The confederations what?...

Not many people have heard of the Confederations Cup, but most likely people will take heed after some of the scorelines hit the headlines. The Confederations Cup pits the World Cup winner against the host nation of the coming World cup with the 6 winners of the separate confederation tournaments. Below is everyone who is in it, and what they won to get there:

World Cup winner: Italy
Coming World Cup hosts: South Africa
CONCACAF Gold Cup winners: USA
Asian Championship winners: Iraq
Euro 2008 winners: Spain
Copa America winners: Brazil
Oceania Championship winners: New Zealand
African Cup of Nations winners: Egypt

I like to liken it to the Fifa Club World Cup, in that Fifa gathers teams that are allegedly the best in their region and has them play each other. Seeing as the Fifa Club World Cup is equally obscure as the Confederations Cup that might have been a poor analogy, but both tournaments do create some potentially mouth watering clashes.

Either way, this tournament is off to a flyer. In the first four games alone we have already witnessed an astounding sixteen goals. Spain continues to exude their dominance against any opponent in any context. Brazil look as shaky as ever at the back but quite exciting up front. Egypt looks wonderfully skilled and creative, while remaining strong and disciplined. Italy looks shaky but competitive. The US looks energetic and up for the fight. New Zealand despite getting thrashed will likely bounce back to the side that lost 4-3 against Italy a week ago, and might even make it out of the group. And South Africa and Iraq should get lost.

More in depth analysis to follow from Danny, and maybe a mention of the betrayal that occured today on the part of Rossi...