SoccerNews Issue # 04, June 27th 2014

Continental/Division Reifen Alexander Bahlmann Telefon: +49 511 938-2615 Leiter Presse- & Öffentlichkeitsarbeit Pkw-Reifen E-Mail: [email protected] Büttnerstraße 25 | 30165 Hannover www.contisoccerworld.de SoccerNews # 04/2014 2

World Cup insight Recife. The German internationals remained focussed, and well. He is a strategist, who controls the game, sets the rhythm. didn’t want to accept praise for winning their group. “As the Ger- It’s good for us that somebody has that control. If he takes over man national team we have met our obligations. It would have a leading role, it has always been good for us”. ’s been a disgrace if we hadn’t reached the second round”, said if-but praise for his long-time companion: “He has always been Road to final planned, . The 1-0 (0-0) win over the USA in tropical rain an important player. He is a great character.” Jerome Boateng in Recife should have been simply the start for the major ob- listed the qualities of the vice-captain: “Basti has a very good but Schweinsteiger stacles to follow in the coming two weeks. USA coach Juergen technique, is extremely sure on the ball, can change the side, Klinsmann told the German players before their return to Cam- and is strong in tackles”. po that the World Cup finals really get going with the start causes conflict of the knock-out stage. They remain among the top favourites Kroos gave the impression that he rather prefers the exclusively because they had dominated the toughest World Cup group. Bavarian midfield triangle over one with Khedira: “We have The players debate whether it should be him, “From the second round onwards each game is a final”, said often played together with Philipp with Bayern. We harmonise Neuer, indicating that the first final will take place against Alge- very well, and that could be seen”. ’s or whether Khedira should be given a break ria in on Monday (22:00hrs CEST). The match remained neutral on the question of Khedira or Schweinsteiger: against the USA, who also qualified for the next round despite “If I now say something for the one or the other, it can be taken their defeat, was proof that the German team have mastered as against the other”. outed himself as a their defence and appeared more focussed than during the Schweinsteiger fan, who needed help, however, to re-qualify as previous 2-2 draw with Ghana, and 4-4 with in the ear- a regular: “He is enormously important. He does a lot for us, but lier qualification. This “basic compactness”, as Mats Hummels also knows that we are there for him”. described the team work in defence, has been intensively con- solidated in practice. And the “kick in” against opponents, plus The players often debate at Campo Bahia, including the line-up the aggressive, quick disruption of them during the build-up to variations, with some still preferring Lahm as a defender rather their game, had been practised to exhaustion. This worked like than in the defensive midfield. But Loew has made his strategy a charm, even with Benedikt Hoewedes, whose deficiencies in crystal clear, and in many ways has built his team around his the unfamiliar left defending position showed. captain, and the defence with four central defenders can also be led back to Loew’s strategy concerning the no. 6 position. The players will discuss how they can continue with their best, Now they face their next tasks -- to improve creativity and elimi- but now rare performances, in the bar at their camp base, - nate ineffective play, which means making more of their many rated with past German football heroes. That’s where they also scoring opportunities. Only Thomas Mueller stands out in that debate the guidelines demanded by national coach Joachim discipline. “I indeed scored a great for once”, he said of his Loew. One of the most important observations from Recife was long-range shot that secured the team’s second World Cup win. that , who was in the starting eleven for the first time, convinced his team-mates he was back to his best. With top position in Group G the possible schedule until July He is now fighting for a regular place, but apparently Loew still 13 has been defined. After the second-round match their op- has in his planning as first choice for their posi- ponents in the quarter-finals next Friday in would tion. “Schweinsteiger was very good, as long as his strength last- be either France or Nigeria; in the semi-finals in ed”, said Loew, but added: “It was the right time to grant Khedira Loew’s debating club would face a team from the strong South a break”. This wording clearly indicates that the non-nomination American quartet , Chile, Colombia and Uruguay. The most of the Real Madrid professional was only temporary. It is pos- probable opponents in the final in Rio could be the Netherlands sible that from this a conflict could arise between the coach or Argentina. But Kroos reminded of another component to Bastian Schweinsteiger returned to the starting eleven of the German and some players. The Bayern faction is closing ranks, the question of improvements. “First of all we have to win four national team, replacing Sami Khedira, for the 1-0 win over the USA. including Schweinsteiger, for five players from the “double” matches”, he said. Only then the dream of winning the World (Photo: Firo/Augenklick) champions provide the bulk of the DFB team. “He performed Cup title would have come true. SoccerNews # 04/2014 3

Boom’s Brazil No more biting jokes!

“Uruguay have got their teeth into the next round.” Ho, ho, and again, ho. A nine-game ban for Luis Suárez? They should add an- other nine, says our writer, for unleashing a global torrent of bad jokes. Football fans everywhere simply can’t take another on- slaught of terrible biting, chewing, vampire and cannibal puns. by Freddy Boom

And the prize question is: Which national teams are on their way home now the group stage is over? Answer A: England, Spain and Italy. Answer B: Italy, Spain and England. Answer C: Portugal. Answer D: Ronaldo. Please shout the correct answer British humor: The Sun’s title page shows Wayne out of your nearest available window now and you could win Rooney’s son Kai upset after England’s defeat to an exclusive trip to the next World Cup in Russia by inflatable Uruguay – and that distinctively English mix of weary dinghy. Please note that charges applied by mobile operators irony and unquenchable optimism. Sadly, things may vary. Yes, dear readers, to put it another way, the group didn’t quite go to plan. Photo: The Sun stage is over. Over and out for some teams – among them Adios, Luis Suárez. No Golden Boot this time – just the golden tooth, maybe, for the craziest Spain, Italy, England and Portugaldo. But how could it have foul in the World Cup. Photo: Getty. come to this? Is this the decline and fall of football civilization as we know it? For anyone seeking the Western World – head What else is there to say about the group stage? First, of and days after the Suárez incident there followed a veritable for Atlantis, take a downward turn and keep on going down. course, the ban imposed on Luis Suárez. The first jokes – the tsunami of mediocre biting puns, the sheer volume of them The world is no longer what it was two weeks ago. genuine, spur-of-the-moment ones – still had an element of drowning out any residual glimmer of humor in the whole humor about them. “Why does he do it?” asked ’s affair. And the giant wave of vampire, cannibal, shark, snacking Luckily there are the Greeks. Hellas in the round of 16! Clearly former goalkeeper and current TV pundit , who and chewing jokes is only gradually ebbing away from the active what we need now is a Greek protective shield for the Euro- really ought to know if anyone does, having bitten the neck vocabulary of the international football reporting community. footy-zone. England, Italy, Spain and Portugal simply amalgam- of opponent Heiko Herrlich of while play- If you ask me, Luis Suárez deserves another nine games on ate their debts – or their group stage points – thus preventing ing for Bayern Munich. On the other side of the table was his ban simply for his part in creating a global linguistic catas- sporting bankruptcy and – under a Greek protectorate – are football presenter and satire show host Oliver Welke, and the trophe. According to FIFA rules he could have been banned accepted into the knock-out rounds after all. Which is how return pass came sharp and fast: “Maybe you can get a taste for two years. I reckon he should have been. I’m fed up to the Europe works, isn’t it? for this kind of thing?” said Welke with a wink, “but it was only back teeth with all these puns! a nibble”. All this was entertaining enough. Yet in the hours SoccerNews # 04/2014 4

Quotes of the day An angel who Our marriage There are things that turns into a would have ended happen on the pitch demon on the long ago if he and you shouldn’t pitch. behaved like that make such a big at home. deal out of them.

Luis Suárez, banned for nine games after biting an opponent on the Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal, on “biter” Luis Suárez. Sophia Suárez, wife of Luis Suárez shoulder in Uruguay’s game against Italy

But let’s move on to somewhat lighter fare ... they were: 1952. So maybe Hamburg should for Bayern Munich, in a TV preview. before the third group game against Portugal. A definite highlight of the group stage were give him a go! If lose to Germany in Roberto is still playing for Grêmio in Brazil’s That shows style. This, after declaring in the the touchline antics of the man they call El the round of sixteen he may well be open to Porto Alegre at the positively Biblical old age, run-up to the World Cup “I guarantee that Piojo, “the louse”. Ah, Miguel Herrera: it’s for offers, and things certainly couldn’t work out for footballers, of 40. What did he miss about Ghana will win the World Cup”. In honor of his characters like him that we watch the World much worse. Germany, Pfannenstiel asked? The Bratkartof- achievement as Ghana’s first home-grown Cup. A mass of human energy packed into a feln (fried potatoes), said Zé; the security; and coach to lead the national team to the World dark suit – enough energy, surely, to floodlight All in all the group stage was a fabulous expe- the Spezi. For any SoccerNews readers unfa- Cup finals, Appiah was awarded an honor- a modest football stadium all by himself – and rience for the fans. Watching Portugal’s Chris- miliar with the latter German delicacy, and for ary doctorate in sports psychology from hands-down winner of any Joe Cocker looka- tiano Ronaldo blast his free kick into Germa- Zé Roberto – in case he happens to be read- Dayspring Christian University of Mississippi like contest you care to name. Go Mexico! And ny’s one-man-wall (and a diminutive man at ing – the last of these desires is easy enough before the tournament. Will they be want- while we’re on the separated-at-birth theme, that) formed by Philipp Lahm. Or Argentina’s to remedy: open a bottle of cola, open a ing their honorary degree back now, do you has anyone else noticed the spooky similarity striker Ezequiel Lavezzi squirting water over bottle of orange soda, pour equal quantities think? We’ll keep you posted, dear readers. between Algerian coach Vahid Halilhodzic and his coach Alejandro Sabella during a pitch- of both into a glass – and there you go! Keep your eyes peeled for the newsflash in the former Netherlands World Cup coach Bert side tactics discussion. Or former goalkeeper the SoccerNews live-feed at the foot of the van Marwijk, sacked by Hamburg in February Lutz Pfannenstiel – who played for 25 clubs Finally, a hat tip to Kwesi Appiah, who sent screen. We’ll head live for the latest develop- after a string of defeats? They around the world – meeting Zé Roberto, for- Ghana’s self-appointed superstars Kevin-Prince ments to Brookhaven, Mississippi, or Accra, were even born in the same year – yes, really merly of Brazil’s national team and one-time Boateng and Sulley Muntari home – right Ghana, or wherever it’s all happening. SoccerNews # 04/2014 5

Ayrton Senna, racing legend and Brazilian national hero. Photo: Instituo Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna at Germany’s Hockenheim-Ring in 1993, a year before his death. Photo: Runmatze

Did you know ... head. Today he is a legend, even greater than Today Ayrton Senna is still regarded by most known to do before. This was the day after the footballer Pelé – whose comments on the experts as the fastest Formula One driver of all Brazil had lost to Mexico in the quarter-finals ... that Brazil’s greatest sporting political protests taking place in the country in time. Senna was born into a wealthy family; he of the World Cup – so Senna’s victory provided the run-up to the World Cup alienated many started racing Formula One in 1984 and was consolation for a downcast nation. The same hero isn’t a footballer – he was a fans. No, Senna’s mythical status is incompara- soon winning one Grand Prix after another. thing happened at the Italy World Cup in 1990: racing driver? ble. Even now, 20 years after his tragic accident Four years later he celebrated his first World the Seleção were knocked out relatively early on Italy’s Imola racetrack every year thousands Championship title, cementing his status as on – but Senna, driving for McLaren, won the make the pilgrimage to his grave in the ceme- a national hero. And please note that public Formula One World Championship for the sec- On May 1, 1994, Brazil came to a standstill. Pub- tery of Morumbi, a district in the São Paulo adulation of a racing driver was anything ond time. The following year he defended his lic life simply ground to a halt; the entire nation metropolis. Here, a simple bronze plaque is set but self-evident: Formula One, after all, was title and became World Champion for the third was in a state of shock. All because one man into the grass, bearing only his name – Ayrton regarded as a sport for the wealthy. Yet right time. Three years later came the fatal accident had died – killed when the car he was driving Senna da Silva – and the words “Nada Pode Me from the start Senna made symbolic gestures in Imola, when Senna lost control of his car. crashed straight into a concrete wall, at 200 Separar Do Amor De Deus”, which translates that won the heart of the Brazilian people. Af- Brazil’s President Franco ordered three days of km/h. That man was Ayrton Senna, Formula as: nothing can separate me from God’s love. ter his fourth Grand Prix victory in the USA in national mourning. More than a million people One driver and one of the greatest sporting Below this are the dates of his birth – March 21, 1986 he celebrated in the car by flying a Brazil- paid their last respects to Senna in São Paulo, figures of all time. For Brazil he was more than 1960 – and death – May 1, 1994. ian flag that he was given by a trackside fan: lining the streets over a distance of 30 kilome- this: he was an icon, a hero, a national figure- not the kind of thing racing drivers had been ters. His sister Viviana set up the Ayrton Senna Institute to help disadvantaged children. SoccerNews # 04/2014 6

Algeria have copied a few things from Turkey. The Algerian World Cup squad include hardly The Turkish national team sent an entire nation known names. The strikers Did you know? … into ecstacyat the 2002 finals. They stormed (Sporting Lisbon) and (FC into third place, defeated only by eventual Valencia), as well as Saphier Taider World Cup champions Brazil. Twelve years later, (Inter ), play for famous clubs. Totten- Advertising Mueller at the 2014 World Cup, Algeria are following ham Hotspur’s midfielder is in the Turkish track. At the 2002 World Cup in considered the most promising talent. The It’s muellering in Brazil, it’s muellering in Japan and South Korea, six players who were 19-year-old, born in Lille, decided to wear the Germany. Thomas Mueller is heading the born or grew up in Germany, the “Almancilar” green shirt of the “Desert Foxes” instead of the scorer’s list with four goals, together with such as Bastuerk, Davala and Mansiz, gave the French blue despite the efforts of the French and , the superstars Turkish team the decisive level. Now players Football Association (FFF). As yet at the World from Brazil and Argentina respectively. At born in France, or emigrated there as children Cup he does not regret it. The Algerians are home in Germany adverts with the 25-year- with their parents, are Algeria’s great hope for now working to defeat Germany so that it old are everywhere. Rewe, Bifi, Müllermilch the World Cup finals. might reach a perfect climax – Algeria versus and four other advertising contracts make France, a possible quarter-final fixture. Mueller the best-paid German footballer off Seventeen of the 23 Brazil squad of the North the pitch. The Manager Magazine reports African country were born in France, just three he is getting about four million Euros per in Algeria. The French, 1998 World Cup cham- year for these contracts. pions and 2006 finalists, are in a manner of speaking the assistants for Algeria. “Without players who come to us from France, the Shirt records Sofiane Feghouli is the star of the Algerian World Cup task would be extremely difficult”, Team. The striker plays for Valencia. said Halilhodzic. Sportswear manufacturer will sell (Photo: Firo / Augenklick) eight million shirts of various World Cup The efforts to inspire the descendants of many participants during the 2014 FIFA World World Cup insight millions of Algerian immigrants in France to Cup finals. In 2010 they sold 6.5 million. play for their parents’ home country, have The German national team shirt is top with always existed in the Algerian Football Associa- Next German opponents: a record sale of more than two million, tion. In the past with little success, however. that’s over 30 percent more than in the Algeria , the grand midfielder of Juven- previous record year of 2006, when 1.5 tus Turin and Real Madrid, could theoretically million DFB shirts were sold. The company Curitiba. It was the greatest success in the have played for Algeria because he too had will sell an additional 14 million footballs in country’s football history. The 1-1 (0-1) draw with dual citizenship. But the superstar decided the World Cup design Brazuca, one million Russia was enthusiastically hailed because it for the Grande Nation and thus realised his more than the Jabulani design in 2010. meant their first participation in the second dreams of great titles. Of the current French round of a FIFA World Cup™ finals. “Now little internationals, was born in Algeria will meet big Germany”, said coach Lyon to Algerian parents, Wahida Djebbara and Vahid Halilhodzic. His team were clear out- Hafid Benzema. World class players naturally siders in Group H, but left the higher valued have no great urge to play for Algeria. Vahid Halilhodzic, the coach of the Algerian team. teams from South Korea and Russia behind. (Photo: Firo / Augenklick) SoccerNews # 04/2014 7

The VW Gol is Brazil’s top-selling car. Here’s Neymar, the country’s top striker – with VW Chairman Martin Who’d have thought it? The Fiat Novo Uno is the second most popular new car in Brazil. Photo: Fiat Winterkorn (center) and Thomas Schmall, Head of VW Brazil. Photo: VW

Did you know ... steering wheel are exactly the same – so in the Palio is also Fiat’s “world car” – sold in mar- technology terms the two top-sellers are very kets from Russia to China and South Africa. different. Yet the Gol clearly meets consumer ... that Brazilians have a soft spot for Fiats? requirements in its home market every bit In 8th slot in the registration rankings is as effectively as the Golf does in Germany: the Chevrolet Onix: available only in South In striking contrast to the recent fortunes of its national football team – Pirlo, Balotelli & co. – it’s held on to top spot in the new car roll of America, the Onix notched up 122,333 new Italy’s small cars are stupendously successful in Brazil. No less than four of the ten most popular honor ever since 1987. registrations last year. At no.9 there’s another cars in Brazil are built by Fiat. Two of them – the Fiat Novo Uno and the Novo Palio – even make Brazilian-built model: the Hyundai HB20, it onto the podium. With 184,362 and 177,014 new registrations respectively last year, these little Following this top trio in the rankings come a small five-door car – HB here stands for cars are among the big players in the Brazilian market, capturing the no.2 and no.3 spots in the five other small cars, with the Ford Fiesta Hyundai Brazil. The top 10 is completed by the rankings of the best-selling models. hatchback in no.4 spot and the VW Fox at Renault Sandero. Based on the Renault Clio, no.5. They are pursued by two more Fiats, this compact car is marketed in Brazil as the The Brazilian champion of new car sales last year, though, came from Volkswagen: first place completing the Italian automaker’s line-up, in Dacia Sandero. All in all, the list clearly shows went to the VW Gol, with 255,057 new registrations. The name may be almost identical to that places 6 and 7: the Siena, a four-door sedan that Brazilians like their cars small and agile. of its German counterpart, the Golf, yet this Brazilian-manufactured subcompact car doesn’t version of the Fiat Palio, and the Strada, a pick- Last year a total of 3,575,935 new cars were have a great deal in common with the Germans’ favorite model: only the ignition key and the up version of the same model. Incidentally, registered in Brazil – around 600,000 more than (for example) in Germany. SoccerNews # 04/2014 8

UERÈ translates as “children of light” – the Cup at Continental. “By supporting the project name of this charity project. The founder and we’re aiming to help the UERÈ children – and director of its little school, set at the heart of also to make other organizations aware of this the great favela district on the margins of Rio’s exemplary approach. We’re convinced that it metropolis, is Yvonne Bezerra de Mello, who could also offer hope to many disadvantaged has a PhD in Philology and Linguistics, and children in other major cities.” whose dedication to helping the disadvan- taged children of the favelas dates back to the early 1990s. She started her education project after eight slum children were murdered by the police – initially teaching children aged bet- ween four and eighteen under a bridge. Only later was she able to move into a building in the favela where she now prepares the children of drug addicts, dealers, the unemployed and many orphans for a brighter future and a way out of the slums. “My work is all about finding new ways of removing mental blocks to learn- ing,” says Yvonne Bezerra de Mello, explaining her educational approach. “The method I’ve developed opens the cognitive pathways that Yvonne Bezerra de Mello, initiator of the UERÈ Project enable children to learn. Any child, however difficult the circumstances in which they’ve Passion for soccer is omnipresent within the UERÈ kids grown up, can learn how to learn – and, in the process, learn how to succeed in life.” In most The country and its people of the favelas, says Bezerra de Mello, there is “practically no infrastructure. Gangs hold sway – gangs in constant conflict with each other Helping children in Rio’s favelas and with the police. For the children it’s like living in a war zone.” Continental is supporting the “children of light” education project in Continental started supporting the UERÈ edu- the poor districts of Rio de Janeiro cation project last year, both financially and by donating equipment including footballs Markus’s mother died from a drug overdose when he was seven years old. His father is unem- and sports gear. “The enormous enthusiasm ployed, working occasionally as a street cleaner. Markus lives with his three siblings in a tiny room. and passion of the whole team for the UERÈ After his mother’s death he could neither speak in complete sentences nor understand what was project’s educational approach – developed Soccer is fascinating also the young girls at the said to him. He was aggressive and used to hit other children. Now Markus is ten years old, he can following many years of research – has really UERÈ project speak clearly and he is learning to read. He attends a special school: the UERE education project impressed us,” says Silke Gliemann, Sponsor- in Baixa do Sapateiro, a favela district of Rio de Janeiro. ship Project Manager for the 2014 FIFA World