World Cup 2014

Growing in popularity each year, the world has anxiously been awaiting the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, since 2010 when Spain defeated the Netherlands to win the coveted title. Like the Olympics, the World Cup occurs every four years, changing locations to bring together competing nations and enthusiastic fans across the globe.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was founded in 1904, is ruled by Swiss law and is based in Zurich. There are over 200 member associations belonging to FIFA and the overall goal of the organization and its members is to constantly improve the sport of football (soccer in the USA). The FIFA Congress announced earlier in June that it would be investing $900M dollars in development of the sport from 2015-2018. These funds will be used for a variety of purposes although priorities include the support of women’s funds and youth competitions as well as enhancing football’s information system.

The World Cup begins with a group format, intended to separate high ranking and geographically close teams. The USA is part of group G along with Germany, Ghana and Portugal. Scoring the groups is based on a point system: win = 3, draw (tie) = 1 and loss = 0. This system determines who advances to the knockout round.

In the USA’s first match, Ghana was defeated 2-1. USA goals were scored by Dempsey and Brooks. In their second game which took place Sunday, June 22, the USA started out down 0-1 against Portugal but came back to score two goals (by Jones and Dempsey). It seemed like a sure thing that the USA was set for victory until a last second goal by Varela of Portugal’s team tied the game! This resulted in a draw.

As with any great sporting tournament, upsets, surprises and controversies make for exciting news and so far, the World Cup has had no shortage of them! Greece beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in their match on June 24. Uruguay’s Luis Suarez was accused of biting Italian Giorgio Chiellini’s ear in their most recent game and Costa Rica has surprised many teams and soccer fans worldwide, rising to the top spot in Group D and advancing to the knockout round.

Games began on June 12 and continue through July 13. The semi-finals will occur on July 8-9, the third-place game takes place on July 12 and the final match is set for July 13. The USA plays Germany next on Thursday, June 26 at 11:00 a.m. EST.

HBO Hard Knocks

HBO has always offered a variety of captivating dramas, comedies and documentaries. The sports documentary series Hard Knocks (in partnership with NFL Films) is no exception. The show captures the routine of both players and coaches during training camp and pre-season games as they prepare for the upcoming season. It gives football fans an inside look at team operations, practice, contract negotiations, the “grind” players endure to keep their spot on the team and prove their worth, the battle for positions, the adjustments rookie players must make as well as a glimpse into the players’ personal lives. The show has won three Sports Emmy Awards, one in 2009 and two in 2010.

Hard Knocks first premiered in 2001 featuring the Baltimore Ravens. Since then, the following teams have been featured: Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins. The Cowboys and Bengals have each been featured twice. Due to uncertainty with the NFL’s labor situation in 2011, Hard Knocks was not produced. The NFL implemented rules in 2013 listing reasons a team is eligible to avoid Hard Knocks if they wish: if they have a new head coach, if they have reached the playoffs in the past two seasons, or if they have appeared on Hard Knocks within the past 10 years.

Hard Knocks enters its ninth season this year, featuring the Atlanta Falcons. 2014 will be the Falcons’ seventh season under head coach, Mike Smith. The Falcons have made playoff appearances in 4/6 of the past seasons under Smith. This season should have plenty of exciting directions for storylines including anticipation around returning high-profile veterans like Matt Ryan and Roddy White, the recovery path of superstar Julio Jones after a season-ending foot injury last October, and integration of the Falcons’ sixth draft pick, offensive lineman, Jake Matthews. This season will also feature the team’s trip to Texas for a combined practice with the Houston Texans prior to their pre-season game at NRG Stadium on August 16.

HBO’s film crew will shoot more than 1500 hours of footage with unlimited access for the series. Hard Knocks premieres August 5 at 10:00 p.m. EST on HBO.