The World Cup keeps its hold on the imagination of the planet partly because of its myth-making and its traditions.
At its heart is a duel between Europe and South America, which is not to say other continents have less to give the global game, simply that the places that have been dominating the tournament for longest, as competitors and organisers, have the most developed joust about status.
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Though it is less valid, in an age of multinational club football, to generalise about a style that may be “western” or “eastern” or “Latin”, the World Cup still has some time-honoured laws, such as a history of no European team winning when the tournament takes place in the Americas.
World Cups rotated between Europe and Latin America from 1930 to 1990. But Brazil 2014 is the first tournament hosted in South America since 1978. Only twice has it been staged in the Americas in the past 36 years, as opposed to four times in Europe in that stretch.
It may be time for Europe to make some history.
Europeans should not be inhibited by crossing the Atlantic, especially now when, for most elite footballers, the distinction between home and away has eroded.
Modern stadiums are designed to strict templates and tend to resemble each other from the perspective of the player on the pitch.
Air travel is much more comfortable than it once was and the devices – video links, tablets – that can combat homesickness are more plentiful.
Talk to some Brazilians and they will refer you to real, decisive differences in typical playing conditions there and in the leading European leagues to which they export their talent in numbers.
They often mention the length of the grass (higher in Brazil), but in a World Cup, Fifa command the groundsmen on exactly how to prepare surfaces and their instructions are the same the world over.
Home advantage is clearly worth something, which is partly why Brazil are favourites for 2014. Uruguay and Argentina will have a significantly higher body of support in stadiums because of relative proximity, but neither nation will be playing to stadiums packed out with their own compatriots.
Spain, the defending champions, broke a mould with their victory in South Africa in 2010 as it made them the first winners from Europe to win a World Cup staged outside Europe.
This time, expect the likes of Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and France to regard the blank record of European successes in the Americas not as a hurdle, but a motivation.
sports@thenational.ae
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Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
Cherry
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
1/5
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The specs: 2019 Jeep Wrangler
Price, base: Dh132,000
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 285hp @ 6,400rpm
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Fuel economy, combined: 9.6L to 10.3L / 100km
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
No.6 Collaborations Project
Ed Sheeran (Atlantic)
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
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Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
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- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
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Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
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