• World Cup 2018

All eyes on Zurich for FIFA verdict

ESPNsoccernet staff
December 2, 2010
Netherlands/Belgium has been attempting to depict itself as the 'green' bid © PA Photos
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On Thursday morning, the four bid teams vying for the right to host the 2018 World Cup made their final presentations to FIFA executive committee members and the world's media.

Utilising presentations from key figures, prominent celebrities and video montages, the bidding nations hope to court last-minute support from the 22 exco members who will vote in a secret ballot at 1300 GMT. The result will be announced at 1500 GMT.

Netherlands/Belgium (0800 GMT)

  • Bid president Ruud Gullit told FIFA's executive committee that the Low Countries would be the "fun bid", and that "we have a great offer. It's a safe choice in every aspect. We are compact bid and our limited size is our real strength, it makes it easy for players, officials and of course the fans."

  • Dutch legend Johan Cruyff also highlighted attempts to create a legacy that aimed to address childhood obesity. "Children come home from school and both parents are working so what do they do - computers, Playstation or sport. Obesity is the next problem - children are overweight everywhere in the world because they do not do sport. What's also the easiest way to promote integration? Sport."

  • In a presentation very much focused around figures from the world of football, rather than celebrities or politicians, the room was also shown a montage of Guus Hiddink's career highlights from around the globe, including spells with South Korea and Australia, with the soundtrack provided by The Monkees' 'I'm A Believer'.

Spain/Portugal (0900 GMT)

  • Spain's FIFA member Angel Villar Llona attempted to play to any anti-English sentiment when mounting a passioniate defence of FIFA in the face of allegations from the Sunday Times and Panorama. "Recently we have been criticised by many media outlets. Unfortunately for them FIFA is a clean institution," he said. "FIFA values honesty, FIFA works for football and for the world and all my colleagues here present are all honest, hard-working football people and the people not here are also honest and hard-working. You have already heard enough slander in the media, the bidding process is clean regardless of what they say."

  • Otherwise, the Spain/Portugal presentation was a somewhat drab affair, highlighting the strong infrastructure the country possesses. The country's president Jose Luis Zapatero said: "Spain is the country with the broadest network of high-speed trains in Europe. We have 50 airports in Iberia, Spain and Portugal is also the most visited destination worldwide, 70 million tourists a year - that's an example of our hotel power and our ability to host."

  • Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said: "Our bid implies a professional organisation that can provide all security guarantees, the Euro 2004 in Portugal was a resounding success. Our professionalism, our competence, our security - these are the three key words. We also look out to the 600million people who speak Spanish and Portuguese - we are close to South America, Africa and Asia."

England (1000 GMT)

  • England's first star turn was the impressive Eddie Afekafe, who works with Manchester City on their community programmes. Prince William said of his fellow bid ambassador: "What Eddie represents is a credit to FIFA because it's your game that transformed his life. England 2018 and FIFA together have the opportunity to create thousands of more opportunities for people like Eddie." Prince William also made a reference to his upcoming marriage with Kate Middleton: "We can deliver extraordinary public occasions - I certainly hope as I'm planning quite a big one myself next year."

  • However, the big showstopper was of course David Beckham, who read an emotional speech that referenced the death of his grandfather, Joe. "I could never have imagined that FIFA would have invited me to take part in the World Cup draw [in 2009]. A year ago today my granddad died, the day before the draw. Now I want to do something that will make my granddad proud. Now I want to do more. That's why I am here and why everyone from the Prime Minister to Prince William to Eddie is here today. The benefits will be felt over generations and your vote can make this happen."

  • To the stirring tune of Elbow's 'One Day Like This', England's bid team produced a video montage showcasing some of the Premier League's biggest names - including Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson - and the overall presentation was well received, with Sepp Blatter describing it as "excellent and remarkable".

Russia (1100 GMT)

  • Russia's FIFA member Vitaly Mutko highlighted the fact that Eastern Europe has never hosted the World Cup finals: "Twenty one years ago the Berlin Wall was broken. Today we can break another symbolic wall and open a new era in football together. Russia represents new horizons for FIFA, millions of new hearts and minds and a great legacy after the World Cup, great new stadiums and millions of boys and girls embracing the game."

  • Bid chief executive Alexei Sorokin even quoted Winston Churchill's famous comment that Russia was "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma." Sorokin said: "I can also tell you the Russia to which Sir Winston referred is a Russia that no longer exists. A new Russia is looking forward to harnessing the power of world football to move it forward. This could be a game-changer for Russia and for FIFA."

  • In a presentation that was introduced by a blast of Euro-trance, Arsenal star Andrei Arshavin tugged on the heartstrings. Following a video in which a small child dreamed of taking the field alongside the Russian icon, Arshavin said: "My coach believed in me when no-one else did. Now we ask you to believe in us. I am just simple football player. My life is on the pitch. You are leaders. I ask to make decision for future generations." Pole vaulter Yelena Isinbaeva was also a hit with the audience.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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