World Cup Cheat-Sheet: Ladies Edition (Group B: SPAIN, Netherlands, Chile & Australia)

So in my last post, we started our eye-catching review of the dexterous, reigning world cup champions; Spain. Now let's make our way through the rest of this very tempting group

As you know by now, every week I'll give you WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW which is a mash-up of 1) the team's playing style, 2) my opinion on their chances of moving forward at the World Cup, 3) some team stats, 4) top plays, 5) names of vital players, 6) stories from the frontline, and most importantly, I'll showcase each team's most "valuable" player(s). Please feel free to add to the conversation in the comments section

So let's continue with Group B: SPAIN, Netherlands, Chile & Australia

Netherlands:
The Dutch hold the record for playing the most World Cup finals without ever winning the tournament (ouch!) but who needs a WC trophy when you have such fun & open people?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The team's nickname: Oranje ("Orange"; homage to the royal House Of Orange, and also why they dress in orange on Kings Day in April)
- They were beaten by a more refined /evolved version of their own style of play, by Spain, in a furious 2010 world cup final that included Mortal Kombat kicks!
- Playing style: Totaalvoetbal/total football; a tactical pro-active style of play pioneered by dutch team AJAX in the 70's, adopted by the national Dutch team and ultimately influencing the Barcelona & Spanish national team thanks to Dutchman & former Barça player/manager Johan Cruyff. In short, the student (Spain) became the master.
- Players to watch: Robin, Jordy & Daryl
- How far can they go: Whoever has tickets to the Spain vs NL match will watch a mini-finale & it will be EPIC because Arjen, Klaas-Jan, Wesley, and Robin have been waiting 4 years for this rematch! But with out Rafael & Kevin I doubt they'll make it past the R16 where they'll meet hosts, Brazil
- Lastly, here is one of NL's most 'valuable' players for reference purposes ;)

Robin Van Persie has a booboo

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Chile:
This coastal nation is known for fantastic music festivals & of course great wine but the most impressive thing about Chile is its people! 4 years ago several Chilean miners were trapped underground & in a few weeks those surviving miners will be part of Chile's cheering section in Brazil & will bring with them, soil from the mine to help inspire the team to greatness because as this ad says: the so-called Group of Death is nothing!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The team's nickname: La Roja
- Team chant: Chi-Chi-Chi, Le-Le-Le!
- Playing style: "We will bring the match to you!" brave, fast, aggressive
- Players to watch: Claudio (~ten years as capt!), Alexis & Gary (PitBull)
- How far can they go: Chile made it to 3rd place in 1962 and are gunning for a long run on South American soil now that they have Argentinean coach Sampaoli directing plays but the group of death and several injuries makes Chile a very dark horse.
- Lastly, here is one of Chile's most valuable players, for reference purposes ;)

Alexis is thirsty, arent you?

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Australia:
With the looks of the Australian team, I don't know why I haven't been down under yet, have you?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The team's nickname: Socceroos (not very sexy)
- Players to watch: Tim is still the hero of the Aussie squad
- Playing style: Hard-working, strong but need focus
- How far can they go: Currently, newly appointed caoch Postecoglou has his work cut out for him especially in defense but lets get real, The Aussies are on vacation :(
- Lastly, here are two of Australia's past & current most 'valuable' players for reference purposes ;)

Mitch & his innocent smile. Former Socceroo Harry Kewell is thinking deep thoughts

World Cup Cheat-Sheet: Ladies Edition (Group B: SPAIN, Netherlands, Chile & Australia)

Welcome back ladies!

Group B is up next so pour yourself something bubbly, turn on the bossa-nova and lets begin!

As I said before, every week I'll give you WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW which will be a mash-up of 1) the team's playing style, 2) my opinion on their chances of moving forward at the World Cup, 3) some team stats, 4) top plays, 5) names of vital players, 6)stories from the frontline, and most importantly, I'll showcase each team's most "valuable" player(s). Please feel free to add to the conversation in the comments section

Group B consists of: SPAIN, Netherlands, Chile & Australia

SPAIN:
Madre Patria! (Motherland), land that gave 19 countries their national language. Land of Flamenco, Gaudi & amazing food

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- They were "always the bridesmaid but never the bride" until they won the 2010 world cup in South Africa for the 1st time (I was lucky to see it live & up-close!)
- Playing style: their style is known as "Tiki-Taka", a revolutionary style based on the 3Ps: (short) Passing, Patience & Possession. It was created/perfected by the Barcelona team & adapted to the national team in 2006'ish.
- Players to watch: THE ENTIRE TEAM!
- How far can they go: They are prepared to defend their title although with an aging group of players and a few youngsters that haven’t faced this level of play, I'd like to believe they will get to the final if not, at least 3rd place. Yes I'm extremely biased! :)
- Lastly, here are a few of Spain's most 'valuable' players (to be fair I won’t add the entire squad) for reference purposes ;)

Aitor, Iker, Xabi, Sergio, Aritz, Albiol & uhm Aitor again, in case you missed the sun hitting his pecs. Olé!

World Cup Cheat-Sheet: Ladies Edition (Group A: Mexico, Croatia & Cameroon)

So in my initial post we talked about Brazil. Now let's move on to the rest of the contenders in Group A; Mexico, Cameroon & Croatia

As I said before, every week I'll give you WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW which will consist of 1) the team's playing style, 2) my opinion on their chances of moving forward at the World Cup, 3) some team stats, 4) top plays, 5) names of vital players, 6)stories from the frontline, and most importantly, I'll showcase each team's most "valuable" player(s). Please feel free to add to the conversation in the comments section

So let's continue with Group A: Brazil, Mexico, Cameroon & Croatia

Mexico:
A football loving nation where wrestling masks & football jerseys are seen as a complete stadium ensemble, Mexico definitely has talent in their 23 man squad but how will they get the best out of this turbulent crew?

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The team's nickname: "El Tri" for the tri-color of their flag
- They won the 2012 Olympic Gold medal against Brazil!
- Playing style: Always fiery, tenacious and fast-paced at best
- Players to watch: Oribe! & Rafa (at 35, It'll be interesting to see what Rafa can physically offer to the team)
- How far can they go: On South American soil? maybe to the r16/QF but only if Croatia doesn't bring a SUPER hydrated A game (Mexico did beat CROA at the 2002 WC)
- Lastly, here are a few of Mexico's most 'valuable' players for reference purposes ;)

Alfredo Talavera & Miguel Layún

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Cameroon:
The African nation with the most World Cup qualifications (7) and the African team that has gotten the farthest in the WC (1990 QF loss to England)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The team's nickname: Indomitable Lions/Les Lions Indomptables
- Sad but important note: midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé died on the pitch, in the 72nd minute of the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final between Cameroon and Colombia, live on camera. RIP :(
- Playing style: used to be fun & determined, these days it's just unorganized but hopefully german coaching & focus will help them show their best
- Players to watch: captain Samuel Eto’o (he's still got it!)
- How far can they go: Between the infighting, arrests and pure turmoil within the Cameroon football assoc (now being run by a fifa appointed committee) and constant unwarranted criticism of German coach Volker Finke, not to mention all the other issues, I'm afraid they won't get past the group stage this time even with the fabulous Eto’o at the helm
- Lastly, here is Cameroon's undeniably all-around most valuable player, for reference purposes ;)

Eto'o

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Croatia:
The land where Marco Polo was born, land of beautiful coastlines, roman ruins and several Nobel Prize winners, is the no-nonsense footballing team of Group A. Rumor has it the team is not drinking a drop of happy juice during the competition to stay focused & play football, period.


WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- The team's nickname: In brazil they will be deemed the underdogs because they are truly the dark horse of the competition so they will definitely be fun to watch!
- Players to watch: captain Darijo, Luka & Mario
- Playing style: Currently, nothing concrete but the new coach is basing the team around 3 versatile playmakers (Luka, Ivan and Kovacic) which is a good idea but what about defense?
- How far can they go: Well, They've got great young players but with a coach whose only prior coaching experience was 4 Euro U-21 matches, the answer is far from simple. If they can make it out of the first match without a totally embarrassing loss (because they will lose the first match to Brazil especially since their top scorer, Mario, will miss the match due to suspension), if they play better than Cameroon in the Amazonian heat (iffy), and get into a groove against Mexico, they will definitely make it to the R16. Easy, right?!
- Lastly, here is one of Croatia's most 'valuable' players for reference purposes ;)

Mario

World Cup Cheat-Sheet: Ladies Edition (Group A: BRAZIL)

Football just isn't on the average woman’s radar. Sure, some women will watch a few world cup matches but outside of those games, the idea of watching football, for most women, is equivalent to watching paint dry.

So what better way to get in to the spirit of international football than by exposing the muscle behind the sport (along with some pertinent info, of course!). Ladies, consider this your official World Cup cheat-sheet. Use it wisely, talent scouts!

Every week I'll give you WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW which will consist of 1) the team's playing style, 2) my opinion on their chances of moving forward at the World Cup, 3) some team stats, 4) top plays, 5) names of vital players, 6)stories from the frontline, and most importantly, I'll showcase each team's most "valuable" player(s). Please feel free to add to the conversation in the comments section

So let's get things started with Group A

NOTE: The first round, or group stage, sees thirty-two teams divided into eight groups of four teams (groups A through H). Each team plays against every team in their group (ex: brazil will play 1 match vs MEX/CRO/CAM). Teams are awarded 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 for a defeat. The teams finishing first and second in each group go on to qualify for the Round of 16. With this info, try & see if you can predict the final 2 teams!

Group A: Brazil, Mexico, Cameroon & Croatia
The opening match on June 12 will see the hosts, Brazil, play against Croatia in Sao Paulo

BRAZIL:
What can you say about Brazil?! A land of beautiful landscapes, people, music and for most Brazilians, a need to feed on the national sport: Futebol. There's definitely more to Brazil than these few things but this is about the World Cup so lets stick to the beautiful game

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Top world cup winners (5 times. the national jersey has 5 stars above the chest patch)
- The only team to succeed in qualifying for every World Cup.
- Playing style: skillful, creative, free-flowing, fast-paced (exception: 2010 World Cup; a new pragmatic, defensive style saw them get kicked out of the quarter finals after a sad loss to the Dutch. Obrigado Dunga! luckily they've reverted back to the sexy samba style they're known for)
- Players to watch: Brazil has some of the best players in the world but for this cheat sheet stick to: Thiago, Oscar and of course Neymar, the Golden Child. Pele sees Neymar as the next "greatest player in the world"
-How far can they go: all the way to the final but surely at least to the Semis especially since they're playing at home with the fantastic Julio Cesar as their goalkeeper
- Lastly, here are a few of Brazil's most 'valuable' players for reference purposes ;)

Hulk (Givanildo), Julio Cesar & Dante