World Cup

Possessed. Dispossessed

At What Cost World Cup? At What Cost Olympics?

By Mike Eckel   |

The World Cup is closing in on its final chapters: semifinals on Tuesday and Wednesday, finals on on Sunday. The tournament is already leaving great sporting memories, but it’s also leaving a legacy of controversy over evictions and land seizures that made way for the event.

Authorities evicted residents in dozens of neighborhoods across Rio and other major Brazilian cities ahead of the tournament.

The evictions sparked protests from those who believe the mega-events serve primarily the interests of the wealthy.

And now the scenario is repeating itself as Brazil prepares for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Read more here from VOA’s Scott Babb and watch below:

 

KO!

March Madness In Brazil!

By Mike Eckel   |

All Times GMT (EDT + 5 Hours)

Group of 16 Quarterfinal Semifinal Final Semifinal Quarterfinal Group of 16
28/06 - 17:00
1(3) BRA
 
1(2)  
CHI
28/06 - 21:00
2 COL
 
0  
URU
30/06 - 17:00
2 FRA
 
0  
NGA
30/06 - 21:00
2 GER
 
1  
ALG
04/07 - 21:00
2 BRA
 
1  
COL
 
04/07 - 17:00
0 FRA
 
1  
GER
08/07 - 21:00
1 BRA
 
7  
GER
13/07 - 20:00
1 GER
 
0  
ARG
12/07 - 21:00
0 BRA
 
3  
NED
09/07 - 21:00
NED 0(2)
 
  0(4)
ARG
05/07 - 21:00
NED 0(4)
 
  0(3)
CRC
 
05/07 - 17:00
ARG 1
 
  0
BEL
29/06 - 17:00
NED 2
 
  1
MEX
29/06 - 21:00
CRC 1(5)
 
  1(3)
GRE
01/07 - 17:00
ARG 1
 
  0
SUI
01/07 - 21:00
BEL 2
 
  1
USA
Group G Date - Time (GMT) Date (GMT) Venue Team Results Team

Group of 16

Quarterfinal
  04/07 - 17:00 Rio de Janeiro
GER 1-0 FRA
  04/07 - 21:00 Fortaleza
COL 1-2 BRA
  05/07 - 17:00 Brasília
BEL 0-1 ARG
  05/07 - 21:00 Salvador
CRC 0(3)-0(4) NED

Semifinal
  08/07 - 21:00 Belo Horizonte
GER 7-1 BRA
  09/07 - 21:00 São Paulo
ARG 0(4)-0(2) NED

3rd and 4th
  12/07 - 21:00 Brasília
NED 3-0 BRA

Final
  13/07 - 20:00 Rio de Janeiro
ARG 0-1 GER

Foward Brazilian Soldiers!

Brazil Looks to Quarterfinals, With Confidence!

By Nicolas Pinault   |
FILE - Soccer fans celebrate as they watch on a big screen television, the second goal scored by Brazil's Neymar in the World Cup match against Cameroon, in Manaus, Brazil.

 

Brazil will face Colombia Friday for a spot in the World Cup semifinal. Everybody expects a tough game for Brazil and in a country where soccer is king, everyone has an opinion on the national team.

In Flamengo, one can see the majestic Sugar Loaf mountain, but nobody really pays attention to one of the most iconic sights in Rio. Here, it is the ball that gets all the attention. Amateurs, kids, everybody is playing soccer. And everybody has an opinion on the Selecao, the Brazilian national team.

Many, like Mateus Marquez Custodio, think the team will beat Colombia.

Read more here at VOAnews.com.

Statue of Liberty vs. Manneken Pis

US Businesses Cheering World Cup Fervor

By Mike Eckel   |

The World Cup has entered its third week of competition with the United States advancing to the next round.

Spirited play by the Americans has already generated a lot of new fans in the US, and is breaking TV viewing records, surpassing even major American sports like baseball and ice hockey.

But it’s not just football fans now raving about the sport. As Mil Arcega reports, some of the biggest fans include bars and restaurants in Washington D.C.

The Belgians and the Americans kick off at 12 p.m. EDT (5 p.m. GMT)