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Switzerland and Spain - World Cup Soccer

Backpack Europe, Barcelona PCE, European Discovery, European Escapade, European Escape, European Experience, Spanish Spectacular No Responses »

Jun 012010

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

Forza Italia! – World Cup Soccer

Backpack Europe, European Discovery, European Escapade, European Escape, European Experience No Responses »

May 312010

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 Netherlands – World Cup Soccer

European Discovery No Responses »

May 282010

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 22^nd) 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

England the US World Cup Socceer - Group C

European Discovery, European Experience No Responses »

May 262010

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

The World Cup - South Africa & France

Backpack Europe, Community Service Africa, European Discovery, European Escapade, European Escape, European Experience, French Excursion No Responses »

May 252010

With the World Cup weeks away, we’re going to highlight some of the teams, their countries, and of course, the things our teen travelers do when we visit.

First up, Group A.

South Africa

The host country’s team automatically gets a place in the World Cup which is great news for South Africa (although they would argue that they would have likely earned their way into the finals). South Africa was banned from international competition for almost 30 years due to segregation. When Apartheid began to crumble in 1992, they were allowed to participate again. Bafana Bafana, as they are nicknamed, showed in last summer’s Confederations Cup that they have a lot of skill and athleticism. They competed well against some of the most talented teams in the world including Spain and the Brazil.

At the World Cup, they have been drawn in with a very tough group, perennial soccer powerhouses France and Mexico and former World Cup champions Uruguay.

With talent that mostly plays in the South African league, it’s going to be a struggle to win; however, we will be pulling for them as we hope to share in the victory celebration when we arrive in this country two days after they (or someone else!) lifts the trophy.

360° Student Travel visits South Africa on our 25 Day Community Service Africa Program. On that particular program, we volunteer with a local community in Acorhoek and work with children at the Sihlekisi Elementary School, about 50 miles from the town of Nelspruit, host to 4 World Cup games this summer at the Mbombela Stadium.

France – Les Bleus

Winners of the World Cup in 1998 on their home soil, France gained entry to the tournament in a massive controversy. They advanced by beating Ireland with a goal that was clearly handball. Though everyone in the world saw the infraction, the referee (the only opinion that truly mattered) did not, and no foul was called thus the goal was allowed.

Despite France limping into the final they are not to be underestimated. With wingers like Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery and Chelsea’s Florent Malouda and strikers Thierry Henry and Nicholas Anelka, the French truly are a goal scoring threat. Oh, and did we mention they have some of the fastest defenders in the world? Their left backs, both of whom play in England with Manchester United and Arsenal, are the two best in the world because they are uncatchable. They may have snuck into the World Cup but they are a force to be reckoned with.

France is one of our most visited countries in Europe. You can travel there with Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel on our European Discovery Teen Tour, European Escape Teen Tour, European Escapade Teen Tour, European Experience Teen Tour, Backpack France and Switzerland, Backpack Europe or French Excursion programs.