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Vive Brazil at the Cup
Klinsmann, the predator, lurking around the fringes of the six-yard box. Gazza, the dysfunctional, lurking around the fringes of genius, or insanity. The relentless, improvisational samba beat of Brazil. The glacial, precise 'total football' technique of the Dutch.
The game's current dynamic duos -- Romario and Roberto Carlos. Brian and Michael Laudrup. David Beckham and Posh Spice.
In a month's time, it all comes together in France at soccer's World Cup, which dwarfs even the Oly-mpics as a planetary fixation.
More than 2,000 media covered the pre-tournament draw. An cumulative viewing audience of 37 billion will watch the event.
"There isn't a World Cup in memory where the competition is more wide-open, in terms of potential upsets," says TSN soccer expert Graham Leggat, the voice of the Beautiful Game in this country. "In Group F, for example, obviously Germany and Yugoslavia look to go through but Iran and the States are both awkward teams to play against.
"Romania finished fourth overall at U.S.A. '94. Well, they could conceivably finish fourth in their group this year, up against Colombia, England and Tunisia, which might surprise."
Leggat has been assigned the almost-unendurable hardship of five weeks, all expenses paid in Paris, supping at Maxim's, tooling around the Tuileries, getting a little Can-Can Ohh-la-la! with the standard bottle of Moet Chandon at the Moulin Rouge. And, of course, indulging in his unquenchable passion for the game.
TSN, The Soccer Network, will carry every match of World Cup '98, the ultimate fix for any football junkie's habit.
The tournament opens June 10 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis with defending champion Brazil facing Scotland. The groups are as follows:
Group A: Brazil, Scotland, Morocco and Norway.
Group B: Italy, Chile, Cameroon and Austria.
Group C: France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Denmark.
Group D: Spain, Nigeria, Paraguay and Bulgaria.
Group E: The Netherlands, Belgium, South Korea and Mexico.
Group F: Germany, U.S.A., Yugoslavia and Iran.
Group G: Romania, Colombia, Tunisia and England.
Group H: Argentina, Japan, Jamaica and Croatia.
Two teams from each of the eight groups advance into the second round, a single-knockout playdown which culminates with the finale July 12 in Paris.
Leggat predicts a wild ride.
"The gap between the so-called poorer countries and traditional powers," he insists, "is shrinking."
Still, the former Scottish international's list of favorites is crammed with old standbys. They are, in order:
1. BRAZIL
In Ronaldo, FIFA's World Player of the Year, the veteran Romario and Roberto Carlos, defending champion Brazil is graced with a trio rivaling Pavarotti, Carreras and Domingo in terms of range and strength.
"The reason I fancy Brazil so strongly," says Leggat, "is that many of their top individuals are now playing in the tough leagues of Europe -- Spain, Italy, you name it. They won't have to get acclimatized to the venue. They'll feel at home in Europe and that makes them very, very difficult to beat.
"They've always had the skill, naturally. But now they're tough, too. I remember in England in '66, they had the most talent of any country but were kicked off the field. Now they don't shy away from the stick."
2. GERMANY
The Germans, of course, don't shy away from anything, invariably strong-willed, tactically sound and opportunistic. Certainly, they will miss defender Mattias Sammer, perhaps the best at his position in the world, out due to injury.
"But," points out Leggat, "Jurgen Klinsmann remains a great striker and Oliver Bierhoff leads the Italian League in scoring. And they have that phenomenal never-say-die attitude. Down one, two goals, their focus never changes, their confidence never wavers. And they'll be out to make amends for the early exit at USA 94."
3. FRANCE
Only England, 32 years ago, has won the World Cup on home soil but Leggat views the French as a legitimate threat. They're the only one of his top contenders not among the championship alumni.
"Full marks to (coach) Aime Jacquet. He has put together a team, rather than a group of individuals. In leaving David Ginola and Cantona off the squad, he made that much clear. Those two are great individuals but they can be a bit difficult; almost put themselves above the team. Jacquet was having none of that.
"Zinedine Zidane, wonderful player, could be a household name by the middle of July. He and Djorkaeff give France its best chance to win since the Platini years."
4. ITALY
The Italians squeaked through a perilous qualifying round, needing to slip past Russia in a two-game playoff to earn a position in France. Still, coach Cesare Maldini has fashioned a side of possibilities that may yet include '94 star Roberto Baggio, sans ponytail.
"Italy always seems to rise to the big occasion. They just scrape through and -- like four years ago in the U.S. -- somehow wind up in the final. Del Piero is an exceptional little player. He could be the man of the tournament. But, remember, he's a target every week playing for Juventus. Everybody's having a go at him.
"Plus, playing for a team as successful as Juve, he's probably played close to 100 games, league and various Cups. He gets two weeks off, and then he's in France, at the biggest tournament of his life. He's got to be just knackered. All the players from the top individual clubs do."
5. ENGLAND
English hopes are high after winning their qualifying group, ahead of three-time Cup champion Italy. Glenn Hoddle's lads are full of confidence and have been installed as one of the pre-tournament picks.
"I don't know if it's an omen," laughs Leggat, "but the last time England had a brother act in a World Cup was Jack and Bobby Charlton in '66, and it's the only time they've won. Well, this year, they've got the Neville brothers, Gary and Phil. Mere coincidence? I guess we'll see.
"They're a little slow in central defence. That's a concern. But they've got a great group of young players. And Alan Shearer is a world-class striker. I think for them to win (goaltender), though, David Seaman is going to have to be exceptional and dear old Gazza must play a role. It must be maddening for Hoddle. Gazza may be a bit behind, playing as he does in Scotland, and he tends to be overweight, but on form he's capable of doing things no one else can. Do you risk playing him? Or can you risk not playing him? There's the dilemma."
6. ARGENTINA
The Argentinians arrive having picked up speed after a slow start in the qualifying rounds. They're taking dead aim on their third World Cup title.
"They're part of that elite six-member club, a very skilled team. Batistuta has enjoyed another fine season in Italy. Argentina always has strength and skill. They're definitely a threat. How can you leave them out of your top half-dozen contenders?"
And the rest?
"We haven't seen the South Africans before but they're loaded with individual talent. Yugoslavia could leave its mark. I love George Hagi but Romania's getting a bit long in the tooth. Spain could be right there. Croatia have a fine side.
"What about Denmark? I think Brian Laudrup is the best player in Europe right now. You can keep Ronaldo. Unfortunately, playing for Rangers he isn't getting the best competition, or the attention.
"Don't laugh, but I think Scotland can get through to the second round, which would be like winning the World Cup to them. They draw Brazil first and if you have to play Brazil, that's when you want them. Usually, the titleholders are just looking for a result in the first match, they're bound to be nervous.
"If they can take a point off Brazil, they're in good shape.
"I like the Dutch. It's a positive sign for them that Ajax is back on top because as Ajax goes, so seems to go Holland. Dennis Bergkamp was just named Player of the Year in England, voted by his peers, so he should be a top form despite a thigh pull the other day. (Marc) Overmars has played well at Arsenal and that's a team with a lot of veteran players who've had lots of international experience.
"Conservatively, there are eight or nine sides capable of winning this tournament."
But only one that, at the outset, stands clearly above the field, overflowing with skill and purpose.
"Brazil," replies Leggat, when pressed for a winner. "With one choice, definitely Brazil. All roads must go through the defending champion."
And down the Avenita Atlantica beachfront in Rio, to a party that's bound to put even Carnival to shame.
NEXT ROUNDS: Round of 16 || Quarter-finals || Semi-finals
GROUP A: Brazil, Morocco, Norway, Scotland
GROUP B: Austria, Cameroon, Chile, Italy
GROUP C: Denmark, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
GROUP D: Bulgaria, Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain
GROUP E: Belgium, Holland, Mexico, South Korea
GROUP F: Germany, Iran, United States, Yugoslavia
GROUP G: Colombia, England, Romania, Tunisia
GROUP H: Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan