2011 Copa America groups defined

• 

• Argentina dressed for a party for the drawing of the Copa America 2011
  On Thursday, at the modern and historic Teatro Argentino de La Plata, the drawing for the Copa America Argentina 2011 was held. The ceremony was attended by the highest authorities of the South American Football Confederation, and was led by the president of the institution, Dr. Nicolas Leoz and Julio Grondona, president of the Argentine Football Association and senior vice president of FIFA.
  
  The gala
  
  In charge of conducting the event was Sergio Goicoechea, former double world champion with Argentina as goalkeeper in 1991 and 1993, who, in a brilliant way knew how to carry out the celebration. The ceremony also was attended by the likes of Lito Vitale, Jairo and Julia Zenko, the renowned Peruvian musician Lucho González and the Brandsen Ballet, comprising more than 50 dancers, under the choreographic direction of Mabel Pimentel and Oscar Murillo, including a special choreography by Carlos Veiga, to honor the host and special guest, Japan. All under the art direction of architect Daniel Brandimarte and the general direction of Héctor Berra.
  
  To decorate this event, which formally began the Forty-Third edition of the Tournament, there was a show with innovative staging and the attractive performance of musical numbers and three special audiovisual productions: North America: land of hope, Copa America: History of a continental passion and Argentina: the spectacle of nature, which honored the participating countries, their football and culture.
  
  Some illustrious presences
  
  Also attending the ceremony, were the presidents of the associations that make up CONMEBOL: Carlos Chávez (Bolivia), Harold Mayne-Nicholls (Chile), Luis Bedoya (Colombia), Luis Chiriboga (Ecuador), Juan Angel Napout (Paraguay) Manuel Burga (Peru), Sebastian Bauza (Uruguay), Rafael Esquivel (Venezuela). While the Brazilian Confederation was represented by the vice president of the entity and member of the Executive Committee of CONMEBOL, Marco Polo Del Nero Also present were Justino Campeán, head of the Mexican Federation, and Saburo Kawaguchi, honorary president of the Japanese Association invited to the continental event.
  
  Among the local officials present were the Secretary of Sports, Claudio Morresi, the Governor of the Province of Buenos Aires, Daniel Scioli, the governor of Jujuy, Walter Barrionuevo and the governor of San Juan, José Luis Gioja.
   
  In the event, which had the coverage of 500 journalists from different parts of the continent and the world, watching to see how fate designated things, were coaches from several of the participants in the Copa America: Sergio Batista (Argentina), Reinaldo Rueda ( Ecuador), César Farías (Venezuela), Sergio Markarian (Peru), Gerardo Martino (Paraguay) and Gustavo Quinteros (Bolivia).
  
  Dr. Nicolas Leoz opened the event
  
  The CONMEBOL president was responsible for opening the event with a speech in which he welcomed the delegations and all those present and recalled that Argentina was where the Copa America and the South American Football Confederation were born.
  The leader of continental football pointed out: "We are gathered here in this beautiful setting to host the Copa America, at the place where the inspiration of a Uruguayan, Héctor Rivadavia Gómez came to life, in July 9, 1916, forging the Unity of the peoples of South America, between the men from these various countries. It was this same idea that also gave birth to the Copa America. This cup, made in Argentina, is 70 cm high, 30 cm in diameter, has a wooden base with a weight of 9 kilos and was acquired for 3000 Swiss francs at the Casamia jewelry store. "
  
  Then Dr. Leoz went on to talk about the next edition, referring to the importance of the tournament: "Today we are returning to Buenos Aires, just after having crossed the geography of South America from end to end. In 1987 we established the rotation all host countries. " He added: "I also want to deeply thank on behalf of the Executive Committee of CONMEBOL, our guest participants, the Mexican Football Federation and the Japanese Football Association, who for the second time will take part in the continental competition. I wish each  of the 12 participating countries the best of luck to be crowned champions. "
  
  Finally, he predicted a good organization by Julio Grondona and wished the hosts the best of luck in order to fulfill the dream of a federal Copa America.
  
  Julio Grondona spoke and then received the Copa America from the hands of Leoz
  
  The president of the Argentine Football Association Julio Grondona said that next year’s edition of the tournament will be “the most competitive edition in the history of the competition. Argentina is a great host and we hope that our team can do well."
  
  He also referred to the great players who scored a great history in this tournament and then won in the Old Continent: "The Copa America is the genuine expression of talent. World Football is nourishment from this kind of tournament. It is a contest that has huge prestige. Huge players that leave their mark on world football come to participate. "
  
  After expressing his words Grondona received the Copa America from Dr. Leoz, and the trophy will stay in Argentina until the end of the contest.
  
  Honorable Mention to Juan Ramon Veron
  
  CONMEBOL decided to give Mr. Juan Ramon Veron's the Order of Merit for his outstanding career. The award was given by Dr. Leoz, Julio Grondona, and Buenos Aires Governor Daniel Scioli
  
  Deluca and the Drawing
  
  Responsible for directing the drawing was the Secretary General of CONMEBOL, Eduardo Deluca, who as in each drawing of the maximum continental organization explained the steps to be followed. But before the start he gave some news: first, that the tournament will begin on July 1 and not on July 2 as originally scheduled. He also declared: "Today we begin a second round of the Copa America. Mexico is a very special guest and a friendly rival of the South American teams. The first match this year will be number 700 and will be played on 1 / 7 at the stadium in La Plata "
  
  Groups
  
  Group A
  Argentina
  Colombia
  Japan
  Bolivia
  
  Group B
  Brazil
  Paraguay
  Ecuador
  Venezuela
  
  Group C
  Uruguay
  Chile
  Mexico
  Peru

Posted in: news