A Football Report

By Fernando Sell, writing from Juiz de Fora, Brazil

It is not the first time that Santos has a squad enriched by talented, skilled and home-grown players.  In 2002 and 2004 the team won the league title with the influence, flair and magic of the world class Diego, Elano and Robinho. In 2010, once more Santos has a young and ambitious team boosted by their talented produced players. Neymar, André and Arouca are some of their promising stars but the one who has been stealing the limelight is the creative midfielder known as Paulo Henrique “Ganso”.

The ambitious, creative midfielder joined Santos in 2005 from Paysandu after being spotted by Santos legend Giovanni. After two years of hard work, Ganso started shining whilst carrying a 6 month injury; he was a key component in the victory of the Under-20 São Paulo State Championship. Paulo Henrique was born Ananindeua, Northern Brazil and earned the nickname “Ganso”which means Goose because of his tall height and slim body structure.

Read More

By Fernando Sell, writing from Brazil

After reading this title you are probably thinking that I am crazy. A team which won the Confederations Cup last, Copa América 2007 and who are one of the favourites to lift the World Cup, can’t suffer from a lack of planning and organization.

However, the truth is the the Brazilian squad has been badly planned and chosen. Below is their World Cup Squad:

Read More

By Fernando Sell, writing from Brazil

You can look anywhere in the world and you will find fierce rivalries. However, there isn’t a rivalry that can be compared to a Brazil vs Argentina, known as “The Battle of South Americans”.

Even though football is the most popular sport between the two South American neighbouring countries, the rivalry is not only disputed between a football match. Since we’re born, we rapidly learn that a game against an Argentinian club or national team, even if it’s a friendly, can’t be lost as it is a question of pride.

There has not been a football match between Brazil and Argentina which has not been memorable. Even if the result is 0-0 draw, the entire 90 minutes are exceptional and always creates stir debate. A defeat can always create a crisis and this happend the last time O Canarinho played against La Albiceleste at the legendary Monumental Stadium, Buenos Aires. Brazil won the match 3-1 and it put Argentina’s World Cup hopes on a string.

The balance of results in the ferocious rivalry is impressive. Although Brazil have had enjoyed the better results over the past decade (I’m sorry my fellow Argentinians, but it’s true!), they have won a total 35, Argentina victorious 33 times and 28 draws in official matches. And what exhilarating matches they were!

Read More

By Fernando Sell

The football season in Brazil normally begins in the second or third week of January and ends in early December. A Brazilian season practically lasts one year; it is packed with matches and tournaments.

Firstly, the State Championships take place which is where all the clubs of one state compete. The states in Brazil are huge and have many big clubs in them, for example, in the state of São Paulo the biggest clubs are: Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras and Santos. The Championships runs across a period of three to four months, ending in late April or early May. The most popular ones are “Carioca” – State of Rio de Janeiro, “Paulista” – São Paulo, “Mineiro” - Minas Gerais and Gaúcho – Rio Grande do Sul.

The format of the Championships varies. Some have a normal league format, with clubs playing home and away fixtures, the 1st and 2nd place team playing in the final. Other Championships play one round of matches and then go into the knockout round.

I believe that the State Championships should cease. They make the big clubs sacrifice their pre-season because they play many games against smaller and weaker clubs. The level and quality of football is much lower and top teams don’t always take it seriously. Furthermore, the winning teams don’t benefit from their winning form; their performances in the national league are very different.

Read More

By Fernando Sell

Brazil is a nation with a fierce and historic rivalry between clubs. However, the characteristics of the rivalries are different in comparison to European ones.

As Brazil is a huge country that is composed of many states, it is rare to see a heated rivalry between two teams from different states.

The most intense rivalries are those between clubs of the same state; this mainly happens in the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The rivalries are primarily stimulated through state championships, also through the league known as O Brasileirão and the Brazilian Cup. When two rival teams play against each other the match is known as a derby and teams can play against each other 6 or more times in one year.

Grêmio vs Internacional

Grêmio and Internacional are fierce rival clubs from Porto Alegre, the capital city of the state Rio Grande do Sul. The state is practically divided in half by the clubs, half the state is painted blue and the other red. The historic derby between the two sides is known as the Gre-Nal.

Many players have played against each in the Gre-Nal, but one of the greatest player vs player moments was between Ronaldinho (Grêmio) and Dunga (Internacional). In one of the derbies, Ronaldinho destroyed Dunga with his tricks and flicks, and the Brazilian superstar scored a beautiful chip in the game.

This particular state championship in which the two teams compete for is called “Campeonato Gaúcho.” In 2009 Internacional were the winners, with arch rivals Grêmio finishing in second. Inter have won the competition 39 times and Grêmio 35 times.

Read More

By Fernando Sell

Brazil is universally acclaimed for consistently producing world-class football players. Brazil’s unique style of football and positive disposition of the players has attracted fans from all over the world to appreciate their brand of football. Another talented player comes from the south of the country, and his name is Giuliano. He is 19 years old, a creative midfielder who represents Sport Club Internacional and has been making a big name for himself. Europe will soon be calling for Giuliano…

Giuliano was born on 31/05/1990 in Curitiba. He grew up loving the beautiful game and actually started playing as a goalkeeper. His idol was 1994 World Cup Champion - Cláudio Taffarel, who defended the Brazilian goal for many years; Taffarel also played for Internacional. There were many goalkeepers in Giuliano’s neighbourhood and after fierce competition he stopped defending the nets. And what a talented midfielder he turned out to be!

Read More