FIFA World Cup 2014 Group Stage Draw

UNTIL NEXT YEAR…
Well, the Final Draw certainly gave us some intriguing groups, but which is worthy of the so-called ‘Group of Death’? Stay tuned to themessenger107.wordpress.com over the next few hours and days for the best reaction to the events today in Costa do Sauipe – and also for the best in terms the build-up to Brazil 2014. Who will wrest the Trophy from Spain’s grasp?

lets analyze these groups and have a glimpse of what would be seen in Brazil from the 12th of june to the final on the 13th of july.

GROUP H HEAD-TO-HEAD
Belgium and Korea Republic both have previous World Cup experience of each other, with Belgium winning the first encounter before a draw in 1998. Both coaches Marc Wilmots and Hong Myung-Bo were in the sides for their 1-1 draw in group climax Paris, which will be repeated in Sao Paulo this time.

Belgium have also faced Russia four times in the finals, with the first two games going the way of the then-USSR, and the latter going to Belgium. They met at their last World Cup in 2002 as well, with a 2-0 win for the Red Devils.

Algeria have faced all three of their opponents in friendlies over the years, earning a draw against Russia and Belgium, but also suffering defeats to the latter and Korea Republic.

 

GROUP G HEAD-TO-HEAD
Germany have faced Portugal 17 times, five of those meetings have been at a World Cup. At Germany 2006, the hosts bested Portugal 3-1 in the match for third place.

Ghana beat USA in the two most recent World Cups. The Black Stars bested the Stars and Stripes 2-1 in the final group stage match of Group E at Germany 2006 and again beat the Americans in the Round of 16 at South Africa 2010 when Asamoah Gyan fired Ghana through to the quarter-finals with a 93rd-minute extra-time goal.

Germany and Ghana met in the 2010 World Cup, where half-brothers Kevin-Prince and Jerome Boateng battled against each other in the first time family members played against one another at a World Cup.

USA and Portugal met at Korea/Japan 2002 where the Americans pulled off a shock 3-2 defeat of the European side. USA met Germany in the quarter-finals of the same tournament where Germany edged the Americans 1-0.

Portugal and Ghana have never faced each other.

 

GROUP F HEAD-TO-HEAD
Argentina and Bosnia–Herzegovina have met twice before, most recently in St. Louis, USA this past November when Argentina won 2-0 in a friendly. Iran and Nigeria have met just once before in Hong Kong in 1998 where the Super Eagles came out on top 1-0.

Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran have met five times before and the Iranians have got the better of the Brazil 2014 newcomers by winning four and drawing once.

Argentina and Nigeria have faced off in six matches, including the 2010 World Cup, when Argentina won 1-0 at in Johannesburg. In total, Argentina have won five and drawn once.

 

GROUP E HEAD-TO-HEAD
Two matches will happen for the first time at the 2014 World Cup, Switzerland have never faced Ecuador before, and France have not played Honduras at senior level.

France and Switzerland on the other hand, have played each other 36 times, once at the World Cup, a goalless draw in the 2006 group stages.

Honduras and Ecuador have met each other 13 times – all friendly matches, with eight draws. Honduras have faced Switzerland once, at the 2010 World Cup, which ended in a goalless draw. Ecuador and France‘s only meeting came in a 2-0 friendly win for Le Bleus.

 

GROUP D HEAD-TO-HEAD
England have faced Italy 24 times, with a 2-1 win for Gli Azzurri at Italy 1990. Their most recent meeting came in EURO 2012, with the Italians putting England out on penalties. The Three Lions have faced Uruguay twice at the World Cup, a win for La Celeste in 1954 and a goalless draw in 1966, when the hosts went on to secure their only World Cup to date. England have never before faced Costa Rica, who in turn have only met Italy once – a friendly win for the Azzurri in 1994.

Italy and Uruguay have faced off twice at the World Cup before, a draw at 1970 and a 2-0 win for the hosts at Italy 1990.

Uruguay and Costa Rica have met eight times, with the latter never having won. La Celeste saw off Costa Rica in the 2010 World Cup qualifiying play-off – 2-1 on aggregate.

 

GROUP C HEAD-TO-HEAD
Colombia  and Greece have met once before, a friendly win for the Colombians in 1994.

Côte d’Ivoire and Japan will face off for the first time in a competitive match on 14 June, with Japan winning two out of their previous three friendly meetings. Côte d’Ivoire have never before faced Colombia or Greece. 

Japan beat Greece in their only ever meeting, at the 2005 Confederations Cup.

Japan have not beaten Colombia in their two meetings to date, a 2003 Confederations Cup win for the South Americans and a goalless friendly draw in 2007.

GROUP B HEAD-TO-HEAD
Spain and Netherlands open their World Cup campaigns after playing their most recent World Cup fixture against one another – the 2010 Final. That has been their only World Cup game in ten meetings. Australia and Chile have met four times, once at the 1974 World Cup, which ended in a goalless draw. The holders have met Chile ten times before and twice at the World Cup (both wins for La Roja, 2-0 in 1950 and 2-1 in 2010).

The Netherlands have failed to beat Australia in their three friendly meetings, drawing twice and losing in 2008. The Socceroos have never faced La Roja and the Netherlands have faced Chile just once – a 2-2 draw in the 1928 Olympic Football Tournament.

 

GROUP A HEAD-TO-HEAD
Brazil have faced Mexico a remarkable 38 times at senior level, three times at a World Cup finals (1950, 1954 & 1962), with Brazil victorious on all three occasions. The hosts have played Croatia twice before, one friendly draw and a victory over the Croats in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup. A Selecao beat Cameroon in the 1994 World Cup, but lost in their most recent meeting – at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Mexico and Cameroon have met just once before, a win for El Tri in a 1993 friendly match. Mexico have played Croatia three times before, winning their only World Cup meeting in 2002. Cameroon and Croatia will meet for the first time on 18 June in Manaus.

Reactions of Coaches

Some Coaches expressed how they feel about the draw and also gave us some tips on what to expect from their teams and the competition.

All 32 coaches onstage after the draw in Brazil.

STEPHEN KESHI VIDEO REACTION

“We keep playing Argentina at the World Cup! We’ll see how it goes this time.”

VAN GAAL ON POTENTIAL ROUND OF 16 GAME
“You obviously expect to progress and we will then meet a team from Brazil’s group [A Selecao, Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon]. We might meet Brazil in the next round, so it’s not the best of draws from a Dutch perspective.”says Van Gaal, the head coach of the Netherlands soccer team.

VAN GAAL ON GROUP B
“You can’t really do anything about it, but it’s fair to say that it’s not a good draw for us. We will play the reigning world champions, Australia, whom we have never beaten, and Chile. I saw them play against Colombia when they went 3-0 up and showed that they are a good team. If we look at our opponents, it sure is a difficult draw.”

ANGE POSTECOGLOU REACTION
“This is the World Cup. It’s the best football nations on the planet and we will embrace the challenge that lies ahead of us. We will see some great football played in our group and it’s up to us to play a part in that. We wanted to play some big nations. We want to test ourselves against the best nations on the biggest stage” says Ange Postecoglou, the Head coach of the Australian national association football team.

VAHID HALILHODZIC REACTION
“We could have had a much more difficult group but there’s no easy group or no group of death. Belgium is a big football nation with lot of quality. In my opinion, it could well be one of the surprise of the tournament. I also know Russia well, who have a great coach. Korea Republic is also very skilful, lots of passing, movement. This team have a few good players. It’s a very complicated group. We’ll come to try and surprise. We won’t come as tourists, but it will be very difficult.” Says Vahid Halilhodzic, the head coach of the Algerian national football team

LUIS SUAREZ’S (HONDURAS COACH) REACTION
“I leave with good taste in my mouth, with one exception: I didn’t want to face Ecuador. Not only for Reinaldo (Rueda, coach of Ecuador), but also for the country: they mean a lot to me. Ecuador helped me to develop my career, I owe them many things. But anyway, draws are like that. We’ll try to face this situation as real professionals. We want to reach the Round of 16.”

JOACHIM’S REACTION

“Jurgen and I have had a very good and close relationship for a long time. We have always exchanged ideas on a regular basis, but that will certainly change before the World Cup match.”says the head coach of the German national team.

LUIS FILIPE SCOLARI’S REACTION

“I am satisfied with the draw. But we shall be paying close attention to the opening phase. I am not concerned with the second phase.”says the head coach of the Brazilian national team

CESARE PRANDELLI’S REACTION

“We don’t have to be angry because of the draw; we’re at the World Cup and must be happy.”says the Italy head coach.

ALBERTO ZACCHERONI’S REACTION

“It’s important that we start well. Ivory Coast players will be familiar with the hot weather; we have to adapt.”says the head coach of the Japanese national team.

VOLKER FINKE’S REACTION

“I think Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon are level. One of those teams will accompany Brazil.” says the Cameroon head coach.

 

 

 

Nov. 29th: St. Hubert

St. Hubert

Bishop of Maastricht, Netherlands, and disciple of St. Lambert. Hubert was a married court­ier serving Pepin of Heristal, France. He reportedly had a vision of a crucifix between the horns of a stag while hunting. Widowed, he is believed to have entered Stavelot Monastery, Belgium, and was ordained by St. Lambert at Maastricht. He succeeded St. Lambert about 705 as bishop. Hubert erected a shrine for St. Lambert’s relics at Liege, France. He was noted for his miracles and for converting hundreds. Hubert died at Tervueren, near Brussels, Belgium, on May 30. He is a patron saint of hunters.

St. Hubertus or Hubert (c. 656–727 A.D.) was the first Bishop of Liège. He was a Christian saint who was the patron saint of hunters, mathematicians, opticians, and metalworkers. Known as the Apostle of the Ardennes, he was called upon to cure rabies until the early 20th century through the use of the traditional St Hubert’s Key.

Saint Hubertus was widely venerated during the Middle Ages. The iconography of his legend is entangled with the legend of Saint Eustace. The Bollandists published seven early lives of this popular saint (Acta Sanctorum, November, i., 759–930 A.D.); the first of these was the work of a contemporary. Unfortunately, it is very sparing of details.

He died 30 May 727 A.D. in Tervuren near Brussels, Belgium. His feast day is November 3.

Youth

Saint Hubertus was born (probably in Toulouse) about 656 A.D. He was the eldest son and the heir apparent of Boggis, the Duke of Aquitaine.

As a youth, Hubert was sent to the Neustrian court of Theuderic III at Paris, where his charm and agreeable address led to his investment with the dignity of “count of the palace”. Like many nobles of the time, Hubert was addicted to the chase. Meanwhile, the tyrannical conduct of Ebroin, mayor of the Neustrian palace, caused a general emigration of the nobles and others to the court of Austrasia at Metz. Hubert soon followed them and was warmly welcomed by Pippin of Heristal, mayor of the palace, who created him almost immediately grand-master of the household. About this time (682) Hubert married Floribanne, daughter of Dagobert, Count of Leuven, a great and suitable match. Their son Floribert would later become bishop of Liège, for bishoprics were all but accounted fiefs heritable in the great families of the Merovingian kingdoms..

Hubert’s withdrawal

His wife died giving birth to their son, and Hubert retreated from the court, withdrew into the forested Ardennes, and gave himself up entirely to hunting. But a great spiritual revolution was imminent. On Good Friday morning, when the faithful were crowding the churches, Hubert sallied forth to the chase. As he was pursuing a magnificent stag or hart, the animal turned and, as the pious legend narrates, he was astounded at perceiving a crucifix standing between its antlers, while he heard a voice saying: “Hubert, unless thou turnest to the Lord, and leadest an holy life, thou shalt quickly go down into hell”. Hubert dismounted, prostrated himself and said, “Lord, what wouldst Thou have me do?” He received the answer, “Go and seek Lambert, and he will instruct you.”

The story of the hart appears first in one of the later legendary hagiographies (Bibliotheca hagiographica latina, nos. 3994–4002) and has been appropriated from the legend of Saint Eustace or Placidus. It was first attributed to St. Hubert in the 15th century.

Hubert as a cleric and bishop

St. Hubert being consecrated bishop by Pope Sergius I

Be that as it may, Hubert set out immediately for Maastricht, for there Lambert was bishop. Saint Lambert received Hubert kindly, and became his spiritual director. Hubert now renounced all his very considerable honors, and gave up his birthright to the Aquitaine to his younger brother Odo, whom he made guardian of his infant son, Floribert. Having distributed all his personal wealth among the poor, he studied for the priesthood, was soon ordained, and shortly afterwards became one of St. Lambert’s chief associates in the administration of his diocese. By the advice of St. Lambert, Hubert made a pilgrimage to Rome in 708, but during his absence, Lambert was assassinated by the followers of Pippin. According to the hagiographies of Hubert, this act was simultaneously revealed to the pope in a vision, together with an injunction to appoint Hubert bishop of Maastricht.

He distributed his episcopal revenues among the poor, was diligent in fasting and prayer, and became famous for his eloquence in the pulpit. In 720, in obedience to a vision, Hubert translated St. Lambert’s remains from Maastricht to Liège with great pomp and ceremonial, several neighboring bishops assisting. A basilica for the relics was built upon the site of Lambert’s martyrdom, and was made a cathedral the following year, the see being removed from Maastricht to Liège, then only a small village. This laid the foundation of the future greatness of Liège, of which Saint Lambert is honored as patron, and Saint Hubert as founder and first bishop.

Hubert actively evangelised among the pagans in the extensive Ardennes forests and in Toxandria, a district stretching from near Tongeren to the confluence of the Waal and the Rhine.

Death

Hubert died peacefully in a place called Fura, located 30 miles from Liège, 30 May 727 or 728. He was first buried in the collegiate church of St. Peter, Liège, but his bones were exhumed and translated to the Benedictine Abbey of Amdain (“Andagium”, in French “Andage”, the present-day Saint-Hubert, Belgium) in the Ardennes in 825. The abbey became a focus for pilgrimages, until the coffin disappeared during the Reformation. His feast day is on the 3rd of November, probably the date of the translation of his relics to Amdain.

Veneration

Saint Hubert was widely venerated in the Middle Ages and partly because of his noble birth several military orders were named after him: the Bavarian, the Bohemian and that of the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne. Saint Hubert of Liège is patron of archers; dogs; forest workers; hunting; huntsmen; Liege, Belgium; mathematicians; metal workers; Saint-Lamberge, Belgium; smelters; and trappers. Hubertus, along with Quirinus of Neuss, Cornelius and Anthony, was venerated as one of the Four Holy Marshals (‘Vier Marschälle Gottes) in the Rhineland. The St. Hubertus Orden (Order of Saint Hubert), a chivalric order, was founded in 1444 by Gerhard V of Jülich and Berg. In the Anglican Communion, at least two churches were dedicated to Saint Hubertus within the Church of England.