Four years ago, I remember rushing after work to make it to a friend's place in time to watch the World Cup final.
My shift had just ended and it lined up perfectly with the start of the game. I didn't have to sit through all of the pre-game pomp and circumstance. It was a match I was looking forward to as Spain met the Netherlands for the first time in the competition's history. Plus, both teams were playing an exciting brand of soccer heading into the final.
Following Spain's 1-0 win over the Dutch, I pledged to watch more soccer. It's the sort of mantra I take up after every major international tournament. But, I didn't live up to my end of the bargain.
Then, the UEFA European Championship in 2012 once again ignited my fever to watch more soccer. I remember watching every game that I could, even taking "water breaks" off the sales floor to check on scores in the break room. It was exciting to not have to request work off since the final culminated on Canada Day.
Again, I found myself congregated into a friend's basement who had much more on the line watching the final than I did. As his Italian side took the pitch against the defending World Cup and European Champion Spanish squad, the game was more about pestering him as opposed to cheering for the Dutch.
Luckily for me, the score did the taunting for me. The Spaniards throttled the Italians 4-0, winning their third consecutive major international tournament. Once again, I promised and then broke my promise to watch more soccer.
It's called the beautiful game for a reason. There are so many nuances at work when the 11 players on each side take the pitch for the match. It can definitely be intimidating jumping into this sport with little knowledge.
But now, heading into this World Cup, I feel the benefit of a small percentage of additional knowledge. I've been trying to focus on the Champions League specifically and working my way down into league competitions. Time has been spent reading opinion and strategy pieces on how teams will play out the competition. While my body has usually been ready for the World Cup, I'm trying to get my mind into peak form for the tournament as well.
As the World Cup is set to begin in Brazil Thursday afternoon when the hosts kick off the tournament against Croatia, it's time to look at some of the major storylines heading into the championship.
One is the host nation itself. Brazil is a five-time world champion and look to claim their sixth on home soil. Led by Barcelona forward Neymar, the Brazilians are seeking to advance past the quarter-finals for the first time since their title run at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Will Brazil receive a home-field advantage or crumble under the massive expectations as the Russian hockey team did at the Olympics in Sochi? If they can capture their sixth championship and be the first host to win the World Cup since Argentina in 1978, expect the party of the year to begin July 13 in Rio de Janeiro. But, if they don't reach the final, the streets may be unsafe.
It would be unfair to talk about this tournament and not mention Spain as they are the defending champions. They are returning much of the roster that led them to the title at UEFA Euro 2012. It's hard to imagine Spain not making a run deep into the tournament, but they find themselves in a tough situation. If they finish second in their group that also includes the Netherlands, it is extremely likely to see them line up against the Brazilians in the second round. Not the most favourable of match ups. However, due to the experience and talent on the Spanish side, they should be expected to be in contention for the championship. It is interesting to note no European side has won the World Cup in South America.
Speaking of England, it is a side that I follow the closest. Names like Frank Lampard, John Terry, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen were what I grew up on. With Lampard and Gerrard the only remaining players from that list, it's a young team that England is sending to Brazil. With their inexperience, England finds themselves in a struggle to make it out of their group as they are matched up with Costa Rica, Italy and Uruguay. It's not unreasonable to see the Three Lions fail to advance out of their group, keeping their World Cup drought alive since 1966.
But my rooting interests end with England. After using ESPN's bracket predictor, I see Spain defending their crown against Brazil. What a coincidence they are the teams I spent the most time talking about. However, teams like the Netherlands, Argentina and Germany could wind up in the final and I would not be surprised.
But, in my Brazil and Spain final, there is much at stake beside the championship trophy. If Spain wins, the futility of Europe in South America would be erased. It would also recognize Spain as a soccer dynasty for their fourth consecutive win in a major tournament.
Brazil is playing to reclaim the glory and stature being a member of Brazil's international team used to hold. While the Brazil squad is talented, without a World Cup win in 12 years, their supporters are restless. It's been set up perfectly for the Brazilians to win. They just have to take care of their business.
As for me, let's see if I can keep my soccer fever going into the start of the Barclay's Premier League in the fall of 2014.
