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Saturday 7 December 2013

Mesut sizzle - World Cup draw leaves Germans in a sweat


Mesut sizzle - World Cup draw leaves Germans in a sweat

Mesut sizzle - World Cup draw leaves Germans in a sweat

Travel distances and soaring temperatures could hamper sides before they even set foot on the pitch in Brazil - Goal takes a look at the contrasting fortunes of those involved
Since Brazil were confirmed as hosts of World Cup 2014, and its 12 host cities defined, nations have begun to consider the potential pitfalls of travel distances and temperatures next summer.

With the group stage draw complete and every one of the 32 nations now aware of their opponents in the opening round, Goal takes a look at the winners and losers in terms of journey length and climate ahead of the tournament.

TRAVEL SICKNESS

In terms of distance, the United States will have every reason to be unhappy. The Americans are set for a  a 5.609 km round trip during the entire group stage, playing at Natal (vs Ghana), Manaus (vs Portugal) and Recife (vs Germany).

Croatia, who will open the competition against hosts Brazil, will also face a long journey: 5.533 km (facing Brazil, at Sao Paulo; Cameroon, at Manaus and Mexico, at Pernambuco).

Belgium and Mexico, on the other hand, have been handed a more favourable schedule, as the Diables Rouges will travel only 698 km between Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

As for the Mexicans, there is a 1.066 km journey ahead, firstly at Natal (vs Cameroon), Fortaleza (vs Brazil) and Recife (vs Croatia). Finally, hosts Brazil will let fans from every corner of the country take a look at the Selecao, by travelling a total of 4.064 between venues.

SWEATING IT OUT

It’s no revelation that Brazil has one of the hottest climates in the world. Some teams will, however, suffer with this factor more than others.
BRAZIL'S HOTTEST CITIES
Average temperatures in June
26ºC Manaus
26ºC Natal
25.9ºC Fortaleza
23.5ºC Cuiaba

Germany are likely to face the worst weather conditions: the three-time world champions will play at Salvador, Fortaleza and Recife, some of the warmest cities to host the tournament, at unusual times (1pm, 4pm and 1pm, respectively). This will be bad news for players used to facing temperatures as high as 24ºC during the European summer.

Italy had the chance to acclimatise to Brazil’s weather conditions during the 2013 Confederations Cup, but will likely suffer with the sizzling winter in the country's north region. The Azzurri will play at Manaus (9pm) before having to withstand the 1pm sun at both Pernambuco and Natal.

Much to Roy Hodgson’s dismay, England will have to play at Manaus (where they face Italy in a night match in Group D), a place close to the Equatorial line.

Also, Portugal, who face games at Fortaleza, Brasília and Manaus, will face sweltering conditions, while mountainous Switzerland will have the burden of playing deep in the Amazonian rainforest.

On the other hand, Russia must be celebrating the fact that they will open their tournament away from the hottest temperatures. It’s not anything like Moscow, but to play at Cuiaba (6pm), Rio (7pm) and, most of all, Curitiba (5pm) is a welcome relief to Fabio Capello and his players.

Honduras will, too, face lower temperatures, having been drawn to play at Porto Alegre and Curitiba before heading to Manaus.

Algeria, however, will have the luxury of playing both at Curitiba and Porto Alegre - two cities with the lowest average temperatures of those hosting World Cup games in June. ----------- goal.com

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