ah backing the solomon islands to take dis one.
TV -
http://www.soccertv.com/intl.cfmhttp://www.fifa.com/beachsoccerworldcup/news/newsid=626546.html#iconic+beach+ideal+stageTeams
Africa
Nigeria Senegal
Asia
Iran Japan
United Arab Emirates
Europe
France Italy
Portugal Russia
Spain
North and Central America
Mexico USA
Oceania
Solomon Islands
South America
Argentina Brazil
Uruguay
The Associated Press
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: Brazil, famous for its endless beaches and five World Cup titles, is almost everyone's favorite to repeat as champion when the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup begins Friday.
Sixteen nations — from the United States to the Solomon Islands — will compete for the crown on Rio de Janeiro's legendary Copacabana sands.
Largely credited with inventing the beach variation of the game, Brazilians have won 10 of the 12 championships staged annually since 1995 — nine of them on the country's beaches. And few are betting against them now.
"There can be no question that Brazil is the home of beach soccer," FIFA said on its Web site. "Brazil are red-hot favorites to retain the crown" they won last year.
But the days are gone when Brazil had a lock on the title and featured a show-time squad of retired World Cup all-stars such as Zico, Junior and Edinho. Even Romario, an ardent fan who played in the 2005 tournament, won't be on the team for this World Cup.
Originally organized as the Beach Soccer World Championship, the tournament at first was administered by Beach Soccer Worldwide of Spain, with FIFA's endorsement. Brazil hosted and won the inaugural championship and went on to win eight of the next 10, with a surprise victory by Portugal in 2001.
But in 2005, FIFA assumed control of the tournament, renamed it the Beach Soccer World Cup and staged it in Rio de Janeiro. France beat Portugal in a penalty shootout to win the title while Brazil finished third.
Brazil rebounded in 2006, beating Uruguay in the final of a tournament that had grown to 16 nations.
Over the past decade, beach soccer — a five-man game divided into three 12-minute periods on a pitch slightly longer than a basketball court and about twice as wide — has evolved from a recreational sport to a global industry, propelled by international stars such as Brazil's Junior Negao, Portugal's Alan and Madjer and Spain's Amarelle.
Its popularity "has helped to expand television coverage to large audiences in over 170 countries worldwide, making beach soccer one of the fastest growing professional sports in the world and converting it into a major showcase for international commercial opportunity," FIFA said.
Next year will be the first year the world championship will not be staged in Brazil, but rather Marseille, France, with the 2009 event slated for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
This year, Brazil is led by striker Benjamin Pereira da Silva, better known simply as Benjamin. With over 300 goals, he trails only Nenem among Brazil's career scoring leaders. Veteran Junior Negao remains a cornerstone of the defense.
The team just won the 12th Mundialito — a Mini World Cup held this year at Rocha beach in Portimao, Portugal — beating Portugal 5-2 in the final. The victory extended Brazil's winning streak to 51 games, dating back to 2005.
The team is expected to sweep unbeaten through Group A, which includes Russia, Mexico and the Solomon Islands. Portugal is favored in Group B against the United States, Spain and Iran.
Group C is a tossup, with Italy holding a slight edge over Uruguay, Japan and Senegal. The toughest group will likely be Group D, led by Argentina and France, with Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates rounding out the group.
Still, it's likely to be a Brazilian show — again.
"Our main objective (is) retaining the world title," Brazil coach Alexandre Soares told FIFA. "We can't afford to slip up in front of our fans. We hope to do them proud and celebrate again in November."