A nice graphic from the New York Times.
The accompanying article is a little too politically correct but does have some interesting insights:
“Deeper than that, Italy appears to have no plan, no idea how to raise talents to carry on its long and proud place as one of the three traditional powers of world soccer — after Brazil and Germany. Italy’s lack of youth and the lack of self-belief on display this month are compounded by the feeling that the old Europeans seem to be too aloof, perhaps too rich, to embrace the African culture. While they hide away in five-star luxury, the Latin Americans go out into the communities around them.
But something got under the skin of the surly, withdrawn, self-obsessed and now departed French and Italians. They are big names in soccer, but of small consequence to the World Cup as it goes forward without them. They will not be missed. The old order is dead, long live the new. Blow those vuvuzelas.”
Tags: football, shift of power
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