Football

The world's most popular team sport, football (or soccer) is played in more than 200 countries. Men and women of all ages play football for recreation, in international competition and on professional teams. Football is played on a rectangular field that is 90 to 120 meters (100 to 130 yards) long and 45 to 90 meters (50 to 100 yards) wide. For international matches the field is 100 to 110 meters (110 to 120 yards) long and 64 to 75 meters (70 to 80 yards) wide. A goal 7.3 meters (8 yards) wide and 2.4 meters (8 feet) high is located at each end of the field. The lines marking the sides of the field are the touchlines; those on either end are the goal lines. The field also has markings for the halfway line, the goal areas, the penalty areas, the corners and the centre circle. The teams are made up of 11 players, and they play for 90 minutes and it might go for extra time, if both teams settled for a draw. ( http://0-www.school.eb.co.uk.library.hct.ac.ae/all/elementary/article?articleId=441717 )

The World Cup is a championship tournament for football teams around the world. Different countries take turns hosting the event, which is held every four years ( http://0-www.school.eb.co.uk.library.hct.ac.ae/all/elementary/article?articleId=487940 ). The tournament lasts for several weeks. However, the competition to qualify as a World Cup team lasts for much longer. Many teams compete in qualifying tournaments by region over the course of about two years. Eventually 32 teams qualify to compete for the men's trophy. There are 16 teams in the women's tournament. The teams are placed in groups of four teams each. In the first round, each team plays the other three in its group. The top two teams from each group advance to the next round. In the next three rounds teams are eliminated as they play each other. Referees for the World Cup tournament are selected from lists that are submitted by all the national associations.

English professional football (soccer) organization. The league was formed in 1888, largely through the efforts of William McGregor, known afterward as the “father of the league.” Twelve of the strongest professional clubs of the time joined in the league, and the first season's championship was won by Preston North End. In 1892 a second division was formed, and the first division increased to 16 clubs. Soon after, the league adopted the practice of promoting the first two clubs in the second division at the end of each season into the places of the last two clubs of the first division, which were relegated to the second division. A third division was added in 1920 and reorganized to form a fourth in 1958; a four-up, four-down promotion and relegation system between these two divisions was set up at the same time. Demand for revenues from television and other resources led First Division clubs to break with the league and form the Premier League in 1992. The First Division maintained a three-up, three-down promotion and relegation agreement with the new league. The Football League includes more than 70 clubs. Its headquarters are in London.

The Football League's system of divisions with annual promotions and demotions was copied by other leagues throughout Europe. ( http://0-www.school.eb.co.uk.library.hct.ac.ae/eb/article-9034812 )

Bibliography:

. http://0-www.school.eb.co.uk.library.hct.ac.ae/all/elementary/article?articleId=441717

. http://0-www.school.eb.co.uk.library.hct.ac.ae/all/elementary/article?articleId=487940

. http://0-www.school.eb.co.uk.library.hct.ac.ae/eb/article-9034812

Montana’s Sneak Peak

Montana’s Sneak Peak

Majestic. Indomitable. Words can describe Glacier National Park. Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park has wowed nature-seekers since President Taft signed a bill creating the park in 1910. Once remote, the park now attracts two million people each year. However, glaciers landscape is changing before their eyes. Rangers and visitors watch, helplessly, as the park’s 26 glaciers disappear, victims of global warming. Naturalists estimate that by 2030 the ice will completely vanish.

• LODGES: When the park was young, few Americans could afford the journey. They arrived in nearby East Glacier and checked in at grandiose stone and wood hotels. All of the lodges survive to this day.

• HIKES: the Park’s favorite feature is the spectacular going-to-the-sun-road-50 miles of engineering audacity, sharp curves, and great views traversing the Continental Divide. A new shuttle system was introduced in 2007. Sally Thompson, a resident for three decades and partner in the Glacier Raft Company and Outdoor Center, recommends a few stops along going-to-the-sun. The first is a popular 2.3 mile hiking trail to Avalanche Lake; from there it’s a short hike uphill, but even kids can do it. It’s a wild beauty.


• WILDLIFE: Glacier Park is home to a variety of mammals, and despite the crowds it isn’t hard to see some. It’s a good place to see White Mountain goats-the park’s symbol. At the top of the Continental Divide, is a good place to see animals from a distance. Glacier Park is home to both grizzly and black bears.


Time is of the essence at Glacier National Park, where you can still see a glacier, hike amid rushing waterfalls, and lodge in a historic hotel.