França Como se classificou: Em segundo no grupo da Espanha, bateu a Ucrânia na repescagem Participações anteriores: 13 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010) Melhor resultado: Campeã em 1998. Técnico: Didier Deschamps Destaque: Frank Ribéry (Bayern de Munique-ALE) Portugal Como se classificou: Ficou atrás da Rússia em seu grupo e passou pela Suécia na repescagem Participações anteriores: 5 – 1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010. Melhor resultado: Terceiro em 1966. Técnico: Paulo Bento Destaque: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid-ESP) Croácia
Grécia
Como se classificou: Depois de ficar em segundo no grupo da Bélgica foi à repescagem e eliminou a Islândia Participações anteriores: 3 – 1998 e 2002 e 2006. Melhor resultado: Terceiro em 1998. Técnico: Niko Kovač Destaque: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid-ESP)
Como se classificou: Vice-líder do grupo da Bósnia, eliminou a Romênia na repescagem Participações anteriores: 2 – 1994 e 2010. Melhor resultado: Nunca passou da primeira fase. Técnico: Fernando Santos Destaque: Giorgios Samaras (Celtic-ESC) Holland How it qualified: 1st place in Grupo D of the European qualifying round Previous participations: 9 – 1934, 1938, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2010. Best result: Runner-up in 1974, 1978, and 2010. Coach: Louis Van Gaal Highlight: Robin Van Persie (Manchester United – England) Switzerland How it qualified: 1st place in Grupo E of the European qualifying round Previous participations: 9 – 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994, 2006, 2010. Best result: Quarter finals in 1934, 1938, and 1954. Coach: Ottmar Hitzfeld Highlight: Gökhan Inler (Napoli – Italy) Russia How it qualified: 1st place in Grupo F of the European qualifying round Previous participations: 9 (including the Soviet Union) – 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 2002. Best result: Forth place in 1966 Coach: Fabio Capello Highlight: Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow) Bosnia Herzegovina How it qualified: 1st place in Grupo G of the European qua-
lifying round Previous participations: First time in World Cups Coach: Emir Spahić Highlight: Edin Džeko (Manchester City – England) England How it qualified: 1st place in Grupo H of the European qualifying round Previous participations: 13 – 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010. Best result: Champion in 1966. Coach: Roy Hodgson Highlight: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United – England) Spain How it qualified: 1st place in Grupo I of the European qualifying round Previous participations: 13 – 1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010. Best result: Champion in 2010. Coach: Vicente Del Bosque Highlight: Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona – Spain) France How it qualified: 2nd place in Spain’s group, beat Ukraine in the playoffs Previous participations: 13 - 1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010.
155
Best result: Champion in 1998. Coach: Didier Deschamps Highlight: Frank Ribéry (Bayern de Munique – Germany) Portugal How it qualified: Finished behind Russia in its group and beat Sweden in the playoffs Previous participations: 5 – 1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010. Best result: Third place in 1966. Coach: Paulo Bento Highlight: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid – Spain) Croatia How it qualified: After finishing second in Belgium’s group went to the playoffs and eliminated Iceland Previous participations: 3 – 1998, 2002, and 2006. Best result: Third place in 1998. Coach: Niko Kovač Highlight: Luka Modrić (Real Madrid – Spain) Greece How it qualified: Runner-up in Bosnia’s group, eliminated Romania in the playoffs Previous participations: 2 – 1994 and 2010. Best result: Never passed the first round. Coach: Fernando Santos Highlight: Giorgios Samaras (Celtic – Scotland) Central and North America