BERLIN, June 25, 2006 (AFP) - Brazil and Argentina have won seven World Cups between them, while Uruguay have added two more, giving South American sides a 9-8 advantage in the all-time recordbooks. Europe hopes to draw level on July 9 as this year's hosts Germany and Italy chase a fourth crown, while England and France target a second. The bookmakers' money remains resolutely on the 'Selecao' and Argentina's 'Albiceleste', Ladbrokes having the pair Saturday at 11/4 and Argentina at 3/1 ahead of third favourites England. Despite what the bookies and most armchair pundits say, history is against a Latin American triumph, with only Brazil's memorable class of '58 taking the trophy on European soil at the expense of Sweden. Then again, the 'auriverde' have proved their adaptability by winning not just in Sweden and on their home continent of Chile in 1962 but also in the central American climes of Mexico (1970) and the United States (1994), as well as Japan for good measure four years ago. The only place Brazil spectacularly proved unable to lift the Cup was at home in 1950, when Uruguay stormed the Maracana. Now they and their Argentine neighbours scent success in a Germany whose tournament has so far been blessed by welcome sunshine. What is different compared to 1958 is that Latin American stars are now totally at home on the European scene. Whereas Pele's attacking colleague Vava was something of a rarity in playing his club football on the "old continent" - in his case at Atletico Madrid, though he went there just after the Sweden win - now most top Latino stars ply their trade in top European leagues. No fewer than 20 of Brazil's current squad are based on the other side of the Atlantic - mainly in Spain and Italy, but also Germany itself - while 18 of Argentina's title hopefuls are likewise based in Europe. Of the other Latin sides to make it to the second phase. Mexico and Ecuador are in fact the most "South American" in terms of their player base, though Mexcican skipper Rafael Marquez stars for Barcelona and Ecuador's Agustin Delgado had a brief and unhappy spell with England's Southampton. What the current crop of Brazilians and Argentines have done is blend their natural game with the requirements of the European scene. The result is that a Barcelona side led by two-time World Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho, already fortified by his 2002 World Cup win, conquered the Champions League. But there is also strength in depth with Juninho, author of a superlative goal against Japan, pushing his claims having, along with Fred - scorer aganist Australia - and Cris enjoyed yet another French league win with Lyon. "I think our familiarity of the European game is an advantage," opined Juninho as he sought to inject a little "French" flair into the Selecao. Add a Serie A title for Emerson of Juventus and the fact that Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Lucio and Ze Roberto (both Bayern Munich) are playing in their adopted country and Brazil are playing at home away from home in Europe. The Argentine European connection also goes by way of Barcelona, where super-teen Lionel Messi came to prominence this season in La Liga, though he was unfit for their Paris triumph over Arsenal. Hernan Crespo pocketed an English Premiership medal at Chelsea and Juan Roman Riquelme took Villarreal from the backwaters to the verge of the Champions League final. The exception to the rule in the albiceleste, who could meet Brazil in the final, is the in-form Carlos Tevez, who plays his club football with Corinthians - in Brazil. "In the beginning, there were the English," was the opening to a recent tome on Italian football, which has always remained a cultural creature apart from its South American variant. The Germans and the Italians won their titles in their European back yard while English and French glory came on home soil. Only the Brazilian game has proved it can travel and a repeat of 1958 would underpin the yellow and green legend nicely before they head for a continental full house - South Africa beckoning them in 2010.
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