Honduras: Josh Voorhees on the SLATE website wrote a piece aiming to let down gently any American fans still holding out hopes of reaching the Knockouts by saying, “If you look around your group and you don’t see a Honduras, then you’re the Honduras.”
Which brings us in an oblique but tidy fashion to the Honduras team. Most readily memorable in footballing circles for the 1969 “Football War” it fought against El Salvador following violent qualifying matches for Mexico ’70, the country’s shining star this year is Roger Espinoza, a strong defensive midfielder who grew up in Denver, went to college in Ohio, started his professional career at Kansas City, and was summoned by the magical Roberto Martinez to Wigan, where he played all 90 minutes of the glorious FA Cup triumph against Man City in 2013. Espinoza led Los Catrachos into the Quarterfinals of the 2012 London Olympics, performing well against major teams (Brazil and Spain).
Currently ranked 41st in the world in a group of sides all else in the top 25, Honduras will bear aloft the underdog flag for Group E.
Interesting side note: did you ever see the Alex Cox movie “Walker” with Ed Harris? Odd movie (well, it’s Alex Cox, so, yeah) about a true moment in history when crazy visionary gringo William Walker invaded Nicaragua and proclaimed himself ruler. All of Central America banded together to oust him (successfully, obviously), and the generals of the Honduras contingent were at that time led by two brothers, the Xatruch brothers. It is their surname which was the origin of the nickname “Catrachos”, which now refers to all citizens of the country. Thanks to La Gringa's Blogicito for the insight.
Switzerland: The Swiss team, according to the Politics of Football website, is “known for its discipline and strong defense,” which I interpret to mean that they tend towards catenaccio and dull viewing for you and me. They “lack a true goal-scorer,” which means we’ll see lots of stodgy long-ball. They came away from their qualifying matches having scored a total of three goals in ten matches. The great hope we might have for some excitement in the Swiss line-up comes from Xherdan Shaqiri, a Kosovo-born midfielder, a strapping youngster thriving these days under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich. (Interestingly, in a country troubled by racism and anti-immigration rumblings, the football side is composed largely of second-generation nationalized immigrants.)
Ecuador: Currently ranked 23rd by FIFA, La Tri are strong in attack, led by Man U winger Antonio Valencia, a playmaker and provider of assists rather than a finisher. The history is this: they have yet to win the Copa America. In 2002 at Korea/Japan, they were defeated in their group by both Italy and Mexico, picked up a win against Croatia but headed home. In '06 Germany, they advanced into the Round of 16 to be knocked out by England (with one of those gorgeous, bending free-kicks by Beckham, as I recall).
According to The Road To Brazil website, they enjoy an unfair advantage in home qualifying matches, as they are played 2800 metres above sea level.
Former Birmingham striker Christian Benitez died tragically young this past July, leaving a vacant spot in the front line, traditionally the side’s strongest point. To adjust to this loss, Valencia himself may be moved into a more central role, as the side is currently strong in wingers. In the meantime, questions about the defense are ongoing, brought recently to the fore during a friendly against a B-team Germany last May.
France: Les Bleus had a manager they hated; now the bad man is gone. There is some talk that Ribery, the magnificent Ribery, might be kept back from the squad, something about whoring, but this is ridiculous; we are Frenchmen, we have needs. These petty hypocrisies weigh upon me, weary me. The French at the World Cup are inevitable, like death, like taxes. Let us speak of it no more. Hush. Hush, now.
My prediction: Switzerland at the top, solid but unexciting, followed by a sort of deer-caught-in-the-headlights, evanescent France. This may well result in the Swiss continuing on into Quarterfinals, as their Knockout opponent will probably be Nigeria. The French, on the other hand, will be up against Argentina, and I wish them a quick and painless flight home.
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