Auteur: Andrew Palczewski

Will Either Team Survive?

Japan vs. Greece: A Long Road to the Knockout Stage

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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The Greek National Team practices prior to the World Cup.

With Colombia and Cote d’Ivoire rounding out Group C, there’s little doubt that the loser of today’s Japan/Greece match will be eliminated from the World Cup. And a draw between the two teams will likely eliminate both of them from contention.

But a win today is no guarantee, either: if Japan wins, they’ll still have to beat Group C favorite Colombia in a tough match. If Greece wins, they’ll have to get by a tough Cote d’Ivoire squad.

Who will make it out alive: Japan, Greece…or neither? Find out when they face off today at 6 PM ET (10 PM UTC) in Natal.

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Group D Matchup in Sao Paulo

England vs. Uruguay: Lots of Questions, and Lots at Stake

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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England and Uruguay face off in March 2006.

Unlike Colombia and Cote d’Ivoire, who had never played each other before today, England and Uruguay do have a football history. However, it’s a old one – while Uruguay beaten England in their two previous World Cup meetings, they were in 1954 and 1966. The last time the two teams played in a friendly, England won. But that was in 2006, and today, only four Uruguay players from that match are still on the team. Both teams hopes of getting out of group play are on the line; a loss for either team, and it’s unlikely they’ll leave Group D. The match kicks off at 3 PM ET (7 PM UTC).

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Colombia (2-1) Cote d'Ivoire

Colombia-Cote d’Ivoire: Feels Like the First Time (Because It Is!) (UPDATE: Colombia Victorious)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


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UPDATE: Despite a late goal from Cote d’Ivoire, they were unable to tie the match, and Colombia won 2-1.

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Today’s Group C match between Colombia and Cote d’Ivoire will certainly be like nothing we’ve ever seen before. That’s because this meeting is the first ever between the two countries’ national teams. With Group C supremacy on the line, and so many unanswered questions about how the teams will play each other, this match at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC) is surely one to watch.

For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.

Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.

Selfies with Players Latest Trend

Smile and Say “World Cup!”

By Andrew Palczewski   |

Of the countless number of World Cup souvenirs in Brazil, the most sought-after may be one you can’t buy.

Selfies – taking a picture of yourself with a smartphone – have become immensely popular worldwide. So it’s no surprise that fans are coming to Brazil with cell phones in hand, hoping to get a selfie with their favorite player. And a lucky few have been able to do just that, and walk away with what may be the ultimate World Cup memento.

Brazilian President Dilma Roussef kicked off the trend with World Cup stadium construction workers:

Dilma Roussef and construction workers.

Since then, fans have been seeking selfies with some of their favorite players – Javier Hernandez of Mexico:

Javier Hernandez of Mexico.

Brazil’s Neymar:

Neymar of Brazil.

Ecuador’s Jorge Guagua:

Ecuador's Jorge Guagua.

Italy’s Mario Balotelli:

Balotelli.

Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon and Daniele De Rossi:

Gianluigi Buffon and Daniele De Rossi of Italy.

But it’s not just the players that are getting attention from fans – coaches, like Netherlands’ Louis Van Gaal, are too:

Louis Van Gaal, Netherlands' coach.

And even the players can get starstruck, resulting in a memorable photo. Take Germany’s Lukas Podolski, who was able to snag a selfie with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after Germany’s 4-0 rout of Portugal:

Lukas Podolski and Angela Merkel.

But the prize for best football selfie has to go to Team Mexico. Not only did they get a selfie with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto…

Team Mexico.

…they were able to fit the entire team into the photo!

Team Mexico.