Hello! I am your guest blogger for this very special once in every four years event, the World Cup! OlympicSportsNews blogger has graciously allowed me to post and so I will be giving you news, tidbits, updates, and lovely facts about this year's 2010 cup in South Africa which starts in 23 days. To kick things off Slovakia is making headlines today. As with Korea DPR in 1966, the Republic of Ireland in 1990, Nigeria in 1994, Croatia in 1998, and Senegal in 2002 first timers have a tradition of performing outstandingly, beating soccer giants such as Italy, France, and Argentina, and making it to at least the quarter finals. Slovakia could be 2010's team. Since splitting off from former tough soccer competitor Czechoslovakia in 1993 (runner-up to Italy in 1934, runner-up to Chile in 1962, and European champions over West Germany in 1976), the Czech Republic has faired quite well in international competition and now it could be Slovakia's turn. Slovakia beat powerhouses Poland and the Czech Republic to finish first in their European qualifying group; and they could steal some press coverage and fans from hometown favorites South Africa. As Slovak captain Miroslav Karhan puts so well, "qualifying for the World Cup is important for the identity of our young nation." They're going to need all the luck of first timers as they go up against defending champions Italy in their group stage as well as tough competitors Paraguay and New Zealand. Don't count them out yet, things could be very interesting and the World Cup doesn't disappoint.
For more information on Slovakia click here:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1212824/index.html#slovakia+nothing+like+first+time
Sports Illustrated's World Cup preview edition hits newsstands today. Some of the more optimistic writers are now putting the United States higher in the rankings. In the World Cup anything's possible.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/toc/11423/index.htm
Next time: A breakdown of group stages and the list of past winners to give background to this amazing sporting event.
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