Cricket freak outlines FIFA ’10

Shorter than IPL, longer than WT20, World’s most fan-followed sport will celebrate its 19th World Cup and as many as 32 teams will contest for a trophy that is in existence since 1974.

South Africa who without any doubt can be presently called the Sports Capital of the world will host the high adrenaline filled tournament from June 11, 2010 until July 11, 2010. South Africa have been world class hosts while serving to an array of cricket tournaments, and I guess, they’d be more better when it comes to Football. Afterall, look at the game’s following!

Jabulani, the official match ball for FIFA '10 manufactured by Adidas.

10 stadias will host the 64 games and these stadias are spread all over the Rainbow nation. For a matter of fact, five of these 10 are newly built at a cost of over R8.4bn(Rands).

The teams are split in eight groups of four each and while the first round, each team plays the others in the group once and the winners and the runners-up of the group qualifies.

A “Round of 16″ follows the first round wherein 8 teams proceed for the quarters, then 4 for the semis and 2 for the finals. A third place play-off will also be competed by the teams who lose the semis and that would be played before the finals.

Looks kinda no confusing as it appeared first up. The format is kinda good, and I am amazed that 64 games are due to complete in 30 days. But the other fact is Football games aren’t 3-hourly games – they are just 90 minutes with a few minutes for extra time and penalty shoot-outs.

The prize money isn’t small as well. You qualify for the “Round of 16″ and you get $9m. For quarters, its $18m; for semis its $20m; for semis its $24m and for the winners is $30m.

I tried getting things from my social networks and one said, Spain will win with some players like Messi, Villa, Torres rocking the cup. Apart, Ronaldo also featured that list and he’s one of a couple of players that I know. Apart of him, I can name Zidane, Kaka (just because I’ve a fancy t-shirt of him!) and who else, no one.

I am not sure if I’ll watch any games, but with me having a few relatives in Spain, I guess I’ll support Spain and after all many online polls have also suggested Spain winning – btw who plays in Spain? Lol.

And in case Spain doesn’t, I would love for a surprise (I always love them). I’d wish all win but Brazil, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Uruguay, France and England.

Whatever it seems, FIFA WC is something a only-cricket freak will envy. 204 teams contested for the qualifications and only 32 will play out for the cup.

But you cannot deny the fact that Football has been Antic not alike Cricket and after all both sport are different. Cricket in a history of not more than 200 years, has come a long way.

I’d wish, one day, CWC will be played in a similar spirit, most of the countries would contest making our beloved game global!

We have reached USA, conquering Europe won’t be difficult I guess!

Anyways, best of luck to all 32 teams, especially Espanol.

Image Courtesy: Laim from Wikipedia under the License Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported