world cup predictions

[CageFree]

Every World Cup I learn a new country. What the fuck is Herzegovina?

True story: I'm Irish (well, Irish-American) and I like all things Irish. I was a big Ivory Coast fan for like three World Cups because I thought it was a nickname for Ireland. I mean, it had the Irish flag and even had the word ivory in it. How could it not be Irish? Needless to say, I was disappointed when I found out it was some lame country in Africa.

 

It's BOSNIA-Herzegovina. And what makes Cote d'Ivoire a "lame" country, exactly?

[CageFree]

It happens in every World Cup, the outcome is just more or less detrimental to the country depending on their current economical state. The host country typically gets very little in return for hosting. 

 

John Oliver can explain better:

 

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_spot/2014/06/09/john_oliver_fifa_rant_the_last_week_tonight_host_digresses_beautifully_on.html

 

There's also another component, i.e. how hosting events like that can help clean up a nation's image. Brazil did this to clean up the image of poverty, and has come down hard on the poor people living in shantytowns outside cities like Rio. In 1978, Argentina used the WC to cover up human rights abuses... it's the equivalent of taking all of your crap and shoving it into a room, then inviting guests so they can see how clean your home is.

[victorydance]

I am not going to argue against that in a net sense, hosting these tournaments means countries'/cities lose money. 

 

However, one thing I think almost everyone overlooks is the improvement of infrastructure as a result of these games. Better infrastructure improves efficiency in the market in countries.

 

I am going to use Brazil's world cup and olympics as an example because it's probably the country I know best in the world.

 

Some of the projects that have been done/in process because of these games:

 

- Up to 31 airports nationally have been upgraded/expanded, and if anyone had been through airports like Rio, Manaus, and Salvador they would understand how dire these upgrades were needed.

- Many highways, particularly the additions of toll highways from Rio to Sao Paulo/Belo Horizonte/Curtibia/Porto Alegre have been either constructed or improved.

- Rio's downtown shoreline (Porto Maravilha Project) is being gentrified (sewage, roads, development, drainage/treatment), this area was a MESS when I was there last.

- Construction of a bullet train system from Rio to Sao Paulo.

- Over 10,000 kilometers of railways are being upgraded and expanded (this is a big one because transportation infrastructure for Brazil's economy is terribly inefficient).

- Light rail has been greatly expanded, both the metro in Rio and three major rapid bus lines have been introduced.

 

Those are just some examples of greatly needed infrastructure projects for Brazil and Rio. Bringing in these games have actually enabled the government to push for more private contracts and bids in this process than they otherwise would have been able to garner.

 

Many economists have argued that Brazil's recent economic slowdown is partly caused to faulty infrastructure in the country which causes inefficiencies. Dilma started her administration with the Programa de Aceleracao do Crescimento (PAC) which was a project designed to improve the country's infrastructure, it has been renewed as PAC II. 

 

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Unfortunately, every protest/argument against these types of games uses faulty logic like spending X dollars on stadiums or venues that are not of use, the money could be spent on other things blah blah blah. I NEVER see anyone take a logical position that shows that many of the infrastructure projects behind these two events will greatly improve the Brazilian economy in the long run. 

 

So in sum, yes Olympics/World Cups can be very costly and be a net-negative in terms of money spent vs. money brought in. However, this is not a zero-sum equation and I wish people would look a little deeper at what the governments are actually spending money on for World Cup 2012/Rio Olympics 2014 that is going to greatly help Brazil in the future and is badly needed.

[WriteAndKnit]

I haven't followed this season at all, so I can't really predict what will happen during the finale. I'm guessing that one sportsball team will earn enough points to be the winner over all the other teams, though.

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

Germany tied Ghana. That was unexpected. USA can make the 2nd round with a win against Portugal. 

[hustlebunny]

Every World Cup I learn a new country. What the fuck is Herzegovina?

True story: I'm Irish (well, Irish-American) and I like all things Irish. I was a big Ivory Coast fan for like three World Cups because I thought it was a nickname for Ireland. I mean, it had the Irish flag and even had the word ivory in it. How could it not be Irish? Needless to say, I was disappointed when I found out it was some lame country in Africa.

what?!! did you not do geography in high school? the system failed you, SERIOUSLY!  

[spectastic]

ghana played really well, putting a lot of pressure and forcing a lot of errors from what i saw. germany's passing game just wasnt that good today

[CageFree]

So how did people's predictions pan out?

 

I, for one, am happy to see England, Spain, Italy and Portugal all go home in the first round  

[beyondaboundary]

So how did people's predictions pan out?

 

I, for one, am happy to see England, Spain, Italy and Portugal all go home in the first round

 

Me too. And with France playing Nigeria next...it's all good for Les Bleus till the 1/4 final. Oh, and well done USA, Costa Rica and Mexico - CONCACAF is doing remarkably well

[spectastic]

fractured vertebrae... bad news

[spectastic]

Germany might have won the world cup, but USA won the golden troll award.

 

<http://mashable.com/2014/07/14/lebron-james-captures-instagram-video-of-world-cup-streaker>