Reigning champions Spain will begin their defense of the World Cup with a rematch of the 2010 final against the Netherlands, while England were paired with Italy in Friday’s draw.
Spain, who won their first title in South Africa three years ago, start their Group B campaign against the three-time runners-up in Salvador on June 13.
They will also meet Chile, who they beat in the group stage in 2010, in Rio de Janeiro and Australia in Curitiba.
Photo: EPA
“I said to people this morning we were going to get Holland and we did, in the first game no less,” Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque said. “Holland will demand that we start at our highest level.”
Hosts and five-time champions Brazil were drawn to face Croatia in the opening game, scheduled for Sao Paulo on June 12 — assuming the venue is ready after a fatal accident last week delayed prospective completion until April.
Brazil will then take on Mexico and Cameroon in a Group A that appears unthreatening, if not easy.
“We must pay close attention to the opening phase,” Brazil’s 2002 title-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. “We must play every game as if it were the final right from the outset.”
England, meanwhile, will start off with a Group D meeting against four-time champions Italy in the heat of Amazonian venue Manaus on June 14 — though it is at least an evening kick-off.
That match is a repeat of the Euro quarter-final last year, which Italy won on penalties.
“It’s a tough group, there’s no doubt about that,” said England coach Roy Hodgson, whose team also face Uruguay, a third former champion in their group, and Costa Rica. “In Italy and Uruguay it’s almost as though we have got two number one seeds in our group.”
Italian opposite number Cesare Prandelli said the group looked a tough call.
“It is the Group of Death, a very difficult group. We are worried about the distances we shall have to cover. The game against England will be very important,” Prandelli said.
After the Italians, Hodgson’s side then take on Uruguay in Sao Paulo on June 19 and Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte on June 24.
A notable subplot will see Germany go up against the US, now coached by former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann in Recife on June 26 in their final pool match.
“That’s one of those crazy stories that football writes,” Klinsmann told German broadcaster ARD.
Germany, whose third and last title came in 1990, also drew Ghana and Portugal in Group G.
Klinsmann coached Germany to third at the 2006 World Cup with current German boss Joachim Loew his assistant at the time.
“So, we will be meeting old friends,” Loew said.
Argentina, champions in 1978 and 1986, meet sole newcomers Bosnia in Rio de Janeiro on June 15, and then will face Iran and Nigeria.
“I am pleased with the draw as we didn’t get into a group of death scenario and we also shan’t have to travel huge distances,” Argentina coach Alex Sabella said.
“It’s a good group for us,” Nigeria assistant coach Daniel Amokachi said. “Argentina are the world powers, but you cannot afford to underrate Iran or Bosnia. Overall, it’s a good draw.”
Former England boss Fabio Capello was happy after seeing his Russian side draw seeded Belgium, South Korea and Algeria in Group H.
“I’m pleased with the draw. Some of the other groups consist of much stronger teams,” Capello said, adding that “Belgium is currently one of the strongest European teams.”
France, champions in 1998, but forced to come through the playoffs, will meet Group E seeds Switzerland as well as Ecuador and Honduras in a mixed-bag group.
Japan, meanwhile, saw themselves lumped in with seeded Colombia, Ivory Coast and Greece in Group C.
After a poignant homage to the late Nelson Mandela, the draw began to the exhilarating sound of samba at the northeastern beach resort of Costa do Sauipe.
The draw build-up had been dominated by news of stadium delays and anti-World Cup campaigners threatening public protests.
Yet Mandela’s death changed the tone as participants remembered how he saw in sport a means of fostering social progress.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and