World Cup 2014

[Big Boy]

A bit of a setback for the Brazilian Authorities:

Two die in Brazil stadium accident

Two people die as a crane falls into the roof of a Sao Paulo stadium due to host the opening ceremony of Brazil's 2014 World Cup finals.

Full story here.

[Bamboo Grove]

Oh dear. Better start blaming the manager for this. Group B also looks tough.

[Bamboo Grove]

Balotelli after hearing the news of the draw.

[PeteC]

Here's the table:

Full 2014 World Cup draw

Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon.

Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia.

Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan.

Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy.

Group E : Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras.

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran, Nigeria.

Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA.

Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea.

Thinking out loud: Say goodbye to the USA before it even starts. Netherlands are scrappers so the match-up against Spain should be good. IMo both South Korea and Japan should get through.

[Roel]

Suarez also saw the draw:

[Dannie Boy]

Our cricketers went down under feeling confident and look what's happening to them, so maybe our soccer boys going with little hope will do better............... then on the other hand!!

[johnnyk]

Four more years without a sniff at the cup for England.

[Big Boy]

Yes, I'm afraid you're right. The management team are already preparing their excuses rather than how to win.

[PeteC]

Perhaps they have a valid point: http://news.yahoo.com/hundreds-protest- ... 40833.html

How does the money balance; costs offset by revenues, or simply better to forget the whole thing and use the money as the demonstrators are suggesting.

This is always going to be a problem when awarding anything like this to a developing country. Pete

[blue05]

Perhaps they have a valid point: http://news.yahoo.com/hundreds-protest- ... 40833.html

How does the money balance; costs offset by revenues, or simply better to forget the whole thing and use the money as the demonstrators are suggesting.

This is always going to be a problem when awarding anything like this to a developing country. Pete

its not as if they have never had it before

[PeteC]

When was the last one, 1950? Much larger population now, more social ills, and it appears a more vocal group of critics. Regardless, I hope it goes well for them and it's a success. Pete

[PeteC]

Read this one about the 22 cup: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/f ... -world-cup

Be sure to read the comments at the bottom. The lot of them controlling football, as well as those controlling F1, should be banned themselves. The only thing that's going to change their thinking and actions are total boycotts I'm afraid, but it will never happen.

[arcadianagain]

Read this one about the 22 cup: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/f ... -world-cup

Be sure to read the comments at the bottom. The lot of them controlling football, as well as those controlling F1, should be banned themselves. The only thing that's going to change their thinking and actions are total boycotts I'm afraid, but it will never happen.

Rumour has it that Qatar have applied to stage the next available Winter Olympics, do you think they have a chance?

[Homer]

Read a long article today about Brazil being behind construction schedule. I knew that and figured anybody who knew Latin America would be surprised if they weren't way behind schedule. Then I saw FIFA gave Brazil more time to prepare than any other country. Say what? Manana Attitude means the time wasted expands to fill the time available.

How many countries have the existing infrastructure to hold a World Cup on relatively short notice, say 2 years? Imagine the uproar if FIFA selected a country as host with the condition if you fail to meet certain deadlines, starting many years out, we pull the plug and give it to a country that can pull it together in 2 years.

Nah, it wouldn't work. Regardless of the actual progress, the observers would report everything is on schedule.

[buksida]

No free kicks for Thai World Cup fans
Thais will not be able to watch the 2014 World Cup final on free TV unless regulators strike a new deal with the broadcasting rights owner.

The Central Administrative Court ruled on Monday the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) must exclude the 2014 Fifa World Cup final match from its must-have sports list, effective retroactively from the date the list was announced.

The case had been filed by RS International Broadcasting and Sport Management Co Ltd, the broadcasting rights holder of the 2014 World Cup football matches.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews ... d-cup-fans