Who hasn't
heard of the Marvelous City? It is the city that draws up Brazil for its
stereotypes and stunning beauty. Rio doesn't disappoint anyone who comes to see
the mix of an urban center and a beach town, with it touristic icons like
Christ, the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the famous beaches of Copacabana,
Ipanema and Barra da Tijuca.
Aerial view from Sugar Loaf, photo by Eliana Souza
Ipanema beach, wikipedia
Tijuca National park and forest
For being the
capital of the country for more than a century and a half, the city preserves
historic Brazilian landmarks with its monuments and museums, and enormous
French influence. Rio was also the precursor of innumerous cultural movements
that left behind roots, such as the creation of samba and bossa nova, for
example. Its festivals, like carnival and New Year's Eve, are reason enough to
highlight the city as an unforgettable destination.
Opera House, photo by Eliana Souza
Selaron stairs, photo by Eliana Souza
Carioca da Gema, traditional bar at Lapa bohemian district
Carnival parade, wikipedia
But, nothing is
more impressive than the relationship between people from Rio, or Cariocas, and
soccer, which is practically considered a religion. The four big teams in the
city, Botafogo, Fluminense, Vasco and Flamengo, are venerated by their
followers and cause commotion in their highly disputed games. It is estimated
that 30 million fans root for Flamengo, considered the most popular team in the
country. Players that have reached international fame, like Jairzinho,
Garrincha, Rivellino, Zico, Ronaldo and Romário, all played for one of these
teams.
Maracana stadium, before the renovation for 2014 world Cup, photo by Artur Bopré
The home of the
giant Maracanã stadium which has hosted around 155 thousand fans, it is there
that games between the four rival teams are played. The stadium was inaugurated
shortly before the 1950 World Cup, in order to be recognized as the biggest in
the world. Five of the six games that Brazil played in the tournament took
place there, including the historic final against Uruguay, when Brazil was
beaten 2 to 1, and generated a national state of shock, which is difficult to
wipe from the memory of Brazilians.
Maraca, as it
is affectionately called by locals, is the stadium that has hosted the most
games played by the Brazilian national soccer team. Several final games in the
Brazilian championships, and many historic games, were also played there, like
the famous soccer player Pelé's game where he made his 1000th goal, and his
last game as part of the national team.
Maracana stadium prepared for 2014 World Cup, photo by Erica Ramalho
Totally
remodeled with a capacity for 78.800 spectators, the stadium will be the stage
for the final game of the World Cup in 2014. It will also host four games in
the group stage, one of the round of 16 and another in the quarterfinals. Brazil
wants to be there, in the final match, following its tradition and repeating
the screenplay of the last Confederations Cup in 2013, when won the tournament
with an expressive score of 3-0 against Spain.
This is the
most important temple for the most popular and idolized sport in Brazil.
Argentina, Spain, Chile and France are other strong contenders to play in the
arena.
June 15th – Sunday - 07:00pm - Argentina
x Bosnia (group F)
June 18th – Wednesday - 07:00pm - Spain x Chile (group B)
June 22nd – Sunday - 07:00pm - Belgium x Russia (group H)
June 25th – Wednesday - 05:00pm - Ecuador
x France (group E)
June 28th – Wednesday - 05:00pm – 1st
of Group C x 2nd of Group D (round of 16)
July 04th – Friday - 01:00pm – 1st of
Group E or 2nd group F x 1st of Group G or 2nd
group H (quarterfinals)
The goals of striker Edin Dzeko from Bosnia National team
The skilss of Romelu Lukaku from Belgium National team
Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours
