World Cup Thread

[CheffoJeffo]

So, once again we are into the World Cup and while most folks here don't care very much (although the USA could do rather well if things go their way), some of us are very passionate about the beautiful game.

Who are you cheering for ?

Força, Brasil  !

* CheffoJeffo  goes back to watching the prematch feeds while waiting for Level42 to show his support for Oranje

[Ginsu Victim]

It's sad that most Americans don't care about the biggest sport in the world. (I'm not pointing fingers, I'm one of them...)

[Silas (son of Silas)]

As a British male, I fall into the minority over here. I hate football (soccer for the vast majority of the users of this forum) and the culture that has become synonymous with the sport in the UK; hooliganism, excessive drinking etc.

Having spent a lot of time in the US I found that sporting events are generally a much friendlier affair (parents take their kids, tailgate parties etc).

BBC News ran this story on the subject of the world club and the new TV adverts that are showing to coincide with it:

[Franco B]

As a British male, I fall into the minority over here. I hate football

I'm with you on both counts 

Football = IMO

[Ginsu Victim]

What do you guys think of American football (NFL)?

[CCM]

Having spent a lot of time in the US I found that sporting events are generally a much friendlier affair (parents take their kids, tailgate parties etc).

I guess you've never been to a game in Philadelphia...

[Xiaou2]

I never found any enjoyment watching men kick, hit, or throw balls around.

[Hoopz]

Having spent a lot of time in the US I found that sporting events are generally a much friendlier affair (parents take their kids, tailgate parties etc).

I guess you've never been to a game in Philadelphia...

That's funny.  I went to a game in Philly one time when I was there for work.  I wasn't rooting for the visiting team either so it was a fun experience.  To be fair though, every city has their share of idiots.  Hell, a Raider fan stabbed a guy at a game last year or the year before. 

[stace]

Come On England   

[Ginsu Victim]

I never found any enjoyment watching men kick, hit, or throw balls around....unless there's Crisco involved.

Fixed that for ya.

[Silas (son of Silas)]

What do you guys think of American football (NFL)?

I love American Football. Probably as a result of the time I spent stateside whilst growing up.

Total PITA that the coverage in the UK is so bad. Fortunately I usually manage to find a video feed on the web.

[Ninten-doh]

*************
Forza Azzurri !!!
*************

[RayB]

Hate to say it, but I'm with Xiau2 on this one.

[Silas (son of Silas)]

Hate to say it, but I'm with Xiau2 on this one.

What about sports based arcade games? (were there any soccer arcade games  )

[Ginsu Victim]

What about sports based arcade games? (were there any soccer arcade games  )

PLENTY

Too many to list....

[Franco B]

Yarp, there are loads.

I know I said I hate football and I I know its not an arcade game but damn I LOVE Sensible Soccer. Its probably in my top ten if not five greatest games of all time.

[Malenko]

My fave is NeoGeo Cup 98 / Super Side Kicks and I cant stand to watch live soccer, even the Arena stuff, while neater, wasnt all that great.  Maybe full contact soccer?

[RayB]

Hate to say it, but I'm with Xiau2 on this one.

What about sports based arcade games? (were there any soccer arcade games  )

I wouldn't WATCH an arcade game either. Playing the game (or sport) is a whole other story.

[Franco B]

I watched plenty of arcade games back in the day when I didn't have any credits left.

I watch lots of game recordings too.

[TOK]

Soccer was on at the bar the other day, so I was kind of a captive audience. 

It just doesn't grab me. They play on  what appears to be a quarter mile long and eighth mile wide field, yet the ball still manages to get kicked out of bounds every 15 seconds. Absolutely nothing happened in the hour plus it was on before someone finally had enough and yelled for the channel to be changed.

I'm rooting for the rioters.

[patrickl]

Yarp, there are loads.

I know I said I hate football and I I know its not an arcade game but damn I LOVE Sensible Soccer. Its probably in my top ten if not five greatest games of all time.

Lol yeah. Completely agree on both.

[Xiaou2]

And too I agree with Ray.

  I dont enjoy watching sports at all, but I do like playing them however.

(though, unlike Ray, I can watch video games being played for a little bit...
but eventually Ill be driven to go and play)

 Soccer was one of my Fav sports that was played in school.

[shateredsoul]

Mexico! 

It's funny how people in the U.S. love making fun an wining about football, although sometimes it can be funny (king of the hill), no U.S. sport is seen by as many countries and as many people. 

I do honestly wonder why the U.S. is the only country that's really not into it too much.  It's like there's a bitterness or contempt towards Football by all the American Football fans.

I also don't get why the U.S. is the only country that calls Football Soccer. It's like they said, "screw you world, we don't need your football or your metric system.. we'll make our own"

The internet tells me this (obviously no bias here ) any other opinions?

"Answer
Americans tried to usurp football and create their own version of football from a sport called rugby union. They have spent in excess of $1 billion trying to do so and have failed.
There is only one football the first sport called football with a code of rules.
American football is known as gridiron outside of america, and remains unpopular globally."

[grantspain]

well today is the only opportunity we get to kick the U.S backsides at anything so c'mon England.
my perfect footy day would be,
USA v Iran
N.Korea v S.Korea
England v Argentina
Venezuela v Columbia
Pakistan v India
Greece v Turkey
Russia v Georgia
 

[TOK]

I do honestly wonder why the U.S. is the only country that's really not into it too much.  It's like there's a bitterness or contempt towards Football by all the American Football fans.

It is probably the most played sport by young kids here. Soccer Mom is a very common slang term for a woman with young kids and a minivan because its near certain they are in soccer at age 5 to 10.

You would think with the huge base of kids playing soccer that it'd be more popular here, but it seems once they start playing softball, baseball or US football, they abandon interest in soccer. I think that disproves your theory of bitterness.

I always figured it was popular in poor countries because all you need is a ball. 

[Silas (son of Silas)]

I always figured it was popular in poor countries because all you need is a ball. 

That's kinda true with a number of sports, but probably true of football.

I Like this.....

A professor has found after extensive research that there are 2 sizes of penis  amongst UK men, normal size & extremely small. The professor has appealed for help to continue his research. Could all men in the UK with extremely small penises (less than 2" erect) make themselves known over the next 6wks by flying a white flag with a red cross from their cars and houses.

[CheffoJeffo]

I do honestly wonder why the U.S. is the only country that's really not into it too much. 

Don't forget Canada, although here in Toronto, international football is extremely popular due to the ethnic diversity of the population (half of the population are immigrants).

In defense of American Football (which I have always enjoyed, but only watch faithfully when the Bears are winning, so ... not so much) it is a series of highly-amplified set pieces and, if you grew up on that, association football/soccer can seem rather boring, except for the set pieces. There is a reason that Sega chose corner and penalty kicks to use in Sports Jam.

I also don't get why the U.S. is the only country that calls Football Soccer.

Don't forget Canada, Australia and Ireland !

Rugby was, at one time, called rugby football, so it is little wonder that the modern games of American/Canadian/Australian/Gaelic football use that moniker.

[Malenko]

I always thought that the bigger feild and slower pace of soccer is why I didnt like it, but then I watched arena football, and that seemed to address those 2 faults but I still couldnt get into it. I think maybe Arena Soccer with 3 balls in play and some scantily clad cheerleaders and I could watch a bit. Maybe add some hockey style checking in there as well.

[Blanka]

I tried to watch a game, but it is horrible!
DEATH TO THE VUVULZELA! 

I hope the radio-reporters make their reports somewhere behind a thick glass window, but I haven't been able to try if their "soundtrack" is better bearable (they don't air non-dutch matches on the radio here).
I really hope some technician manages to filter out those horrible frequencies in case we get to the quarter finals. I can live without seeing the group round if the noise is there.

[grantspain]

that is a bloody annoying sound,its like a real pissed bee

[CheffoJeffo]

The difference between feeds is interesting ... the CBC feeds here have been pretty good, but the foreign feeds have sucked in terms of killing the ambient () noise.

[Malenko]

what about the espn.com streams?

[Silas (son of Silas)]

..the only opportunity we get to kick the U.S backsides

Like I said before, I don't like football much, so I'm no expert but I noticed the score in the newspaper this morning and I could have sworn 1-1 doesn't constitute a backside kicking?

[Blanka]

I found out the Belgian have much better mixing with less Vuvulzela. Hope they air the Dutch matches too (they should, Belgians are too busy splitting up, getting to the WC is impossible for them in this state of self destruction).

[grantspain]

The U.S played much better than I expected

[Hoopz]

In defense of American Football (which I have always enjoyed, but only watch faithfully when the Bears are winning, so ... not so much)

As a faithful Bears fan who's waiting for his season tix, I watch every game painful though they may be at times.  Should be interesting this year w/ Martz as the O.C.

The U.S played much better than I expected

UK goalie going to be drawn and quartered?   

[grantspain]

The England goalkeeper,Robert Green,is well known for his gaffs and everyone I know is perplexed he even made the squad let alone started the first game
Still this is to be expected,6 months of hype and hope then its back to good ole England

[Level42]

What do you guys think of American football (NFL)?

It sucks. Major !

[Level42]

HOLLAND !

Best orange support product this year:


http://www.bavaria.nl


and with a funny commercial:

[Level42]

OK not a brilliant match, but winning the poor matches too makes a champion

[JeepMonkey]

Soccer isn't even the best World Cup, or the second best for that matter.

Rugby
Cricket
Soccer

That being said, I will be rooting for the USA team to win it all.

[patrickl]

Soccer isn't even the best World Cup, or the second best for that matter.

Rugby
Cricket
Soccer

Is there even such a thing as a rugby or cricket world cup? Only countries in the British commonwealth play those sport right?

[JeepMonkey]

]Is there even such a thing as a rugby or cricket world cup? Only countries in the British commonwealth play those sport right? 

They have British commonwealth only tournys, but the world cups are open to non commonwealth teams.

[Blanka]

Poor Dutch girls. Tortured by FIFA because they were wearing a orange minidress. 

[CheffoJeffo]

I actually had an older couple come up to the house today, after taking pictures of my flags, and talk to me in Portugese about the game. After realizing that my Portugese isn't as strong as it perhaps should be (hey, I can order a wide variety of beverages, as well as beef and chicken ... anything else is superflous!), the gentleman suggested that perhaps I wasn't actually Brazilian, but thought it was totally cool that I love the Selecao.

[Level42]

Waha !

The French are pretty good in rugby too.


But CRICKET !?!?!?! I mean, I've never seen anything more boring and tedious than that.......zzzzzzzzzz.....

[patrickl]

Waha !

The French are pretty good in rugby too.


But CRICKET !?!?!?! I mean, I've never seen anything more boring and tedious than that.......zzzzzzzzzz.....

Only American Football maybe ...

[jamesjones626]

Waha !

The French are pretty good in rugby too.


But CRICKET !?!?!?! I mean, I've never seen anything more boring and tedious than that.......zzzzzzzzzz.....

Only American Football maybe ...

You don't know how much crap i take when i tell people that Our (I'm American) football is boring as hell.  Bunch of dudes in like 50 pounds of padding, the quarterback throws or hands off the ball, guy get hits, they stop for like 1 or 2 minutes till the next play, repeat repeat repeat.

[thatitalian]

*************
Forza Azzurri !!!
*************

+1

Fratelli d'Italia,
l'Italia s'è desta,
dell'elmo di Scipio
s'è cinta la testa.
Dov'è la Vittoria?
Le porga la chioma,
ché schiava di Roma
Iddio la creò... bobobo, bobobo, bobobobobobobo...

ohhhh, and btw.............. bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[hypernova]

The NFL is so penalty heavy it's not even funny, and the refs could honestly throw a flag on every single play.

It's because they've let things get out of hand.  The only way possible to fix it is to slowly start penalizing more and more so players learn they can't do something.

What always gets me is the amount of drama anymore in all sports.  Soccer is just flat-out notorious for it.  I remember last WC or the one before, one guy just suddenly jerked his head back and flopped like he'd just gotten leveled by a Xiaou death punch.  And nothing actually happened.  Nothing even remotely eventful happened that should've elicited that kind of reaction.

It happens in the NBA.  Now the announcer was over-the-top in his opinion, but that Laker did somewhat embellish when (Robinson?) pushed him away. 

Happens in baseball all the time on pitches.  Batter sways his hips and moves like he's about to be hit.  Yet the ball is two feet away, never coming close.  No curve, nothing.

All sports are subject to the drama.  They REALLY need to start penalizing players after the fact, even if it's after the game.  If you're going to flop, it better be justified.

[Level42]

I HATE SUAREZ. I HATE HIM I HATE HIM I HATE HIM.

He should be banned from the football fields forever.....yugh !

[Benevolance]

So, hey. If I were American, I would be pretty mad about that disallowed goal right now. I've watched the replays and I can see three Slovenia fouls, but no USA fouls. I don't get it. But the US has made a pretty good showing at the tournament so far. Kudos on that.

[wp34]

I was watching it with the sound off and could not tell what happened.  They kept showing the replay of the "goal" but the score never changed.

[Malenko]

So, hey. If I were American, I would be pretty mad about that disallowed goal right now. I've watched the replays and I can see three Slovenia fouls, but no USA fouls. I don't get it. But the US has made a pretty good showing at the tournament so far. Kudos on that.

if you were american, you probably wouldnt be watching it in the first place.

[wp34]

So, hey. If I were American, I would be pretty mad about that disallowed goal right now. I've watched the replays and I can see three Slovenia fouls, but no USA fouls. I don't get it. But the US has made a pretty good showing at the tournament so far. Kudos on that.

if you were american, you probably wouldnt be watching it in the first place.

I'm an American and was watching it.  Just didn't know what the heck was going on.   

[Benevolance]

I'm not that familiar with the rules of football/soccer, so I figured I was missing some obscure rule. Like, it's a penalty to try and break out of a bear hug when you attack the net while playing Slovenia. Or that maybe in doing so the player was putting himself offside. I dunno.

Since Canada never qualifies for anything soccer related, I actually enjoy the World Cup because I can just cheer for whichever teams I feel like. If soccer were only a little more exciting to watch, it would be the perfect set up. As it is, it makes for really good background noise while I do something useful, like reading about Mame Machines in Antique Buffets. And CBC has done a pretty good job of screening the vuvuleza sound from the background.

[hypernova]

Thanks to the rules of FIFA, this idiot ref NEVER has to disclose what the call was.

That's a great rule, isn't it?  Never have to justify your decisions.  He could've called it because something from the USPS got lost in the mail.  We'll never know.

Now it looks like he'll be removed from officiating this WC.  Damage already done.  But the US is still master of their own fate.  Win = In.

[Benevolance]

Or more accurately, the Brits are the architects of their own demise and the US profits for it.

[patrickl]

Did you guys see the video of the faceplant of the USA player (Dempsey)? He tripped over the ball and snacked on some grass.

Can't find a good clip of it on youbtube unfortunately.

[Benevolance]

edit: Darn, can't get it to embed the video so I'll just link.

What? Now it works?

[TOK]

That needs some diving airplane then a crash sound effects. 

[Dartful Dodger]

This thread should be moved to the Knitting Forum.
 

Soccer Officially Announces It Is Gay

[Blanka]

Is Spain and Italy going to be kicked out next few days? Amazing!

[Benevolance]

Italy is gone! 

I decided to cheer for my surrogate homes (USA and Japan) since Canada never qualifies for any sport that isn't hockey. And since neither country could really be expected to advance, I figured I could stop watching football after the round robin. But both countries beat the long odds and advanced to the final 16.

[Level42]

France
Italy

They both deserved it, incredible weak play by both teams and the French......shame on you !

So, here we are, the full 9 points (2nd team to reach that) and now Slovakia better starts packing their bags....

Oh, about soccer being gay, at least they don't wear all this protection like in American "Foot"ball  (Can somebody PLEASE explain me for once and for always, WHY it is that a game where the "ball" is handled with the HANDS 99% of the time is called FOOTball there ? I mean, that says enough. It is also GAY to have a game that runs for, what 7 seconds and then is stopped for 4 minutes (to show the commercials) and then start the game again for another, what 9 seconds ?

Oh, and in case you missed it, the gay American team also qualified, and they well deserved it as they showed the true American spirit....

[Zakk]

France
Italy

They both deserved it, incredible weak play by both teams and the French......shame on you !

So, here we are, the full 9 points (2nd team to reach that) and now Slovakia better starts packing their bags....

Oh, about soccer being gay, at least they don't wear all this protection like in American "Foot"ball  (Can somebody PLEASE explain me for once and for always, WHY it is that a game where the "ball" is handled with the HANDS 99% of the time is called FOOTball there ? I mean, that says enough. It is also GAY to have a game that runs for, what 7 seconds and then is stopped for 4 minutes (to show the commercials) and then start the game again for another, what 9 seconds ?

Oh, and in case you missed it, the gay American team also qualified, and they well deserved it as they showed the true American spirit....

football and soccer is gay.  Hope that clarifies things for you 

[protokatie]

The bars around here have been showing the world cup every night that the US is playing, or if the sox aren't playing...

As per the term "soccer", it is actually a British (no longer used) slang term for Association Football. From what I can gather, there was a trend in British universities to shorten certain oft used phrases and add an "er" at the end. Ass+er wouldnt work, so they went with soccer. It must have just stuck in some nations (well certain English speaking nations) but not in the land where the name was invented.

[shateredsoul]

Vamos Mexico!

[Silas (son of Silas)]

WooHoo! Go Germany!!!! 

Does these mean everyone will take down all those bloody England flags now?

[Grasshopper]

WooHoo! Go Germany!!!! 

Does these mean everyone will take down all those bloody England flags now?

Indeed. I hate all those silly plastic flags sticking out of people's car windows.

Did you see the match? God what an embarrassingly inept performance. It's just staggering how poorly England played.

[Silas (son of Silas)]

I didn't see the match, I took the opportunity to go shopping as I knew the supermarket would be completely dead. I heard it was a shameful show on our part though.

The crescent I live in is festooned in England flags. Hanging from the bedroom windows, roofs of cars they've hung England bunting and for weeks all I have been able to here are bloody air can horns and vuvuzelas. I'm hoping that it will all quieten down now and we can get back to normality.

[Benevolance]

I hate shootouts in hockey and I hate them even more in soccer. It's a stupid way to decide the victory in a team-based game. Basically, it's random luck. There is no way the goalie can guess the correct shot location on a net that big, with a shot that close. He's just guessing. Eventually, one goalie guesses correctly and the game is over. Why not just flip a coin?

Edit: Japan lost.

[Dartful Dodger]

Did you see the match? God what an embarrassingly inept performance. It's just staggering how poorly England played.

That US match was frustrating to watch.  Once a team got the upper hand they just played keep away with the ball and the US tired out and just gave up.

That Mexico game on the other hand was incredible.  Mexico was playing a team they knew they couldn't beat but never gave up trying and Argentina wasn't satisfied with just having the lead, they were playing as though they were losing and needed another point.  Both teams were playing at 100% the whole time.

On the other hand, neither team missed an opportunity to fake an injury by falling to the ground assuming the fetal position and crying like a little girl to get the penalty call.

In American football a player only cries when a bone is protruding from his flesh.

Soccer is a game where crying like a little girl is a requirement to win.  That is why it is the gay sport.

[CheffoJeffo]

Congrats to Level42 -- a well-played game and the one I was most worried about for Brazil.

[Level42]

JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!

Brazilie ciao, arrivederci, auf wiedersehen, TOT ZIENS !!!!!!!



HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, I LOVE IT. What a bunch of WANKERS those Brazilians are, kicking and kicking and kicking (especially Robben !) and the Red Card was WAY too late.
What a bunch of ARROGANT A-HOLES !!!! GOODBYE !!!!!


Ully, I agree with you , it's going to bee Germany-Holland.....but if you beat Brazil, you can beat EVERYONE !!!!!

[CheffoJeffo]

Well, the Netherlands had some pretty big wankers too with some crappy kicks at Robinho and Alves. The red card was for the specific stomping and was totally appropriate -- there were some yellows that should have been thrown at both sides and I would say that they would have been about evenly distributed.

At the end of the second half, though, I would have to agree that the wankers were, sadly, predominantly Brazilian.

Bloody great defense from l'Oranje.

[Malenko]

level42, thanks for making this thread look as retarded as it is. big letters and wide text lines dont play well together.

If your goal (PUN!) was to make it so no one could read your reply, congrats! 

[Level42]

I'm really sorry man, It fits fine on my 27" iMac.



And I had a few beers....


Revenge after so many years is simply sweet.... 

[Level42]

Cheffo, if you think the cards were distributed evenly, think again:

The referee wasn't terrible, but he gave the cards WAY easier to the Dutch than to the Brazilians.

[Zakk]

Cheffo, if you think soccer is a sport, think again. 

[Level42]

[Malenko]

I'm really sorry man, It fits fine on my 27" iMac.



And I had a few beers....


Revenge after so many years is simply sweet....  

whats so different about a 27" iMac then my 25" widescreen PC samsung monitor? just joshin ya. you fixed , the end. While Im not a fan of soccer, I dont really get the hate towards it.

[CheffoJeffo]

Cheffo, if you think the cards were distributed evenly, think again:

The referee wasn't terrible, but he gave the cards WAY easier to the Dutch than to the Brazilians.

I said that I thought that they should have been evenly distributed. At least one additional yellow card (which would have been the second) for Brazil was avoided by timely substitution.

And, as I said, there were lots of bad kicks from l'Oranje ... hence, the yellow cards you mention.

My problem is that, since it was morning here, I was watching sober.

[Samstag]

I didn't think I'd see a team out-dive this year's Brazil squad.

Nice acting, Nederlanders! 

[Kevin Mullins]

So if I'm keeping up with this correctly......
Netherlands has one more game to get through... and if they do that..... I'll actually get to watch "the big game" FROM Holland.
 

[patrickl]

Cheffo, if you think the cards were distributed evenly, think again:

The referee wasn't terrible, but he gave the cards WAY easier to the Dutch than to the Brazilians.

I said that I thought that they should have been evenly distributed. At least one additional yellow card (which would have been the second) for Brazil was avoided by timely substitution.

And, as I said, there were lots of bad kicks from l'Oranje ... hence, the yellow cards you mention.

My problem is that, since it was morning here, I was watching sober.

Did you miss the red card though?

[CheffoJeffo]

No -- as I said -- that was totally deserved.

[hypernova]

Heinze from Argentina was the master puss.  That pansy was on the ground crying for half that one match against Mexico.

The referee wasn't terrible, but he gave the cards WAY easier to the Dutch than to the Brazilians.

So 4 cards to 2 cards is a huge anomaly?

I still say start carding players after the match who obviously flop.  That'll stop pansies like Ketchup-wuss from Argentina.

[Level42]

So if I'm keeping up with this correctly......
Netherlands has one more game to get through... and if they do that..... I'll actually get to watch "the big game" FROM Holland.
 

Inderdaad !

[Level42]

YES !!!!

[Level42]

I don't give a ---fudgesicle--- how or what, WE DID IT !!!!!!


The Van Bronkhorst goal is definitely the most beautiful of this tournament !

http://nos.nl/wk2010/video/170132-neduru-10-van-bronckhorst.html



And to know that his last match EVER will be the World Cup  final !!! Van Bronkhorst grew up with a club that my brother sill plays for, and the last years, he gave his best for my team, Feyenoord, and now, this MAGNIFICANT, BRILLIANT GOAL !!!! I love it, and he deservers it !!!

Now, dear god please let US become World Champions for once in my lifetime....we deserve it !

Ully....Spain or Germany, you better expect one ORANGE car this weekend !!!!

[Zakk]

I've been trying like heck to figure out where the guy with the whiffle bat is at in those games, but the camera keeps watching the guys with the big polka-dot ball.  How are we supposed to know who wins if we can't see the main golfer?


You europeans are kooky. 

[Kevin Mullins]

YES !!!!

 

[Samstag]

I've been trying like heck to figure out where the guy with the whiffle bat is at in those games, but the camera keeps watching the guys with the big polka-dot ball.  How are we supposed to know who wins if we can't see the main golfer?


You europeans are kooky. 

I see the confusion.  That's a picture of Rugby.  It's a "sport" where teams of men in sweaters yell at teams of men in differently color sweaters.

[protokatie]

Cricket, now there's a sport... As retarded as NASCAR, and almost twice as stupid.... Well maybe not that stupid. Query: Why do people get so worked up over sports?

[Benevolance]

I'm glad that the Netherlands won, if just to quell the furor over Uruguay's blocked goal against Ghana. Quite frankly, I think the player made a smart, calculated decision to stop the ball with his hands. It's World Cup. Suarez realized he'd be carded, but if he didn't stop the ball, the team was out. I know it robbed Ghana of the game and we're all supposed to root for those kooky africans hosting the tournament but...I've seen some sports commentators decrying this as the end of all sportsmanship in soccer. Really? With all the guys flopping around on the ground being considered tactical assets? I guess the bar of sportsmanship is rather low.

The real shame is that there was no on-field way for the refs to declare an obvious goal a goal, that Ghana missed on the ensuing penalty kick (and what's up with teams missing those? It's supposed to be a gimme!), and that the league demurred on passing out further judgement on Suarez.

[patrickl]

With all the guys flopping around on the ground being considered tactical assets? I guess the bar of sportsmanship is rather low.

YEah, what's up with that? I rarely watch soccer. Pretty much only European and World cup matches and even those only half. It's really embarassing how the players just fall down when they feel another player near. Or the whining of a player that he should get the ball when it was obvious that he was the last to touch it before it went out.

It got so bad that the Dutch coach was lamenting that the Brazillians were better at this "part of the game" than the Dutch in the first half of their match.

So they actually see this as part of their strategy! That's just retarded.

[cloudyimpulse]

ESPANA!

[Kevin Mullins]

House of Orange ! 

[Level42]

HUP HOLLAND !!!!

[RayB]

Hey, are armless people permitted to play professionally or is that considered cheating?

[CheffoJeffo]

From an opinion piece in the local paper:

His continuous play-acting and outrageous complaining blighted xxxxxx. And every other game he played in. He is a noxious little twerp. That he’s also very good makes it exponentially annoying.

Three words would elevate xxxxxx’s game to genuine greatness: Just. Keep. Running.

He won’t. He has no shame. There is no shame left in football. It’s too far gone.

I removed the player's name as it applies to far too many players to be leveled at one in particular (although it was spot-on for that player).

A sober, dispassionate review of this year's World Cup has left me with the conclusion that, yeah, goal line technology would be a good idea, but it isn't the problem. The game isn't beautiful anymore.

The way the game is currently set up, it rewards the two types of players that we all dislike -- the actors and the slashers. My beloved Brasil has always numbered amongst the former, but this year joined the latter. The houligans of this tournament used to be called the Flying Dutchmen for the free-flowing way they played the game. Spain's trademark possession passing was marred by dives and hacks.

The author of the quote above suggested that penalties/suspensions after the fact based on replays for missed/obvious infractions (or, presumably, retractions of incorrect cardings) would be a good start. Apparently they do that in rugby.

I dunno, but this was a pretty disappointing World Cup no matter who you were cheering for and what their results.

[Samstag]

The author of the quote above suggested that penalties/suspensions after the fact based on replays for missed/obvious infractions (or, presumably, retractions of incorrect cardings) would be a good start. Apparently they do that in rugby.

The problem is that when you get down to the last 8 teams the refs are told to be more lenient because FIFA would rather let them play dirty than lose big stars (ie: revenue).  There's probably no fix for that.

But I'd like to see some consequences for dirty play after the match.

[Kevin Mullins]

I know little to nothing about the specific rules of soccer/football, but after watching the World Cup this year I can already agree with everything you just said cheffo.  
I was able to watch the game from here in Holland and really looked forward to it. Then was rather disappointed, not for losing, but for the gameplay shinanigans in general.

The problem is that when you get down to the last 8 teams the refs are told to be more lenient because FIFA would rather let them play dirty than lose big stars (ie: revenue).  There's probably no fix for that.

But I'd like to see some consequences for dirty play after the match.

The problem with that is when things become one sided and only one team has the advantage of playing dirty. (even though they did have a better offense)  

[Dartful Dodger]

0 to 0 in the first half.
Followed by an equally exciting 0 to 0 second half.
Then they followed that up with 0 to 0 in the first extra 15 minutes.

Luckily they only have the World Cup every four years, I don't think I'd be able to contain myself if this was a yearly event.

[Blanka]

I give a maximum of 4 weeks until bribery is proven.

- Webb keelhauled Spain in the match against Switzerland. That makes him not suspicious! The perfect referee to use for bribery.
- Merkel has to pay a shitload of money on the Spanish debt. She was around last Saturday, and she probably spoke with Blatter and co.
- Spain was the next Greece. Winning the World Cup is giving the Euro a boost last week as the Spanish are in a less ---smurfy--- perspective.
- Even the Netherlands do economically better with a Spanish victory.

[Malenko]

0 to 0 in the first half.
Followed by an equally exciting 0 to 0 second half.
Then they followed that up with 0 to 0 in the first extra 15 minutes.

Luckily they only have the World Cup every four years, I don't think I'd be able to contain myself if this was a yearly event.

 

bigger nets?

[patrickl]

0 to 0 in the first half.
Followed by an equally exciting 0 to 0 second half.
Then they followed that up with 0 to 0 in the first extra 15 minutes.

Luckily they only have the World Cup every four years, I don't think I'd be able to contain myself if this was a yearly event.

 

bigger nets?

Or have no nets and score every time they move from one end to the other end of the field? Like American football ...

[Samstag]

0 to 0 in the first half.
Followed by an equally exciting 0 to 0 second half.
Then they followed that up with 0 to 0 in the first extra 15 minutes.

Luckily they only have the World Cup every four years, I don't think I'd be able to contain myself if this was a yearly event.

 

bigger nets?

Or have no nets and score every time they move from one end to the other end of the field? Like American football ...

I don't think any anybody wants to watch american football played by entire teams of placekickers.

[Benevolance]

I don't think any anybody wants to watch american football played by entire teams of placekickers.

[Malenko]

0 to 0 in the first half.
Followed by an equally exciting 0 to 0 second half.
Then they followed that up with 0 to 0 in the first extra 15 minutes.

Luckily they only have the World Cup every four years, I don't think I'd be able to contain myself if this was a yearly event.

 

bigger nets?

Or have no nets and score every time they move from one end to the other end of the field? Like American football ...

I was merely pointing out that its practically impossible for the goalie to cover the entire net as it is, though I do find it amusing that you think I love American Football (I'm actually a MUCH bigger fan of Hockey)

[patrickl]

0 to 0 in the first half.
Followed by an equally exciting 0 to 0 second half.
Then they followed that up with 0 to 0 in the first extra 15 minutes.

Luckily they only have the World Cup every four years, I don't think I'd be able to contain myself if this was a yearly event.

 

bigger nets?

Or have no nets and score every time they move from one end to the other end of the field? Like American football ...

I was merely pointing out that its practically impossible for the goalie to cover the entire net as it is, though I do find it amusing that you think I love American Football (I'm actually a MUCH bigger fan of Hockey)

It was more of an add on remark for the benefit of Dartful.

The point is that it's a tad silly to act like the only entertaining thing to watch is the number of "points" that are counted. They would score a lot more "points" if they counted how often the players moved from one side to the other.

[Malenko]

sooooo bigger nets then?

[Benevolance]

Clearly, the goalie's equipment is too big. Have you seen those gloves? Massive! There should be limits.

[patrickl]

Maybe they can count an actual goal for 6 points and when the ball is stopped by the goalie that still scores 3 points? Or less? At least that would give Dartful something to watch.

[Level42]

From an opinion piece in the local paper:


The way the game is currently set up, it rewards the two types of players that we all dislike -- the actors and the slashers. My beloved Brasil has always numbered amongst the former, but this year joined the latter. The houligans of this tournament used to be called the Flying Dutchmen for the free-flowing way they played the game. Spain's trademark possession passing was marred by dives and hacks.

What you guys should do is watch some games of the 1974 (f.i. Brazil-Holland) and 1978 (f.i the final) again.
The number of fouls (esp. in the first game) are simply UNbelievable and with today's standards there wouldn't have been enough players on the field to continue the game because of the red cards.

It is a myth the the Dutch team always played so beautifully. In 1988 we had a pretty bad game (against Ireland, with a clear off-side goal for us) just as well. The first game we lost 2-0 from the Russians.

The whole idea that the Dutch team had for the finals was probably that they didn't want to get themselves run over like the Germans did and watch it happen...so they were intending to fight. I agree that in some cases there were stupid an unnecessary fouls BUT the referee CLEARLY saw a lot of those from the Dutch, where he completely "missed" them from the Spanish team. Also a good number of yellow cards from fouls that I would rate as a regular foul, but the referee let himself go nuts.

I seriously have never seen a worse referee in a game before, and I dearly wish the UK will send him back to the police force where he can play the main role against little boys that steal an apple, because he conducted if the final was the "Mr.Webb" show.

I read that he experienced the final like a ride through hell, well not amazing since he acted like the devil himself. A good ref. you don't notice during a game. He was constantly acting like a ---tallywhacker---, thinking the players needed to be lectured. Instead he should just have shown the card and be done with it.
Of course he completely missed the corner-kick that we deserved just before the Spanish goal, and also the off-side situation the first time the ball was passed.

About the international press: the funny thing is that up to the final the Dutch team got real good international press. All that was forgotten in one game (typical for today's poor memory of people).

May I remind everyone of the cycle kick from the Urugayan guy which required De Zeeuw to have a couple of teeth put back in place in hospital ? We didn't complain about that, it happened in the fire of the game. De Jong's kick on the chest looks very bad if you look at that one picture, but if you see the actual play on video, it's clear that it's just another duel.

Anyway, I agree that there was little beauty in the way football was played on this World Championship, but we have to keep things in perspective.

[Kevin Mullins]

Wow..... I actually understood every bit of that, and I've only been here a week. 
(and I agree on all your points made)

I'm gonna have to go home and suffer through some American Football now. 

[Malenko]

the only thing I dont really get in soccer/football is the offsides call. Theres no line or mark on the feild (that I'm aware of other then the fact the grass is mowed in a different direction) so I'm not sure how people know where to be. In hockey if you're on the other side of the blue line when the puck crosses, you're offside.

I watched a few games, and my main gripe is all the diving. I think they should get yellow cards for that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- or just start tosing people out of the game, or even better the guy you tried to get in trouble gets to kick you in the danglies.

[Samstag]

About the international press: the funny thing is that up to the final the Dutch team got real good international press. All that was forgotten in one game (typical for today's poor memory of people).

In America I started hearing about it during the Brazil game.  The dutch commentator here was pretty embarrassed by the way they played.

[RayB]

the only thing I dont really get in soccer/football is the offsides call. Theres no line or mark on the feild (that I'm aware of other then the fact the grass is mowed in a different direction) so I'm not sure how people know where to be. In hockey if you're on the other side of the blue line when the puck crosses, you're offside.

If I remember correctly, the half-backs (or whatever they call the row of players nearest your own goal) can't get ahead of the forwards. Haven't played in 24 years, so forgive me if I got that or the terminology wrong.

[Benevolance]

The last defender acts as a sort of moving offside line. As long as an attacking team's player isn't closer to the goal than that last defender when he receives a pass, he's onside. Basically, it shuts down any cherry pickers from taking a long hail mary pass and rushing in on goal.

And it's unlike hockey where a team has to clear the zone before the attacking players can re-enter - as long as the offside player isn't involve in the play, it's a passive offside or some such and the refs won't call it. Or maybe they will. After this world cup, I'm a bit less certain about what's a penalty.

[hypernova]

The last defender acts as a sort of moving offside line. As long as an attacking team's player isn't closer to the goal than that last defender when he receives a pass, he's onside. Basically, it shuts down any cherry pickers from taking a long hail mary pass and rushing in on goal.

And it's unlike hockey where a team has to clear the zone before the attacking players can re-enter - as long as the offside player isn't involve in the play, it's a passive offside or some such and the refs won't call it. Or maybe they will. After this world cup, I'm a bit less certain about what's a penalty.

They called at least one that wasn't played to the player that was off-side that I remember.

Also, it's not when he receives the pass.  The attacker must not be past the last defender when the ball is played to him.  Meaning he can have a defender in front while the ball is 20 yards behind him, but as soon as the ball is passed (assuming it is towards him) he can blitz past that last defender.  He does not have to wait for the ball to pass first.

[Samstag]

You must have two defenders between you and the goal line, but the goalkeeper counts as a defender.

[patrickl]

It also depends on where the ball is. If the player is behind the ball when it's being played (s)he's not off-side either.