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WORLD CUP FEVER / ALL EYES ON ADU
At 16 years old, Freddy Adu is the youngest player in professional Major League Soccer. In addition to the US team, he also plays for DC United. He is also being courted by FC Chelsea and Manchester United to play for Britain's Premier League.
It's bigger than the NBA Finals, It's bigger than the World series, it's bigger than the Super Bowl and it's bigger than the Olympics ~ It's the World cup !
Without a doubt, one of the most memorable sporting events I have ever seen was the World Cup final played in 1966.
I don't even remember the teams ~ but I vividly remember the excitement, the drama and the incredible fan excitement that literally swept me off my feet.
I'm certainly not a soccer fan but I'm drawn to high stakes playoff competition and particularly on a world wide scale ~ and, in that regard, nothing can compare to the excitement of the World Cup !
Thirty-two teams from across the globe make up the field for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals. Six continents are represented and six past winners will take part, including hosts Germany, who head the 14-strong European contingent, and holders Brazil who lead the South American challenge.
And here is what they are playing for ~
FIFA World CupTrophy
With the Jules Rimet Cup now in the permanent possession of Brazil after their third World Cup triumph in Mexico City in 1970, FIFA commissioned a new trophy for the tenth World Cup in 1974. A total of 53 designs were submitted to FIFA by experts from seven countries, with the final choice being the work of Italian artist Silvio Gazzaniga.
He described his creation thus: "The lines spring out from the base, rising in spirals, stretching out to receive the world. From the remarkable dynamic tensions of the compact body of the sculpture rise the figures of two athletes at the stirring moment of victory".
The current FIFA World Cup Trophy cannot be won outright, as the regulations state that it shall remain FIFA's own possession. The World Cup winners retain it until the next tournament and are awarded a replica, gold-plated rather than solid gold.
The new trophy is 36 cm high, made of solid 18-carat gold and weighs 6175 grammes. The base contains two layers of semi-precious malachite while the bottom side of the Trophy bears the engraved year and name of each FIFA World Cup winner since 1974.
An American win would shock the whole world and it's not an impossibility ~ the United States is currently ranked # 5 which is why millions of Americans eyes will be on Adu beginning Friday, June 9th.
Don't miss it ~
Allen L Roland
Catch me on the first and third Monday of every month
7 AM and 4PM PST
TRUTHTALK
on Conscious Talk Radio with Brenda Michaels &
Rob Spears
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