2014 World Cup Challenges for US Team

We're in Group G:  Yesterday we learned our opponents for the 2014 Men's World Cup Soccer Championship, to be held in Brazil.  They are ALL huge soccer nations (no marshmallows).  We certainly dream of being able to move ahead this time.  Will that stay a dream?

Here's how our current MNT coach, Jürgen Klinsmann,  (also key player on Germany's 1990 Championship Team; Coach of Germany's National Team 2006; ) reacts to the draw.

Who is Joachim Löw (a.k.a. Jogi Löw) ?

I'm learning about a third nationally known a cappella music quintet (after "die Prinzen" from Leipzig, and "die Wise Guys," from Cologne). This quintet (also from Cologne) is named BASTA.

I came across one of their songs in an online TV interview, and think you might find the melody, along with some of the text, to be familiar.




I think it's fun watching the singers play FOOSBALL in front of the Kölner Dom, and listening to their World Cup predictions!


--> Did you figure out who Joachim Löw is?

--> Can you imagine this song being sung by football fans in a stadium?


The interview provided a tease. Are you ready to hear the full song?!

• Certainly the focus is on the recent WORLD CUP in South Africa, with comments on famous football players and various teams. (I'll bet you are at least a bit familiar with Ronaldo and David Beckham.)

• One reason to have updated the original animation may have been to better illustrate England's good humor. (The rivalry between Germany and England is INTENSE! How does the animation stoke the flames here?)

• Did the "high-flying Serbs run smoothly through the USA"? (NO! No team ran through us! But for the record, Ghana advanced over us in a heart-breaker to play Uruguay in the Quarter Finals -- where Uruguay beat Ghana, 4:2.) So, we know that the lyrics were not updated, only the illustrations. (We also know, from the song's first chorus how weak those are: "We have the best hotel," which indicates that we shouldn't bother letting our feathers get ruffled over the Serbian reference.)

• Another obvious "improvement" is the illustration to the line about how France "held itself together," (when in truth, France more or less self-destructed).

• Don't miss spotting the Chancellor of Germany (Angela Merkel). Even more famous is the Bavarian she is standing next to.




HERE.


--> If you are wondering who the Lena is, check below in July: EUROVISION Song Contest
HERE!

Die Weltmeisterschaft

Guten Tag! Willkommen.

Did you all enjoy some World Cup broadcasts this summer? How about the quality of the game? The USA team was so thrilling to watch, and we can be proud of making the elimination round.

With 3 of the Final Four teams being from Europe, we know where to look when it comes to measuring against the best. (Would you be surprised if Landon Donovan renewed his efforts to play abroad?)

So the current winner of the European Cup (2008) now also has DAS Pokal: THE Trophy. Well earned, La Roja (The Reds) from Spain! Germany's National Elf (simply refers to the number --11--of players on the field) was most impressive, too! Except for their semi-final against Spain, when they seemed hesitant and uninspired, this young team showed amazing energy, precision, and depth. Wow! What a sport!

While the German Mannschaft (team) was aiming to improve from its frequent BRONZE finishes, they should not be disappointed to once again have successfully defended that 3rd place finish. Certainly, we in the USA drool over such a finish!

ON A RELATED TOPIC:

What about WM Musik? Have you heard any popular songs promoting the World Cup? There is an official FIFA anthem, by the artist K'naan. Those tuning to to the games heard the song frequently. Here's a link: LIED

Africa also seemed to have its own official song, this one by the artist, AKON of Senegal. Have you seen it? LIED

In Germany, it seems there's a race by many artists to perform the one song that will become that year's official Weltmeisterschaft-Lied, or World Cup Anthem. The artist(s) then get(s) to perform live before any award ceremony there might be, and enjoy the celebration with shared honors. Sometimes the popularity of the selected anthem thought gets eclipsed by another song.

In Germany there's a race by many different artists to capture the hearts of the many football enthusiasts. During our last GAPP visit, we were confronted wherever there were any sports fans, by Sportfreunde Stiller's updated (tweaked with a new date, 2010, and reference to Süd Afrika) version of their 2006 WM song: 54-74-90-2010. Here is the band's performance in Berlin, 2006, together with the WM-team, in an official celebration of their Bronze finish (and also for having so successfully hosted the event). Does the crowd seem to know the text? Are they moved by the message? LIED

-- Also, Do you wonder where such reception might be held here in the USA, should our team turn in an unexpectedly satisfactory performance at the World Cup?

If you follow the EUROVISION (or read my post on the topic) you'll recognize this cover song of the winning song from 2010 (and also see/hear clues to Lena in the footage). The song uses a new nickname for Deutschland: simply "SCHLAND". The song is: "Schland, O Schland". Do you like it? LIED

Fans do sing in German football stadiums. At the beginning of this tribute to Lukas Podolski, you can hear his widespread support. "Goldi-Poldi Hallejui. Bist der Bayern Fußballgott" LIED

Would you be motivated by such a song, if you were a young football player, thinking that one day some band might sing about you?

On the other hand, the announcement that one top striker (Kevin Kuranyi, of 2nd-place and PROUD OF IT Team Schalke, read more: HERE) wasn't going to be included in the team was also commemorated in a song (the text here is easy to follow, and is based on the HOME ALONE theme). Check it out! LIED