The World Cup moves Europe
At the FIFA World Cup in South Africa the main focus was on noisy vuvuzelas, the poor performance of various teams and the positive impact of the tournament on the host country. Read the commentaries on the first African World Cup.
Helsingin Sanomat - Finland | Tuesday, 13. July 2010
South Africa will reap long-term benefits from the recent FIFA World Cup, the daily Helsingin Sanomat writes: » more
South Africa will reap long-term benefits from the recent FIFA World Cup, the daily Helsingin Sanomat writes: "A competition cannot assuage all of Africa's problems. Nevertheless it can be said that the competition has brought with it many advantages for the host country. Lasting benefits are the improved road network, brand new airports and a better public transport system. The successful organisation has improved the country's reputation, which could attract investors and tourists alike. But the biggest victory was the national solidarity that emerged during the event. All of the country's population groups mingled together regardless of their skin colour in the bleachers during the matches. South Africa seemed more closely-knit than during the first democratic elections in 1994. According to former president Nelson Mandela, sport can bring hope where there was only despair. South Africa's success has given the entire continent good reason to hope that it will host the summer Olympics in the not-too-distant future."
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More from the press review on the subject » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Sport, » Africa
De Volkskrant - Netherlands | Monday, 12. July 2010
For the third time in the history of the World Cup the Netherlands has lost the final. Despite the understandable disappointment this championship has done the country a world of good, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: » more
For the third time in the history of the World Cup the Netherlands has lost the final. Despite the understandable disappointment this championship has done the country a world of good, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: "For a while the Dutch saw themselves as participators in the success of Oranje rather than the inhabitants of a divided country. The World Cup was an experience that united the Dutch. And they needed that experience. ... We needn't have any illusions about how long the cheerful mood will last. ... Yet it is undisputed that the last few weeks were marked by a rare sense of unity. ... There are few experiences the millions of Dutch all share with each other. But many years from now almost every Dutch citizen will still remember where and with whom they witnessed the spectacle and what they felt when the final whistle was blown. In the old days wars and occupations brought people together. Now a game of football can do the same."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Netherlands
Dagens Nyheter - Sweden | Monday, 12. July 2010
The World Cup has improved Africa's image, writes the daily Dagens Nyheter: » more
The World Cup has improved Africa's image, writes the daily Dagens Nyheter: "The image of Africa as a continent torn by war, chaos and poverty is no longer the only one. Certainly poverty is still widespread and in some regions the conflicts appear unsolvable. But many African countries are faring relatively well. ... Arduous reforms have got these countries back on the right track. Sustainable economic development seems possible in Africa too. And naturally the Africans themselves are capable of taking the helm and steering in the right direction. The World cup has shown how much can be achieved with strength of will."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Sport, » Africa
ABC - Spain | Monday, 12. July 2010
Spain won the World Cup for the first time on Sunday. The conservative daily ABC would like to see the same kind of harmonious teamwork in politics as in the stadium: » more
Spain won the World Cup for the first time on Sunday. The conservative daily ABC would like to see the same kind of harmonious teamwork in politics as in the stadium: "Football is a team sport and the Spanish team worked together like a well-oiled machine with each piece doing the work it should do and even going that extra mile which tends to bring victory. And this is so unusual in today's Spain, where each piece does its own thing, that it's worth more than all the World Cup trophies in the world. That players from different teams and regions fit in so well with each other and fought in unison for the national colours has shown us that football has gone beyond a sport to become an example for civic coexistence."
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More from the press review on the subject » Social movements, » Sport, » Federalism, » Separatism, » Spain
All available articles from » José María Carrascal
Hospodářské noviny - Czech Republic | Monday, 12. July 2010
With Spain, the Netherlands and Germany, three European teams have won medals at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This is at least one thing the old continent can be happy about, the business paper Hospodářské noviny writes: » more
With Spain, the Netherlands and Germany, three European teams have won medals at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. This is at least one thing the old continent can be happy about, the business paper Hospodářské noviny writes: "The spectre of decline is haunting Europe. The euro is in crisis. France and Germany, traditionally the political and economic motors of the Union, cannot agree on how to reform the financial sector or get the economy out of recession. Outside Europe's borders people are saying that Europe's best days are over, and that it is losing its political and economic clout on the global stage. Nevertheless the Europeans can still be proud that they play the best football. ... And football is the realm where the ideal of an open market free of internal borders is best exemplified. ... If Europe learns from football it can also sow the seeds of long-term optimism."
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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Sport, » Europe, » Global
All available articles from » Daniel Anýž
As - Spain | Thursday, 8. July 2010
After its victory in the semi-final against Germany Spain has made it to the World Cup final for the first time ever. In honour of Catalan player Carles Puyol's winning goal the sports paper AS uses a half-Spanish, half-Catalan headline: » more
After its victory in the semi-final against Germany Spain has made it to the World Cup final for the first time ever. In honour of Catalan player Carles Puyol's winning goal the sports paper AS uses a half-Spanish, half-Catalan headline: "Visca España", long live Spain. In this way the Madrid-based paper pays tribute to Puyol in his mother tongue: "Puyol, long live the mother who gave birth to you! ... The captain of FC Barcelona plans to leave the national team. But the time has not yet come. He must help us after victory has been claimed in South Africa. He must go on right up to the Euro 2012, because his personality drives the others. Because the new arrivals like Javi Martínez and others still to come must be infected with his dedication, his passion for the colours of the national team."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Federalism, » Separatism, » Spain
All available articles from » Joaquín Maroto
nrc.next - Netherlands | Wednesday, 7. July 2010
The Netherlands reached the final of the World Cup for the third time on Tuesday with its victory against Uruguay. The image of the players has been transformed, writes daily Nrc.next: » more
The Netherlands reached the final of the World Cup for the third time on Tuesday with its victory against Uruguay. The image of the players has been transformed, writes daily Nrc.next: "Between 1990 and 2008 Oranje's footballers were above all spoiled young boys of the carefree generation. Guys who suffered from too little discipline, too many slogans and way, way too much money. Who played well when the going was good but failed when things got rough. ... And then we won. ... Now we are simply in the finals. The word 'simply' is symbolic for our new reality. ... It's not heroism that defines our success but success that defines our heroism. If the Netherlands doesn't lose the finals in a bad way on Sunday we will see how the image of spoiled, affronted boys is replaced in our memory by that of a team of heroes."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Netherlands
All available articles from » Ingmar Vriesema
Heti Világgazdaság - Hungary | Wednesday, 7. July 2010
The vuvuzela steadfastly continues to get on the nerves of football fans at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, leading the left-liberal weekly Heti Világgazdaság to investigate its not so distant origins and discover an interesting business model: » more
The vuvuzela steadfastly continues to get on the nerves of football fans at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, leading the left-liberal weekly Heti Világgazdaság to investigate its not so distant origins and discover an interesting business model: "The roar of the vuvuzela, the colourful plastic 'instrument' with the deafening sound, has even drowned out the media hype around the FIFA World Cup. When blown by tens of thousands of fans in the stadium, the vuvuzela is the bane not only of the teams, but also of the trainers (who can't communicate with players on the pitch), the television commentators and of course the spectators. Not to speak of the sponsors. ... But what the heck: the vuvuzela is sacred, ... it's a question of tradition. Let's not forget, we're in South Africa. ... However the funny thing is that tradition has nothing to do with all this: as opposed to the truly traditional kudu horn, the metre-long plastic horn has only been around South African stadiums for the past ten years. The vuvuzela is manufactured by the lucky monopolist Neil van Sharkwijk, who also sells anti-vuvuzela earplugs as 'antidotes'."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » South Africa
All available articles from » László Seres
Fakt - Poland | Tuesday, 6. July 2010
It's only because the Polish football association is still so badly organised that the Polish-born striker Miroslav Klose climbed to the top of his profession in Germany, writes tabloid Fakt: » more
It's only because the Polish football association is still so badly organised that the Polish-born striker Miroslav Klose climbed to the top of his profession in Germany, writes tabloid Fakt: "Jan Furtok (48), who played many great games in the colours of Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburg SV says: 'At best he would have won two Polish championships with Wisła Kraków or Lech Poznań. And now he would certainly be resting on his laurels and kicking around the ball somewhere on Cyprus or in the Greek divisions.' That's sad. But Furtok is right for the most part. Klose would never have had such a career if he had stayed in Poland. When he emigrated to Germany with his mother our training system was at a very low level. In this respect we're still 20 years behind Germany."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Poland
All available articles from » Jan Furtok
Jyllands-Posten - Denmark | Friday, 2. July 2010
Today the South Africa World Cup quarter finals begin. In their blog for the conservative-liberal daily Jyllands-Posten Troels Heeger und Søren Villemoes poke fun at sports commentators who see the success of a national team as a measure of the success of the integration model of the country it represents: » more
Today the South Africa World Cup quarter finals begin. In their blog for the conservative-liberal daily Jyllands-Posten Troels Heeger und Søren Villemoes poke fun at sports commentators who see the success of a national team as a measure of the success of the integration model of the country it represents: "The debate in Denmark clearly shows that multiculturalism is the great variable everyone is trying to define. ... After all, it was multiculturalism that devoured the French team. ... The biggest problem with Danish football is our lack of commitment to integration. Danish racism is the reason why we didn't play better. ... Commentator for Politiken Lars Trier Mogensen uses his impressive knowledge to explain to us the secret of Germany's World Cup success. Yes, that's right: multiculturalism! ... The battle over multiculturalism has reached a new low in the Danish debate."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Global
All available articles from » Troels Heeger, » Søren Villemoes
Litera - Hungary | Thursday, 1. July 2010
Literary critic József Tamás Reményi criticises the use of catenaccio defence tactics at the South Africa World Cup on literary portal Litera: » more
Literary critic József Tamás Reményi criticises the use of catenaccio defence tactics at the South Africa World Cup on literary portal Litera: "Perfectionism (versus art), effectiveness (versus imagination), power (versus finesse) and dirty tricks (versus fairness) are the name of the game in modern football. As we know, an intelligent team plays on the counter-attack. In other words: it packs the defence. So the cantenaccio can be compared with the sonnet. It benefits the untalented and the masters equally. With the necessary will and luck the former can conceal their lack of skill and avoid disgrace. The latter for their part can use it to save their energy (take the game-destroying, time-wasting tactics of the Dutch against the Slovakians). ... But every now and then it can be combined with the odd stroke of genius (see the way the Brazilians are playing in this World Cup). The Spanish have been confronted with both types: the Swiss team composed of little craftsmen was even able to trip it up. Meanwhile the masters of defence, the Portuguese, almost managed to lull them into defeat. ... A few interludes of genius, ... followed by yawning monotony."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Global, » South Africa
All available articles from » József Tamás Reményi
NRC Handelsblad - Netherlands | Friday, 2. July 2010
In the today's quarter-final match in the World Cup in South Africa the Netherlands will play against Brazil. The defensive game of the Dutch team (Oranje) displays the same mentality as the country itself has, the publicist Auke Kok writes in the daily NRC Handelsblad: » more
In the today's quarter-final match in the World Cup in South Africa the Netherlands will play against Brazil. The defensive game of the Dutch team (Oranje) displays the same mentality as the country itself has, the publicist Auke Kok writes in the daily NRC Handelsblad: "Only a few weeks after the electoral victory of the [right-wing populist] Geert Wilders Oranje is playing a game that is miles away from the progressive bravado with which whole generations grew up. ... Watching Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten made us grow a little bit too - a model country with the right moral principles, more liberal and progressive than the rest. Football intellectuals in other countries saw it the same way, as if there were a direct link between our attitude to drugs, abortion and euthanasia and the uninhibited play of Dennis Bergkamp. Apparently accounts must now be squared with all this: Just listen to the Bondscoach talking about discipline. Look at us turning away from Europe, the calls for a firm hand. Listen to Wilders. Feel our propensity to become inward-looking, to close the curtains and shut out the big bad world outside."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Netherlands
All available articles from » Auke Kok
România Liberă - Romania | Tuesday, 29. June 2010
Former Dutch football manager Rinus Michels in the mid-1970s coined the famous saying "Professional football is something like war". Writer Ian Buruma agrees with Michels in the daily România Liberă, even if the current World Cup is an exception: » more
Former Dutch football manager Rinus Michels in the mid-1970s coined the famous saying "Professional football is something like war". Writer Ian Buruma agrees with Michels in the daily România Liberă, even if the current World Cup is an exception: "Of course, soccer wars are rare ... but the notion that international sporting competitions inevitably inspire warm fraternity - an idea advanced by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic games - is a romantic fiction. The violence of British football hooligans, for example, reflects a peculiar nostalgia for war. ... Football is an opportunity to experience the thrill of combat, without risking much more than a few broken bones. Even when football doesn't lead to actual bloodshed, it inspires strong emotions - primitive and tribal - evoking the days when warriors donned facial paint and jumped up and down in war dances, hollering like apes. The nature of the game encourages this: the speed, the collective aggression. ... Not all football games are fraught with negative feeling and violence. This year's World Cup may well be a festival of brotherhood and peace."
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More from the press review on the subject » Crises / War, » History, » Sport, » Germany, » Netherlands, » Global, » Romania
All available articles from » Ian Buruma
Blog Aktuálně.cz - Czech Republic | Saturday, 26. June 2010
The Germans' sense of national pride is particularly prominent at major football championships, writes Martin Krafl, head of the Czech Centre in Berlin, in his blog for Aktualne.cz: » more
The Germans' sense of national pride is particularly prominent at major football championships, writes Martin Krafl, head of the Czech Centre in Berlin, in his blog for Aktualne.cz: "German flags can be found in places you would never expect to see them – concealed in marzipan cake or as dog coats. Footballs of all sizes can be bought not only as souvenirs but also in the form of sponge cakes, bread or perfume bottles. Women who wear fashion accessories in the national colours are 'in', not to mention fingernails painted in black, red and gold. … The Germans' pride is a positive phenomenon. In recent decades the memory of the war gave them little of which they could be proud. The World Cup in Germany four years ago was a turning point. It revived the sense of pride. But only for this event. When the World Cup ends the flags will disappear, the Germans will calm down and go back to their disciplined ways."
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More from the press review on the subject » Social movements, » Sport, » Germany
All available articles from » Martin Krafl
La Vanguardia - Spain | Monday, 28. June 2010
In two of the World Cup second-round matches the referees made decisions that were obviously wrong. While England was deprived of a goal that was clearly valid, Argentina won its 1: » more
In two of the World Cup second-round matches the referees made decisions that were obviously wrong. While England was deprived of a goal that was clearly valid, Argentina won its 1:0 victory thanks to an offside goal. The liberal daily La Vanguardia calls for the use of computer technology to help referees do their job: "That referees make mistakes, just like goalkeepers, defenders, strikers and everyone does, is only human. But there are different types of mistakes. There was a solution for yesterday's mistakes. ... The strange thing about it is that the great players in this sport still reject the idea of using the new technologies to ensure the rules are applied more fairly. Football is limping behind on this issue and has not followed the examples of other sports like tennis, basketball, cycling or athletics."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Germany, » United Kingdom, » Global, » Argentina, » Mexico
Fakt - Poland | Friday, 25. June 2010
The African teams have proven unable to fulfil the high expectations that many experts and fans had of them prior to the World Cup in South Africa, Włodzimierz Lubański a former member of the Polish national team concludes in the tabloid Fakt following the conclusion of the first round: » more
The African teams have proven unable to fulfil the high expectations that many experts and fans had of them prior to the World Cup in South Africa, Włodzimierz Lubański a former member of the Polish national team concludes in the tabloid Fakt following the conclusion of the first round: "The biggest surprise is that the African teams did so badly. I'm disappointed because there was so much fuss and commentaries. Yet ultimately things turned out as always. The old truth has been confirmed that these players only play excellently within the European discipline imposed by their clubs, but not necessarily on their national teams. Apart from physical training they have nothing to show. They lack the boldness and the tactical skills. Moreover, they proved unable to take advantage of the fact that they were playing at home."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Africa, » Europe
All available articles from » Włodzimierz Lubański
Sme - Slovakia | Friday, 25. June 2010
The World Cup in South Africa has produced its biggest sensation so far: » more
The World Cup in South Africa has produced its biggest sensation so far: the newcomers from Slovakia who had previously delivered a disappointing performance beat Italy 3:2 and sent the current world champion home. The verbal tirades of the Slovakian manager against his country's journalists have now been forgotten. The liberal daily Sme is full of praise: "Slovakia has never presented itself as a truly great team in an important game. Up until Thursday and a moment no one had ever expected. ... Players who were nobodies yesterday are now heroes. At such a time it would be inappropriate to reproach the manager for his misbehaviour. His tears after the game ended showed that he is also capable of other emotions. ... Slovakian football earned global recognition yesterday. In the next game we'll also need a big heart and a cool head, responsible action and skill. Then luck too will be on our side ."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Italy, » Slovakia, » Global
All available articles from » Peter Fukatsch
Le Temps - Switzerland | Wednesday, 23. June 2010
The French national team was eliminated from the South Africa World Cup on Tuesday. The team has faced harsh criticism after several scandals during the tournament. In the eyes of the daily Le Temps the debacle is the result of a mixture of arrogance and mismanagement: » more
The French national team was eliminated from the South Africa World Cup on Tuesday. The team has faced harsh criticism after several scandals during the tournament. In the eyes of the daily Le Temps the debacle is the result of a mixture of arrogance and mismanagement: "Neither the huge salaries nor the boasting nor the consumer society are the reasons for this sad spectacle that is making many French citizens and fans of the 'bleus' [the French national team] ashamed of the French team. ... With a little emotional distance the problem seems to be more the result of a major, multipolar and chaotic clash between an autistic and narcissistic trainer who is full of himself and loves to provoke and arrogant and vain players who have lost touch with reality, formed cliques and dug in their heels. Then there's the horde of French football functionaries ... who are secretly managing a huge pie, namely the profits of the glorious victories of 1998 and 2000."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » France, » Switzerland
All available articles from » Ignace Jeannerat
Rzeczpospolita - Poland | Tuesday, 22. June 2010
The performances at the World Cup in South Africa have disappointed fans so far. One reason could be that the players barely identify with their home countries nowadays because they usually play for international clubs, the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita concludes: » more
The performances at the World Cup in South Africa have disappointed fans so far. One reason could be that the players barely identify with their home countries nowadays because they usually play for international clubs, the conservative daily Rzeczpospolita concludes: "Perhaps this is the reason for the disappointment at Brazil not having done a samba in the penalty area yet and France having fought as if it wanted to lose. ... Why everyone is making more mistakes and moving more stiffly than usual. ... Perhaps the obligation to represent one's own country is just an echo from a sunken world where state borders still had meaning: identification, security and a common social goal. But the big stars of the championships play day after day in clubs where only football and money count, not nationality."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Africa, » Asia, » Europe, » Latin Amerika
All available articles from » Paulina Wilk
Die Presse - Austria | Tuesday, 22. June 2010
News reports from the Football World Cup in South Africa are a clear indication that Europeans still look down on Africa, writes the conservative daily Die Presse: » more
News reports from the Football World Cup in South Africa are a clear indication that Europeans still look down on Africa, writes the conservative daily Die Presse: "Sometimes praise can be the worst form of insult. At the FIFA World Cup, for example, television and newspaper reporters praise the African players to the skies. The adulation is so overdone that you'd think the African teams were running circles around everyone else. In fact from a purely sporting point of view the opposite is the case. ... The fact is that the tactics of the African teams hardly differ from those of the Europeans, and it's no wonder. Let's not forget, most of the teams have European trainers. ... However neither the trainers nor superstars like Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o or Steven Pienaar can compensate for the unprofessional environment. If Drogba and Co. are superstars, it's because they no longer play football in Africa. It's possible to say that without simulated flattery. ... Because sometimes the best tribute is unsparing criticism."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Africa
All available articles from » Gerhard Hofer
L'Equipe - France | Sunday, 20. June 2010
In protest at the suspension of their teammate Nicolas Anelka, the French national football team refused to go out and train on Sunday at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Anelka was suspended the day before for insulting trainer Raymond Domenech. The sports paper L'Equipe finds the players' behaviour irresponsible: » more
In protest at the suspension of their teammate Nicolas Anelka, the French national football team refused to go out and train on Sunday at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Anelka was suspended the day before for insulting trainer Raymond Domenech. The sports paper L'Equipe finds the players' behaviour irresponsible: "The team is now just as despicable as it is washed up. In refusing to go out and train ... the players of the French national team have gone beyond the limit marking the bounds of decency and the threshold of stupidity, under the eyes of its overstrained managers. Obsessed as they are with their schoolyard principles, can they not take their minds from the the traitor who talks with the press? They should bend their minds to their next match, and the infinitesimal chance of the qualification which they owe to the fans they've betrayed."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » France
All available articles from » Vincent Duluc
Delfi - Estonia | Thursday, 17. June 2010
Not only men are interested in football, Ene Poll explains in the daily Postimees and counters the all too prevalent prejudices: » more
Not only men are interested in football, Ene Poll explains in the daily Postimees and counters the all too prevalent prejudices: "For example a presenter invites a woman to the TV studio and begins with the question: 'How is it that this male domain ... .' Or some smart aleck tries to describe the unhappy lives of mothers who won't be able to watch television for a month because the football is on and the stereotypical male sits in front of the TV all day long with a beer in one hand. Help! Stop! Everyone watches football. During the World Cup four years ago I was on Malta, where every evening I went with a young French girl to the courtyard which had been turned into a pub to watch the games. And I'm convinced that the good Estonian mothers have set aside their cleaning and baking and are enjoying the games too. Because football is a brilliant game that is not only larger than life, but life itself."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Gender equality, » Malta, » Estonia, » Global, » South Africa
All available articles from » Ene Poll
Helsingin Sanomat - Finland | Wednesday, 16. June 2010
Sporting events can have a positive impact on the host country, Olli Kivinen writes in the daily Helsingin Sanomat, referring to the World Cup in South Africa: » more
Sporting events can have a positive impact on the host country, Olli Kivinen writes in the daily Helsingin Sanomat, referring to the World Cup in South Africa: "Within the space of 16 years the country has evolved from a dismal Apartheid state to a symbol of hope for Africa. Now it wants to use the democratic changes ... for a tangible and sustainable rise in prosperity. ... Africa needs success stories, and in this endeavour football is really a side issue, although even just the host country's success in organising the World Cup has triggered strong emotions all over Africa. ... Has the current World Cup given South Africa such a kick that it is finding the way to development in an ever more positive direction? Or are the sceptics right to argue that the billions the country has spent on organising the World Cup could have been better invested in resolving the [the country's] problems? Unfortunately, the impact of the World Cup is not really measurable. Nevertheless, it is clear that sensible social and economic policies are the key to success, in Africa as elsewhere. World Cup fever doesn't change that."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Sport, » Africa
All available articles from » Olli Kivinen
Mediapart.fr - France | Monday, 14. June 2010
The vuvuzela, or horn blown by fans at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, is so loud that some ear specialists are calling for it to be banned. The news portal Mediapart defends the South African instrument from its many media critics: » more
The vuvuzela, or horn blown by fans at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, is so loud that some ear specialists are calling for it to be banned. The news portal Mediapart defends the South African instrument from its many media critics: "So far we've seen a tie from the host in the first game, a nervous French team, a butterfingered British goalkeeper and a German blitzkrieg against Australia. In short the 2010 World Cup has been anything but exciting. Then my friend Pierre ... suddenly said: 'Don't you hear that droning sound?' ... The vuvuzela affair has overshadowed the murderous oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico and the collapse of the French social security system, so it's high time that Mediapart took a stand on the issue. Our editorial standpoint is simple: the whole world is against vuvuzelas, we are for them. ... Just as our website is the location where opposing viewpoints meet, so too the football stadium should be the place where differences of all kinds rub shoulders in a spirit of brotherhood."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » South Africa
All available articles from » Michel Dalloni
Blog Vidas - Portugal | Friday, 11. June 2010
The Football World Cup in South Africa is already a historic event because it is the first time that it takes place on the African continent. But is Africa ready for it, asks Vítor Rainho in his blog Vidas for the Weekly Sol: » more
The Football World Cup in South Africa is already a historic event because it is the first time that it takes place on the African continent. But is Africa ready for it, asks Vítor Rainho in his blog Vidas for the Weekly Sol: "Will the racial problems be apparent? So far the South Africans have been extraordinarily hospitable. No other continent gave the teams such a warm welcome. For this World Cup the FIFA chose a country where 20 years ago blacks and whites weren't allowed to travel in the same bus, where mixed marriages were not allowed. … Since then many years have passed but Mandela will always remain a historical figure. There is hope that this World Cup will also help to draw the diverse cultures of the different continents closer together. And while we're at it: that it will serve as a balsam for the global depression. Football is magic. Let's hope it works."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Sport, » Africa, » Global, » South Africa
All available articles from » Vítor Rainho
La Croix - France | Friday, 11. June 2010
The Football World Cup may not be able to solve South Africa's problems but it is nevertheless a time for celebration, writes the Catholic daily La Croix: » more
The Football World Cup may not be able to solve South Africa's problems but it is nevertheless a time for celebration, writes the Catholic daily La Croix: "The required infrastructure, organisation and funds employed in this venture do not correspond to the usual image of Africa - even if the country of Nelson Mandela is emblematic of wealth and energy. The whole world will have its eyes on Africa. And for all Africans these will be days of pride. Of course no magic wand can spirit away the glaring inequalities both old and new, the violence and shattered dreams, the poverty and divisions. There may be failures or disappointments. Nevertheless one has to rejoice with this people and this nation, known for their ability to take on challenges."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Infrastructure / Travel and Transport, » Sport, » Social affairs, » South Africa
All available articles from » Dominique Quinio
Latvijas Avīze - Latvia | Friday, 11. June 2010
For the daily Latvijas Avīze the significance of the Football World Cup extends beyond sport well into the realm of politics: » more
For the daily Latvijas Avīze the significance of the Football World Cup extends beyond sport well into the realm of politics: "Already in Ancient Rome the people could be kept happy with bread and games. Football events are the biggest spectacle of our time, which is why just before the start of the World Cup people will be more ready to stomach unpleasant decisions taken by their leaders. In Germany, for example, critics believe Angela Merkel's austerity package met with very little outrage simply because the Germans are more caught up with team captain Michael Ballack's injury than the resignation of the German President Horst Köhler. France, by the same token, is now involved in a debate over retirement and pension reform. So like all other presidents in a similar situation President Sarkozy has every interest in the French team getting as far as possible to improve the public mood and raise his popularity."
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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Fiscal Policy, » Sport, » Germany, » France, » Global
All available articles from » Uldis Šmits
El Correo - Spain | Friday, 11. June 2010
The Football World Cup starting today, Friday, in South Africa is an opportunity for Africa and will make Spain forget the crisis for a few days, the daily El Correo hopes: » more
The Football World Cup starting today, Friday, in South Africa is an opportunity for Africa and will make Spain forget the crisis for a few days, the daily El Correo hopes: "The World Cup which begins today in South Africa is a milestone in the history of a continent plagued by poverty and violence but not has an opportunity to channel its enthusiasm and pride into solidarity, peace and development. The first World Cup to take place on the African continent is a triumph of Nelson Mandela's peaceful revolution and confirms the extraordinary potential of a region that needs confidence in its future, more infrastructure and to open up more to the rest of the world. For Spanish society, fired up by its dream of conquering the trophy, the World Cup will at least allow it to ward off the nightmare economic crisis for a few days."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Economic Policy, » Spain, » Africa
Dnevnik - Slovenia | Friday, 11. June 2010
Slovenia can be proud of its participation in the Football World Cup because the championship is far more than just a sporting event, writes the online edition of the daily Dnevnik: » more
Slovenia can be proud of its participation in the Football World Cup because the championship is far more than just a sporting event, writes the online edition of the daily Dnevnik: "Although security worries dissuaded many fans from coming to the World Cup, the days to come will once more make clear why football is the king of sports. Far more than a game among 22 men on a playing field, this is a huge business, a modern religion, in which the very identification of a nation hinges on one of the most highly regarded challenges of modern time. Here a country may win prestige among all the world's peoples and nations. Many Slovenians are insufficiently aware that in our 19 years of history as an independent country our national team has twice acquired for itself an equal footing in the club of 32 national teams through an extremely arduous qualification system."
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More from the press review on the subject » Sport, » Slovenia, » South Africa
All available articles from » Joze Okorn
Público - Spain | Thursday, 10. June 2010
With the Football World Cup South Africa aims to present itself to the world as a modern nation on par with Brazil. According to the leftist daily Público it has little hope of achieving this: » more
With the Football World Cup South Africa aims to present itself to the world as a modern nation on par with Brazil. According to the leftist daily Público it has little hope of achieving this: "Clint Eastwood's film Invictus showed the general public how Nelson Mandela made the rugby world championship in 1995 the symbol of a new democratic, multiethnic and reconciled South Africa. Now the World Cup presents another golden opportunity for President Jacob Zuma. Not to demonstrate that the model still works but to promote his country as a superpower that aspires to assume a similar role to Lula's Brazil. It's doubtful that he will succeed. Firstly because even though it generates 40 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP, has fabulous mineral reserves and is a member of the G20, South Africa is no Brazil. … And Zuma is no Lula, and certainly no Mandela."
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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Sport, » Africa, » Latin Amerika, » Brazil, » South Africa
All available articles from » Luis Matías López
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