World cup

[Rantsalot]

...

Just cause so many watch doesn't make it good or right. And I have tried to watch and OMG I want to scoop my eyes out with a fork. Why not just watch grass grow or paint dry. Is it even possible for any player to get touched at all without making it look like they got shot. Dont even want to start on the officiating ,dreadful. Its all about nationalism not the game. The ugly game.

Again it all depends on who is playing and when.....just like other sports some games are exciting and some aren't

Baseball is considered a horribly game througout the season. American football can just drag on and on and on Hockey has moments where its just every minute there is a whistle blown because of someone being lazy not to try and be offside or the score is so one sided teams dont play with intensity. Nationalism is apparent in all sports not just soccer. Dare you forget about Canada's Gold medal victories in the Olympics in hockey? How about the Cubans and boxing? I hear that China really REALLY loves its volleyball.

Whatever you watch it isnt going to appease everyone but for Pete's sake don't lay them smack for what they like or for who they are. Holy crap I just thought of something. I like t girls. You think people are going to call me names? Most likely yes. Is it right? Hell no.

[pistolpete]

Just cause so many watch doesn't make it good or right. And I have tried to watch and OMG I want to scoop my eyes out with a fork. Why not just watch grass grow or paint dry. Is it even possible for any player to get touched at all without making it look like they got shot. Dont even want to start on the officiating ,dreadful. Its all about nationalism not the game. The ugly game.

no it doesn't make it right. but what i was getting at is, it is truly the only world game. and you are completely generalizing the game when you speak of officiating and the diving that goes on. and it is about the game which is why it is the biggest tournament/sporting event in the world. the olympics is more so about nationalism.

what sports are you into? hackey sack? tetherball? darts?

[vitor_s77]

Soccer? Actually it's called FOOTBALL.

[jmmk]

no it doesn't make it right. but what i was getting at is, it is truly the only world game. and you are completely generalizing the game when you speak of officiating and the diving that goes on. and it is about the game which is why it is the biggest tournament/sporting event in the world. the olympics is more so about nationalism.

what sports are you into? hackey sack? tetherball? darts?

Sorry I have to admit to trolling on this one. Just wanted to see what kind of reaction I would get cause I know how deep peoples feelings run on whatever their favorite sport or teams are.Just find this forum a bit boring sometimes, what with people making lists on who the hottest TGirl is and such, like who gives a frog's fat ass who anyone thinks is the hottest, there are so many and I'me sure everyone has their favorites, and wanted to liven it up a bit. I'me all for people being and doing whatever they want so long as it doesn't hurt anyone. Go Argentina go.

[Einstein]

Soccer? Actually it's called FOOTBALL.

In the states football is football and soccer is soccer just the
way it is. I was flipping channels one day and came across some
cable access soccer program and one of the hosts was wearing
a T-Shirt with a football on it and it read "Throw Ball" and it did
literally piss me off.

I think this age old battle of name of sport should be settled via
fisticuffs you all get the hardest soccer players and we'll get the
hardest football players & they can have a fight for the name.

seems fair right?

[pistolpete]

sometimes, words differ from region to region. in north america it is officially called soccer. hence, MLS (major league soccer).

kind of like, how europeans drive on the left side as opposed to the right.

so sure go for it if you want to call it football, but then when your fellow north americans are confused, you'll understand why.

[Rantsalot]

...

Well pistolpete I say that perhaps we should actually talk about the games played....LOL instead of this bickering.....lol

So....Portugal beats North Korea 7 - 0. Highest scoring game thus far in the tourney. Quite frankly I can't recall another game with such a high tally of goals. I am somewhat happy Portugal won but not excited.

It was North Korea. They are not a power house. Had it been Italy, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, England etc etc then yes I'd have been ecstatic. Also, running up the score in my eyes doesn't make for pleasant sportsmanship. I understand that the goal count helps in breaking ties within the groups to help to advance for the next round but I highly doubt that the teams in the "Group of Death" would've been that competitive to begin with to bring about such a scenario. For those that don't know I am rooting for Portugal well because I am Portuguese ....lol..go figure. Unlike other fans though I see a lot of inconsistencies in this team that fans refuse to acknowledge. Hah. Would you believe people in my city call me "treacherous" because I dare speak up about this.

Now here is something you'll never hear from a Portuguese person except myself. I HATE Brazil.You can post all the stats and victories you want but I've always disliked them. Primarily because how they always go on and on about their untarnished approach to the game which is utter BS.

Germany and England I like. I said like not love. Mostly because they are very technical in how they play. No nonsense and opportunisitic not overly creative but thats fine with me.

Cameroon I enjoy seeing with the hopes that someday the underdog will make it big.

Italy.....uh....er....no thank yo. Don't even get me started.

Netherlands and USA. They're not bad

Anyone else got comments on the games?

[pistolpete]

in 2002, Germany thrashed Saudi Arabia, 8-0. That was the highest I have seen. I honestly think North Korea gave up. I mean when you look at those goals, they pretty much laid a red carpet out after the 3rd or 4th and allowed for as many goals as possible.

I am a huge Germany fan, always have been. The tactical ability of this team is marvellous to watch but that is a biased opinion. This year, I am strong enough to admit they have a very weak team, because of the lack of experience on the team. In fact, this is the youngest German team sent to the world cup since 1934.

Teams I wouldn't mind seeing win the tournament are, USA (I would love to see them win as it would definitely help the popularity of the game in the states, MLS needs to develop), Netherlands (biggest underachievers next to Spain) or any CLEAR underdogs.

Teams I absolutely hate is definitely Italy. Im sorry to say this to the Italy supporters but we all know why I and many others like myself dislike them. Sure diving and embellishment is part of the game, but not to the extent that this Italian team brings to the tournament. De Rossi, you breathe on that chump and he will do a somersault for you.

I guess we are on the same page Rantsalot

[Rantsalot]

...

The Netherlands advances! Woo hoo!!!

Argentina advances!!! Woo hoo!

Germany moves on! Woo hoo!

Come on Portugal....please please please.....win win win.

Brazil SUCKS!! How I really dont like them. All the stats and quotes about the most winning team in the World Cup makes me sick. That and how they always go on and on and on about playing the game like it was art. F*** OFF with that. They are NOT like they were in the glory days of the 60s and 70s. They ARE NOT as creative as people claim. You know. It's my opinion and observation that this team is spoiled. They are so accustomed to winning that when they seem that a game is not going their way or are going to lose they are the dirtiest bunch of people on the field. You think other teams are bad at deliberately tackling with no intent of going for the ball and diving and all that just catch Brazil on a day where the score is like 2 to 0 for the opponent and you'll be surprised.

Hah. I'll never forget 1994 when a Brazilian player took his elbow and smacked it to the head of a US player causing a concussion. The score of that match.

USA 3 - Brazil 0


In the same year Brazil was playing a match and the score was tied. During the game a Brazilian forward was going for a throw in and then totally embellished an injury to his midsection and leg after the opponent lightly threw the ball as a kind gesture to him to help move the game along .....and I do mean LIGHTLY....almost feather like.

[jhnewman]

Reputations

I was listening to the radio the other day and heard an interesting stat.

Apparently, Spain's record in international matches over the last decade is not only the best in the world, but the best OF ALL TIME, a better winning percentage than even the legendary Brazilian teams.

This is not say that I necessarily think Spain will win the World Cup. In a single-knockout tournament, teams need to be good to win, but surprisingly often, lucky as well. Let's face it, by the time you get to the quarter-finals, almost any remaining team can, with skill and good fortune, win.

Accordingly, I wish all the teams and their supporters the best of luck. I pray that none of you are eliminated due to a bad or unjust call, and that the cup winner deserves the honor!

[Rockheart]

The Netherlands advances! Woo hoo!!!

Argentina advances!!! Woo hoo!

Germany moves on! Woo hoo!

Come on Portugal....please please please.....win win win.

Brazil SUCKS!! How I really dont like them. All the stats and quotes about the most winning team in the World Cup makes me sick. That and how they always go on and on and on about playing the game like it was art. F*** OFF with that. They are NOT like they were in the glory days of the 60s and 70s. They ARE NOT as creative as people claim. You know. It's my opinion and observation that this team is spoiled. They are so accustomed to winning that when they seem that a game is not going their way or are going to lose they are the dirtiest bunch of people on the field. You think other teams are bad at deliberately tackling with no intent of going for the ball and diving and all that just catch Brazil on a day where the score is like 2 to 0 for the opponent and you'll be surprised.

Hah. I'll never forget 1994 when a Brazilian player took his elbow and smacked it to the head of a US player causing a concussion. The score of that match.

USA 3 - Brazil 0


In the same year Brazil was playing a match and the score was tied. During the game a Brazilian forward was going for a throw in and then totally embellished an injury to his midsection and leg after the opponent lightly threw the ball as a kind gesture to him to help move the game along .....and I do mean LIGHTLY....almost feather like.

You'll never change my allegence.
I spent World Cup 2002 in Rio with this beauty.
After the atmosphere there I am hooked.
VIVA BRASIL!

[vitor_s77]

Hah. I'll never forget 1994 when a Brazilian player took his elbow and smacked it to the head of a US player causing a concussion. The score of that match.

USA 3 - Brazil 0

Actually that game was Brazil 1 x 0 USA.

If you think brazilians are violent when they are losing, you gotta check out the argentinians.

And i think you should also check out how was the match Brazil 3 x 1 Ivory Coast in this World Cup. Ivorians almost broke a leg of Elano, one of the brazilians players.

[Rantsalot]

Actually that game was Brazil 1 x 0 USA.

If you think brazilians are violent when they are losing, you gotta check out the argentinians.

And i think you should also check out how was the match Brazil 3 x 1 Ivory Coast in this World Cup. Ivorians almost broke a leg of Elano, one of the brazilians players.

I am not referring to the World Cup match Vitor. It was a friendly game that I saw. The USA and Brazil played a game before World Cup 94. Speaking about WorId Cup 94 I do remember it very VERY well. Brazil won the championship on penalties!!!!! Thats no way to win a tournament.

For those that might not understand what the big deal is I'll put it into perspective:

Imagine you are watching the Stanley Cup Final and its the last game of the series. After regulation the game goes to OT. As it is now in the NHL hockey playoffs the game has continuous OTs until some team eventually scores .... good clear concise........but ........ say the NHL took away that rule and incorporated that the winner of the Stanley Cup was to be decided on a shootout. Thered be pandemonium..

Argentina lately does not play as dirty as they used to now that "Maradona" isn't playing, That's the one guy I never liked because he respected no one and wow did he love to whine and cry and get others to do the same. He's not even a real coach, just there for support. Still, I like the skill of Argentina.

England had bad luck this year and I hope they consider that "touch line" technology for the next World Cup. Itrs been too too long where obvious goals have been disallowed because no one "saw" the ball go past the line.

Spain. I can't really comment on them except for the fact that they buy and develop all the talent on the market and have built their nation to a power house. Too bad they don't play with much style.

I like the Dutch, the Portuguese and the Germans. You want to talk soccer/football the Germans have the toughest league on Earth and its no wonder they are always strong..

[Einstein]

You'll never change my allegence.
I spent World Cup 2002 in Rio with this beauty.
After the atmosphere there I am hooked.
VIVA BRASIL!

You had Danny foreal? I bet she tastes like candy OMG
even now with all the overdone surgery I would nail it but
back then she was a godess.

[vitor_s77]

Is this the agression you are referring?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30rSHY9aFBI

I like Germany, they have a very effective style that combines force and skill.
Spain, today, plays the most beautiful football among the national selections, but they seem too unexperient. They dont have much striking power too.
England has great players, but I think their coach made some mistakes, like not letting Joe Cole in the main team (I hate Italian coachs).
Italy is ok, but I dont like their super defensive style.
France I admire too. At least their recent players like Zidane, Henry, Vieira.
The only one I tend to hate is Argentina. I respect them a lot, actually I like their style, i just dont like them morally.
Brazil doesnt has more approach on the game than Argentina or Germany, they just made the right thing on the World Cup, combining effective tactics with high skilled players. They've been very fortunate with their players generations (not only talking about Pel? generation, but also Ronaldo, Rom?rio, Rivaldo, Kak?, Ronaldinho, and the others).

As for winning on penaltys, it happens all the time (last final Italy has beaten France on penaltys too).