What Did the 2009 Confederations Cup Teach Us?

It's all over. The 2009 Confederations Cup is in the books and Brazil reigns supreme as the greatest team in the world.

Ok, maybe not. Or maybe so ... Hard to tell. What does the Confederations Cup really mean?

One thing the Cup does is serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup. This year's version surely showed the world what to expect come next summer: Raucous crowds, vuvuzelas and exciting play.

What else did we learn?

Here are five things we've learned from the Confederations Cup according to the Guardian's Johnathan Wilson, who was on the ground in South Africa.

#1 and 2 are interesting: Spain can be beaten and it's cold in the winter time in South Africa. Fair enough.

What do you think about #3? The world wide introduction of the vuvuzela?

"Those African trumpets?" Xabi Alonso said with a look of genuine disgust. "They make a terrible noise. I don't think it's a very good idea to have them on sale outside the grounds. Here's a piece of advice for Fifa: they should try to ban those things. It's not distracting but that noise is a bit annoying."

It seems like an innocent enough comment. Why, after all, shouldn't Alonso complain if something irks him? But it prompted fury among South African fans and was, it seems, part of the reason why the home crowd got behind the US in their semi-final victory over Spain. "South Africa is a noisy country," blasted a leader in the Daily Sun. "Foreigners should get used to it." A letter in the same paper, meanwhile, accused Alonso of being a modern-day conquistador.

You may know that the idea they're connected to the myth that baboons are killed by loud noise is farcical. You may know that they've only really been around for four or five years. You may despair of people who tell you that they're part of African football (they're not: I've been to three African Cups of Nations and heard the drumming of the Beninois and the Ivorians, the trumpets and trombones of the Nigerians, even the banjo-playing of Ali, the grinning and omnipresent Tunisian, but I'd never heard a vuvuzela until a fortnight ago). You may be driven slowly insane by them. But it's probably best not to mention it.

As far as I'm concerned, the noise kind of fades into the background once the play starts. I'm ok with them.

Wilson's 4th thing learned is that Brazil is pretty good. Kinda knew that already.

#5 is interesting. South Africa's almost ready. But not quite.

Two stories: a) driving back from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg, we ran out of fuel a couple of miles outside Soweto at 4am in a thick and swirling mist.

We walked to the nearest toll plaza, and were rescued by a short man with a moustache called November. He had no reason to help us but willingly hotwired his own car (I think), turned his hazard lights on and drove the wrong way up a slip road to get to a petrol station. His was merely an extreme example of the general welcoming attitude on the part of locals, fans and stewards.

b) After an excellent steak at the Melville Grill, I got a lift back to Sandton, where I was staying. I got out of the car, and went through the security gates, only vaguely aware of two vehicles screeching to a halt in the driveway. It was only the next day I found out what had happened next. The first car contained a white couple, in clear distress. The driver of the second car, who was black, leapt out, remonstrated angrily with the driver of the first, and then pulled a gun from a hip holster — at which the friend who had given me a lift sped off.

As he admitted, his first thought was that this was one of the car-jackings for which Johannesburg is notorious. Only later did it dawn on him that a carjacker probably wouldn't bother with a holster, and the likelihood was that the man with the gun was a plain-clothes police officer. But how on earth would you tell?

I can only rely on this journalist's view point and other man-on-the-ground reports I've read, such as this one from the BBC's Simon Austin.

So? What do you think?

Has Soccer Arrived in the USA?

Ok, so the United States gave Brazil all it could handle in the 2009 Confederations Cup final, falling to the 5-time World Cup champions, 3-2.

But what does it really mean?

According to the Boston Globe's Mark Stokes, this final could be the match that pushes soccer into the forefront of American sports.

David Beckham and MLS haven't done it. Can a spunky USA team in South Africa in 2009 do it?
Have a read and send us your opinion.

They came, they saw, and they almost conquered the world!

Bob Bradley’s US soccer team had their hearts broken in Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on Sunday, coming within sixteen minutes of one of the biggest shocks in footballing history, yet ultimately failing to lift the Confederations Cup thanks to a late one-two punch from five-time world champions, Brazil.

We kicked every ball with them, held our collective breath through countless Brazilian raids and thought the gods were on our side as the clock ticked down towards full time. But alas it was not to be!

After an enthralling opening half from the Screaming Eagles the underdogs lead 2-0 at the break. Clint Dempsey registered his third goal of the competition after only ten minutes, the Fulham midfielder ghosting into an advanced position and getting the slightest of touches to Jon Spector’s cross before watching the ball drift wide of Julio Caesar and into the corner of the net.

If the American players were in dreamland following Dempsey’s strike they were positively in Heaven seventeen minutes on when Landon Donovan led a breakout from inside his own half. The pint-sized striker fed Chalie Davies on the left and took a wonderful return pass from the former Boston College player. The LA front man still had much to do but produced a deft cut inside his marker, worthy of anyone in a Brazilian shirt, before unleashing an unstoppable shot past the goalkeeper to send his team mates wild with delight.

Suddenly the impossible dream was possible. But Brazil stormed back with a superb second-half display.

Luis Fabiano fired home within mere seconds of the restart, turning the brilliant Jay DeMerit before rifling a left foot shot past Tim Howard.

But the pressure proved too much at the other end and, after seeing Howard steal the ball from his feet, Luis Fabiano was on hand to convert a Kaka cross which skimmed across the face of the goal from the left - Robinho's initial shot hitting the crossbar and falling into the path of his strike partner.

Coming on 74 minutes the equalizer had the effect of dropping US heads and more than a couple of passes went astray in the middle of the park. The Americans had been brilliant under the aerial threat all week, but were found wanting on 84 minutes when Lucio was allowed time and room to meet Elano's corner with thundering header that flew off a post and into Howard's top right-hand corner to complete a remarkable comeback.

In the final analysis this was a tournament which instilled pride in the American soccer public more than any other venture in the past. This was also a tournament for all those soccer moms and dads who devote countless hours of their lives (and gallons of gas) to advancing their kids’ soccer education. Finally the parents can see tangible results and perhaps prospects for their offspring in years to come.

And take it from a European born soccer scribe, this is a team which showed many a nation across the pond about belief in oneself and possessing the courage to take on the so called ‘best in the world.’

The USA will be in next year’s World Cup in South Africa, of that there is little doubt now. Hopefully they’ll have the support of the nation this time around, not the half-hearted effort of years past. And it’s not every day of the week that we see foreigners sporting the star-spangled banner, but judging by the thousands of flag waving neutrals in the crowd at Ellis Park, this team has apparently done more for the image of America abroad than any politician in recent memory.

So move over David Beckham - your time has come and gone. US soccer is now in the hands of the blue collar kids from Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Texas and, more importantly, in the hands of a public which apparently has had its appetite whetted and cannot wait for next summer.

It’s a subject which has been debated for decades, but after all its trials and tribulations in the land of the free and the home of the brave, the time may now be at hand.

Whisper it very quietly: Soccer may finally have arrived in America.

FIFA Pleased with Confederations Cup

Now that the 2009 Confederations Cup is over (congrats to Brazil from a disgruntled American), how did it go?

The 2010 World Cup dress rehearsal seems to have gone over well with football's world governing body FIFA. The organization's president, Sepp Blatter, addressed the media today.

"South Africa is heading in the right direction and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the South African government have done an exceptional job, but there are still challenges to be addressed," Mr Blatter said.

He added that the hospitality, the stadiums and the reception by South Africans was wonderful, but emphasized that adequate accommodation, the transportation system, crowd control outside the stadium, the park-and-ride system and a few other logistics remained a major challenge.

"These challenges need to be addressed and I'm confident that the LOC working with FIFA and the government will pay attention to these challenges before the World Cup," he said.

Despite the challenges facing South Africa, Mr Blatter has given the country 7.5 points out of ten and encouraged the LOC to work hard to reach the maximum points during the much anticipated international sporting event.

He told reporters that as part of speeding up the process, the FIFA Organizing Committee will meet regularly with the LOC to discuss the challenges and how South Africa can improve in making this African World Cup the best ever.

Meanwhile, Mr Blatter met with South African President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who pledged to coordinate the process of preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

"The South African government has shown great commitment and as FIFA we will work with them and the LOC to ensure that South Africa and Africa at large deliver a flourishing World Cup which will leave a great legacy," he said.

MY POV: Now can we do something about the vuvuzelas?

I wasn't in South Africa. But from what I saw on my TV back in New York, the crowds looked like they were having fun. While this isn't in FIFA's bottom line, it's a good start.

South Africa's wonderful showing in getting to the semi finals didn't hurt either.

Now, onward and upward. The Cup's ever so close ...

Heartbreak for South Africa

South Africa came oh-so-close to advancing to the Confederations Cup final against the United States this Sunday. For now, they'll have to settle for a third-place match against Spain.



Still, the host nation's performance against Brazil in a 1-0 loss in the semi final has made believers of Bafana Bafana's supporters.

They showed heart, passion and true grit against one of the world's football giants. A bounce here and there and we'd be talking about South Africa, not Brazil, in the final.

Bafana Bafana skipper Joel Santana says his side have improved considerably during the Confederations Cup.

Santana thinks his team could prove competitive when they host the World Cup next year.

"We've improved a lot, it's been great for a lot of my young players," he said.

"It's their first competition at this level. That makes me very happy, it has been excellent preparation for the World Cup."

Santana said he was delighted with the steep learning curve climbed by his team at the two-week tournament, even though they scored only twice.

South Africa were beaten by a late Dani Alves free-kick by the five-time world champions at Ellis Park and the coach was proud of the team's performance.

"We played very well and it was great for our confidence," Santana said.

"We showed good discipline and great defense against a team who are five-time world champions and it was always going to be a difficult match."

Bafana had initially struggled under Santana - failing to make it to the last round of qualifying for the 2010 African Cup of Nations, but the Brazilian says his aim has always been the global showpiece next year.

"My task is to prepare the team for the World Cup," he said.

"Now I have my squad, I know all the players and their abilities. There are two or three positions that need improving but what is important is that we have many more testing matches ahead of us."

South Africa will play friendlies against Serbia, Germany, Ireland, Norway and Iceland between August and October.

MY POV: If you're South African, your head should be held up high today! The national team played their hearts out and gave the world a great exhibit of what could be next summer. Let's hope they improve as the year goes on and make an even better showing on the grand stage next year.

Confederations Cup: Unmarketable?

So says South African journalist Chris Moerdyk in a scathing editorial News24.com, a South African news web site.

Take a look ... also, make sure to read some of the harsh comments Mr. Moerdyk receives for his opinion, of which I agree ...

Confederations Cup important? Sure, I suppose so.

They're still glorified friendlies in my opinion. I'm more eager to see World Cup qualifying and the big show come next June.

Still, the games have been fun. And the vuvuzela ... oh, the vuvuzela ...

Here's the article ... agree?

While local football organisers have been singularly stupid and more than just a touch arrogant in handling the issue of marketing the Confederations Cup, when you look at it logically the event is probably unmarketable anyway.

I mean, just what do the critics mean when they say it hasn't been marketed? I get the impression that what most of them wanted to see was banners, flags and billboards all over the place - at airports, in main streets and shopping centres.

The point I want to make is would that have helped sell more tickets? Would that have attracted more TV viewers? In a nutshell, is hype on its own enough to do a marketing job?

And the answer is definitely no.

Like any product, a sporting event has to have certain essentials before it can be marketed.

It has to be relevant. It has to be desirable. And most of all it has to be affordable.

What made the recent IPL such a success? Certainly not a lot of marketing hype before it started. In fact, there was hardly any. However, the IPL was relevant in terms of cricket lovers being able to go and see some of the world's top players in action. It was also affordable.

Sure, the Confed Cup will see some of the world's top players in action. But, it is chickenfeed compared with a lot of the world's great football contests and with what's coming up in less than a year. And from what I am told about ticket prices, it is hardly affordable.

So, no amount of hype, marketing, pizzazz, billboards, flags and posters would really have done much to entice more interest than is already there.

And given that the objective of marketing is create and raise awareness of a product or service, I would suggest that anyone who was even vaguely interested in football knew darn well that the Confed Cup was coming.

Captive audience

Frankly, the only possible reason for making a massive marketing effort for the Confed Cup would have been to promote South Africa as a tourism and investment destination. But then, would this have been an efficient investment?

Probably not, given that the big publicity that this country will receive will be during the global TV broadcasts of this event and the 2010 World Cup when the country will be showcased.

That in my opinion, will be the most important part of the overall marketing effort because there will be a captive audience of billions.

Frankly, I'm not convinced that the Confed Cup is that marketable. Let's face it, the whole concept was created purely as an almost token dress rehearsal for World Cups. Marketing a sports event is damn difficult and sometime utterly pointless when the product isn't right.

Take the British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa. When they played against the Sharks last Wednesday, the stadium was practically empty. No amount of marketing would have made it any fuller. Why? Because with no Springboks in the Sharks team, the Lions were effectively playing against a very second rate team which they predictably thrashed.

Which meant that the product in that case, just wasn't relevant. It was a bit of a farce and the rugby public realised that before the game even started and just stayed away. No amount of marketing would have changed anything.

What to Do About the Vuvuzela (and some Vuvuzela Love)

According to Reuters, FIFA is to discuss the future of the vuvuzela, the noisy plastic trumpet blown at the Confederations Cup which has drawn complaints from European television stations. and bloggers like myself.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter told a media briefing he was aware of complaints the sound of the instrument was drowning out the commentary of broadcasters and that many wanted it banned at this tournament and next summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Blatter said soccer's governing body would discuss the matter with the organizers.

"It's a local sound and I don't know how it is possible to stop it," he said on Wednesday. "I always said that when we go to South Africa, it is Africa. It's not western Europe.

"It's noisy, it's energy, rhythm, music, dance, drums. This is Africa. We have to adapt a little."

Vuvuzelas, which have been given away free to fans, are a constant background to Confederations Cup games.

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso said: "I think they should be banned. They make it very difficult for the players to communicate with each other and to concentrate.

"They are a distraction and do nothing for the atmosphere," he added after his team's 1-0 win over Iraq.

MY POV: Ban them? Hmm ... let's not go that far. They're just a part of the game in South Africa. But ban them, you say ... hmm ... You know what? Let me think on that one ...

As a commenter on South Africa's Times so eloquently put it:

Vuvuzelas were created by South Africans for South Africa’s soccer-loving people.

They are proudly South African and are approved by soccer’s governing body Fifa.

We are not going to stop blowing our vuvuzelas just because we now have the Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup. I bet these vuvuzela-haters only watch the English Premier League and some European leagues.

This is Africa, not Europe. If you don’t like vuvuzelas, tough luck.

Buy yourself a vuvuzela and I’ll happily teach you to blow it. Remember: if you can’t beat them, join them.

FREE Tickets to Confederations Cup

Are you in South Africa and in need of tickets to the FIFA Confederations Cup?

Well, you might be in luck! 

FIFA's giving away free tickets! 

FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said a number of complimentary (i.e. FREE) tickets will be handed out to institutions "which have been very supportive of the event." 

MY POV: I've been supportive, no?

Maingot didn't say how many tickets would be handed out for some of the remaining group matches.

The FIFA spokesman said schools and local authorities will be among the recipients of the free tickets.

After a near sell-out in the opening match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, matches in Rustenburg, Pretoria and Bloemfontein have all been played in stadiums nowhere near capacity.

Meanwhile, South Africa's trade union confederation has said the low attendances are an embarrassment to the country.

"The Congress of South African Trade Unions urgently calls upon South Africans to buy more tickets and attend the Confederations Cup matches in greater numbers," congress spokesman Patrick Craven said in a statement.

"The low turnouts at some matches have been a serious embarrassment to the country and must be improved upon, if we are to demonstrate to the world our passion for soccer, and to remove any doubts about our commitment to the 2010 World Cup tournament."

MY POV: I think people are over blowing the Confederations Cup attendance issue. For starters, these matches are essentially friendlies. Everyone knows the main event comes next summer. 

Do you really think there will be an attendance problem for the World Cup? If you do, I have a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn ... 

The Vuvuzela

Have you been watching the Confederations Cup from South Africa?

So far, so good.

A great game yesterday between African champions Egypt against Brazil, which ended on a controversial penalty called by English referee Howard Webb. 4-3 was the final score for Brazil but the Egyptians have nothing to be ashamed about.

My home country, the United States, was blasted by reigning World Champions Italy, 3-1.

It wasn't even that close, especially when the US went down to 10 men. Back to the drawing board and another tough match against the Brazilians.

The Confederations Cup is going along smoothly. But this isn't what this post is about.

This post is about the vuvuzela, the trumpet brandished by South African fans at the games.

I'm saying right here and right now: It has to go!

I mean this with all respect to South Africa and it's culture. I'm sure the vuvuzela is a huge part of their sporting culture.

Here, take a look at this video. The vuvuzela sounds so nice in it!



The vuvuzela is an important part of South African football culture, as this passage here indicates ...

BRIGHTLY coloured, plastic, a metre long and weighing about 100 grams, the trumpeting vuvuzela is the sound of football in South Africa.

Some say its history goes way back in time - long before football was the country’s most popular sport. The first vuvuzela, it is said, was the kudu horn used to call African villagers to community meetings ...

Made of plastic, they come in a variety of colours - the standard primary red, blue and yellow, with a smattering of green too. But the most popular are those in club colours: black or white for fans of Orlando Pirates, yellow for Kaizer Chiefs, and so on.

And the sound? An elephant, a swarm of angry bees, a fog horn - whatever it is, it is loud. When there's action near the goal mouth, it is something to behold; a sound you are unlikely to forget in a hurry.

The cacophony gets louder and more frantic towards the end of the game ...

"There is an old African saying that goes like this: 'The baboon is killed by a lot of noise'. We make as much noise as we can to confuse our opponents on the field," said Mafani. "Remember this game is not like golf or tennis, where you are actively encouraged to keep quiet. This is a loud game."

In this advertisement for the Confederations Cup, the vuvuzela takes center stage, calling all Africans to make their way to South Africa and enjoy the matches.



Unfortunately, this sound is what we often get from matches ...



I'm here to say: PLEASE STOP!!

The noise is maddening! It's like a swarm of bees, living in my head! The sound doesn't go away. I watch the match for a few hours, then go off to cook dinner and what do I hear? The vuvuzela!

I'm dozing off after a long day and what do I hear? The vuvuzela!!

I wake up and take a shower, drink my morning coffee and start working and what do I hear? THE VUVUZELA!!!

Ok, I'm exaggerating ... but really, what do we do about these instruments?

South Africans, what's your experience with the vuvuzela?

Let us know!

FIFA Unhappy with Empty Stadiums in South Africa

Been watching the 2009 Confederations Cup? Noticed anything?

If you're an astute observer, you've probably noticed the abundance of empty seat at the stadiums in South Africa.

Apparently, so have FIFA. And they're not too happy about this.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that unsold tickets for Confederations Cup matches should be given away rather than have empty seats at games after disappointing opening day crowds.

Blatter told a news briefing before the start of the competition's third match between Brazil and Egypt that he had held a meeting with organizers on Monday morning after neither of Sunday's games attracted capacity crowds.

"I had a meeting with the organizing committee this morning, and I think they should have done a little bit more to bring more people to the stadium. They could have given the empty seats at Ellis Park to the boys and girls who had taken part in the opening ceremony. They could have watched the match. There must be some action taken for the rest of the competition. To have half-empty stadiums is not FIFA. They have to do something about it.

"We know that the prices of the tickets cannot be too high, but bring the young people or the poor people into the stadium, and nobody will be offended by that."

The attendance at the match between five-times world champions Brazil and African champions Egypt, which Blatter attended was also disappointingly low with the 40,000-capacity Free State Stadium only about half full when the match kicked off.

Blatter added: "We were not happy with the crowd at the opening match (South Africa v Iraq) or on Sunday evening when the European champions Spain were playing New Zealand in Rustenburg. It is up to the organizers, the local media, to get the message across."

Organizers of this event and next year's World Cup finals have called for a better response from the South African public for the games.

"You can take a horse to water but you can't force it to drink," organizing committee spokesman Rich Mkhondo told a news briefing earlier in the day in Johannesburg.

"We have emphasized many times this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Our job is to stage the event but it is up to the South African nation to attend it."

Despite the Confederations Cup being the first major footballing event of its kind on the African continent, South Africa played against Iraq to a crowd of under 50,000 in a 61,000-capacity stadium at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

Attendance at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg for the match between European champions Spain and New Zealand was 21,649, just over half its 42,000 capacity.

The cheapest ticket prices are 70 rand ($8.69) more than three times the price of ticket for South African league matches.

MY POV: This has to be equally embarrassing for both South Africa and FIFA.

But honestly, who really cares about this cup? It's a glorified exhibition dressed up and sold as important. Everyone knows the World Cup next summer is the main event. Many South Africans are probably saving their pennies for that event.

Why bother with this one?

Sure, there's good football to be seen. But what does winning the Confederations Cup really mean when the World Cup is next summer?

3 Things We've Learned So Far at the 2009 Confederations Cup

The 2009 Confederations Cup kicked off yesterday in South Africa.
We've seen four games. What have we learned so far?

1 - Spain is very, very good.

As in, VERY good. I may be a bit biased here, as I absolutely adore this team. But how can anyone argue with players like Xavi, David Villa, Fernando Torres and Iker Casillas?

They're balanced. They defend well. They score. They have a tight midfield. And they're playing this good without the services of Andres Iniesta.

True, they played a weak New Zealand squad. Still, the world's #1 ranked team looks like a winner, in every facet of the game.

2 - South Africa is not very good.

Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana said he wanted to be judged on what the team did in competitive matches, not on the results of friendlies.

Yesterday's drab 0-0 encounter with Iraq was a poor showing in many ways. Not only was it a bad game to watch, it also exposed South Africa as a team devoid of width and pace.

Counter that with a choppy playing surface and one can see why they struggled yesterday.

They'll have to play all guns blazing to run at a New Zealand team looking for redemption after their 5-0 rout at the hands of Spain. Let's hope Bafana Bafana does better this time around.

3 - The vuvuzelas are driving me crazy!

The vuvuzela, an air horn, approximately one meter in length, commonly blown by fans at soccer matches in South Africa, makes an interesting sound.

30,000 of them blowing in unison at a football match and it sounds like a bee swarm about to devour you!

Annoying is a word I'd like to use. Maddening is probably closer to what I'm feeling.

Wow, what a sound! And it never ends ... just keeps going and going and going ...

Someone make it stop!

So ... what do you think?

Confederations Cup a Preview of World Cup

The 2010 World Cup is exactly one year away.

This Sunday marks the start of South Africa's dry run - the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Many observers see this tournament, pitting South Africa and world champions Italy against football's six continental winners as a good indication of what to expect come next year.

With South Africa in the middle of their winter season, temperatures are expected to be quite chilly.

Johannesburg suffers its lowest annual temperatures in June and July, averaging 10°C (50 F).

Cape Town is warmer but has its heaviest rains at this time of year.

With night matches set to be cold, it will be up to both the players and the fans to generate some warmth.

Teko Modise, one of South Africa's potential Confederations Cup stars, is sure the local supporters will provide a colorful event.

"We've never seen a tournament like this, which is why everyone in South Africa is excited - everyone's favorite players are coming," explains the Orlando Pirates' play maker.

"The fans will come out in numbers and I imagine that if I wasn't a footballer, I'd be buying my vuvuzela right now and donning my Bafana Bafana jersey."

What's a vuvuzela?

It's nothing more than a simple horn made of plastic, which generates a noise often compared to a swarm of bees when blown by thousands of supporters. MY POV: Is this like the plastic horns blown by fans at Major League Soccer games in the USA? Oh NO ...

Visitors will hear the vuvuzela for themselves when South Africa start the Confederations Cup by taking on Iraq in Johannesburg on Sunday.

They follow it up with Group A clashes against New Zealand and Spain.

Group B, meanwhile, features Brazil, Italy, the United States and African champions Egypt.

World Cup Organizers Optimistic One Year Ahead of Cup

We're one year away, folks!

One year until the opening of the world's biggest sporting event - the 2010 World Cup!

I'm excited! And so are the South African organizers, who are confident everything in South Africa will be ready on time.

Danny Jordaan, head of the South African Organizing Committee, even promised visiting fans will be embraced, not mugged, when they show up! I wouldn't mind that ...

"As things stand at the moment, we are very confident," said Jordaan, adding that some manufacturing unrest could still hamper progress. "It is not a straight line. It is a roller coaster."

Still, considering years of criticism that South Africa would not be able to pull off hosting the world's biggest sporting event and after calls for FIFA to come up with Plan B for 2010, Jordaan claimed a partial victory with the opening of the new stadium in Port Elizabeth, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

"It was completed more than 12 months before the World Cup starts," said Jordaan, calling it unprecedented.

For this month's Confederations Cup, a dry run for the World Cup, FIFA is using four World Cup stadiums which needed little upgrading.

Much international concern has centered on security. Jordaan sought to allay fears.

He pointed to the organization of the Twenty20 Indian Premier League tournament at short notice, which ended without any security incidents.

"This country has the capacity to safeguard events like no other country," he said, adding that South Africa had already organized 146 major events without a hitch. MY POV: 146?

Even if stadiums and teams can be easily secured, many fear fans from across the world will run into trouble.

South Africa has among the highest murder and rape rates in the world and has gained an international reputation as a violent country.

The government and local organizers are hoping to alleviate people's fears ahead of next year's Cup.

"We don't want you to have an experience in this country of fear and anxiety," Jordaan said. "You will find people warm and embracing.

"You should not be any more worried than when you walk in Atlanta or Toronto or any other city of the world."

MY POV: Jordaan is certainly optimistic. There's just no way of knowing if what he says is true until next year's Cup. The proof will be in the pudding, as they say.

Does the FIFA Confederations Cup Matter?

I've been trying to get myself excited for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, which starts June 14th.

But honestly, I could care less.

I know what people are saying:

Brazil-Italy should be great!
The world's #1 team Spain is playing!
Will Egypt perform on the big stage?
How will Iraq do?
And will South Africa put on a good show one year before the World Cup?
Is SA ready?

I also know that the Confederations Cup is a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, the introduction of global tournament play to the continent of Africa and an important tournament for continental champions.

Still, it feels like fixture congestion to me.

Many of these players just got done competing in their domestic league championships. Now they'll be in South Africa instead of resting their weary bones.

Also, some of these countries still have World Cup qualifying to take care of. When?!? Doesn't this seem excessive to anyone?

I know it's an important dress rehearsal for South Africa. Couldn't they do something else? Like hold a local tournament or invite club teams over for pre-season training?

Maybe it just feels inconsequential.

For the point of debate, I'm including comments from Danny Jordaan, CEO of the South Africa 2010 World Cup Organizing Committee. Writing an editorial in South Africa's Daily Dispatch, Jordaan makes the case for the importance of the Cup.

What do you think?

I disagree with those who believe that the Confederations Cup, which begins on June 14, is not a serious tournament.

While I can understand that some people are making a comparison between it and the 2010 World Cup, the Confed Cup is absolutely crucial for South Africa.

It is the official dress rehearsal for the World Cup next year, and in so many respects it will set the tone for the global showpiece.

In a nutshell, it will test our preparedness and provide valuable pointers in so many areas on the road ahead.

Crucially, it will usher in a vital new culture of football in our country in which we play host to some of the world’s top soccer nations – their teams, officials, supporters and media – while imparting to our own communities the significance of their role in playing, administrating, supporting and reporting the beautiful game.

Positive outcomes in the execution of the Confed Cup imperatives will instill an immense sense of confidence, here and abroad, in respect of our progress in putting on the best World Cup of them all.

In order to do that, however, we must stage the best Confed Cup of them all.

And to borrow a famous phrase of another soccer-lover, US President Barack Obama: “Yes we can!”

Indeed, the fact that this is a tournament involving all six of Fifa’s football confederations, as well as the holders of the World Cup and hosts, South Africa, means that the message it sends out will reach right across the globe and be consumed by all those football nations who will play in next year’s World Cup. The best marketing brains like to use the phrase “advertising you cannot buy” – and that’s exactly the promise that the Confed Cup holds for South Africa.

Permit me to use an example from another sport.

Cricket SA recently agreed at the shortest notice to stage the Indian Premier League – eight teams representing the best players in the world in 59 back- to-back matches.

By all accounts, it was an extraordinary success – providing advertising that South Africa just could not buy.

The IPL in South Africa was not just good for cricket but did wonders in enhancing South Africa’s credibility as a preferred destination to host global events of any nature.

Apart from the acclaim from abroad, the extravaganza re-instilled confidence in all South Africans in our capability to stage and enjoy a great sporting experience – and to extend the red carpet of hospitality to any and every nation.

This is the promise of the Confed Cup in which we have the honour to welcome the top footballers from Italy, Brazil, Spain, Egypt, the US, Iraq and New Zealand.

By ensuring their comfort, security and enjoyment, we do not just embrace them – we embrace the world.

For South African soccer followers, there is the rare opportunity of seeing many of the world’s great teams and players in action at our home grounds – a year ahead of the World Cup itself.

This is a gilt-edged opportunity for Bafana Bafana to play in this exalted company, test themselves against the best, and for us to cheer them on.

What better opportunity can there be for them, and for us?

There is a misconception that next month’s tournament cannot provide a true measure of our preparedness for the “main event” because the host cities and venues that will stage the matches of the Confed Cup 2009 do not include all those for the World Cup 2010.

This is simply not so because those World Cup host cities and stadiums that do not form part of the Confederations Cup programme are all preparing on the same template and will thus enjoy the rare opportunity to monitor closely next month’s operational plan to ensure that they, too, are on track ahead of 2010.

Also all those people working on the Confed Cup – think of the thousands of volunteers – will take their hard- earned experience into 2010.

And all those South African soccer lovers who cannot wait to revel in the once-in-a-lifetime experience of 2010 now have the privilege to raise the roof early in 2009.

Is this month’s tournament an important one for all of us?

You bet it is.

Almost 400,000 Confed. Cup Tickets Sold

Tickets are selling fast for the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa, which hits us square between the eyes in mere weeks - 25 days to be exact!

“With just 25 days to the kick-off of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, a total of 383,506 tickets have now been sold,” the world soccer body FIFA said in a statement.

This was 63 percent of the total number of tickets available.

The majority of tickets were sold in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Some matches, including the opening match between South Africa and Iraq, the semi-final and the final were already sold out.

MY POV: Get your tickets now!!! And get me one while you're at it ...

How Important is the Confederations Cup?

386 days until the start of the 2010 World Cup ...

More importantly, 25 days until South Africa's dry run - the 2009 Confederations Cup.

So how important is the Confederations Cup?
Is it just a dry run for the host country?

Or is it a prestigious football championship, to be fought over like a continental title?

Dr. Nikolaus Eberl of Bizcommunity.com, 'the B2B site of choice in South Africa,' thinks the Cup is mostly about impressions.

At a recent media briefing in Johannesburg, FIFA TV director Niclas Ericson said a lot hinged on the success of the Confederations Cup and how well South Africa does in this tournament. "The impression about SA that visitors will make after the conclusion of the Confederations Cup will be the one that will stay with the international community until the world cup next year.

"We expect that there will be a few problems here and there and we welcome criticism from visitors. That is what the tournament is for and hopefully all those mistakes are rectified ahead of the world cup. But there is only room for small mistakes and not big ones," explained Ericson.

Eberl tries to tie this win with the last incantation of the Confederations Cup, Germany's 2005 dry run of the successful 2006 tournament.

What were the pluses and minuses of that tournament?

On the plus side, the tournament was a ticketing success, with 92% of the tickets sold.
The quality of the football was good and host country Germany did well, finishing in 3rd place.

The minuses?

• During the final, which saw Brazil pitted against Argentina, the roof of the Frankfurt stadium was leaking, which caused huge embarrassment, as rain showers were gushing down and the corner section of the pitch was hit badly.
  
  
• Security breaches caused German LOC boss Franz Beckenbauer sleepless nights, as more than once so-called ‘runners' jumped the fences and sprinted towards their heroes, in particular Ronaldinho and German goalie Jens Lehman, leaving many observers to wonder whether the German police was up to the task of guaranteeing player safety.
  
  
• Ambush branding was a hot topic during the 2005 Confed Cup, when a German automobile service supplier, TüV Süd, launched a branded zeppelin that circled the Nuremberg stadium repeatedly, causing major embarrassment for the organizers.

At the end of the 2005 tournament, the media's verdict was: “Participants and fans alike ended up unanimous on one thing. The FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005 left them wanting more - more football and more thrills."

Can the 2009 incantation do the same? We'll find out, starting in 25 days ...

2009 Confederations Cup FAQ

26 Days to Go: 2009 Confederations Cup FAQ

We're 26 days from the start of FIFA's 2010 World Cup dry run in South Africa, the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Like many of you, I have no idea what the Confederations Cup is.

Let's spend the next 26 days previewing the Cup, answering questions and becoming Confederations Cup experts!

First, we'll answer the pressing question of the day: What is the Confederations Cup?
Then we'll preview the teams, the groups, the stadiums and follow the action until a champion is crowned June 28th!

Let's get to it!

The easiest way of starting this is by answering the most important questions.
I'll use a simple Q and A format for this first post.

Q: So, what's the Confederations Cup?

A: The FIFA Confederations Cup is a national team football tournament, held every four years by FIFA. It is contested by the winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships (Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Oceania) plus the previous World Cup winner and the host country, bringing the total to eight.

According to the South African Times, 'The eight team championship is now regarded as second only in prestige to the World Cup finals and is hosted 12 months before the World Cup finals in order for Fifa and the Local Organising Committee to test the readiness of their stadiums and infrastructures ahead of the world showpiece. Most coaches and countries regard the 2009 Confederations Cup as a dress rehearsal for the 2010 showpiece.'

Q: When is the Cup?

A: It starts in 26 days, June 14th. It lasts until June 28th. Two weeks.

Q: Who is in the Cup?

A: The eight teams this year are ...

1. South Africa - Host nation
2. Italy - 2006 World Cup champions
3. USA - North American champions
4. Brazil - South American champions
5. Iraq - Asian champions
6. Egypt - African champions
7. Spain - European champions
8. New Zealand - Oceania champions

Q: Where will the matches be held?

A: Four cities will host matches.

1. Johannesburg (Coca Cola Park)
2. Pretoria (Loftus Versfeld Stadium)
3. Bloemfontein (Free State Stadium)
4. Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium)

Q: What are the matches, group stages, etc.?

A: The eight teams are divided into two groups, A and B. A random draw was held and teams from the same confederation were not drawn into the same group
Here's how it breaks down ...



Group A
South Africa
Iraq
New Zealand
Spain

Group B
USA
Italy
Brazil
Egypt

The most anticipated first round matchup takes place on June 21st when Brazil takes on defending world champions Italy.

Brazil are defending Confederations Cup champions. The 5-time world champions beat Argentina in the final in Germany in 2005.

Q: What's the schedule?

A: Please click here for a match schedule.

Q: Where's the final held?

A: The top two teams in each group advance to the knock out stages.
Group winners will face the other group's runner-up in the semifinals.
The final will be held June 28th in Johannesburg's Coca Cola Park.

Q: Any history?

A: I've no clue. But how about we scour the 'net for some answers?

According to Wikipedia, the tournament has its origins in the King Fahd Cup, held in Saudi Arabia in 1992 and 1995 and contested by the Saudi Arabian national side and a few continental champions.

FIFA took over the running of the competition in 1997, renaming it the FIFA Confederations Cup and staging the tournament every two years up until 2005.

In 2005, FIFA decided to hold the tournament every four years - one year before the World Cup, in the World Cup host country - making it more or less an official dress rehearsal for the World Cup.

Previous Confederations Cup tournaments:

• 1997: Saudi Arabia (winner Brazil)
• 1999: Mexico (winner Mexico)
• 2001: South Korea/Japan (winner France)
• 2003: France (winner France)
• 2005: Germany (winner Brazil)

Confederations Cup Update

South Africa has sold half of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup tickets - about 320,000 of the almost 640,000 tickets.

This is good news, as South African Cup organizers recently complained about the sluggish ticket sales.

The Confederations Cup starts on June 14 at the Ellis Park stadium as hosts South Africa play Asian champions Iraq.

About 95 % of the tickets have been purchased by South Africans, according to the World Cup Organising Committee South Africa (OC).

“After opening the ticketing sales for the FIFA Confederations Cup to the corporate market two months ago, we are very pleased with the feedback of the local business community. We do hope, that with the opening of the ticketing centers we will now have a similar positive response of the general republic,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.

“From now on, with the launch of the ‘over the counter’ sales in ticketing centers, we are convinced it will be even easier for our football supporters to obtain tickets. By simplifying the process we are certain South Africans will now find it easier to purchase their tickets and we hope this will create the necessary demand to sell out all matches for the tournament,” said Danny Jordaan, CEO of the Organizing Committee.

MY POV: Fans can only hope South Africa puts on a decent tournament this summer. The Confederations Cup is usually a dry run of the real thing - the World Cup - which comes next summer.

Having ticketing centers is a wise move, as fans won't queue up at the stadium and cause havoc, as has been seen in other countries before.

The Organizing Committee seems pleased. All systems are go for this summer's tournament. Are they ready for the storm next year? Wait and see ...

An Interview With FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke

This, an interview by South African newspaper the Daily Dispatch with FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke.

I wish I could say I snagged this interview, but we're a few months away from that. (That's me being optimistic. Nice touch, eh?)

Check it out at the link above or read it here.

The highlights? Optimism abounds ahead of the 2010 World Cup and the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Have a go at the interview. It's enlightening.

Q: With less than 400 days to the 2010 opening match, do you feel South Africa is on course to host the greatest World Cup ever?

We are now really entering the final lap of this momentous journey, with the FIFA Confederations Cup a little more than 70 days ahead and the FIFA World Cup only 62 weeks away. But we have a clear plan of what must be accomplished in the days that remain. The reassurance and commitment by the authorities in charge make us confident with the way things are progressing in those areas. The staging of an event of the magnitude of the World Cup is challenging for any host nation.

Q: What are your impressions of the preparations for the Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup?

We are on track. I will not say that we are ready, definitely not, but there is no real red light where we have the feeling that we are facing a real challenge in some of the issues we have. But there is still a lot of work to do and the most important thing is we cannot lose any days; I mean we are ... in ... very, very tight timing, that’s why it’s important now to make sure we will deliver with the Local Organising Committee, or the LOC will deliver with Fifa on time.

Q: In your opinion, what needs to be done to make this World Cup a success?

We still have more than a year to go before the World Cup; right now, obviously, the focus is on the Confederations Cup which is a major yardstick on the way to 2010. We have to make the tournament a success. It’s the perfect time for us to rehearse ... and to make sure that we will be able to have a list of things still to be done by, let’s say, the end of June; so that’s why it’s so important to have the Confederations Cup. It’s also a way to start and to learn how to work together – between the South Africans, the LOC and Fifa.

Q: The last time you were in South Africa, you seemed unimpressed with the amount of advertising; what are your impressions now?

The reason I had raised the issue of lack of (street) branding, was because I thought with six months to go, the tournament was not visible enough on the streets. For example, in Germany, I think they ran lots of ticket promotional material for the Confederations. What we need to see is the passion from the streets; we need to see South Africans excited about this event. After all, it’s their tournament.

Q: From your experience, and with the time left to the World Cup, are the people of South Africa in a World Cup mood?

We were delighted to learn that according to a recent opinion poll by Sport & Marketing, three out of every four respondents are confident the country will be ready to host the biggest show on earth, and a staggering 88percent say that they are proud to be the host nation. This fervour is also already palpable and it is always a pleasure for me to come to South Africa as everybody is so proud and excited to host 2010, from the President of the country to the workers on the street.

Q: Is Fifa satisfied with ticket sales for both the World Cup and Confederations Cup?

The response on the World Cup tickets has been impressive; we have been overwhelmed by the applications that we have received. We have received more than one million ticket applications; by any standards, that is very good. That means in four weeks, more than one million people in 160 countries have already declared their interest in this event; that’s good. However, in terms of ticket sales for the Confederations Cup we need the buy-in of the South African public; people from this country must rally behind the event. We cannot have a situation in the Confederations Cup whereby the host nation plays in front of a half-empty stadium. This would be very bad for South Africa and its image on a global scale.

Q: Do you have any security concerns? What measures do you think still need to be put in place?

It’s true that security is number one on the list of such an event, but this is also true for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil or the upcoming events in Nigeria and Egypt. Our job is to make sure that every fan, every official, every journalist and every player that comes to SA in the Confederations Cup and the World Cup, will be safe. We want to deliver a safe World Cup. I must commend the SA government who have also devised a very strong security plan, which includes deploying more police during the 2010 World Cup. Fifa’s belief in these commitments is reinforced by the fact that in the past South Africa has successfully hosted major international sporting events such as the rugby and cricket World Cups including the successful African Cup of Nations.

Q: Does the country have enough accommodation to accommodate the influx of expected visitors?

Well, to be honest, accommodation is still a challenge. As of today, I think we have about 35000 secured rooms of the 55000 beds required during the event period. That means we need to secure another 20000 more beds before next year. So our service partner, Match, is working closely with the tourism industry to solve this situation.

Q: Do you think the transport system, including the Gautrain, will be up to scratch?

Minister Jeff Radebe has assured us that they have a very good transport plan in place for the tournament, to cater for the influx of visitors.

Q: In your opinion, do you think Bafana Bafana’s performances on the field have improved? Do you think they will be ready to put up a competitive performance come 2010?

The success of a home team is always important for any event, and that is no different for the South African national team. But one other thing that the people of South Africa must remember, is this – if another African side goes all the way, they must support that team. For us, it will be great if an African side goes to the semi-finals and beyond.

Q :What legacy do you hope will be left after 2010?

We have always said that this World Cup must have a lasting legacy not only for the people of South Africa, but for the rest of the African continent. You must remember, it is for the first time in the history of Fifa that ... (a) World Cup is hosted on African soil; that in itself is a legacy. What we want is that, 20 years from now, people in SA should have fond memories of this tournament. For a country that has achieved so much since 1994, I’m positive that SA will make the rest of Africa very proud.

Will the 2010 World Cup Sell Out?

There's a slight bit of concern within the annals of FIFA that not all of the tickets to South Africa's 2010 World Cup will be sold.

What's this being based on? Slow sales for the upcoming Confederations Cup in June.

But FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke told reporters not to worry. All is well.

"The culture in South Africa is to buy tickets on match days but the system FIFA imposed is more strict. We are working now on different policies. For the World Cup it is different. There are at least 28 matches of the 64 that are sold out. Definitely the demand is huge."

Valcke said two thirds of the World Cup tickets had gone to the international market, with fans in the United States and England buying the most.

Demand will pick up further once fans know which teams have qualified and following December's draw.

"All is under control. All the stadiums for the World Cup will be delivered by December 2009 except one in Cape Town which will be ready by Feb 2010," Valcke added.

MY POV: Valcke's probably right. Also, with the world economic crisis, who wants to spend money so far in advance of the the Cup?

I'm more than positive this event will sell out.

The Confederations Cup? That's another story ... I'm interested, but how many people, here or there, really care?

FIFA: South Africa Must Do More to Promote World Cup

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke thinks South Africa must do more to promote this year's Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup.

But doesn't an event like the World Cup promote itself?

"I haven't seen a single promotion for the Confederations Cup and also not a single one for the World Cup," he told a news conference.

"It is impossible to bring people to the stadium if we do not promote the Confederations Cup," he said.

World Cup Organizing Committee chief executive officer Danny Jordaan criticized what he saw as a lack of enthusiasm in the country.

"There is only one country that will host this World Cup and that is South Africa. And yet you find countries like Canada, Australia are more enthusiastic it seems than our own South African population," he said.

"The same situation applies for the Confederations Cup."

The Confederations Cup, seen as a World Cup appetizer, will take place from June 14-28. Valcke said a company had been hired to advertise both events.

Jordaan said 170,000 tickets had been sold so far for the Confederations Cup.

MY POV: I'd be more than happy to help promote the Confederations Cup at a very cheap price ... maybe airline tickets to South Africa and tickets to a few games?

Call my agent ... we'll set it up ... (I kid, but I'm serious too ...)