The continental drift
Wednesday 2 January 2008
e-mail
Print
Digg
Save
Michel Platini celebrates victory with Juventus in 1985 (©Getty Images)
The history of football has been marked by conflict between the game's two traditional continents, Europe and South America.
Low point
Perhaps the low point was reached in the wake of the 1966 World Cup, when rumours were rife of a split within FIFA: At the time the annual battleground was the clash between the winners of the European Cup and South America's Copa Libertadores.
Promising start
Held on a home and away basis, it made a promising start - Santos FC against SL Benfica in 1962, for example, is a match that has entered football's mythology.But the contest soon degenerated - especially after 1967, when the northern Europeans started to dominate in their continent.
Culture clash
The clash of cultures was too great. On the one hand there was the tough tackling and physical approach of the northern Europeans. On the other, the win at all costs mentality that was especially prevalent in Argentinian football at the time, with its spitting, shirt pulling and stones raining down from the stands.
European withdrawal
The Europeans came to the conclusion that the contest gave more trouble than it was worth. They were reluctant to take part. Europe was represented by its runner-up or by no one at all, and the title's early 60s prestige was swiftly eroded.
Japanese truce
However, the hostility and the breakdown in relations of the late 60s and 70s has been overcome, and for this the game owes a debt to Japan. Relations between European and South American football have grown closer over the 25 years that their respective champions have been meeting in Yokahama.
Shifting powers
But there is also no doubt that this is a peace between unequal forces. In the early 60s Pelé played for Santos against Benfica and AC Milan. In recent decades the biggest South American stars have usually turned out in the colours of the European team, their own continent no longer able to hang onto them.
Massive gulf
As South America's economies have suffered stagnation and crisis the financial chasm between its football and that of Europe has never been wider. It is this disparity of forces that made the game in Japan so important to the South Americans.
'Project Tokyo'
Tellingly, it became a tradition at the start of the year for a South American club to announce its 'Project Tokyo' - its plan to qualify for the Copa Libertadores, win the competition and then go to Japan to have a crack at their rich European cousins.
Marketing opportunities
The results of the match reflect its relative importance in the mind of the two continents. Initially the South Americans held sway. It was their big day, while for the Europeans it was little more than a glorified friendly. Then, as football caught on in Japan the Europeans woke up to the marketing possibilities.
Final tally
They wanted to give a good account of themselves, and, with the aid of their South American imports, they dominated the later years. Porto's win on penalties against CA Once Caldas meant that after 25 years of the game in Japan, the final tally reads 13 wins to Europe and 12 to South America.
New competition
Europe will continue to enjoy its marketing opportunities, both in the new FIFA World Club Championship and in the Champions League. The winner of the Copa Libertadores will participate in the new competition too, but now they must share their big day with Africa, Asia, Oceania and Central and North America.
©uefa.com 1998-2009. All rights reserved.
