World Cup Golden Rule: Know Thine Enemy
When Germany lines up to take on Costa Rica on Friday they’ll have the added advantage of knowing that their opponent’s homeland is full of natural beauty and it doesn’t have an army. In addition to learning about the Ticos’ players and formation, the German team has been studying Costa Rican culture. I’m not sure what difference that will make on the pitch, but Germany’s players should be well prepared if FIFA adopts a new tie breaker system that involves cultural trivia questions.
If Costa Rica is busing learning about German culture at their training camp, they might want to note that churches here are opening up their pews for football fans to watch games during the World Cup. Come for the games, stay for the salvation. Now that is a marketing campaign!
Brazil’s opponents are undoubtedly studying the tournament holder’s culture as well and are disappointed to learn today that Ronaldo’s super model girlfriend will not be posing nude anytime soon. This is a serious blow right before the World Cup and certainly does not advance the Joga Bonito cause.
France’s opponents might want to take note of the country’s carefree approach to guarding World Cup tickets. Good thing they have been located because this tournament has almost been sold out and not everyone is going to be able to fit into those German churches to watch the games.
Hopefully no one other than me is studying FIFA honcho Sepp Blatter at this point in the game, but if they are they’ll learn that his holiness would play with three attacking forwards at all times. This is a formation he has learned from having three lawyers firing off lawsuits around him at all times.
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Comments
By A-D Dennehey | June 6th, 2006 at 8:42 pm 
I guess maybe the Germans are learning about Costa Rican culture as part of a good-will between the 2 countries although saying that there is no reason why these countries shouldnt get on right.
Maybe its just a part of the whole theme of the tournament ‘to make friends’ or something like that…its all about uniting the world as one.
I have to congratulate the Germans on that wonderful marketing plan, who knows maybe they could do that in synagogues/mosques/churches in england…i think that “watch football, pray later” campaign could work although there of course would be times when you’d pray during the game - Penalties perhaps.
As an English fan if Fifa were to adopt a Trivia Tie Breaker thing i think us English might as well pack our bags now from Baden-Baden, as well English footballers have a certain stereotype of being a bit ‘dense’, i mean would David Beckham know where half of the countries are.
He’d probably think that Montenegro was where Dracula’s from!
And as for Rio Ferdinand he’d forget to turn up.
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United States
By Trent | June 6th, 2006 at 8:44 pm Actually, this makes a lot of sense. Everybody knows that players from particularly non-martial countries always go upper left on penalty kicks.
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By Razib Ahmed | June 6th, 2006 at 9:14 pm I am not sure about why Germans are studying the culture of Costa Rica or whether there is anything related to football behind such study but may be they are doing it as a part of being friendliness towards the countries.
It is a good campaign taken by the Churches in the Germany that they are trying to attract the people with the slogan “Come for the games, stay for the salvation”
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Islamic Republic Of Iran
By Louie | June 6th, 2006 at 10:08 pm costa Rica and germany will tie…
final score
Germany 1, TICOS 1
it will be a giant upset..
I ca’t wait..
Posted from United States
By Juan | June 7th, 2006 at 3:58 am getting pro soccer players to study ANYTHING other than soccer is an accomplishment.
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By Oscar Quiros | June 8th, 2006 at 9:40 pm Tico footballers are usually more informed about Europe than their European counterparts about Middle America. Good thing about learning, regardless of your passion about football. Rooting for Costa Rica!!!
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