I’m excited. This year’s World Cup is being held in my home country of Brazil, and whilst I may be 5,000 miles away, the lovely Happies are making sure I feel right at home – and you’re invited too.
Welcome to the Happy World Cup Carnival!
Brazil is a beautifully diverse and huge country, the 5th largest in the world. To put it into context it’s pretty much larger in land mass than the entire European group of countries. The contrast between the different parts of the country is almost as different as you’ll get between the UK and some parts of Africa, as an example. How teams adjust to the travel and different conditions is going to play a huge part.
I’ll own up now, I may come from Brazil but it doesn’t mean I know a thing about football, as you’ll find out over the coming weeks. But the World Cup 2014 is shaping up to be a very exciting competition, and one we just couldn’t miss out on at Happy. Plus, all the music, the colour and the happiness my fellow Brazilians put in everything they do will most certainly make it a fantastic event (and if you can’t find stadiums because no signs were put up, well… that’s part of the whole show, I suppose!).
Did you know that the first game played by the “Brazil” national team was a game in 1914 between a select team taken from the Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo teams and Exeter City from the English League!
I’ll be posting our latest games and Brazil insider info on Facebook and Twitter. I’ll even translate your messages into Portuguese, so if you want to know how to say “That Lionel Messi’s really rather good isn’t he?” in Portuguese, just let me know.
Aproveite a Copa do Mundo! (That’s ‘enjoy the World Cup!’)
So let’s look at the teams that will be taking part, in case you’ve got any of these in a sweepstake (I may have had a little help from the football Happies on this bit…).
Marilia
The Groups
Group A
Brazil: The hosts, currently favourites with huge home pressure but loads of great energy from the home support, we’ll win it…maybe!
Croatia: Poor in qualifying, but stunning midfield collection, if they can find goals they could be interesting but the result against Brazil will be key
Mexico: Fired 3 managers through qualifying, will probably have the most away fans in Brazil might be lucky to make it out of the group
Cameroon: unpredictable, good players but tensions through the team could explode, not the 1990 vintage
Group B
Spain: Current holders of the World Cup, Tiki Taka style of play means loads of possession, favourites to do well, but could be a competition too far
Netherlands: Will be keen to get revenge on Spain after losing the 2010 final, might be a challenge to get out of the group if they aren’t completely on it but equally could win the whole competition
Chile: Could be a surprise team, unorthodox tactics but very impressive and could go a long way
Australia: In such a strong group could well finish bottom without much to write home about
Group C
Colombia: Missing main striker Falcao, solid defensively and the good backup strikers could fill such a crucial void.
Ivory Coast: Yaya Toure at his peak, impressive individuals that will need to gel to get further than the group as the defence isn’t great
Greece: Goals will be the biggest problem, a very defensive team that might be lucky to go much further
Japan: Potentially very good attacking team, play with lots of energy with some excellent talented players
Group D
Uruguay: Impressive attackers (if Suarez is fit) and the excellent Godin in defence, but as a team they may be past their best…but could come good
Costa Rica: Missing some of their best players and they can’t really afford that, may well be neat and tidy but will struggle
England: For the first time in ages the team has some exciting young players, if they make it out of the group the bunting might be up for a while
Italy: Might go far, tactically as excellent as always, but a couple of problems up front, worth keeping an eye on the papers with Cassano and Balotelli together (that’s the front pages!)
Group E
Switzerland: Impressive young team, how quicky they adapt will be the key to them progressing
France: Always like to mess up an easy group (see 02,06,10) so may not progress far but have a couple of potentially exciting young players and should make QF
Ecuador: A couple of good players but could find it a difficult tournament
Honduras: Could be the whipping boys of the group, hardworking team but lacking a bit of real quality.
Group F
Argentina: Rubbish…ok that may be a neighbour thing! There isn’t a better attacking line up at the Copa and they are favourites to win the tournament after Brazil… boo!
Bosnia and Herzegovina: solid defenders but might be tested by quick skillful attackers, chance to go through though
Iran: Hardworking unit, very disciplined but don’t offer much going forward, might prove to be a difficult group for them
Nigeria: Racked with turmoil the last few years, but African Nations Cup winners and a strong team could see them progress the furthest of all the African sides
Group G
Germany: Powerful, exciting and potential winners, they have come up short in the last few competitions though
Portugal: Rely so much on Cristiano Ronaldo, on form they could go far, quiet and they may not make it out of the group
Ghana: Came within a Suarez handball of the semi-final last time, it’s an old squad now which is unpredictable
United States: The intriguing prospect of Klinsmann singing both national anthems v Germany could well be the highlight. Functional and organised team that could be lacking the quality required to progress far
Group H
Belgium: Worse kept secret, a side packed with talent that should do well. Conversely the pressure may just be too much for them to deliver on the biggest stage
Algeria: Dour and defensive, they will struggle in a tough group
Russia: Probably the best Russian side for many years, may just surprise a few
Korea Republic: Always good value, the side is lacking a bit of the quality they’ve had at recent tournaments but are sure to give the group favourites a big test
Marilia Spindler is an Account Manager, passionate Brazilian and creative thinker at Happy Creative, a strategic marketing and branding agency based in Blackpool, Lancashire. To learn more or contact us please go to www.happy-creative.co.uk
