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S/Africa’2010: Draws Ignite World Cup Fever
- By Magnus Nmegwa
- Published December 13th, 2009
- SportWorld
- Unrated
The 32 teams participating at next year’s FIFA World Cup™ finals discovered their fate at the Final Draw for South Africa 2010, which pitted the Super Eagles against Korea republic, Greece and former champions, Argentina.
While South Africans learned that the host nation’s Opening Match on 11 June would be played against Mexico at Soccer City, it was the Group D line-up which caused arguably the biggest stir. Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana will battle it out for two qualifying places for the Round of 16, meaning two nations with passionate support will depart the tournament early. There could be a high-profile casualty from Group G too, after Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal were drawn together.
An estimated global television audience of 200 million joined the 2,000 invited guests in the Draw Hall in watching the colourful and entertaining ceremony unfold.
With African sporting stars like Haile Gebreselassie, John Smit, Makhaya Ntini, Matthew Booth and Simphiwe Dludlu. Assisting with the draw, along with England’s David Beckham.
The undoubted centerpiece came when the eight groups were revealed. An early highlight of the draw was the eye-catching encounter between England and USA, scheduled for 12 June, which evokes the Americans’ famous 1-0 win over their transatlantic cousins at Brazil 1950.
Argentina, Nigeria and Greece will get the chance to revive their group rivalry from 1994, while the heavyweight collision between Portugal and Brazil on 25 June also has the feel of a derby. A night to remember with such an array of stars, the event dazzled from start to finish. Fittingly, the first speech of the night came from the man without whom a FIFA World Cup in South Africa would never have been possible: the country’s former president Nelson Mandela.
The 91-year-old, speaking in a special video message, urged his nation to make the most of their opportunity as tournament hosts. “We must strive for excellence in our hosting of the World Cup, while at the same time ensuring the event leaves a lasting benefit to all our people,” he said.
Next it was time for two special presidents to take to the stage. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, and South African President Jacob Zuma, showed their excitement at both the Final Draw and the 2010 FIFA World Cup itself, in an entertaining dialogue lasting several minutes. Giancarlo Abete, President of the Italian Football Federation, then handed over the holders’ FIFA World Cup Trophy to Blatter, confirmation that sport’s Holy Grail is in South Africa and ready to be contested next year.
Some of the assembled coaches will have headed away feeling confident, others concerned by the task the draw presented here, yet at least all now know what lies in store as they begin their planning and preparation for next year’s showpiece.
While South Africans learned that the host nation’s Opening Match on 11 June would be played against Mexico at Soccer City, it was the Group D line-up which caused arguably the biggest stir. Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana will battle it out for two qualifying places for the Round of 16, meaning two nations with passionate support will depart the tournament early. There could be a high-profile casualty from Group G too, after Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal were drawn together.
An estimated global television audience of 200 million joined the 2,000 invited guests in the Draw Hall in watching the colourful and entertaining ceremony unfold.
With African sporting stars like Haile Gebreselassie, John Smit, Makhaya Ntini, Matthew Booth and Simphiwe Dludlu. Assisting with the draw, along with England’s David Beckham.
The undoubted centerpiece came when the eight groups were revealed. An early highlight of the draw was the eye-catching encounter between England and USA, scheduled for 12 June, which evokes the Americans’ famous 1-0 win over their transatlantic cousins at Brazil 1950.
Argentina, Nigeria and Greece will get the chance to revive their group rivalry from 1994, while the heavyweight collision between Portugal and Brazil on 25 June also has the feel of a derby. A night to remember with such an array of stars, the event dazzled from start to finish. Fittingly, the first speech of the night came from the man without whom a FIFA World Cup in South Africa would never have been possible: the country’s former president Nelson Mandela.
The 91-year-old, speaking in a special video message, urged his nation to make the most of their opportunity as tournament hosts. “We must strive for excellence in our hosting of the World Cup, while at the same time ensuring the event leaves a lasting benefit to all our people,” he said.
Next it was time for two special presidents to take to the stage. FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, and South African President Jacob Zuma, showed their excitement at both the Final Draw and the 2010 FIFA World Cup itself, in an entertaining dialogue lasting several minutes. Giancarlo Abete, President of the Italian Football Federation, then handed over the holders’ FIFA World Cup Trophy to Blatter, confirmation that sport’s Holy Grail is in South Africa and ready to be contested next year.
Some of the assembled coaches will have headed away feeling confident, others concerned by the task the draw presented here, yet at least all now know what lies in store as they begin their planning and preparation for next year’s showpiece.
