FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008: Curtain Raiser - 1

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 will be held in Marseille between 17 and 27 July. France is holding the tournament for the first time. This is an annual tournament started in 1995. Brazil won the tournament 11 times. All the previous tournament were held in Brazil. In 2005 beach soccer became a part of the FIFA family. The first-ever FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup was staged on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro which was won by France.

Portugal is the first country to win cup other than Brazil in 2001. France won the tournament in 2005. Another interesting statistics was that Brazil never lost a final match. In 2001 and 2005 they failed to qualify for the finals. Uruguay finished runner up thrice.

Sixteen teams have qualified for this year tournament. The qualifiers are:

Africa (2 teams) Cameroon and Senegal
Asia (3 teams) Iran, Japan, and United Arab Emirates
Europe (5 teams) France, Italy, Spain. Portugal, and Russia
North and Central America (2 teams) EL Salvador and Mexico
Oceania ( 1 team) Solomon Islands
South America (3 teams) Argentina, Brazil , UruguayUruguay

The teams were divided into four groups. Group D is the group of death. 11 times Brazil will play European champion Spain, last year runners up Mexico and 2005 fourth place holder Japan. Spain was runner up in 2003 and 2004. Brazil and Spain should qualify from this group.

Group C consist of Argentina, Cameroon, Russia, and United Arab Emirates. This is relatively easy group. Argentina and Cameroon should qualify.

Group B consist of Portugal, Italy, El Salvador, and Solomon Islands. Portugal and Italy should qualify.

Group A consist of France, Uruguay, Senegal, and Iran. France and Uruguay should qualify.

The favorites of the tournament are Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and France……………..