Joan Capdevila
Encyclopedia
Joan Capdevila i Méndez (ʒuˈaŋ kəbdəˈβiɫə; born 3 February 1978) is a Spanish
footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal
, and the Spanish national team
.
His usual position is left defender, but he is also capable of operating as a winger and, from a defensive position, often contributes with goals. Over the course of 13 La Liga
seasons, he amassed totals of 379 appearances and 36 goals, namely for Deportivo de La Coruña
and Villarreal
.
A Spanish international
on more than 60 occasions, Capdevila represented the nation in one World Cup
and two European Championships
, winning one tournament in each competition.
, Province of Lleida, Catalonia
, and a product of RCD Espanyol
's youth system, Capdevila made his debut for its first team during 1998–99, in a 2–2 La Liga
draw at Athletic Bilbao
, and joined Atlético Madrid the following season.
After the Colchoneros relegation, however, he signed with Galician side Deportivo de La Coruña
in the summer of 2000, and would be a regular fixture in the team as left-back, first competing with Enrique Romero
, then as the undisputed first-choice. On 16 September 2006, he netted twice as Depor overcame Villarreal CF
2–0 at Riazor Stadium.
qualification. He produced similar numbers in his second year, bettering his goal total in the process (five).
In the 2009–10 season
, with no real competition for his position, Capdevila continued to figure prominently for Villarreal, only missing one league match. The defender added another five goals, but the club could not qualify for the UEFA Europa League this time, after finishing seventh. On 6 December 2009, he scored a brace in a 3–2 home win against Getafe CF
, precisely the team that prevented the Valencian
from reaching that achievement, even though the side was later reinstated at the expense of RCD Mallorca
.
Midway through 2010–11
, Capdevila faced stiff competition from José Catalá
, even being relegated to the bench on some matches. He did finish the campaign with more than 40 official games, including nine in Villarreal's Europa League semifinal run, where he scored in a 3–2 home win against eventual winners F.C. Porto (4–7 aggregate loss).
on a two-year contract. On 20 August he made his official debut in a 3–1 league win against C.D. Feirense at Estádio da Luz, but was not included in the club's squad for the group stages of the Champions League
, which prompted rumours that he would seek a transfer away from the club in the January transfer window
. Manager Jorge Jesus confirmed that another newly-signed, Brazil
ian Emerson
, would be first-choice left-back and that the Spaniard would find it difficult to be included in match day squads.
on 16 October 2002 against Paraguay
in a 0–0 draw. He scored his first international goal in an UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden
, on 17 November 2007, as Spain won 3–0. Previously, he made the nation's final squad for Euro 2004, but did not leave the bench.
On 6 February 2008, in Málaga
, Capdevila scored the winning goal in Spain's 1–0 win against France
in an international friendly. He was subsequently called up to Spain's squad for Euro 2008, where he featured in all the matches save one for the eventual champions. During the tournament he established himself as first-choice, his clearance in the dying seconds against Sweden being a crucial part of David Villa
's late winner to make the score 2–1. Together with right-back Sergio Ramos
and central defenders Carles Puyol
and Carlos Marchena
, he helped keep clean sheets
during all three matches of the knock-out stages and only conceded two goals in four matches.
During the first game of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
on 14 June 2009, Capdevila set up Fernando Torres
's third goal of his hat-trick
, and also assisted
for Cesc Fàbregas
's second international goal, as Spain thrashed New Zealand 5–0. In fact, all five goals were created from the left wing, with Capdevila playing a crucial part in the Spanish attack. In the second game against Iraq
three days later, he assisted Villa's 55th-minute goal, as Spain defeated Iraq 1–0. He, Puyol, Villa and Torres were named in the team of the tournament, as Spain finished third.
On 20 May 2010, after appearing in all the matches during the qualifying stages
, contributing with one goal in Spain's 4–0 home win against Armenia
, Capdevila was selected by manager Vicente del Bosque
to the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
, where he played all the matches and minutes for the eventual champions, being the only member of the starting line-up for the final
who was not a Real Madrid
or FC Barcelona
player, considering Villa had been signed by the latter days before the tournament.
Spain U23
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, and the Spanish national team
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
.
His usual position is left defender, but he is also capable of operating as a winger and, from a defensive position, often contributes with goals. Over the course of 13 La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
seasons, he amassed totals of 379 appearances and 36 goals, namely for Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
and Villarreal
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
.
A Spanish international
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
on more than 60 occasions, Capdevila represented the nation in one World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
and two European Championships
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
, winning one tournament in each competition.
Early years / Deportivo
Born in TàrregaTàrrega
Tàrrega is a village and municipality located in the Urgell comarca, province of Lleida, Catalonia. According to the 2009 census , the village has a population of 16.539 inhabitants....
, Province of Lleida, Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
, and a product of RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
's youth system, Capdevila made his debut for its first team during 1998–99, in a 2–2 La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
draw at Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Club, also known as Athletic Bilbao, is an association football club from Bilbao in Biscay, Spain. The club has played in the Primera División of La Liga since its start in 1928. They have won La Liga on eight occasions...
, and joined Atlético Madrid the following season.
After the Colchoneros relegation, however, he signed with Galician side Deportivo de La Coruña
Deportivo de La Coruña
Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña is a professional football club based in the city of A Coruña, Galicia; founded in 1906 and currently playing in Segunda División...
in the summer of 2000, and would be a regular fixture in the team as left-back, first competing with Enrique Romero
Enrique Romero
Enrique Fernández Romero is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a left defender.He played for four different clubs during his professional career over the course of 16 seasons - notably Deportivo de La Coruña, which he helped win four major titles, including its only La Liga championship -...
, then as the undisputed first-choice. On 16 September 2006, he netted twice as Depor overcame Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
2–0 at Riazor Stadium.
Villarreal
In 2007–08, Capdevila joined Villarreal on a three-year deal, and played in all the league games except two, for a side that finished runner-up, achieving direct UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
qualification. He produced similar numbers in his second year, bettering his goal total in the process (five).
In the 2009–10 season
2009–10 La Liga
- Personnel and sponsoring :- Before the start of the season :- During the season :-League table:||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|||rowspan=1 style="background-color:#F9F9F9;"|...
, with no real competition for his position, Capdevila continued to figure prominently for Villarreal, only missing one league match. The defender added another five goals, but the club could not qualify for the UEFA Europa League this time, after finishing seventh. On 6 December 2009, he scored a brace in a 3–2 home win against Getafe CF
Getafe CF
Getafe Club de Fútbol is a Spanish La Liga football club based in Getafe, a city in the Madrid metropolitan area, founded in 1946 and refounded in 1983.In the top level since 2004-05, it holds home games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez....
, precisely the team that prevented the Valencian
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
from reaching that achievement, even though the side was later reinstated at the expense of RCD Mallorca
RCD Mallorca
Real Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
.
Midway through 2010–11
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
, Capdevila faced stiff competition from José Catalá
José Catalá
José Manuel Catalá Mazuecos is a Spanish footballer who plays for Villarreal CF in La Liga, as a central or left defender.-Football career:...
, even being relegated to the bench on some matches. He did finish the campaign with more than 40 official games, including nine in Villarreal's Europa League semifinal run, where he scored in a 3–2 home win against eventual winners F.C. Porto (4–7 aggregate loss).
Benfica
On 21 July 2011, aged 33, Capdevila moved abroad for the first time, joining S.L. Benfica in PortugalPortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
on a two-year contract. On 20 August he made his official debut in a 3–1 league win against C.D. Feirense at Estádio da Luz, but was not included in the club's squad for the group stages of the Champions League
2011–12 UEFA Champions League
The 2011–12 UEFA Champions League is the 57th season of the European Cup, Europe's premier football tournament, and the 20th season in its current Champions League format. The final venue will be the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany...
, which prompted rumours that he would seek a transfer away from the club in the January transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
. Manager Jorge Jesus confirmed that another newly-signed, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Emerson
Emerson da Conceição
Emerson da Conceição , simply Emerson, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a left defender.-Lille:...
, would be first-choice left-back and that the Spaniard would find it difficult to be included in match day squads.
International career
Capdevila made his debut for SpainSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
on 16 October 2002 against Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
in a 0–0 draw. He scored his first international goal in an UEFA Euro 2008 qualifier against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
, on 17 November 2007, as Spain won 3–0. Previously, he made the nation's final squad for Euro 2004, but did not leave the bench.
On 6 February 2008, in Málaga
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
, Capdevila scored the winning goal in Spain's 1–0 win against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
in an international friendly. He was subsequently called up to Spain's squad for Euro 2008, where he featured in all the matches save one for the eventual champions. During the tournament he established himself as first-choice, his clearance in the dying seconds against Sweden being a crucial part of David Villa
David Villa
David Villa Sánchez , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who currently plays as a striker for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national football team. He can also operate as a winger....
's late winner to make the score 2–1. Together with right-back Sergio Ramos
Sérgio Ramos
Sérgio Bruno Antunes Selores Ramos is a Portuguese basketball player.He measures 2.00 metres and plays as a Forward . He announced the end of his international career, after Portugal's exit from the EuroBasket 2007...
and central defenders Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol i Saforcada is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team.Mainly a central defender, he can also play on either flank, especially as a right back...
and Carlos Marchena
Carlos Marchena
Carlos Marchena López is a Spanish footballer who plays for Villarreal CF and the Spanish national team.Mainly a central defender with an aggressive approach, he can also pitch in as a defensive midfielder...
, he helped keep clean sheets
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
during all three matches of the knock-out stages and only conceded two goals in four matches.
During the first game of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup was the eighth Confederations Cup, and was held in South Africa from 14 June to 28 June 2009 as a prelude to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The draw was held on 22 November 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The opening match was played at Ellis Park...
on 14 June 2009, Capdevila set up Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres
Fernando José Torres Sanz , nicknamed , is a Spanish footballer who plays for Chelsea and the Spain national team as a striker....
's third goal of his hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
, and also assisted
Assist (football)
In association football, an assist is a contribution by a player which helps to score a goal. Statistics for assists made by players may be kept officially by the organisers of a competition, or unofficially by, for example, journalists or organisers of fantasy football competitions...
for Cesc Fàbregas
Cesc Fàbregas
Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas i Soler is a Spanish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club FC Barcelona.Fàbregas started his career as a trainee with Barcelona but was signed by Premier League side Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16...
's second international goal, as Spain thrashed New Zealand 5–0. In fact, all five goals were created from the left wing, with Capdevila playing a crucial part in the Spanish attack. In the second game against Iraq
Iraq national football team
The Iraqi national football team represents Iraq in international football and is controlled by the Iraq Football Association. They won the 2007 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup tournament.-The Golden Generation:...
three days later, he assisted Villa's 55th-minute goal, as Spain defeated Iraq 1–0. He, Puyol, Villa and Torres were named in the team of the tournament, as Spain finished third.
On 20 May 2010, after appearing in all the matches during the qualifying stages
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
The European zone of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup saw 53 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. The qualification process started on 20 August 2008, after UEFA Euro 2008, and ended on 18 November 2009. The qualification process saw the first competitive matches of...
, contributing with one goal in Spain's 4–0 home win against Armenia
Armenia national football team
The Armenia national football team represents Armenia in association football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Armenia, the governing body for football in Armenia...
, Capdevila was selected by manager Vicente del Bosque
Vicente Del Bosque
Vicente del Bosque González, 1st Marquis of Del Bosque is a former Spanish footballer He is currently the manager of the Spanish national football team. After taking over from Luis Aragonés who had led Spain to European success in Euro 2008, Del Bosque went on to manage the national team to the...
to the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
, where he played all the matches and minutes for the eventual champions, being the only member of the starting line-up for the final
2010 FIFA World Cup Final
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place on 11 July 2010 at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, to determine the winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Spain defeated the Netherlands 1–0 with a goal from Andrés Iniesta four minutes from the end of extra time...
who was not a Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
or FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
player, considering Villa had been signed by the latter days before the tournament.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 17 November 2007 | Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid Madrid Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan... , Spain Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
1–0 | 3–0 | Euro 2008 qualifying | |
| 2. | 6 February 2008 | Estadio La Rosaleda, Málaga Málaga Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe... , Spain |
1–0 | 1–0 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 3. | 31 May 2008 | Estadio Nuevo Colombino, Huelva Huelva Huelva is a city in southwestern Spain, the capital of the province of Huelva in the autonomous region of Andalusia. It is located along the Gulf of Cadiz coast, at the confluence of the Odiel and Tinto rivers. According to the 2010 census, the city has a population of 149,410 inhabitants. The... , Spain |
2–1 | 2–1 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 4. | 10 September 2008 | Estadio Carlos Belmonte Estadio Carlos Belmonte Estadio Carlos Belmonte is a multi-purpose stadium in Albacete, Spain. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Albacete Balompié. The stadium holds 17,300 and was built in 1940.... , Albacete Albacete Albacete is a city and municipality in southeastern Spain, 258 km southeast of Madrid, the capital of the province of Albacete in the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. The municipality had a population of c. 169,700 in 2009.... , Spain |
1–0 | 4–0 | 2010 World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification The qualification competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA confederations. Each confederation — the AFC , CAF , CONCACAF , CONMEBOL , OFC , and UEFA — was allocated a certain number of the 32 places at the tournament... |
Club
Deportivo- Copa del ReyCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: 2001–02 - Supercopa de EspañaSupercopa de EspañaThe Supercopa de España is a Spanish football championship contested by the winners of La Liga and the Copa del Rey...
: 20002000 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2000 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 20 August and 27 August 2000. It contested by RCD Espanyol, who were Spanish Cup winners in 1999–00, and RC Deportivo, who won the 1999–00 Spanish League.-First leg:-Second leg:...
, 20022002 Supercopa de EspañaThe 2002 Supercopa de España was two-leg Spanish football matches played on 18 August and 25 August 2002. It contested by RCD de la Coruña, who were Spanish Cup winners in 2001–02, and Valencia CF, who won the 2001–02 Spanish League.-First leg:-Second leg:...
Country
Spain- FIFA World CupFIFA World CupThe FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
: 20102010 FIFA World CupThe 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010... - UEFA European Football ChampionshipUEFA European Football ChampionshipThe UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
: 2008 - FIFA Confederations CupFIFA Confederations CupThe FIFA Confederations Cup is an association football tournament for national teams, currently held every four years by FIFA. It is contested by the winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships , along with the FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, to bring the number of teams...
: Third-place 20092009 FIFA Confederations CupThe 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup was the eighth Confederations Cup, and was held in South Africa from 14 June to 28 June 2009 as a prelude to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The draw was held on 22 November 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The opening match was played at Ellis Park...
Spain U23
- Summer OlympicsSummer Olympic GamesThe Summer Olympic Games or the Games of the Olympiad are an international multi-sport event, occurring every four years, organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that...
: Silver medal 2000Football at the 2000 Summer OlympicsThe football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra...