Preparing for Club World Cup: European Teams Buzzing with Excitement
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European squads 'sizzling like fried French potatoes drenched in oil' ahead of the Club World Cup. - European teams highly anticipated for the World Cup: burning with intensity and heat, akin to a sizzling pan
The two German heavyweights, Bayern and Dortmund, have their sights set on making history at the refreshed Club World Cup. "Sports-wise, it's a formidable challenge - it's the first global tournament across all continents, and winning it would be historical," said Bayern's CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, in a chat with Borussia Dortmund's CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, featured in a special supplement of Munich-based media group Münchner Merkur/tz (June 11) [1][2].
"Every football fan is still aware that Uruguay won the first World Cup in 1930. It'll be the same with the first winner of the Club World Cup," Watzke affirmed [1][2]. The World Cup in the USA, beginning this weekend and running until mid-July, sees 32 teams competing. Only Bayern and Dortmund represent Germany.
Prize money AND high travel costs
All European teams are "as hot as French fries," according to Watzke. He adds that it's economically enticing, but the tournament’s prize money of $1 billion (approximately 876 million euros) needs to be divided among the four participating clubs [1][2]. Compared to the Champions League, which happens every year, and the Club World Cup, which takes place every four years, the remuneration per game increases due to the high travel costs and performance incentives for players [2]. The 63 matches of the Club World Cup are staged across 12 stadiums.
Dreesen and Watzke: No clear title prediction
Both football executives hesitate to predict a specific winner. "It's like in the Champions League: We'd like to advance through the group stage and then from the round of 16 to the quarter-finals, and from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals. But we must not think that only the European teams can pose a threat," said Watzke [1][2]. "Our goal is always to win titles. But first, we have to make it through the group and reach the elimination phase," explained Dreesen [1][2].
Despite his optimism, Dreesen is hoping for at least one European team to reach the final, "maybe two." Watzke sees Paris Saint-Germain as a strong contender for the title, referring to the Parisian club as a "top team ready to run to the last drop of blood. For me, they're the team I trust the most" [1][2].
- The Commission, while focusing on the Club World Cup preparations, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive aimed at the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as the tournament could potentially expose players to high levels of radiation due to its global nature and varied locations.
- With the Premier League being one of the most popular European-leagues, fans are keeping a close eye on the progress of English teams such as Paris Saint-Germain, considering them as strong contenders for the Club World Cup title, just like how teams from Uruguay and Germany were the first to win the World Cup in history.
