The interesting thing about Mexico defeating the defending world champions of Italy 2-1 in a friendly match today, is that nobody really believes that Mexico has a chance of winning the world cup, while Italy will undoubtfully remain a favourite for the title! And this is perhaps a more wider repercussion of the fact that historically big nations will do better, and the smaller nations will not.
And well, how much do the friendlies actually mean...?
Italy remains one of the main favourites to win the world title.
4 comments:
Erik,
looking into world cup history, who will then "always" win before hand?
"The big three", Brazil, Italy and Germany usually wins - with a few exceptions, but these are rare though.
You know world cup history the best, except Uruguay, Argentina, and the "big three", has any nation ever won the world cup outside their homeground? (Does South Africa count as homeground for England - or the opposite? that would be very interesting in respect to their chances)
//jim
Hi Jim,
Brazil is the only world cup nation that has NOT won the world cup on its own soil.
That the world cup is in South Africa is indeed interesting regarding this: Will it be an advantage to African nations who will take African football to the highest stage? Will it be an advantage to countries with close historical ties to South Africa (England, Netherlands, Portugal)? Will it be an advantage to countries more used to a southern hemisphere winter (South Americans, Australia)?
Besides the "big three", and England, Argentina, France and Uruguay, there have been no other world champions. However, the ones vying for the title for years, include Netherlands and Spain. I would find it surprising if any country can break the hold of these. But surprises always happen, although I don't see anyoneone outside these taking the title.
Will it be an advantage to African nations who will take African football to the highest stage?
I doubt it. Is there an advantage to Mexico playing it Canada? or USA playing in Costa Rica? Perhaps there can be an advantage if Mexico or Guatamala played in the USA since there is a very large population of these countries in the USA, but still Africa is a very large continent, South Africa is ONE country.There are many variables from one African nation to the next to consider. Just like in North America. Not enough "advantage" being on the continent of Africa alone to make a difference.
Will it be an advantage to countries with close historical ties to South Africa (England, Netherlands, Portugal)? Ahhh no. History doesn't play a role in this. Be in the present!
Will it be an advantage to countries more used to a southern hemisphere winter (South Americans, Australia)? Now you are talking! This is a very important variable that teams and players take into serious consideration when training and preparing. What teams spent the last couple of weeks in other nations with similar climates as South Africa? and at high altitudes..Or even spent the last few weeks in South Africa?
Hi DKDynamte (cool name)
Yeah, I largely agree with you.
When I thought Africa though, I thought about two variables: Africa is hugely varied indeed, but there is a strong feeling of African common identity you dont see anywhere else; In South America, all other countries usually want Argentina to lose to anyone, and in Europe nobody usually supports Germany or France...
But I am certain that any African team will be supported by all other Africans! So in terms of support, Africans have an advantage.
Another factor is whether this will give the African players a boost.
I personally doubt it..., but I dont think motivation should be underestimated (the 12th player...).
The Dutch, Portuguese and English, I mention because there are large immigrant population groups in South Africa of these, that may (or may not) support these countries. I agree with you that this will have little if any influence at all, besides a few extra flags in the stadium...
Objectively, I also think the climate is the most important factor (and note that some other African nations, like Ghana or Ivory coast, would not be familiar to many conditions in South Africa!), but still dont dismiss the possibility of the other factor having some ever-unmeasurable influence!
Cheers!
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