Opening game of the World Cup question

[Woodsyla]

Just been chatting with a colleague and we were wondering why the opening game of this World Cup is the hosts and not the Champions. Going back 4 years to Japan it was France v Senegal, 8 years back to France I can't remember. Germany v Paraguay in USA and Argentina v Nigeria in Italy. Why is Germany the opening game this time round rather than Brazil ?

[Stevie H]

because of the global terrorist threat brasil requested that they not play in the opening match.

[Mono]

Just been chatting with a colleague and we were wondering why the opening game of this World Cup is the hosts and not the Champions. Going back 4 years to Japan it was France v Senegal, 8 years back to France I can't remember. Germany v Paraguay in USA and Argentina v Nigeria in Italy. Why is Germany the opening game this time round rather than Brazil ?

Holders don't automatically qualify anymore

Edited May 31, 2006 by Mono

[Cobs]

dunno

 

 

Brazil didn't qualify as holders this time around , is all i can think of.

 

Hosts don't automatically qualify anymore

ermmmm, i think they do.

[Stevie H]

Hosts don't automatically qualify anymore

 

hosts do, holders don't.

[Gilps]

Think they changed it at the same time they decided the holders had to qualify, to avoid the potential (if unlikely) scenario in the future of having no obvious opening game if the holders failed to qualify.

[Mono]

dunno

Brazil didn't qualify as holders this time around , is all i can think of.

ermmmm, i think they do.

Oooops meant holders

 

Think they changed it at the same time they decided the holders had to qualify, to avoid the potential (if unlikely) scenario in the future of having no obvious opening game if the holders failed to qualify.

It's kind of a pity cos there were some good opening games over the years involving the holders like Argentina v Nigeria, Brazil v Scotland and France v Senegal.... 3 upsets

Edited May 31, 2006 by Mono

[Gunga Din]

it was Argentina Vs Cameroon in 1990. Cameroon down to about 4 players, most of the Argentine players in the local A&E, fecking great game

[Earl Hafler]

 

The fecking tackle on Caniggia where his boot goes flying

[Stevie H]

it was Argentina Vs Cameroon in 1990. Cameroon down to about 4 players, most of the Argentine players in the local A&E, fecking great game

 

that was fantastic. the cameroonian centre-back, massing, who tw*tted canniggia.

 

loads of highlights of that here by the way : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/w...ive/default.stm