| Waiting for the World Cup to start has always | | | | Italy, England, Germany and Argentina are |
| been a punishing yet rewarding experience for | | | | only few of the countries that will surely |
| soccer aficionados. The former is felt days | | | | make Brazil's journey to the finals very |
| after the last World Cup ends, the latter, | | | | difficult. The other countries in FIFA's top |
| days before the next one starts. Soccer fans | | | | world ranking list includes Spain, Mexico, |
| will declare that the long four-year wait is | | | | Netherlands, Czech Republic and the United |
| all worth it once this truly world event | | | | States. These are all formidable teams that |
| begins with that starting kick off. All that | | | | can certainly hold their own in this |
| pent up excitement has to come out sometime | | | | tournament and could easily be this year's |
| and what better way for it to go than through | | | | World Cup champions. It is almost an |
| the explosion of cheers, applause and | | | | impossibility to predict who will raise the |
| jubilant gestures of support once the games | | | | trophy in Berlin on July 9 but that's simply |
| are underway. Finally, the excruciating wait | | | | the beauty of it! One thing is for sure, the |
| is over as the eight groups of thirty-two | | | | country that gets to keep the World Cup |
| teams from various countries compete for the | | | | Trophy for the next four years will have |
| World Cup Trophy and their respective | | | | justly earned and deserved it. All this rich |
| nation's pride. Last Friday marked the 2006 | | | | history, glorious pride, legendary teams, |
| FIFA World Cup in Germany. Several countries | | | | prominent personalities and beautiful venues |
| virtually went into a standstill as history | | | | will be the making of one of the best |
| unfolded in the Allianz Arena at Munich. | | | | tournaments thus far. Talking about the |
| This truly is an occasion of global | | | | World Cup would be incomplete without |
| proportions as football devotees root for | | | | mentioning the hooligans that this event |
| their country's team with fervent display of | | | | seemingly attracts. Add booze to the mix and |
| loyalty and zeal. In the 64 grueling and | | | | you've got an explosive situation warranting |
| exciting matches ahead, soccer fans are sure | | | | a serious once over. Too often, the World |
| to get a treat as the likes of Ronaldinho, | | | | Cup has been analogous to thousands of people |
| Ronaldo, and Beckham strut their wares on the | | | | trooping into colossal stadiums, euphoric |
| road to football glory. The powerhouse that | | | | crowd shouting, ultra tight security and some |
| is Brazil is clearly the team to beat this | | | | minor riots happening near and around the |
| year. In the seventeen previous tournaments | | | | stadium. Although there is nothing wrong with |
| since the first World Cup in 1930, Brazil has | | | | this image (except for the riot part) and all |
| been a dominant force having won five of the | | | | the fanfare, the real value of this |
| seventeen events including the one back in | | | | monumental event is not just about winning |
| 2002. The defending champions shouldn't take | | | | the most sought after accolade in sports. It |
| it easy though because hot on their heels are | | | | is the coming together of different countries |
| other soccer superpowers and they are not | | | | and cultures under one common goal. Let's |
| trailing far behind in talent and passion. | | | | play futbol! |