YOKOHAMA, Japan, 30 June — Brazil’s players, determined to avoid the mistakes of 1998 when they were accused of going into the final against France in over-confident mood, were doing their utmost to avoid more premature celebrations yesterday.
After training at the World Cup final venue, the players repeated their usual clichés about respecting their opponents and dismissing the idea that they were favorites. But at the same time, members of the players’ families were being flown into Japan in preparation for the post-victory celebrations.
The French surgeon who twice operated Ronaldo’s knee is also expected be among guests at the game, a Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) official said.
Officials were also discussing where the team’s chartered plane will touch down first, with politicians back in Brazil clamoring to have their city included on what is likely to be a three or four stop celebration tour.
In Yokohama, Rivaldo set the tone for a string of obvious statements when he said: “We have to play and try and score a goal and win the game.”
He added: “We know the game is difficult, we have to mark the Germans well and play as we have been playing. I believe we are better on the technical side and we can win the game. They are very dangerous.”
Roque Junior and Roberto Carlos were equally cautious.
“Germany have virtues and qualities, that’s why they reached this final. They have good players and improved as the competition goes on,” said AC Milan defender Roque Junior, an ever-present for Brazil in the competition.
Roberto Carlos also emphasized that Brazil did not consider the game a foregone conclusion.
“There are no favorites,” he said. “You have to win the game on the pitch.
“Until now, we have shown enormous respect to our opponents and also, that during the 90 minutes, we are a strong team.”
Elsewhere, the mood was very different.
Brazilian media said that the airline providing the plane to fly Brazil home was preparing to pamper the players with lobster if they won.
A debate was also raging over where the plane would stop on their triumphant return as politicians from the cities concerned would get a huge boost to their prestige.
Fortaleza, in the North East of the country, was being touted as one of the favorites as it was the venue for Brazil’s last home game — a friendly against Yugoslavia in March — before the World Cup.
It was also the game in which coach Luiz Felipe Scolari effectively decided on his first 11 based around the attacking trio of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Rivaldo.
Rivaldo’s home city of Recife was mentioned as another possible stop on the victory tour with Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo also on the list.
After Brazil last won the title in 1994, their plane first visited Recife, then stopped in Brasilia, the capital, for a second victory parade and finally finished in Rio de Janeiro.
Sao Paulo, which is the country’s biggest and most prosperous city but where fickle crowd grow impatient quickly with the team during games, was left out.
