
World Cup ends, the latter, days before the nextThe other countries in FIFA's top world ranking list
one starts. Soccer fans will declare that the longincludes Spain, Mexico, Netherlands, Czech Republic
four-year wait is all worth it once this truly worldand the United States. These are all formidable teams
event begins with that starting kick off. All that pentthat can certainly hold their own in this tournament
up excitement has to come out sometime and whatand could easily be this year's World Cup champions.
better way for it to go than through the explosionIt is almost an impossibility to predict who will raise
of cheers, applause and jubilant gestures of supportthe trophy in Berlin on July 9 but that's simply the
once the games are underway. Finally, thebeauty of it! One thing is for sure, the country that
excruciating wait is over as the eight groups ofgets to keep the World Cup Trophy for the next
thirty-two teams from various countries compete forfour years will have justly earned and deserved it. All
the World Cup Trophy and their respective nation'sthis rich history, glorious pride, legendary teams,
pride. Last Friday marked the 2006 FIFA World Cupprominent personalities and beautiful venues will be
in Germany. Several countries virtually went into athe making of one of the best tournaments thus far.
standstill as history unfolded in the Allianz Arena atTalking about the World Cup would be incomplete
Munich. This truly is an occasion of global proportionswithout mentioning the hooligans that this event
as football devotees root for their country's teamseemingly attracts. Add booze to the mix and you've
with fervent display of loyalty and zeal. In the 64got an explosive situation warranting a serious once
grueling and exciting matches ahead, soccer fans areover. Too often, the World Cup has been analogous
sure to get a treat as the likes of Ronaldinho,to thousands of people trooping into colossal
Ronaldo, and Beckham strut their wares on the roadstadiums, euphoric crowd shouting, ultra tight security
to football glory. The powerhouse that is Brazil isand some minor riots happening near and around the
clearly the team to beat this year. In the seventeenstadium. Although there is nothing wrong with this
previous tournaments since the first World Cup inimage (except for the riot part) and all the fanfare,
1930, Brazil has been a dominant force having wonthe real value of this monumental event is not just
five of the seventeen events including the one backabout winning the most sought after accolade in
in 2002. The defending champions shouldn't take itsports. It is the coming together of different
easy though because hot on their heels are othercountries and cultures under one common goal. Let's
soccer superpowers and they are not trailing farplay futbol!