How have you been spending your summer vacation? We’re guessing that at least some of you have spent the last few weeks like the more than 6 million other people around the world who have been glued to their televisions watching the World Cup matches. We assume this, because 2014 is said to be the highest viewership for a World Cup game yet.
And even if your favorite team has been knocked out of contention, or you have been spending your time working or going to summer school (things far more productive than we’ve been doing) there is still time to get in on the action. The climax is about to happen as Argentina and the Netherlands duke it out tomorrow to see who will play Germany in the final match this weekend.
Germany will take on the winner of tomorrow’s match this Sunday, July 13 in the finals held in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium which, will holds 75,000 (no doubt, rabid) fans. Here are a few things you need to know before the real action begins.
Planning to Watch: When looking at the schedule for the next matches, be sure to take into account time difference. Some times are listed in EST and some in local Brazil time. When in doubt, check with your favorite watering hole or restaurant, it’s likely they will be having specials to commemorate the occasion. Just be sure to get there early to get a good seat.
Important Rules to Know: For those just joining in on the action, it’s important to know the rules of the game. Matches last 90 minutes and are played in two 45 minute halves. Time for injuries or other situations is added at the end of the match, adding to the excitement since you never know exactly when it will be over.
Other Fun World Cup Facts: This is the second time Brazil has hosted the World Cup. The country previously hosted in 1950, but lost to Uruguay that year. Sadly, as we found out today, Brazil has yet to win a World Cup at home. Don’t feel too bad for them just yet though, Brazil has won five times in past years, the most recent of which was in 2002.
Now onto the most important decision, who will you be rooting for when you watch?
Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ecpelotas/