The 43rd edition of the Copa America, South America’s version of the European Cup kicks off on July 2 and runs until July 24 in Argentina with the hosts and Brazil clear favorites in this exhilarating exhibition of regional rivalries.
About the Hosts Argentina
History is on Argentina’s side as they come into the South American continent’s most important international soccer tournament as they have hosted the event nine times (including 2011) and have lifted the trophy on home soil seven times. Home advantage is a serious bonus for the albicelestes. Could this be a favourable year for Argentine coach Sergio Batista and the long suffering fans, trophy-less in this competition since 1993?
Admittedly, Argentina has an admirable record in the Copa America since this nation has lifted the trophy as champion a record 14 times along with Uruguay, but over the last 20 years and eight tournaments the glory has belonged to Brazil as four-time champions and twice runners up.
Argentina will be hoping to go one better than their last result in Venezuela 2007 when they finished runners up, suffering a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Dunga’s Brazil. They will also be keen to avoid a repetition of the first ever official Copa America in Argentina in 1916 in a final that saw them come second in a group format to champions Uruguay.
About the Copa America 2011
The location of Argentina’s football hierarchy and royalty mean that so much of the beautiful game is focused in and around the metropolitan area of Greater Buenos Aires. Not in this Copa America. Argentina’s ninth Copa America is unusual and perhaps more attractive since it has been designed to spread the game around amongst intermediary cities. While all of the games are taking place in the northern half of the country, this is due to infrastructure, only the final will be contested in Buenos Aires. Fans will be able to watch games in Cordoba, Jujuy, La Plata, Mendoza, Salta, San Juan and Santa Fe.
Groups and Matches for Argentina 2011
Argentina
Colombia
Costa Rica
Bolivia
- July 1: Argentina v Bolivia, La Plata
- July 2 : Colombia v Costa Rica, Jujuy
- July 6: Argentina v Colombia, Santa Fe
- July 7: Bolivia v Costa Rica, Jujuy
- July 10: Colombia v Bolivia, Santa Fe
- July 11: Argentina v Costa Rica, Cordoba
Brazil
Paraguay
Ecuador
Venezuela
- July 3: Brazil v Venezuela, La Plata
- July 3: Paraguay v Ecuador, Santa Fe
- July 9: Brazil v Paraguay, Cordoba
- July 9: Venezuela v Ecuador, Salta
- July 13: Paraguay v Ecuador, Salta
- July 13: Brazil v Ecuador, Cordoba
Uruguay
Chile
Mexico
Peru
- July 4: Uruguay v Peru, San Juan
- July 4: Chile v Mexico, San Juan
- July 8: Uruguay v Chile, Mendoza
- July 8: Peru v Mexico, Mendoza
- July 12: Chile v Peru, Mendoza
- July 12: Uruguay v Mexico, La Plata
Quarter Finals
- July 16: 1st Group A v Best 3rd, Cordoba
- July 16: 2nd Group A v 2nd Group C, Santa Fe
- July 17: 1st Group B v 2nd Best 3rd, La Plata
- July 17: 1st Group C v 2nd Group B, San Juan
Semi-Finals
- Game 1 -July 19: Winner Quarter-final 1 v Winner Quarter-final 2, La Plata
- Game 2 - July 20: Winner Quarter-final 3 v Winner Quarter-final 4, Mendoza
3rd and 4th Place
- July 23: Loser Game 1 v Loser Game 2, La Plata
Grand Final – July 24, Buenos Aires
Richard McColl - I am a freelance writer from deepest darkest London but for the past 10 years or so I have been maintaining my extended "writing break" in ...
