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