National Geographic Magazine - June 2006 - "The Beautiful Game"

beaveman · 05-22-2006, 01:03 PM

http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0606/feature1/index.html

Quote:

This month 32 nations will compete for the World Cup of soccer, the "beautiful game" that unites and divides countries around the globe. To celebrate that we bring you excerpts from The Thinking Fan's Guide to the World Cup.

Awesome articles - I especially loved the one on Croatia - cheered like crazy for them in '98.

The magazine also included a great map/supplement that showed some neat stats (percentage of population that plays soccer by country, etc.) and had some neat diagrams on the reverse side of playing styles executed by the big teams - Brazil, Germany, Italy, England. (couldn't find it on the online version, though)

One thing I saw, and maybe someone could answer this for me. The original World Cup trophy was awarded to Brazil when they won their third title. Will the same thing happen with the current trophy if a nation wins it for the third time? It looks like Brazil, Argentina and one other team (can't remember which) have that possibility.

AreliusIV · 05-22-2006, 01:05 PM

BTW, this article borrows heavily from the essays in this book.

AreliusIV · 05-22-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaveman

http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0606/feature1/index.html

Awesome articles - I especially loved the one on Croatia - cheered like crazy for them in '98.

The magazine also included a great map/supplement that showed some neat stats (percentage of population that plays soccer by country, etc.) and had some neat diagrams on the reverse side of playing styles executed by the big teams - Brazil, Germany, Italy, England. (couldn't find it on the online version, though)

One thing I saw, and maybe someone could answer this for me. The original World Cup trophy was awarded to Brazil when they won their third title. Will the same thing happen with the current trophy if a nation wins it for the third time? It looks like Brazil, Argentina and one other team (can't remember which) have that possibility.

In 1970, Brazil's third victory in the tournament entitled them to keep the trophy permanently. However, the trophy was stolen in 1983, and has never been recovered. After 1970, a new trophy, known as the FIFA World Cup Trophy, was designed. This is not awarded to the winning nation permanently, irrespective of how many World Cups they win.

Argentina, Germany (as West Germany) and Brazil have all won the second trophy twice. It will not be retired until the name plaque has been entirely filled with the names of winning nations in 2038.

The seven national teams that have won the World Cup have added stars to the crest, located on their shirt, each star representing a World Cup victory.

The following teams have won the title:
Brazil: 5 times (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
Germany: 3 times (1954, 1974, 1990)
Italy: 3 times (1934, 1938, 1982)
Argentina: 2 times (1978, 1986)
Uruguay: 2 times (1930, 1950)
England: 1 time (1966)
France: 1 time (1998)

beaveman · 05-22-2006, 01:33 PM

Thanks for the info, Arelius!

montgjules · 05-22-2006, 01:36 PM

Glad they got this online... I looked a week ago and it wasn't up yet. Thanks for the link!

First line of the introduction: "There are many beautiful things about being an American fan of men's World Cup soccer—foremost among them is ignorance."

prk166 · 05-22-2006, 04:53 PM

Nice find for the lead up to the world cup.

Jim Umber · 05-23-2006, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montgjules

Glad they got this online... I looked a week ago and it wasn't up yet. Thanks for the link!

First line of the introduction: "There are many beautiful things about being an American fan of men's World Cup soccer—foremost among them is ignorance."

I love that line! And I are one o' the most igorant o' the lot.

(misspelled on purpose)

Aerick · 05-23-2006, 08:56 AM

Something I learned from reading that article was that the only team to win a World Cup Title away from home is Brazil.

So... based on history we can only realistically expect to have one of two teams win this year: Germany and Brazil. Kinda takes away from the magic of the event, if you ask me.

AreliusIV · 05-23-2006, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerick

Something I learned from reading that article was that the only team to win a World Cup Title away from home is Brazil.

Not true. Italy won in 1938 in France. Uruguay won in 1950 in Brazil. Germany won in Switzerland in 1954. Argentina won in Mexico in 1986. Germany won in Italy in 1990.

Aerick · 05-23-2006, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

Not true. Italy won in 1938 in France. Uruguay won in 1950 in Brazil. Germany won in Switzerland in 1954. Argentina won in Mexico in 1986. Germany won in Italy in 1990.

Why would Nat. Geog. say that then? I actually read that same thing in the latest RSL program that I got at the KC game. Maybe I'm misreading the quotes?