Are you excited about the World Cup soccer in Brazil?
The World Cup almost started. Will Spain win again, or is Brasil ready to use its home advantage? How do these students think about their team’s chances?
SVEN DRISSEN (24) AND OSCAR DRÖGEN (23), BOTH MASTER STUDENTS IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGMENT AT RSM, FROM THE NETHERLANDS
“We will watch the world cup either at home, in the city centre or in De Smitse on campus. We are quite busy with our study, so we will watch most of the games in our houses, except when Holland is playing. We will watch that it in the centre of Rotterdam.
Everybody in the Netherlands starts dressing in orange when a game is commencing. Same with us, as we own several shirts, hats and ties in that colour.
We are crazy about football in general, the world cup is no exception. But the chances of the Dutch team are low. We will probably not reach the final again. If we make it to the next round of the tournament we will face Brazil. The chances of beating them are very low.
The Brazilian team will probably win the world cup, anyway. They have the bonus of playing at home. They are also used to the climate.”
SOLENN PUECH (18) FROM FRANCE, STUDIES IBA
“I am going to watch the match Holland versus Spain this Friday. Me and some friends will go to a pub or to The Student Hotel for that.
As I like football, I always watch the world cup. Only the matches which interest me, though. That is especially the case when France or Spain is playing.
Although the French team will not win the world cup. I have seen some of their selection matches and they were not exactly amazing.
Brazil will probably win, they are really good. Holland does not stand a chance.
The world cup is a very big thing in France, as football is the most popular sport there. Maybe I will even wear the colours of the French flag for some games. Red, white and blue.”
MORITZ BARBARINO (19) FROM GERMANY, STUDIES IBEB
“I will watch the matches at the university, in a pub or at a friends place.
The German team is struggling a bit, because some of our players dropped out and others are not in the best shape. It is a race against time, as there is only a few days left until the first game against Portugal. They still have pretty good chances to reach the final, though. We have to watch out for Argentina and Brazil, as they are very strong competitors.
Football is a big thing in Germany. Everybody turns patriotic and gets very enthusiastic. I am also pretty stoked about the world cup, but the real motivation comes when the first game starts.”
ANNY MAN (19) FROM THE NETHERLANDS, STUDIES BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
“I am not that much into football, so I will only watch the world cup when the Dutch team is playing. They will probably not win the tournament either. Maybe the first few matches, to secure one of the two top spots in the group phase. After that they will get kicked out. Spain or Germany might win the world cup.
When I watch a game, I normally do it at home or at a friends place. In Rotterdam there is a lot of bars where they show the matches. Many of Dutch people go there, so that might be a good place to go as well.”
AKASH RAMADIN (19) FROM THE NETHERLANDS, STUDIES PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
“I have Brazilian, Guyanese and Surinamese roots. That’s the reason I am cheering for Brazil. The same goes for my friends, who either favour Brazil or Argentina. I will watch the games with my friends and family at home. I even got a Brazilian shirt and the official world cup football.
In Rotterdam the atmosphere is not as excited for the tournament as in The Hague, where I live.
I initially thought that Uruguay is quite good. But Brazil will win this time. Although Argentina’s chances of reaching the final are not bad either.
I can not say the same for the Dutch team. Their chances are minimal.”
IOANNIS PAPPAS (23) FROM GREECE, MASTER STUDENT IN MARKETING MANAGMENT
“I want to watch the games where Greece is playing. For me it is more like social thing to do, since I am not that interested in football. I prefer basketball.
When it is possible I will watch the games with Greek friends of mine. We will do that in The Student Hotel.
The world cup used to be important in Greece but now there are more urgent matters going on in the country. It will not receive as much attention as before.
I am not sure if Greece has a chance to win. But the other teams in it’s group not good either. So it might work out. If Brazil or Argentina would win it would be very nice. These countries could benefit a lot from a victory.”
