Last but not least, Group H.
Switzerland
Sweitz, La Suisse. This amazing little country has four official languages and though it occupies an area smaller than most U.S. states and has a population that is less than Manhattan, they manage to produce some incredible soccer talent. Training at higher altitude gives this team the ability to show up physically fit and make up for some of the imbalance they have compared to the more talented European teams like Portugal, Spain and England. The Swiss are considered minnows but for the past four World Cups that they have participated in, they have been a tough competitor. In 2006, they became the first team in the history of the cup to be knocked out without having conceded a goal (they were eliminated in the 2nd round in a penalty shootout with the Ukraine).
You can visit Switzerland while skiing or snowboarding in miraculous Zermatt or Tignes or gazing at breathtaking Interlaken on many of our programs in Europe including our European Discovery, European Escape, European Experience, European Escapade, Backpack France and Switzerland and Backpack Europe programs.
Spain
Can La Rojo be stopped? When you think of soccer skills, everyone seems to think of Argentina and Brazil and thoughts of Pele and Maradona come to mind but since 2007 the best team in the world has truly been Spain. The winner of the 2008 European Cup, Spain oozes with talent. Up front they have two of the best in Liverpool’s Fernando Torres and Barcelona’s brand new signing David Villa (both of whom would be the starting forward on any team in the world). But it is in midfield where Spain just cannot be compared. Names like Xaxi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, David Silva and Pedro are enough to make any team unable to sleep at night. These guys play for teams like Barcelona, Valencia, Real Madrid and Arsenal and can move the ball like it is a part of their body. If there is one weakness with the Spaniards, it could be their defense. But when you are this good going forward, who needs defense!
With 360° Student Travel you can travel throughout Spain on our Language Immersion program called the Spanish Spectacular or spend your summer in Barcelona on our Pre-College Enrichment: Barcelona program.
The Westcoast Blogger
Defense, Defense, Defense – it’s the Italian way. Italy is the reigning World champions and defenders of the trophy going into South Africa. Their fans have high expectations, but not based on their play or their qualification results. Italy was the unexpected winner of the World Cup back in 2006 in a penalty shoot out that restored honor to Italian football after a match fixing scandals had brought the Italian game to the brink of collapse.
Now that everything is normal, the Italian fans expect nothing but the best. Their team however has overachieved and, though still a powerhouse, is not nearly the team they once were. Leaders like former captain Francesco Totti and 2006 match winner Fabio Grosso have been left out of the team and those remaining are not all Internationally tested. A group consisting of Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia should gain the Italian team much needed confidence but don’t expect them to go much further than the round of 16. Having said that, the same thing was said 2006 and they managed to lift the cup. With arguably the best “keeper in the world and the stingiest defense,” you just never know.
You can enjoy sumptuous pasta and the energy of Italy on all of our European touring programs including our European Discovery, European Escape, European Experience, European Escapade, Backpack Italy and Backpack Europe programs.
The Westcoast Blogger
The World Cup – Group E
Netherlands
The ‘Oranje‘ – This is one of the most exciting teams to watch and one of the best teams in the world. They are not favorites like Brazil and Argentina, but to those who truly follow the game, it is being quietly whispered that this will be Holland’s year. There are no weaknesses on this team. They are fast, they are skillful, they are talented and they have a young team that is reaching its peak at the right time.
At the front, they have possibly one of the best forwards in the world, Arsenal’s Robin van Persie. In midfield they have a plethora of talent from Wesley Sneijder of Inter Milan, Arjen Robben and Mark van Bommel of Bayern Munich (playing against each other in the Champions League Final May 22nd) and Rafael van der Vaart of Real Madrid.
If you have yet to pick a team to root for and want to follow one that guarantees a wild ride, root for the Netherlands.
Our European Discovery is fortunate enough to visit the Netherlands’ most famous city, Amsterdam, for 2 days. The program tours the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank’s house as well as does an awesome bike tour through the city (the preferred method of transport in Holland!). The most memorable activity is always the comedy show at Boom Chicago Comedy Club.
The Westcoast Blogger
Group D – World Cup Soccer
They call themselves the Socceroos. Not the most intimidating of names but the Aussie’s are quite the athletic team and have showed that they are no pushovers in International competitions. Qualifying for the first time through the Asian Football Conference (as opposed to Oceania, which was won by New Zealand), Australia may have chosen to take a harder route to the World Cup finals. They came through qualification with flying colors ahead of perennial Asian powerhouses like Saudi Arabia, China and Iran showing just how tough they are going to be for the likes of Germany, Serbia and Ghana, their Group D competitors.
Led at the front by Tim Cahill, who plays for Everton FC from Liverpool England and Harry Kewell, who used to play for Everton’s bitter rivals Liverpool FC, Australia is considered an underdog but a potential sleeper who has a chance because of their sheer athleticism from the goalkeeper all the way up to their strikers.
Our Australian Outback and Australian Outback Plus Hawaii programs spends 22 days Down Under visiting some of its most amazing places – check it out!
The Westcoast Blogger
Today, we are profiling Group C of the World Cup.
England
The birthplace of Football (or soccer on this side of the pond) the English are a proud bunch. Without a coveted trophy since their storied win in 1966, many think this might be the year for an English victory. The ‘English’ game and league has dominated world football in the last few years with its domestic teams including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. England has made headlines in recent years attracting the best players and playing competitive games.
Led at the front by one of the best goal scorers in the world, Wayne Rooney, and one of the best defensive core of the tournament, John Terry of Chelsea and Rio Ferdinand of Manchester United, the ‘Three Lions’ will be hoping that it is the flag of St. George that is raised and it is God Save the Queen that is sung on that fateful last day of the tournament in Johannesburg.
England has massive talent and speed. They have a pretty good draw with only the USA a legitimate contender within their group of four for a spot in the next round (Algeria and Slovenia are the other two teams).
You can visit England’s capital city of London on our European Discovery and European Experience programs.
USA
The boys wearing the Star Spangled Banner are by no means a star spangled team, but that won’t bother them one bit. The US team is used to being the underdog (and that’s how they like it!).
At last summer’s Confederations Cup in South Africa (a precursor to the World Cup played by the best countries of each continent), the US more than held their own against Spain and Brazil. Now, in a World Cup group alongside England and small, lesser known, teams like Algeria and Slovenia, the US has a great probability of moving out of the group stage of the World Cup.
The strong point for the US team has always been its goaltending and this year will be no different. Led by Tim Howard at the back the hope is they can repel attacks and counter attack using the speed of their forward and midfield players like Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, both of whom played their football in England this year (Landon Donovan plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy but played a portion of the year ‘on loan’ for Everton Football Club in England).
Coach Bob Bradley must be liking his chances to repeat what the 2002 team did in Korea when they surprised mighty Portugal in the first game, reached the next round where they defeated bitter rivals Mexico 2 nothing only to succumb to Germany in the quarter-finals 1-0 (not too shabby!).
Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel are proud to visit and travel throughout the beautiful and incredible United States of America on many of our Active Teen Tours, Community Service Programs, Outdoor Adventures and Sports Programs.
The Westcoast Blogger
