. Stuttgart 2006
|
|
 |
|
World Cup Soccer 2006 |
2006 FIFA World Cup-Untitled XV
|
History of the World Cup 2006
|
History of the World Cup 2006
|
|
Enter Gallery
|
Gallery Description
World Cup Soccer
For 2006, a total of thirty-two teams from around the globe will compete for the championship of the FIFA World Cup finals. Six continents are represented among the thirty-two teams. Six winners from previous World Cup finals will take compete this year. Germany hosts the World Cup this year and head up the contingent of 14 European teams while the South American challengers to the cup include the leader country, Brazil. The games begin on June 9th, 2006.
The thirty-two teams include Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Croatia, Czechoslavakia, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Netherlands, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Serbia and Montenegro, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, Trinidad and Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the USA.
The 2006 World Cup host Germany boasts three world titles to their name. The team has competed in every FIFA World Cup final except in 1930 and 1950. Their first win was in 1954 against Hungary, their second win was in 1974 with Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller leading the win against the Netherlands and the third win was in 1990 over Argentina in Italy. Germany is placing much hope on Michael Ballack, the national captain from Bayern Munich with the support of other leading players including Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski. Germany holds a FIFA world ranking of 19 and will play in Group A with Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador.
Founded in 1863, the England team has won only a single World Cup final despite many enthusiastic years of participation. In 1966, England won on their home soil 4-2 against Germany that year. Since then, the team has not progressed beyond the semifinals. The national team offers a number of strong players headed up by Wayne Rooney, a very gifted forward. In addition, striker Owen and the midfield threesome of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard show strong offensive skills. England enjoys a world ranking of 10. England is in Group B with competitors Paraguay, Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago.
Argentina, currently ranked 8th (eighth) in the world, is a favorite for the World Cup finals. The team has twice taken home the championship for this coveted win. In 1978, Argentina defeated Holland on their home soil and in 1986, the legendary Diego Maradona helped the team seal another World Cup trophy. Argentina has a number of talented players on the team including Juan Roman Riquelme, Javier Mascherano and Javier Saviola as well as Roberto Ayala, Juan Pablo Sorin, Pablo Aimar and Hernan Crespo while Gabriel Heinz is attempting to compete in the World Cup following a serious knee ligament injury last year. In addition, the Argentines have produced another star player Lionel Messi who led his team to win the FIFA World Youth Championship in June 2005. Argentina enjoys a world ranking of 8. Argentina will compete in Group C with Cote D’Ivoire, Netherlands, and Serbia-Montenegro.
Mexico has qualified for the World Cup twelve times, reaching the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986, both times losing to the eventual runners-up in the matches. The team enjoys a world ranking of 6. The team is in Group D with contenders Iran, Portugal and Angola.
Italy is a traditional strong contender in the world soccer world, appearing 15 times at the World Cup. The team has won the cup three times, in 1934, 1938 and then in Spain in 1982. Coach Lippi has altered the constitution of the team with many vibrant, young players. The team highlights defense Zaccardo, midfielder De Rossi and attackers Gilardino and Toni. Italy is currently ranked 14th in the world. The team is in Group E with Ghana, USA and the Czech Republic.
Traditionally, a second tier soccer (to the rest of the world, football) team, the United States has emerged as a team to be reckoned with. The team has never won a World Cup but has qualified for the last four events. The United States reached the semifinals in 1930 and the quarterfinals in 2002. Coach Arena works with a team of newcomers Beasley and Donovan and old talents like McBride and Reyna. The United States is currently ranked 4th in the world. The team is in Group E with Italy, Ghana, and the Czech Republic.
Ranked number one in the world, Brazil is a soccer powerhouse, having taken home the prize five times. Brazil won at the 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002 World Cup games. The team won runner up twice and third place two times as well and have the honor of being the only team in the world to have qualified for every World Cup. Coach Parreira is fortunate to head up a stellar team of experienced and talented players. The legendary player Pele led the Brazil team to wins in the 1962 and 1970 World Cup finals. More recent powerful strikers include the trio of Rivaldo, Ronaldo who may become the leading scorer in history at the games in Germany 2006, and Ronaldhino who is called the new pearl of Brazilian soccer. Goalie Dida and the responsive skills of Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Lucio form a strong defense against opponents. The Brazilian team is in Group F and will face teams Croatia, Australia and Japan.
The Australian national team has qualified for the World Cup ten times but has made it to the finals only once in 1974. Dutch coach Hiddink will lead the team to Germany for the World Cup contention. Australian currently is ranked 44th worldwide. The Australian team is in Group F and will face teams Croatia, Brazil and Japan.
France has competed in the FIFA World Cup championship eleven (11) times, making them one of only two teams to have competed in every championship that has taken place. The French team has played in 11 out of 17 possible finals and have come away the winner only once – in 1998 when they hosted the games. The team went on to a disappointing defeat in 2002 when, as defending champions, they were eliminated in the first round. The French have a significant history in the game including the founding of FIFA by one of their own nationals, Jules Rimet. The French coach, Raymond Domenech, has the challenge of a team in transition that has seen many of its members retiring including the incredibly talented Zinedine Zidane who has said he will retire after the 2006 World Cup event. Nonetheless, France is currently ranked 7th in the world according to FIFA and will play in Group G against Switzerland, Korea and Togo.
Spain’s appearance at the 2006 World Cup championships in Germany will mark its eighth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals. The team placed fourth in the 1950 World Cup contention and has never seen a win at the World Cup arena. Coach Luis Aragones has enlivened his team with new players of great skill though perhaps a lack of experience. Team Captain Raul is recovering from injuries and is positive in his attitude toward Spain’s potential in the World Cup. Spain is currently ranked 5th in the FIFA world rankings and plays in Group H with Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
Sweden has reached the FIFA World Cup finals ten times and is proud of a solid history at the soccer championship. Sweden took home second place in 1958, third place in 1994 and fourth place in 1938. In qualifying for the 2006 games, Sweden won eight of ten matches, losing only to Croatia twice. Coach Lars Lagerback leads much of the same team from 2002 including captain Olof Mellberg, midfielder Ljungberg, strikers Larsson and Ibrahimovic as well as the young, promising Ibrahimovic and Wilhelmsson. The team is 16th in world FIFA rankings and will play in Group B against England, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.
Holland, traditionally a powerhouse and favorite son of the soccer world, is looking to realize the team’s potential at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany. The team from the Netherlands has qualified for the FIFA World Cup 14 times and has made its way to the finals seven of those times. The 1970’s saw them at their strongest when the Dutch team reached the finals both in 1974 and 1978. Dutch striker turned coach Marco van Basten leads the team in is a potentially strengthening tide. The team has added newer talents such as Dirk Kuyt and Hedwiges Maduro while drawing on verteran players like Arien Robben, Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart. Currently ranked 3rd in the world according to the FIFA ratings and will play in Group C with Argentina, Cote d’Ivoire and Serbia/Montenegro.
Switzerland has qualified for seven World Cup competitions but in recent years has failed to qualify since 1994. The Swiss team has proceeded to the quarterfinals three times in their World Cup history but have not made it any further. Since Kobi Kuhn became coach in 2001, the team has seen considerable success. The team were undefeated during the qualifying matches in Group 4 Europe. Team captain Johann Vogel heads up a team that includes both veteran experience and youthful exuberance. Goalie Pascal Zuberbuhler, Senderos, Barnetta, Frei and Wicky round out a solid team that is ranked 35th in world FIFA rankings. Switzerland will play in Group G with France, Korea and Togo.
Korea Republic is the strongest team from the Asian continent and have participated in the World Cup six times, winning the semifinals in the 2002 World Cup. Coach Dick Advocaat lead’s them team as the third coach since the last World Cup. The team offers mostly the same players from 2002 including the young midfield attacker Park Ji-Sung, goalie Lee Woon-Jae and defensive Lee Young-Pyo. Also on the field will likely be scorers Ahn Jung-Hwan and Lee Dong-Gook. The team is ranked 30th in the world and will play in Group G with teams France, Switzerland and Togo.
Iran has participated in two World Cups to date and have won the Asia Cup three times without a single loss. The 1998 World Cup saw Iran defeat the USA 2-1 in the qualifiers but did not make it into the final sixteen. Striker Vahid Hashemian will join the team at the request of Coach Ivankovic who has created a strong team spirit among many younger players. His team is thought to be the best in Iranian soccer history with such talented players as AFC Player of the Year Ali Karimi as well as midfielder Mehdi Mahdavika. Currently, Iran holds a ranking of 22nd in the world and will play in Group D with Mexico, Angola, and Portugal.
Saudi Arabia has qualified for their fourth World Cup final this year. The 1994 World Cup saw Saudi Arabia surprise the soccer world as the team won against Morocco and Belgium and progress to the second round. The team did not progress from the group stage in 1998 or 2002. Yet, the team has won three Asian Cup championships and the Gulf Cup twice. Argentine coach Calderon has a team that offers youthful energy and considerable experience. Al Jaber is the more experienced player who comes together with the younger Yasser Al Qahtani to produce a strong striking force for the team. The Saudi team is ranked 34th in the world and plays in Group H against Spain, Ukraine and Tunisia.
A large selection of World Cup posters and prints showing the soccer contenders and of the sport in action are available at WorldImages.com at discount prices. These make excellent memorabilia and collector’s items for any soccer enthusiast.
|
|
Sunday, October, 12 th
2008
|
