Hello everyone,I'm so sorry for having been away for so long. This last month of June has been very tough for us, teachers at the Official Language School of Mairena. Lots of work to do, exams, paperwork...and I have been forced to set the blog aside for a while, but I'm back, if only to say goodbye for now. But before that, and considering that right now we're in the middle of the FIFA World Cup of South Africa, I though that the time is come to speak a bit about football...
To start with, test your football knowledge. Click here.
Check also My match day story.
And now, some World Cup Facts:
- This is the 19th International Association Football TOURNAMENT. The previous one was held in Germany and the next one will be held in Brazil.
- 32 QUALIFYING TEAMS compete in matches held in ten stadiums across the country for the WORLD CUP TROPHY.
- The QUALIFICATION PROCESS began in August 2007.
- The finals began on 11 June with the group stage, in which the 32 qualifying teams were reduced by half by playing in groups of four teams for points over three matches per team. The 16 remaining teams advanced to the KNOCKOUT STAGE, beginning on 26 June. TIES after normal time are settled using EXTRA TIME or a PENALTY SHOOTOUT if necessary, up to and including the World Cup Final, scheduled for 11 July at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.
- The different rounds of the competition have a name:
- The Group Stage: In this first round, the 32 teams are divided in 8 groups of 4 teams, and each of them has to play one match with the other three teams in the same group. The teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and none for a defeat. The teams finishing first and second qualify for the next stage.
- The Knockout State, round of sixteen or eighth finals: There are four rounds of matches, each round eliminating half of the teams.
- Quarter-finals
- Semi-finals
- Play-off for the third and fourth place
- Finals
- Venues:
THE CURRENT NATIONAL TEAM OF SPAIN
Would you like to taste your knowledge on the group Spain belongs to, GROUP H? Take the test!
Now, listen to the goalkeeper of the National Team of the USA, Tim Howard, talking about living in Britain. Click here.
And finally some music. Watch the video of the Official FIFA World Cup Song: Waka Waka (This time for Africa) by Shakira. Please find the lyrics below.
You're a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
Get back in the saddle
You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious
We are getting closer
This isn't over
The pressure is on
You feel it
But you got it all
Believe it
When you fall get up, oh oh
If you fall get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Cuz this is Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Listen to your God
This is our motto
Your time to shine
Don't wait in line
Y vamos por todo
People are raising
Their expectations
Go on and feed them
This is your moment
No hesitations
Today's your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it
If you get down get up, oh oh
When you get down get up, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Awela Majoni Biggie Biggie Mama One A To Zet
Athi sithi LaMajoni Biggie Biggie Mama From East To West
Bathi . . . Waka Waka Ma Eh Eh Waka Waka Ma Eh Eh
Zonke zizwe mazi buye
Cuz this is Africa
Voice: Tsamina mina, Anawa a a
Tsamina mina Tsamina mina,
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Tsamina mina, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa
Django eh eh
Django eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a
Django eh eh
Django eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa a a (2x)
This time for Africa (2x)
We're all Africa
And finally, allow me to say: GO SPAIN!! GO "LA ROJA" ;-)
