What will be this years Vulvuzela, or whatever those bloody things were?
For whatever reason they have banned instruments from this years final which means on the downside we will miss out on the rhythm of the samba drums (I just don't get why?) but on the bright side we don't have to listen to 30+ renditions of the great escape from the English brass band.
But to answer your question this years Vulvuzela was to be the caxirola.
Quote:
Researchers found that the caxirola produced a decibel level significantly lower than the vuvuzela’s. Played together, caxirolas indeed made a joyful, mostly pleasant noise, percussive rather than droning like the South African horns. And like the vuvuzela, it’s fun to say: ka-shee-role-ah. The caxirola was backed by Brazil’s Ministry of Sports, and endorsed by FIFA, soccer’s world governing body and the official organizer of the World Cup—both of whom were surely pleased to have another piece of plastic that they couple slap a logo or a flag onto, and put up for sale. The Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff sang its praises. “This image of the green-and-yellow caxirola, it enchants,” she said. “It is an object that has the ability to do two things: to combine the image with sound and take us to our goals.” A year ahead of the World Cup, the caxirola was a newer, better vuvuzela.
Until Brazilian soccer fans got their hands on them, that is. Last April, during a match between E. C. Vitória and E. C. Bahia (Carlinhos Brown’s home club), angry fans threw dozens of caxirolas onto the field, suspending play. There is a certain pleasant symmetry to the idea of a government-endorsed feel-good tchotchke that has been foisted onto fans being thrown back onto the field in disgust. Pleasant, that is, in the abstract—but not for the players, coaches, or referees on the pitch, or for fans who might catch a plastic rattle in the back of the head. They did look a little like neon hand grenades.
This incident led Brazil’s sports ministry to ban the caxirola from the Confederations Cup, an international World Cup warmup, held last June. And, citing security risks, they have extended the ban to the twelve venues around the country that will host this year’s World Cup. This means that the official noisemaker of the 2014 World Cup is officially banned from the 2014 World Cup. That, of course, hasn’t stopped people from selling them. The caxirola is still available at the FIFA online store, for fourteen bucks. There is even a custom-designed one for American fans, in red, white, and blue. Get one to shake, alone, at home.
Rule Brittania, going to be cheering hard for England. Would be shocked if they made it out of the group stage, too young, tough matchups against Italy and Uruguay.
Most people seem to be writing England off this go around, but I actually think they will do well. They have a tough group, but I think they can make it out of it. Their youth and speed will cause problems for defences.
Last edited by The Big Chill; 06-10-2014 at 05:58 PM.
Welcome to the thread.
First I've read of the Spanish being overwhelming favourites. Dated conversation.
IMO the Brazilians are the marginal favourites. Western Hemisphere W.C + Weather + at Home.
The home pressure will be pretty intense though, mind you other host countries have done well in recent years.
I know very little about Soccer, but Spain is the reigning World Cup
And Euro 2012 champions. So that's why I ask. I would love to see them do the same thing France did in 2002. I would enjoy watching the far more fiscally responsible Chileans tune them up.
__________________ "Some guys like old balls"
Patriots QB Tom Brady
Brasil is the only team to never win the tournament that they hosted and I don't believe this is the year either
__________________
Thank you for everything CP. Good memories and thankful for everything that has been done to help me out. I will no longer take part on these boards. Take care, Go Flames Go.
Rule Brittania, going to be cheering hard for England. Would be shocked if they made it out of the group stage, too young, tough matchups against Italy and Uruguay.
I think Italy won't make it out. England has solid goaltending (Joe Hart), and a good mix of young and old players. They play with high tempo and good passing especially with the CDM's, Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere. Struidge and Rooney should score a bunch of goals too. I think the group goes
1. Uraguay - 7
2. England - 6
3. Italy - 4
4. Costa Rica - 0
