Remembering Nigel de Jong seemingly Kung Fu-kicking Xavi Alonso within inches of his life during an ill-tempered 2010 World Cup Final, it is hard to fully rationalize we now stand only a mere six months from the first ball to be kicked in anger at Brazil 2014. On June 12, just as the sun sets on the magnificent historical city of Sao Paulo the inventors, innovators and purveyors of “joga bonitowill” open their campaign. The opponent, Croatia and all its football might and will. As opposites do attract we are set for a corker of an opener. Brazil, though, will go into the 2014 World Cup Finals with the single mindset and firm view to finally remove the only significant un-removable stain on the host nations World Cup Finals legacy. Its been 64 years of tears, pain, anguish and embarrassment for the nation of 200 million. The source of which traces itself back to the 1950 Finals, the only other time Brazil has played host to the grandest and greatest show on mother earth. The scene was The Estadio do Maracana, without a doubt world footballs global shrine and likely the greatest sporting amphitheatre on the planet and the 1950 World Cup Finals. Now lovingly restored for next summers tournament for a cost well in excess of half a billion, Maracana was inaugurated this past spring when England were fortunately invited to attend. A joyous occasion and celebration last June, but that was not the case on July 16, 1950. Close to 175,000 packed in to witness what they thought would be World Cup fame, glory and honour for their beloved football nation. Sadly, Brazil forgot the script, completely botched their lines and went down to the stunning 2-1 defeat against fellow South Americans, Uruguay. Going 1-0 up early in the second half Uruguay hit back and scored the winner with just 11 minutes remaining on the clock. All 173,850 were left open mouthed in shock come the final whistle. Making the defeat all the less palpable was the format. The tournament called for a final group of four to determine the winners. In their previous two final group encounters Brazil had amassed an astonishing 13 goals against Sweden and Spain. A draw would have seen Brazil win its first World Cup and the rather magnificent trophy named after the World Cup Finals founding father, Jules Rimet. Instead, Uruguay were crowned champions for a second time at what was only the fourth Finals in FIFA history, this coming after a 12-year break due to War World II. Englands Dreaming … Or is it a Nightmare? An Englishman may liken that momentous Final to what happened in Germany in 1974 and South Africa in 2010, but the national team were rightfully put in their place. It was a match that still stands as the most significant shock in World Cup Finals history. Make that in all world football history itself. The English had held out from the previous three World Cup Finals afflicted with what could be best described as a decade-plus-long case of extreme snobbery, likely caused by the air of arrogance that in some ways still surrounds. Footballs founding nation, which celebrated its 150th birthday in late October, left London packing some of the most illustrious names ever for Brazil in 1950. They included Matthews, Finney, Nicholson, Milburn and a man who would go on to coach them to 1966 glory, Alf Ramsey himself. Following Joe Gaetjens lone marker late in the first half England trudged off the Belo Horizonte pitch with their heads held shamefully low after a 1-0 loss to the United States. To put into a correct and clear perspective when Pathe News sent the score to Fleet Street London newspapers incorrectly stated England had beaten the US 10-1. Speaking of the Americans… I had the utmost pleasure of speaking with the 1950 US captain Walter Bahr on TSN 690 during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa who, although at the time a spritely 83-years of age, had memories as vivid as if it were just yesterday. Bahr also disclosed in our chat that in the mid 1950s he played his football in Montreal and pointed out that not only was Canadiens goaltending legend Lorne “Gump” Worsley a teammate but that he was an exceptional central defender. High praise indeed from a man who captained America to its greatest-ever football victory, which could only be surpassed by winning a World Cup itself. That will certainly not occur next summer, after the Americans were handed a horrendous draw topped off with a frantic travel schedule. Their schedule is one that even the Rolling Stones - and all those millions they would command - would even baulk at. Drawn in a group along with the 1974 and 2006 hosts (Germany), it is of no relevance what U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said Friday afternoon. "I guarantee you Jurgen [Klinsmann] knows more about Germany than “Jogi” Low knows about the U.S." Nor does it matter the result of their recent friendly. More important is the fact that the Germans - like the rest of the world - are fully aware of who currently coaches the U.S. team. No one in World Cup Finals history prepares as successfully and efficiently as Deutschland. The Americans will play friendlies like all other Brazil 2014 nations as part of preparations including a showcase one which is scheduled against England in Miami. If the USSF have an ounce of genuine thought and desire about Brazil 2014 any England match should be rain-checked in favour of playing a nation whose football styles are more in keeping with the likes of Germany, Portugal and Ghana. Jet… With the wind in your hair An interesting sidebar to the last time Brazil hosted a World Cup Finals: Only 13 nations could be bothered to show up. Absent despite qualification were India, who were denied a request made to FIFA to play in bare feet. Imagine that, Cristiano. France was another to withdraw due to a requirement to play two of their three group stage games so far apart. The distance between matches would almost cover the entire length of Canada. You will be sure the U.S. will not be happy with their Brazil 2014 group, nor the fact no other nation will rack up the air miles like they have to. Continental Shift? As he rightfully did in Fridays draw Nelson Mandelas rightful and most honourable shadow will loom large over Brazil 2014 from Sugar Loaf Mountain to the beaches of Ipanema and beyond. Not ever before in the previous 19 World Cups to date has an African nation reached even the semifinal stage. Let alone a final. How wondrous it will be if the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon or Ghana can pull off the unprecedented. Get into the Final four and magic often occurs. Come next June I know who I will be cheering most heartedly for. Do you? Tune into TSN 690 when Noel Butler hosts a special edition of oranges at halftime which will include a significant tribute to Nelson Mandela. To broadcast Monday evening at 7:00pm Listen Live: TSN.ca/Montreal. You can reach and follow Noel Butler at: Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel Josh Harrison Jersey . "I wasnt waving the pom-poms to be involved with it to start with," Carlyle said after a 5-2 win over Carolina on Sunday night. "Its been a trying time. "Specifically we havent played as well as wed like to hang our hat on. Francisco Cervelli Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. http://www.pittsburghpiratesprostore.us/...pirates-jersey/. Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Sean Rodriguez Jersey . Philippe Desrosiers stopped 42 shots through overtime and three more in the shootout to pick up his third shutout of the season for Rimouski (31-15-7). Zachary Fucale made 28 saves for Halifax (34-17-3) in the loss. Gregory Polanco Jersey . Goergl, the 2011 world champion, started 28th after the other top contenders had already gone down but had the fastest time at each interval. Goergl finished the demanding 3-kilometre Kaelberloch course in 1 minute, 47.VANCOUVER - The San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks have seen plenty of each other with three prior meetings already this season. Following tonights battle in Vancouver, they wont see each other again this season unless they meet in the playoffs. The Sharks bested the Canucks twice during their 6-0 start to the season, recording a pair of 4-1 wins. The two opened the season against each other in San Jose before meeting seven days later in Vancouver. The Canucks finally got some payback last Thursday with a 4-2 win over the Sharks in San Jose, snapping a five-game series losing streak. They have still lost four of the past five encounters at home. Vancouver is comnig off a 1-2-1 four-game road trip, with the lone victory coming in San Jose. They concluded the swing on Sunday with a 3-1 setback versus the Anaheim Ducks. Tom Sestito scored and Eddie Lack had 20 saves. It was a rough trip for Vancouvers top line of Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The Sedin twins were held without a point in the final three contests after both had an assist in the first game, while Kesler had a goal and a helper in the four contests. "Its been a struggle the past few games," Vancouver coach John Tortorella noted of his top line. "We know what they are as people. We know what they are as players. Its been a struggle the past two, three games here. Theyre going to bounce out of it and theyre going to be the players that we know they are." Vancouver will now begin a six-game homestand looking to improve on its 4-3-0 record as the host. With both backups having started their respective clubs previous game, tonights contest should feature San Joses Antti Niemi and Roberto Luongo of Vancouver for the fourrth time this season.dddddddddddd Niemi, who has started 16 of his clubs 18 games this season, has posted a 2.48 goals against average in the three meetings in 2013-14 and is 8-7-2 with a 2.75 GAA in 17 lifetime matchups with the Canucks. Luongo is 10-12-3 with a tie and 2.74 GAA in his career when facing the Sharks with a 3.02 GAA in the three games this season. Thornton (1 goal, 3 assists) and Couture (4a) both have four points this season versus the Canucks, while Marleau has scored twice. Daniel and Henrik Sedin have just one assist each over the previous three meetings, while Kesler is pointless. San Joses loss last week to Vancouver was the lone regulation setback of a five-game slide the club snapped on Tuesday in Calgary. The skid featured an overtime setback and three shootout defeats, but the Sharks managed a 3-2 OT triumph against the Flames. It wasnt pretty as the Sharks blew a two-goal lead in the third period, but escaped with the win when Joe Thorntons shot from the right circle deflected off Brad Stuart and into the net at the 1:13 mark of the extra frame. Thornton got his second assist of the game on the play and has six points over his last five games. Patrick Marleau had a goal and an assist, while Logan Couture also scored and backup netminder Alex Stalock only had to make 11 saves for the win. "I liked that we only gave up 13 shots but its not good that we let them get back into the game in the third," said San Jose head coach Todd McLellan. 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