Salvador and the World Cup in Brazil

Brazil's first capital still preserves its strong African influence that permeates its food, music, dance and religion. With the history alive and well in the streets, alleys and hills that marks the start of Portuguese colonization, the city possesses a rich archive of architectural and religious works, which can be found in its historic center, known as the Pelourinho. 

Historical center in Salvador

Itapuã beach, Salvador

Capoeira, Martial arts and dance

Famous for its street carnival, with the great singers of Axé music, the biggest city in the Brazilian Northeast also has an ocean coast blessed with beautiful beaches surrounded by coconut palms.

The classic Ba-Vi game is the highlight of the dispute between the two favorite rival teams by Salvador residents. Both Bahia and Vitória compete fiercely at the state level.

Bahia is famous for its faithfulness to its fans, who put it as the owner of one of the largest fan bases in Brazil, which won the trophy of Brazilian Champion in 1988, and the Taça Brasil in 1959.

Vitória in turn has won three titles in the Northeastern Cup, and one of vice-champion of the Brazilian Championship in 1993, after being beaten in the final match by Palmeiras. The Leão (lion), as Vitória is also known, already produced such stars and world champs like the forward Bebeto and the goalkeeper Dida.

Fonte Nova Arena

The novelty to Bahian football is the Fonte Nova Arena, a multiuse stadium with capacity for 55.000  fans. Salvador will host at least three of the main teams that sealed a spot to participate in 2014. In the first phase, the city will host four games. In three of them, key players from their groups will be on the field. The Bahian capital will also host an elimination game in the round of 16, and one of the quarter finals. The presence of Spain, Netherlands, France, Portugal and Germany promises some legendary scenes in a remarkable city in Brazil.

June 13^th – Friday - 04:00pm  – Spain x Netherlands  (group B)

June 16th – Monday - 01:00pm - Germany  x Portugal (group G)

June 20^th – Friday – 01:00pm -  Switzerland  x France (group  E)

June 25^th – Wednesday - 01:00pm -  Bosnia x Iran (group F)

July 01st – Tuesday – 05:00pm - 1^st Group H x 2^nd Group G (round of 16)

July 05^th – Saturday – 05:00pm - 1^st  Group B or 2^nd Group A x 1^st Group D or 2^nd Group C (quarterfinals)

Iran squad profile

Switzerland team profile

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours

Curitiba and the 2014 World in Brazil

The green capital of the south of the country became well known for its concern over sustainability and urban planning, which could be proven by the efficient public transportation system. Its innumerable parks and green spaces, like the Botanical Garden with its native forest, delight visitors. There are innumerable cultural attractions, but to highlight but a few, there's the Arame Opera House, with its tubular structure and transparent roof, and the Oscar Niemeyer Museum and its work "The Eye" , which just cannot be missed.

Botanical Garden, photo by wikipedia

Oscar Niemeyer Museum, "The Eye', photo by wikipedia

Tingui Park with Ukranian church

Soccer in the state of Paraná has a national presence, although the territory has intense rivalries between local clubs. Coritiba, Atlético Paranaense and Paraná are the triad that always compete for the state title.

Coritiba, at over 100-year old, calls the Mayor Antônio Couto Pereira stadium home, and has won three consecutive state titles until 2013, and this year has lost its supremacy for small local squads, such as Londrina and Maringá.

Arena da Baixada, Curitiba city, photo by Danilo Borges

With its large capacity for 41.456 spectators, the modern Baixada Arena will host games just in the group stage, with the privilege of receiving the current world champion: the feared Spain. The stadium belongs to Atlético Paranaense, one of the main forces in the city, with a relevant presence in the national league.

June 16^th – Monday - 04:00pm - Iran x Nigeria (group F)

June 20^{th –}  Friday - 07:00pm - Honduras x Ecuador (group E)

June 23^rd – Monday - 01:00pm - Australia x Spain (group B)

June 26^{th –}  Thursday - 05:00pm - Algeria x Russia (group  H)

Nigeria squad profile

Russian squad profile

Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours