Aachen World Championship

Andreas Helgstrand's mare Blue Hors Matine entertains in the Free Style Championships (2006)



These championships take place annually in Aachen - often while we're in the area.

WM Film? Natuerlich!

Did they make a film of the World Cup in Brazil?  But of course!

Check out this trailer:



There's plenty of footage not yet seen by me . . . Was macht der Thomas Mueller in einem Dirndl???

Union Berlin's stadium turned into giant living room

filled with fans' couches 

for World Cup viewing party!

By Brooks Peck June 13, 2014 1:04 AM Dirty Tackle

(Reuters)

A German event agency had a brilliant idea — to invite fans to Union Berlin's stadium to watch World Cup games. But instead of having them all sit in those hard stadium seats, they allowed people to bring their own sofas as they turned the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei (Stadium near the old Forester's house) into a giant living room complete with 38,000 square feet of retro wallpaper around the 700-inch screen.

Dubbed the World Cup living room and inspired by fans chanting about the stadium being their home at Union Berlin matches, 780 sofa were registered and set up on the pitch with end tables and lamps for a delightful evening of World Cup viewing.

(AP)

According to 3News, 12,000 fans were expected to attend the viewing party for the Brazil-Croatia match with 3,000 watching from their sofas. But this will go on for the entire World Cup. Or until Germany lose and people start throwing couches at the screen.

United Passions - FIFA Film

Firma Adidas spielt Held?  Oder nicht?

U.S. 23-man roster is youthful, but inexperienced

Kelly Whiteside, USA TODAY Sports10:52 p.m. EDT May 22, 2014

(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)

Looking beyond the stunning news about (eliminating) Landon Donovan, the U.S.'s 23-player roster is long on youth (and German-Americans) and short on World Cup experience.

Five German-Americans earned a spot, including 18-year-old Julian Green. The son of a U.S. serviceman who was born in Florida and raised in Germany has played just one game in a U.S. jersey. John Brooks, 21, has made just three appearances with the Americans. Timmy Chandler, Jermaine Jones and Fabian Johnson were the other dual-national picks.

MORE: Donovan excluded from US World Cup roster

Five of Jurgen Klinsmann's final seven cuts were MLS players. Though there are 10 MLS players on the team, a few more were expected. Even so, compared to the 2010 roster which included just four MLS players, the number is significant.

Defender DeAndre Yedlin, 20, has played in just two national team games and earned his spot through his solid MLS play. His Seattle Sounders teammate, Brad Evans, a regular during World Cup qualifying at right back, did not.

Six players on the final roster have been on previous World Cup teams, including five with playing experience, the lowest number since 1990 when the US returned to the World Cup after a 40-year drought. Four years ago in South Africa, then coach Bob Bradley brought six Americans with World Cup playing experience.

ARMOUR: Donovan snub doesn't diminish accomplishments

The roster wasn't all about youth. MLS veteran Chris Wondolowski, 31, who has a knack for poaching goals, earned a spot after being repeatedly praised by Klinsmann for giving "a 1,000 percent." Midfielder Kyle Beckerman, 32, will also make his World Cup debut, earning praise when paired alongside Michael Bradley, enabling the U.S. star to push forward.

Then there's DeMarcus Beasley who will become the first American to play in four World Cups. (Claudio Reyna and Kasey Keller were each on four World Cup rosters but did not play in all four.) Beasley, who turns 32 on Saturday, is the only defender with World Cup experience but in those three tournaments, he played midfield.

Wise Guys Wir sind ein bisschen Brasil

Hey Baby, das wird ein heißer Sommer..



Worum geht dieses Lied?

U.S. National Team Starts Training in Brazil

Wall Street Journal

Manager Jurgen Klinsmann Working With MLS-Based Side

By Paulo Winterstein    Jan. 14, 2014 6:07 p.m. ET

SÃO PAULO—U.S. men's soccer coach Jurgen Klinsmann played down the long distances and muggy climate his team will have to face at this year's World Cup, saying that American players are used to both.

The U.S. team will be based in São Paulo, South America's biggest city, and will travel for first round matches to the Amazon heartland city of Manaus, as well as the northeastern coastal cities of Natal and Recife. That means the U.S. will have to travel some 14,000 kilometers in the first round alone, the most of any of the 32 teams that will compete in the league play round of the monthlong event that starts in June.

"We have the worst travel schedule of all teams," Mr. Klinsmann told reporters after a brief training session at the training grounds of São Paulo Futebol Clube, one of the continent's top teams.

Twenty-six players arrived in Brazil Monday as part of the men's team annual January training, and Mr. Klinsmann is using the opportunity to get to know the training center as well as a chance to pick new talent for the team. The squad is made up of players from Major League Soccer except for Norway-based Mix Diskerud.

"American players are used to traveling long distances, but we want to minimize the problem," he said, mentioning th possibility of traveling between game sites directly, rather than making the long slog back to São Paulo between rounds.

After two weeks in São Paulo, the 26 players head back to Los Angeles for another week of training. The final group of 23 players Mr. Klinsmann picks will be back in Brazil in June to prepare for a crucial first match on June 16 against Ghana in Natal, some 1,800 miles northeast of São Paulo.

"We have to win our first game no matter what," he said. That's because after Ghana, the U.S. will face Portugal—whose star Cristiano Ronaldo this week won the prestigious Balon d' Or title as the world's best player—and then plays soccer powerhouse Germany in the final group match. Germany clinched second place in 2002 after losing to Brazil, and came in third place in the following two World Cups.

With such a tough group, it will be a challenge for the U.S. team.

"We still have a long way to go and we know that, but we are getting better and hopefully we can prove that in the World Cup," he said.

The rapid growth of soccer in the U.S. following that country's hosting of the 1994 World Cup has helped improve the quality of American soccer, Mr. Klinsmann said, but they are still some years away from ranking with the best.

"We need to develop better players and better coaches, but that's not going to happen overnight," he said.

2014 Brazil: Die Weltmeisterschaft -- World Cup Wir sind dabei!

We are going to Brazil!


Wo spielen wir ?  UFF!     --- (Und gegen wen?!?! -- DOPPEL-UFF!!) 

NBC Sports Venue Guide: Check out where the USA will play at 2014 World Cup in Brazil

Joe Prince-Wright Dec 11, 2013, 1:28 PM EDT 

With all the excitement of the World Cup draw last Friday for Brazil 2014, now seems like a good time to take a closer look at the cities and stadiums the U.S. national team will play in next summer.
As we all know, Jurgen Klinsmann’s side were handed and incredibly tough draw In Group G with Germany, Portugal and Ghana standing in their way of making it to the knockout stages. Ahem, ‘Group of Death’…

But what many have overlooked is the fact that in the group stages the USA will play in three of the four most Northern cities hosting games in the World Cup, which means unbearable heat, incredible humidity and will put plenty of extra strain on the players bodies as they play three games in 10 days.

FULL WORLD CUP DRAW ARCHIVE FROM PROSOCCERTALK

So, from the Amazon to the North East coastal resorts, here’s a look at what cities fans of the USMNT will be visiting if they’re lucky enough to be heading to South America to cheer on the Yanks. Plus, we take a cheeky look at the venues the USA may play at in the knockout stages, if they make it out of the dreaded ‘Group of Death.’
Warning: take plenty of sun block… and a hat.

Estadio das Dunas stadium, named after the famous sand dunes which are in the region of Natal, is a beauty.

NATAL – 16 June, 6pm ET: Ghana v USA
City: In the far North East of Brazil, a tropical climate awaits the USA (that will be a running theme here) as Natal enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year and is known as ‘Sun City’ in Brazil. Heavy European influence adorns the buildings and architecture of the city and tourism plays a big part in the local economy due to wonders such as Ponta Negra, Genipabu, Redinha, Pipa, Pirangi and the fabulous beaches along the coast. This area has struggled for any domestic soccer success for quite some time as fierce rivals America Futebol Clube and ABC Futebol Clube have both struggled since the 1980′s.
Stadium: The Estadio das Dunas has been newly constructed and it’s fantastic curving shape emulates the sand dunes Natal is famous for. A capacity of over 42,086 means it’s the smallest stadium at the World Cup. Could prove difficult to get tickets for this one.

The Arena Amazônia is the host stadium in the humid confides 

of the Amazon rainforest. Will the USA handle the heat?

MANAUS - 22 June, 6pm ET: USA v Portugal
City: One of the most spectacular, yet problematic, venues in World Cup history, the Amazonian capital of Manaus is host to the USA’s game against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Humidity around the 99 percent mark is likely to greet the USMNT, as well as heat in excess of 100 degrees in the heart of the Amazon rainforest but plenty of stunning sights, such as the convergence of the Negro and Amazon rivers, will make a trip to Manaus a one in a life-time experience. The most northern venue boasts quite a poor crime-record, so be on your guard.

Stadium: There are plenty of concerns over the heat and conditions deep in the world’s largest rainforest, as the kick off time has been moved backwards, but what a stadium they’ve built to welcome the world into the Amazon. Huge interwoven rafters mimics the wooden baskets this region is now far, but once again the capacity is only just over 42,000 so the USA will be playing in another of Brazil’s smallest host stadiums.

The Arena Pernambuco has already hosted Confederations Cup games 

and is ready to go.

RECIFE – 26 June, 12pm ET: USA v Germany
City: Just down the coast from Natal, Recife is the state capital of Pernambuco and the fourth largest metropolitan area in Brazil. The gorgeous beaches close to urban areas makes this city unique and a heavy Dutch influence from the 16th century can be found amongst the architecture. Just like Natal and Manaus, this sprawling Northern city also enjoys searing temperatures and the USA’s noon kick off time vs. Germany may actually play in their favor. Well, at least more of the USMNT’s players will be used to playing in hot conditions compared to the Germans.

Stadium: Built through public and private funding, the stadium is now home to Clube Nautico Capibaribe, one of Recife’s three professional teams. With a capacity of 46,154, again it’s not the biggest stadium in Brazil but there’s sure to be a terrific atmosphere in the ‘capital of the North-east’ when the U.S. face Germany in their pivotal last group game. The stadium itself is located outside of the city proper and close to the region known as Grande Recife where huge poverty affects the local people, but this venue has regenerated the area by offering shops, jobs and other businesses to locals.

USA’s potential venues in knockout stages
Last 16: Porto Alegre on June 30 or Salvador on July 1
Quarterfinal: Rio de Janiero on July 4 or Brasilia on July 5
Semifinal: Belo Horizonte on July 8 or Sao Paulo on July 8
3/4 place game: Brasilia on July 12
Final: Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janiero on July 13

Wer spielt für uns?

American Top 30: Projecting Klinsmann’s 2014 World Cup roster, 17th ed

By Steven Goff  April 20 at 2:01 pm

June 2: FIFA deadline to submit 23-man World Cup roster.
June 7: Nigeria friendly in Jacksonville.
June 8: Team flight to Sao Paulo.
June 16: Group G opener against Ghana in Natal, Brazil.
*********************
Changes from last week: Maurice Edu overtakes Mix Diskerud in midfield. Terrence Boyd rejoins the 30, DeAndre Yedlin drops out. Movement among the midfield and defensive contenders.

Of note: Check marks indicate my picks for the final roster.
 “Contenders” are my leading candidates for the 23-man list (+ 7 contenders, for 30-man list).
Players not mentioned could re-enter the mix at any time in the coming weeks.
As it stands, I am projecting 14 MLS players, eight European-based players and one Mexican-based player on the flight to Brazil.

GOALKEEPERS  3

√Tim Howard (Everton): 90 minutes in 2-0 victory over Man-U. Next: at Southampton Sat.
√Brad Guzan (Aston Villa): 90 in 0-0 draw with Southampton. Next: at Swansea City on Saturday.
√Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake): 90 in 1-0 victory over Portland. Next: Vancouver on Saturday.

DEFENDERS  8

√CB Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City): 90 in 4-0 victory over Montreal. Next: REVs. Sat.
√RB-CB Geoff Cameron (Stoke City): 90 in 1-1 draw at Cardiff City. Next: at Tottenham, Sat.
√LB-RB-LMF Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim): 90 in 3-1 loss at Werder Bremen. Next: Eintracht Frankfurt on Sat.
√CB Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy): 90 in 2-2 draw at Vancouver. Next: at Colorado on May 3.
√CB Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes): 90 in 0-0 draw at Colorado. Next: Chivas USA on Sat.
√LB-LMF DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla): 1st 40 (injured) in 2-1 victory at Pachuca. Next: Morelia on Sun.
√RB-DMF Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders): last 23 in 2-1 victory at Chivas USA. Next: Colorado on Saturday.
√LB-RB Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew): 90 in 1-1 draw with D.C. United. Next: NY on Sat.

— Contenders —

↑CB Tim Ream (Bolton): 90 in 0-0 draw at Charlton. Next: Leicester City on Tues., Sheffield W. on Sat.
↓CB Michael Orozco (Puebla): not in the 18 (leg injury) for 2-1 victory at Pachuca. Next: Morelia on Sunday.

MIDFIELDERS  8

√DMF-CMF Michael Bradley (Toronto FC): 90 in 2-1 loss at Dallas. Next: REVs. on May 3.
√CMF-F-RMF Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders): 90 (assist) in 2-1 victory at Chivas USA. Next: CO on Sat.
√RMF Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City): 90 (assist) in 4-0 victory over Montreal. Next: REVs. on Sat.
√DMF Jermaine Jones (Besiktas): 90 in 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce. Next: Sivasspor on Sun.
√LMF-CMF-RMF-F Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy): 90 in 2-2 draw at Vancouver. Next: at CO, May 3.
√DMF Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake): 90 in 1-0 victory over Portland. Next: Vancouver on Sat.
√RMF-CMF Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes): 90 (goal in 31st) in 6-2 victory at Valenciennes. Next: Marseille on Fri.
√↑DMF Maurice Edu (Phila.Union): 90 in 0-0 draw with Houston. Next: at Montreal on Saturday.

— Contenders —

↓CMF Mikkel Diskerud (Rosenborg): no match scheduled. Next: at Bodo/Blimt on Monday, at Orkla in Norwegian Cup on Thursday, Brann on Sunday.
LMF-F Julian Green (Bayern Munich II): no match scheduled. Next: at Rain Lech on Sat.
↑RMF-LMF Joe Corona (Tijuana): 7 in 2-1 victory at Atlante. Next: Leon on Friday.
↓LMF Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo): not in the 18 (ankle injury) for 0-0 draw at Phila. Next: NY Wed; Portland Sun.

FORWARDS   4

√F Jozy Altidore (Sunderland): 24 (drew controversial late PK; video) in 2-1 victory at Chelsea. Next: Cardiff City on Sun.
 √F-LMF Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar): no match scheduled. Next: at Den Haag on Sunday.
√F-LMF Eddie Johnson (D.C. United): 76 in 1-1 draw at Columbus. Next: Dallas on Saturday.
√F Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes): 90 in 0-0 draw at Colorado. Next: Chivas USA on Sat.

 – Contenders –

↑F Terrence Boyd (Rapid Vienna): 90 (goals in 24th and 43rd) in 2-2 draw at Groedig. Next: Red Bull Salzburg on Sat. (11 goals in 26 league matches, 16 in 34 overall)


UND JETZT IST AUCH BÖÖRTI VOGTS ALS USA-TRAINER mit dabei.  Wer ist er?  SCHAU MAL ZU!  

Lustig von Stefan Raab?  Wie immer.  Und auch erfolgreich.  
So aber auch ist Hans Hubert Vogts. Wer ist er denn? Er kommt aus Kaarst -- nahe Düsseldorf. Gibt es noch was? Ja, und wie!  Das ist wirklich noch etwas für uns herauszufinden. 
 

Jurgen Klinsmann Discusses USMNT Changes Surrounding Berti Vogts, Martin Vasquez

By Nick Akerman , Featured Columnist

Mar 31, 2014

Jurgen Klinsmann has appointed former Germany, Scotland and Nigeria head coach Berti Vogts as Special Advisor for the United States' men's national team, further altering the nation's backroom staff after dropping Martin Vasquez from his assistant role. 

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl revealed the news on Twitter:

USMNT assistant Martín Vásquez being reassigned within USSF. Berti Vogts hired as adviser, Tab Ramos working with senior team.

7:58 PM - 30 Mar 2014

 

Klinsmann revealed his delight at linking up with Vogts once again, the manager he played under when Germany captured the Euro '96 championship, as reported by USsoccer.com:

We are absolutely thrilled to have Berti join us as an advisor. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, both as a player and a coach, and he knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level. He was my coach for Germany in the 1990s and we have a great relationship.
Through his time as the head coach of Scotland, Nigeria and Azerbaijan, he is obviously very familiar with our opponents in the group stage of the World Cup, and for us this is a huge bonus.

USA Under-20's overseer Tab Ramos has also been promoted to the senior coaching staff, while Martin Vasquez moves across toward other duties within the United States Soccer Federation. Klinsmann believes such change provides the nation "with the best opportunity to be successful," per USsoccer.com's report.

Vogts' appointment could prove to be a real coup for the U.S., who have tied up another German legend until after the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The 67-year-old won the 1974 tournament with West Germany and totted up five Bundesliga titles with Borussia Monchengladbach during his playing days. UEFA Cup wins in '75 and '79 also sum up a successful career on the pitch.

Klinsmann has hired Vogts to scout opponents and develop training regimes in a key role for the U.S. Despite his Euro '96 success with Germany, Vogts' international tenures with Kuwait, Scotland, Nigeria and Azerbaijan have been riddled with frustration.

Boris Roessler 

 

He will continue to serve as Azerbaijan manager even after agreeing to the U.S. role. Vogts' team have little action to look forward to across the summer after failing to qualify for the competition, ensuring his jobs won't clash.

The upcoming World Cup puts both Klinsmann and Vogts in the strange position of facing their country of birth while representing the U.S. Vogts is sure to have a detailed knowledge of happenings inside the German camp and may be able to call upon his experience with DFB to inspire a positive result for the USMNT.

Matthew Tomaszewicz of The Guardian outlined Vogts' recent experience against the country's World Cup opponents as a key to his appointment:
 

It seems everything has slotted into place for this deal to go ahead. Klinsmann and Vogts' previous relationship was a winning one, highlighting that they can work well together against difficult odds. Although the USA aren't expected to challenge for the trophy in Brazil, Vogts' scouting duties provide Klinsmann with the chance to focus on his players and strategy.

Both the U.S. team and staff can head into the World Cup with a fearless outlook in a group that includes Germany, Portugal and Ghana. These are tough matches that could yield little to shout about for the Americans, but with Klinsmann and Vogts leading the charge, there's enough experience here to challenge in each encounter.

Matthew Tomaszewicz @shinguardian

To those that missed, Vogts coached against both Portugal & Germany (twice) in this last cycle with Azerbaijan.

 

Adi Dassler -- Freund von Sepp Herberger

Aus dem Blog von Adidas:

Fritz Walter's shoe

Download Full Size Image (2 MB)

Did you know that ADIDAS made the famous World Cup Shoe?

We still refer to the 1954 World Cup as the Miracle of Bern for so many reasons: Germany, crushed after World War II, had more pressing matters to deal with than a football tournament in Switzerland. But in the end, it was exactly what the country needed. 

Facing the unbeatable Hungarians in the final, a victory seemed out of reach for the underdog Germany. 

Enter Adi.

A close friend of team coach Sepp Herberger, he provided the players with a whole new boot made out of thinner, lighter leather and with screw-in studs. While the Hungarians struggled during the rainy final wearing heavy rain-soaked boots with studs too short to find a grip on the muddy field, the German team went on to score the game-deciding goal with more grip and a better feel for the ball.

For Germany, the victory brought new confidence, for adidas and Adi Dassler the innovative football boots brought international recognition and a market leadership in the football business.



Wie spricht man ,,Adidas" aus???



Der Krieg!