Any Soccer / Football fans out there?

[Anonymous]

Any World Cup thoughts or predictions?

[Raj Fahneen]

Iran #1. Russia #1. USA, 'phphew'.

[Raj Fahneen]

Any World Cup thoughts or predictions?

Dannger, for the love of Allah, cover up your ball sac and oily arse.

[Daniel Ruoss]

My prediction for World Cup is.....

....that soccer will still suck and football in America will always be NFL.

[Anonymous]

My prediction for World Cup is.....

....that soccer will still suck and football in America will always be NFL.

True, but USA has a pretty good team (top 10 in the world.) Wouldn't it be sweet if USA won the world cup? The rest of the world will saying 'F me".

[Daniel Ruoss]

My prediction for World Cup is.....

....that soccer will still suck and football in America will always be NFL.

True, but USA has a pretty good team (top 10 in the world.) Wouldn't it be sweet if USA won the world cup? The rest of the world will saying 'F me".

Thats about the only reason I ever watch it. To see the USA beat ass in their stupid footsie game is satisfying. Watching the women beat those commies the first time was fantastic! Also I love it when the Brazillians lose to anybody. What made them so fucking special that their players are known by one name? Too stupid for last names down in Rio? Chaps my ass. I just find the game tedious to watch, the players are crybabies, and these 3rd worlders take it way too seriously. Even by some American college football standards. All those riots and deaths. Chill out people!

By the way, did you notice how all these 'enlightened' Europeans that criticize our country are a bunch of racists? They seem to have a problem with fans insulting and assaulting black players. One guy in Italy did a fascist salute after a goal and I saw footage of this one black player get hit right in the head with a road flare! I think it was in Spain where the crowd was chanting 'nigger' at a black player during a match. Even in Britain their black players (born and raised in the UK) recieve death threats and taunting during games.

[Anonymous]

My prediction for World Cup is.....

....that soccer will still suck and football in America will always be NFL.

True, but USA has a pretty good team (top 10 in the world.) Wouldn't it be sweet if USA won the world cup? The rest of the world will saying 'F me".

Thats about the only reason I ever watch it. To see the USA beat ass in their stupid footsie game is satisfying. Watching the women beat those commies the first time was fantastic! Also I love it when the Brazillians lose to anybody. What made them so fucking special that their players are known by one name? Too stupid for last names down in Rio? Chaps my ass. I just find the game tedious to watch, the players are crybabies, and these 3rd worlders take it way too seriously. Even by some American college football standards. All those riots and deaths. Chill out people!

By the way, did you notice how all these 'enlightened' Europeans that criticize our country are a bunch of racists? They seem to have a problem with fans insulting and assaulting black players. One guy in Italy did a fascist salute after a goal and I saw footage of this one black player get hit right in the head with a road flare! I think it was in Spain where the crowd was chanting 'nigger' at a black player during a match. Even in Britain their black players (born and raised in the UK) recieve death threats and taunting during games.

Although I'm Canadian... I still agree with everything you said (except I've actually grown to actually like watching it).

[xTSTONEx]

What is with this silly kick ball game :P... watch some REAL football (NFL).

[the deta]

I can get into soccer when its world cup time.. sometimes i can actually watch a match.

On the topic of racism at soccer matches is europe, HBO Inside sports did a great peice about this. I think it aired within the last 2 or 3 monthes and may be available on On Demand. It was unbeleivable, the crowd doing monkey calls and throwing bananas at the black players. And in the stands there where racist groups with nazi flags and shit. at One match there was a sign (in german) that said " Aushwitz is your homeland, the ovens are your homes" I couldnt beleive this type of stuff was tolerated today. I am sure the HBO special played up the racism for its story and it may not be as bad as it seemed on TV but the fact that ANY of what they showed was accepted is baffleing.

[BadWolf]

England to win, it'll be 40 years since '66.

As for your so called "football" game, no-one plays that apart a bunch of yanks dressed up like motorcycle messengers, they're all a bunch of poofs. What's entertaining about that, get watching the beautiful game, and get watching cricket instead of silly boys rounders.

The world cup cup will be watched by billions all around the world, no-one outside the USA cares about the superbowl or "world" series.

[Jeff Dowder]

I was always told the Super Bowl is the most watched event in the world every year...

[Anonymous]

I was always told the Super Bowl is the most watched event in the world every year...

Correct. However it is referring to one-day event each year. World Cup is every 4 years and stretches over 1+ months.

[BadWolf]

Can't really seeing it getting a bigger world wide audience than the FA Cup Final.

[Raj Fahneen]

Can't really seeing it getting a bigger world wide audience than the FA Cup Final.

Top ten most popular sporting events in recent times.

1. 2002 FIFA World Cup Final (1.3 billion viewers)
2. Euro 2004 Soccer Final (153 million viewers)
3. 2004 Olympic Games: opening ceremony (127 million viewers)
4. 2004 Olympic Games: closing ceremony (96 million viewers)
5. 2004 Super Bowl (95 million viewers)
6. 2004 Olympic Games: men's 100m metres (87 million viewers)
7. 2003 Champions League (67 million viewers)
8. 2004 Olympic Games: men's 200m freestyle swimming (66 million viewers)
9. 2004 Formula One: Monaco Grand Prix (59 million viewers)
10. 2004 Basketball: NBA finals (25 million viewers)

[Jeff Dowder]

Anyone into "watersports"?

[Daniel Ruoss]

England to win, it'll be 40 years since '66.

As for your so called "football" game, no-one plays that apart a bunch of yanks dressed up like motorcycle messengers, they're all a bunch of poofs. What's entertaining about that, get watching the beautiful game, and get watching cricket instead of silly boys rounders.

The world cup cup will be watched by billions all around the world, no-one outside the USA cares about the superbowl or "world" series.

A bunch of poofs, huh? I guess you haven't seen all the Oscar winning acting put on by every soccer weinie who gets touched during a game. These guys cry like babies every time they're knocked down. I'll take any 5 NFL kickers against any 5 Eurotrash soccer fags any day. Sebastian Janikowski is probably enough to take France by himself. Not that thats saying much! As for not caring about the Super Bowl or World Series, if you haven't figured out by now we really don't give a shit about what the world thinks. I'm glad only America and Canada play football. The rest of the world would just fuck it up. I guess when your country doesn't have nukes, a strong military, or any other national achievements you have to focus on world soccer.

[BadWolf]

If they weren't such a bunch of poofs why do they all dress up in their motorcycle fetish gear? I don't see rugby players doing that.

Anyway, we don't need 5 footballers to take on your girlies, Vinnie Jones and David Batty are all we need.

True Sebastian Janikowski could probably take the Frenchies at football, but facing the French rugby team would be a far different prospect.

As for nukes, I think first of all a few facts need checking. Both Great Britain and France have nuclear weapons, and without our scientists you yanks wouldn't have developed them.

Strong military, well again facts need checking here. No one has successfully invaded Britain in nearly 1000 years, the training our army goes through is second to none. British troops are the best in the world. Just look at the history of our military campaigns, now compare that to the Americans' humilitions in Koera and Vietnam. Then look at all the screw ups in Iraq and Afghanistan. How many Americans, Canadians and Britains have been killed by "friendly fire" from some dumb, ill trained, ill equiped American soldier?

When you can conduct a war against a reasonable opponent not some tin pot towel heads on horseback by yourselves and you know actually win without help from us then maybe, just maybe you can talk about having a strong military because right now you have one of the largest armies in the world but that doesn't do you much good when they you realise they are bunch of fools shooting each other and wondering how their flashy planes actually work.

[Daniel Ruoss]

If they weren't such a bunch of poofs why do they all dress up in their motorcycle fetish gear? I don't see rugby players doing that.

Anyway, we don't need 5 footballers to take on your girlies, Vinnie Jones and David Batty are all we need.

True Sebastian Janikowski could probably take the Frenchies at football, but facing the French rugby team would be a far different prospect.

As for nukes, I think first of all a few facts need checking. Both Great Britain and France have nuclear weapons, and without our scientists you yanks wouldn't have developed them.

Strong military, well again facts need checking here. No one has successfully invaded Britain in nearly 1000 years, the training our army goes through is second to none. British troops are the best in the world. Just look at the history of our military campaigns, now compare that to the Americans' humilitions in Koera and Vietnam. Then look at all the screw ups in Iraq and Afghanistan. How many Americans, Canadians and Britains have been killed by "friendly fire" from some dumb, ill trained, ill equiped American soldier?

When you can conduct a war against a reasonable opponent not some tin pot towel heads on horseback by yourselves and you know actually win without help from us then maybe, just maybe you can talk about having a strong military because right now you have one of the largest armies in the world but that doesn't do you much good when they you realise they are bunch of fools shooting each other and wondering how their flashy planes actually work.

1. As far as the nukes go I did not realize you were from the UK. However the rest is still relevant to all these 3rd worlders who make soccer so popular.

2. Yes, Britain has a strong military but the US did thwart it twice. The Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 (I'll give you 'points' for burning down DC). World War I would have been a stalemate without American involvement and you must be delusional if you think Britain was going to liberate Europe all by itself during World War II.

3. I find your insults towards the common American soldier very offensive indeed. It was these same soldiers who were willing to die to protect Europe and the rest of Britain from the USSR and the Germans before that. Friendly fire inceidents have happened in every war. Today it just gets more press due to the modern information age we live in. You talk as if a British soldier has never had a shooting accident. Very unlikely.

4. During Operation Desert Storm Iraq was equipped with modern weapons and was the 4th largest ground army in the world at the time. It wasn't so much a case of the Iraqis being so bad as the Coalition (yes, including the UK's finest) being so fucking GOOD!

5. Soccer still sucks.

[BadWolf]

1. OK fair enough, but for reference the United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I just want to be clear as your so called President asked Charlotte Church which state Wales was in.

Having said that, it's not just the 3rd World countries that enjoy football (note I refuse to use soccer or call gridiron football) but just about every country in the world, hell even the USA hosted the World Cup 11 years ago, so does that make the USA third world?

2. Hardly thwarte, it's not as though we had any serious military presence in the colonies. As the two world wars we could easily have won without American involvement. Britain's Empire covered three quarters of the globe, the German's a small sausage factory in Austria. The Nazis would easily have been squashed by Britain alone, never mind the rest of the empire and good folk from Poland.

3. OK, maybe I was a bit harsh towards the American soldier, it's not really his fault it's the leadership that lets him down and gives the rest of the world the impression that we see. Start with the joke elections that have put a chimp in White House and then look at how the war in Iraq is being managed, hell your troops have a McDonalds, what's up with that?

I do have to say something about the USSR here, they were our allies and it was only because of America that the Cold War soured the relations. Without America's involvement in the war would America have developed nukes? No,and there probably wouldn't have been a Cold War.

I also didn't say there had never been British friendly fire incidents but it is a fact that most allied casualties (non Americans) in the Gulf War were caused by Americans.

4. Don't let the American media fool you that Iraq had decent weaponary. Fourth largest army maybe, but the planes that weren't sent to Iran were all 20 years old and the main weaponary was the "scud", about as useful as a mosquito. But still granted that was more advanced than the pick up trucks and horses the Taliban were using in Afghanistan.

5. 1.3 billion vs 95 million

[Anonymous]

2. Hardly thwarte, it's not as though we had any serious military presence in the colonies. As the two world wars we could easily have won without American involvement. Britain's Empire covered three quarters of the globe, the German's a small sausage factory in Austria. The Nazis would easily have been squashed by Britain alone, never mind the rest of the empire and good folk from Poland.


As a student of World War I and World War II history I have to take exception to this ridiculous comment.

WWI - The may have been won without the US but not soley by the British. The British commanders f-cked things up so bad, this war would have continued for 10+ years if it weren't for her allies - Canadians, Australians, and Americans.

WWII - Not even worth a comment here. Have you ever read the novel "Fatherland"?

[Daniel Ruoss]

1. OK fair enough, but for reference the United Kingdom is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I just want to be clear as your so called President asked Charlotte Church which state Wales was in.

Having said that, it's not just the 3rd World countries that enjoy football (note I refuse to use soccer or call gridiron football) but just about every country in the world, hell even the USA hosted the World Cup 11 years ago, so does that make the USA third world?

2. Hardly thwarte, it's not as though we had any serious military presence in the colonies. As the two world wars we could easily have won without American involvement. Britain's Empire covered three quarters of the globe, the German's a small sausage factory in Austria. The Nazis would easily have been squashed by Britain alone, never mind the rest of the empire and good folk from Poland.

3. OK, maybe I was a bit harsh towards the American soldier, it's not really his fault it's the leadership that lets him down and gives the rest of the world the impression that we see. Start with the joke elections that have put a chimp in White House and then look at how the war in Iraq is being managed, hell your troops have a McDonalds, what's up with that?

I do have to say something about the USSR here, they were our allies and it was only because of America that the Cold War soured the relations. Without America's involvement in the war would America have developed nukes? No,and there probably wouldn't have been a Cold War.

I also didn't say there had never been British friendly fire incidents but it is a fact that most allied casualties (non Americans) in the Gulf War were caused by Americans.

4. Don't let the American media fool you that Iraq had decent weaponary. Fourth largest army maybe, but the planes that weren't sent to Iran were all 20 years old and the main weaponary was the "scud", about as useful as a mosquito. But still granted that was more advanced than the pick up trucks and horses the Taliban were using in Afghanistan.

5. 1.3 billion vs 95 million

In reply....

1. No it doesn't make the USA 3rd world. Yes, we hosted the World Cup but it did little to improve soccer's status as non-entity in America's sports culture.

2. While I admire your patriotism and do have a very high opinion of our British allies I'm afraid you need to brush up on your history. Britain was isolated from the mainland after the German victory over France in 1940. Poland was over run in less than 2 months and in regards to World War I, did not even exist as an independent nation. It is very doubtful that Britain would have been able to invade the European mainland and inflict a total military defeat on Germany. This is even after taking into account Canada, Australia, India, and New Zealand. The vast British Empire you speak of was dismantled very quickly in the post-war period. Not exactly the best indicator of its strength.

3. Ahhh! :idea: Now I see that your American antipathy is motivated by irrational Bush hatred. The election was not a joke. Many major media outlets ( i.e- New York Times, Miami Herald, Washington Post, etc.) re-counted those votes after the Supreme Court's decision and guess what the outcome was? Bush still won every time. The Democrats were attempting to 'cherry pick' votes in heavily Democratic counties in Florida while at the same time denying re-counts in Republican dominated counties while also attempting to invalidate overseas military ballots (which are overwhelmingly Republican). This is fact.

I find your gracious opinion of the USSR naive at best. In WW II they were our allies by default. Don't forget the USSR signed a non-aggression pact with Germany and split Poland with them. It was only after being betrayed by Germany that the US, UK, and USSR ended up on the same side. It was the USSR's oppression of eastern Europe and the failure to follow through on his pledge for fair elections in Soviet captured territory that started the Cold War as we know it. Also, to think that Stalin wouldn't have developed the atomic bomb if the US had not is the height of gullibility. Stalin was a paranoid despot who wanted power. The atomic bomb is power and Stalin would have built it regardless of US actions.

4. Iraq did have modern weapons. They had the lastest Soviet surface-to air missiles, MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters, and upgraded T-72 tanks. Very deadly weapons indeed. Do not let the Afghanis primative appearence fool you. It was rag-tag mujahadeen that fought the USSR's best to a stalemate. They wage guerillia warfare which frustrated the US in Vietnam. It was more our learning the lessons of Vietnam and the effective use of our modern weapons (which didn't happen in Vietnam) which defeated a determined and highly motivated foe.

5. What is 1.3 billion vs. 95 million referring to?

[Anonymous]

[quote=BadWolf]

5. What is 1.3 billion vs. 95 million referring to?

Viewing audience of the World Cup finals vs. the Superbowl

[Daniel Ruoss]

[quote=BadWolf]

5. What is 1.3 billion vs. 95 million referring to?

Viewing audience of the World Cup finals vs. the Superbowl

In that case....

Who cares? If numbers meant anything we'd all be speaking Chinese. We'll keep our football you can keep your soccer (or whatever you want to call it). As I mentioned before, the world would just screw our game up if they got involved. They insist on EVERYBODY calling it football and are very militant about it. But don't they also use their head? I don't hear anybody running around trying to call it 'headball'? Maybe i'm on to something! :idea: The Great Football Compromise! FIFA presents the World Cup of Headball! Oh wait! They sometimes use their chest too! Maybe...........

[Anonymous]

[quote=BadWolf]

5. What is 1.3 billion vs. 95 million referring to?

Viewing audience of the World Cup finals vs. the Superbowl

In that case....

Who cares? If numbers meant anything we'd all be speaking Chinese. We'll keep our football you can keep your soccer (or whatever you want to call it). As I mentioned before, the world would just screw our game up if they got involved. They insist on EVERYBODY calling it football and are very militant about it. But don't they also use their head? I don't hear anybody running around trying to call it 'headball'? Maybe i'm on to something! :idea: The Great Football Compromise! FIFA presents the World Cup of Headball! Oh wait! They sometimes use their chest too! Maybe...........

I believe it's legal to take it in the shorts as well.

[Daniel Ruoss]

I believe it's legal to take it in the shorts as well.

I'm sure soccer players 'take it' in all sorts of places. :P

[Jeff Dowder]

All you guys need to blast up a bowl and listen to some jazz modalities...

I'm a student of both world wars as well and anyone who can make a definite conclusion as to what would have happened had America not entered the war hasn't studied it all that much, in my opinion...

[Daniel Ruoss]

Jesus! :shock: Dannger you keep changing that avatar to something more outrageous and funny than the last one! Is that the gimp from "Pulp Fiction"?

[Raj Fahneen]

All you guys need to blast up a bowl and listen to some jazz modalities...

I'm a student of both world wars as well and anyone who can make a definite conclusion as to what would have happened had America not entered the war hasn't studied it all that much, in my opinion...

Nice to see so much passion on SFJ.com

[Anonymous]

Jesus! :shock: Dannger you keep changing that avatar to something more outrageous and funny that the last one! Is that the gimp from "Pulp Fiction"?

Thanks. Trying hard to entertain.

[Booze]

England to win, it'll be 40 years since '66.

As for your so called "football" game, no-one plays that apart a bunch of yanks dressed up like motorcycle messengers, they're all a bunch of poofs. What's entertaining about that, get watching the beautiful game, and get watching cricket instead of silly boys rounders.

The world cup cup will be watched by billions all around the world, no-one outside the USA cares about the superbowl or "world" series.

I thought I was the only Brit on here, but I guess BadWolf is too. Shame that he or she has resorted to Yank bashing.

Give me a choice between you yanks & the Eurotrash on our doorstep & I know who I'd rather have in the seat next to me on an 8 hour flight.

Disagree with BadWolf's views on American Football too. It first appeared on telly over here back in the early 80's, when the Redskins were doing the business & John Riggins was the dog's bollocks. I've been hooked ever since. Can't get with baseball or basketball though. But then again i think rugby & cricket are crap as well.

BadWolf is right about the World Cup though. Everyone else in the whole world will be watching that. And The USA has a decent side. Shame no-one over there gives a crap.

BadWolf, if you're out there, its been a bad week or so for me. First Phil announces his retirement, & then... well, I'm a Tottenham Hotspur supporter. :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: #-o

[Booze]

:offtopic: :offtopic: :offtopic:
In reply....


2. While I admire your patriotism and do have a very high opinion of our British allies I'm afraid you need to brush up on your history. Britain was isolated from the mainland after the German victory over France in 1940. Poland was over run in less than 2 months and in regards to World War I, did not even exist as an independent nation. It is very doubtful that Britain would have been able to invade the European mainland and inflict a total military defeat on Germany. This is even after taking into account Canada, Australia, India, and New Zealand. The vast British Empire you speak of was dismantled very quickly in the post-war period. Not exactly the best indicator of its strength.


All true about the Empire. And the USA was one of the main forces putting pressure on Britain to dismantle it's Empire post WWII. And that aint a bad thing. Empire was just a way of robbing countries of their labour & natural resources, after all.

You'd never find the USA doing that, would you? :score:

Oooops. I just turned into BadWolf.

[Booze]

A bunch of poofs, huh? I guess you haven't seen all the Oscar winning acting put on by every soccer weinie who gets touched during a game. These guys cry like babies every time they're knocked down. I'll take any 5 NFL kickers against any 5 Eurotrash soccer fags any day. Sebastian Janikowski is probably enough to take France by himself. Not that thats saying much! As for not caring about the Super Bowl or World Series, if you haven't figured out by now we really don't give a shit about what the world thinks. I'm glad only America and Canada play football. The rest of the world would just fuck it up. I guess when your country doesn't have nukes, a strong military, or any other national achievements you have to focus on world soccer.

Well, I'm English, football (sorry, cant call it soccer) is my favourite sport, & you are spot on. Those playacting arseholes are a disgrace.

In Britain, we're trying to eradicate all that diving bollocks from the game. Never work though. Too many foreigners playing over here now.

I'm KIDDING.:bowl:

[Booze]

By the way, did you notice how all these 'enlightened' Europeans that criticize our country are a bunch of racists? They seem to have a problem with fans insulting and assaulting black players. One guy in Italy did a fascist salute after a goal and I saw footage of this one black player get hit right in the head with a road flare! I think it was in Spain where the crowd was chanting 'nigger' at a black player during a match. Even in Britain their black players (born and raised in the UK) recieve death threats and taunting during games.

Whoah there big fella!

England had a major major problem with football hooligans & racist scumbags back in the 70's & 80's, but since then huge steps have been taken & that sort of thing has been virtually eradicated from our stadiums.

English teams were banned from European competition in 1985 after a big fight between Liverpool & Juventus fans led to 39 deaths at the Heysel stadium in Belgium when a wall collapsed. It was horrific, but something like that had been on the cards for ages.

Thankfully, that was a turning point in English football. Unfortunately, the rest of Europe doesnt seem to have caught up with the way football is run & policed in the UK. British fans are routinely the victims of violence when they follow their teams abroad. There's no way I'd take my 10 year old son to watch my team play in Europe.

And racism in Spain & Italy is rampant at football matches. Facism is alive & well there. In Eastern Europe... well, good luck if you're a black footballer.

:tipofthecap:

[Vako]

I have no interest in sports whatsoever.

[melon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Headhunters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_firm

[melon]

No interest in sports whatsoever.

Their sports discussion turned into a political discussion somehow!:wtf: :wtf:

As far as the "motorcycle fetish gear". American football is an impact sport, the object IS to tackle people. This is not the case with soccer, i'm not putting it down ,it's just a totally different game even though they share the same name.

[Elmo Blatch]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Headhunters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_firm
Interseting articles. I think it's strange that the Chelsea Headhunters have white supremist ties because there are several blacks on their club.

I wonder what firm Alex de Large belonged to. He was a real badass with that giant ceramic penis.

I have become a soccer fan recently because of the Fox soccer channel. I really enjoy watching the EPL. I'm definitely a novice but Chelsea, Arsenal and ManU are a lot fun to watch.

I will root like hell for the US in the World Cup but it doesn't look too promising with a early Brazil matchup. You have to beat the best to be the best I guess.

[Vako]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelsea_Headhunters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_firm

Great information. The bahavior of these football firms reminds me of the pro-racist Skinhead movements, and the Neo-Nazi Skinhead movements. It seems like collectives of persons who already have a propensity or proclivity toward violence, who just look for excuses to have it on.

The Skinheads and collectives thereof, who frequently set out to commit violence, are not true Skins. They are sociopaths who happen to identify as Skinheads. Peer pressure, group-think, and the need to feel belonging also play a factor in this violent gang-like behavior, and I expect that these same sociological factors are what's happening in the football firms. The true Skinhead, as an individual and as part of his collective (nation, tribe) uses violence only in self-defense, and does not go around like a jackball starting fights. That is for sociopaths and immature fools.

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Top ten most popular sporting events in recent times.

1. 2002 FIFA World Cup Final (1.3 billion viewers)


I had no idea that many people watched!! Those numbers are phenominal!!

Think about it... That's 1/5 of every human being (6.2 Billion gloids) on the planet watching.

[Industrial Trackfooter]

Netherlands gets my vote.

[Cliff Pettigrew]

Britain has a strong military but the US did thwart it twice. The Revolutionary War and the War of 1812


:score:

Head to head and we're 2-0. To put that in perspective, that would be a blow-out in soccer.:me3:

[melon]

:score:

Head to head and we're 2-0. To put that in perspective, that would be a blow-out in soccer.:me3:

Thats 2- nil



It only makes sense that soccer ratings are higher because you have more representative nations in the tournament, thus more people with a rooting interest are going to watch. All that means is that soccer is more of an international sport. The NFL is gaining popularity with NFL Europe, but still has a long way to go to challenge soccer. Again just because they share the same name, does not mean they're the same game.

[Gave 'M a Swirly]

Both soccer and football would be great, if they were played on ice, and with a puck. :poke:

[Cliff Pettigrew]

Both soccer and football would be great, if they were played on ice, and with a puck. :poke:

Hockey is soccer on ice, true they wear pads, but only because they are big pussies. The pads are just a large kotex with their team logo.

The same could be said of football vs. rugby, but football is bitchin' so it's okay that they wear legitimate protection.

Many sports resemble other sports, in fact George Carlin did a bit comparing Tennis, ping pong and volley ball.

something like: Tennis is ping pong played while standing on the table, volley ball is racket-less team ping pong played with an inflated ball and a raised net while standing on the table.

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Hockey is soccer on ice, true they wear pads, but only because they are big pussies. The pads are just a large kotex with their team logo.

lmao lmao lmao That's funny!!!



The same could be said of football vs. rugby, but football is bitchin' so it's okay that they wear legitimate protection.

This part of your statement is true, but there is some history behind it. It was either President Teddy Roosevelt or Pres. Wilson... I'm not sure, but at one point in time, they almost crafted a bill to outlaw football because it had gotten so violent. However, they realized that it was extremely popular and it would be more prudent to set safety standards instead.

Basically, back in the day, football was waaaaaaay more extreme than even Rugby was. This is why football instituted the use of pads and other gear to promote safety, unlike Rugby, which is violent, but obviously wasn't so violent that it was almost outlawed. For this reason, I say I'm glad that they wear pads, because I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have football. [-o< [-o< [-o<

[Booze]

The World Cup has kicked off. Time to bring back this thread from the dead.

I know you lot don't care, but the USA have a good chance of winning or coming 2nd in their group & getting through to the knockout phase. And you could do it at the expense of the Italians. That'd be pretty sweet, wouldnt it? Huh? Huh?

Hello?:poke: :poke: :poke: :-)

[CommunistaCow]

The World Cup has kicked off. Time to bring back this thread from the dead.

I know you lot don't care, but the USA have a good chance of winning or coming 2nd in their group & getting through to the knockout phase. And you could do it at the expense of the Italians. That'd be pretty sweet, wouldnt it? Huh? Huh?

Hello?:poke: :poke: :poke: :-)

Yaaaaaaawn. What was that?

Seriously, for what it's worth, the US squad will gag once again. Even in a pool that has a depleted Czech team and a sub-par Italian squad, my guess is that they find a way to go 3 and out.

But, given how scintillating soccer is (no really, I'm serious), it may be the only thing that can pry me away from the NHL. Of course, I hear that OLN has an episode of outdoor paint drying airing this weekend. Whew, so many tough choices.

[BowlHaircut]

World cup is going? I'd better buy stock in Capri-Sun and Sunkist because of all the orange wedges that are being consumed!

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

I've got $$ that Brazil goes all the way... :-#

[Booze]

I've got $$ that Brazil goes all the way... :-#

Me too. I can't see anyone beating them this time. Ronaldinho is the best player I've seen since that cheating scumbag Maradona.

I got on em at 3/1. What odds did you get?

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

Me too. I can't see anyone beating them this time. Ronaldinho is the best player I've seen since that cheating scumbag Maradona.

I got on em at 3/1. What odds did you get?


Yeah, exactly. Oh, I'm not betting through sportsbook or anything like that - I have a bet between a collegue who thinks Germany will win. If we both lose then nobody pays...

Anyway, I thought England was off this morning (err, afternoon for you). I expected them to do better than that - especially in the second half.

[Mr. Irrelevant]

World cup is going? I'd better buy stock in Capri-Sun and Sunkist because of all the orange wedges that are being consumed!

:score: :score: :score:

I hear minivans and soccer ball nets are selling like hot cakes right now, as well. ;-) \\:D/

[Booze]

Yeah, exactly. Oh, I'm not betting through sportsbook or anything like that - I have a bet between a collegue who thinks Germany will win. If we both lose then nobody pays...

Anyway, I thought England was off this morning (err, afternoon for you). I expected them to do better than that - especially in the second half.

We always start off slow. Then get knocked out in the quarter or semi finals. I had a bet on the 1-0 though, so happy days. \\:D/ \\:D/ \\:D/

The atmosphere here is great at the moment. When it comes to football (soccer), everybody has their own team, & we all hate each other, especially in London. There are 6 London clubs in our top division alone, & loads more spread out through the lower leagues. You can't swing a cat without hitting a football stadium.

But when the World Cup comes around, we're all united for a common goal. There is much man love. It's a beautiful thing. :gay:

Do you Yanks ever get that? I guess only at the Olympics, right?

[Gave 'M a Swirly]

:wtf: I would rather.... (insert description here)... than watch one second of soccer.

[Booze]

:wtf: I would rather.... (insert description here)... than watch one second of soccer.

That's the same for me with hockey & basketball, but i love American Football (which is the 2nd best sport in the whole world, if you ask me, although I'm too far removed to know enough to enter the Fantasy Football comp.) I kind of dig baseball as well, which gets pretty good coverage over here.

American Football made it's first appearance here in 1983. Which is why, amongst the small subculture of Yank football aficianodos in the UK, the 'Skins are the most supported team. I watched the 83 Superbowl with my dad & we were both instantly hooked. My dad bought me a football that year, which me & my mates spent hours perfecting a nice spiral with, & then tackling the shite out of each other. Ive still got it, & it's kind of my Rosebud.

John Riggins is still my all time favourite Yank football dude, closely followed by Walter Paton. Ah, the good old days, eh?

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

We always start off slow. Then get knocked out in the quarter or semi finals. I had a bet on the 1-0 though, so happy days. \\:D/ \\:D/ \\:D/

The atmosphere here is great at the moment. When it comes to football (soccer), everybody has their own team, & we all hate each other, especially in London. There are 6 London clubs in our top division alone, & loads more spread out through the lower leagues. You can't swing a cat without hitting a football stadium.

But when the World Cup comes around, we're all united for a common goal. There is much man love. It's a beautiful thing. :gay:

Do you Yanks ever get that? I guess only at the Olympics, right?


Yeah, the Olympics somewhat... the Superbowl is probably our biggest common interest - at any given point half of the televisions are tuned into the Superbowl. This is the most interest in the World Cup I've seen so far but even so most of the people I know could care less... too foreign of a sport maybe, I'm not sure.

Besides that, the most unified I've seen Americans is that month or so after 9/11... huge shortage of American flags in the stores.

Iran v. Mexico in 35 mins... who do you think will win? My roommate has money on Iran winning or tying... I think Mexico has this one but it's close.

[TheWagesofSin]

Do you Yanks ever get that? I guess only at the Olympics, right?
It's weird, I think the U.S. has sort of an isolationist attitude about sports. I mean most of us just don't care about international competition, except SOMEWHAT during the Olympics, but you can bet Olympics ratings don't even come close to (American)football ratings.

I'm not a huge soccer fan, but some of these world cup matches can be exciting, especially if you're sitting at an English pub getting jacked up on Guiness. I had a fave pub in San Francisco where the English blokes would sit in the bar until 4:30 AM- with no booze after 2:00- waiting for a match to begin. That's dedication, dammit!!!

[The Dude]

It's weird, I think the U.S. has sort of an isolationist attitude about sports....


I agree, I guess it has to do with the fact that we are physically seperated from the rest of the world.

[Booze]

:-)

the most unified I've seen Americans is that month or so after 9/11... huge shortage of American flags in the stores.

Iran v. Mexico in 35 mins... who do you think will win? My roommate has money on Iran winning or tying... I think Mexico has this one but it's close.

So that's why you start all those wars :me3:

I'm Kiddiiiiing!

It's a shame though. Yes, half of the US watched Janet Jackson's (or is it Jane Jackson's?:-k) nipple get a partial airing, but you werent all rooting for the same team. That's like our FA Cup. A great spectacle, but if your team ain't in it, it's not the same.

It's nice when the whole country gets together and stops glassing each other in the face down the pub.

[TheWagesofSin]

Lee, is it true that there is a lot of racism at soccer matches in England? Or is that just the krauts I'm thinking of? (This may have been adressed earlier in the thread, and if so I apologize- I'm just not into soccer enough to read all of it.)

[Dr. P]

It was brought up, and there is a lot of truth to it. I heard a reporter just this week on ESPN talking about the threats, monkey chants and bananna throwing.
They had audio of whole sections of crowds screaming racist slurs.

[TheWagesofSin]

It's completely wrong, but somehow the image of thousands of drunk Limeys doing the ape dance and throwing bananas is so awful it kind of cracks me up.

[the deta]

I am no fan of soccar.... BUT when its world cup time... IM IN! I just cant get into it if it isnt the world cup. So far i hav only wached one match, that was the england match yesterday. But i am tuned into the Iran V. Mexico game. I guess i gotta root for mexico in this match.

[Booze]

Lee, is it true that there is a lot of racism at soccer matches in England? Or is that just the krauts I'm thinking of? (This may have been adressed earlier in the thread, and if so I apologize- I'm just not into soccer enough to read all of it.)

England had a huge problem with racism towards black players in the late 70's & early 80's, but it's been largely eradicated now. There are still racist arseholes affiliated with every team, who belong to 'firms' (the white trash version of gangs here), but it's been forced underground now.

Where these guys used to have pitched battles in the stadiums, they're now relegated to sad, under attended scraps in Supermarket car parks & round the back of train stations.

Apart from a few twats, who shout racist epithets at their peril in football stadiums now ( Last season I saw a guy get literally run out of the ground under a hail of missiles), English football has solved the problem of racism. Our police get props for that. They spent a lot of money & made it a priority.

Now the problem is almost an entirely European one (& I don't count Brits as European, btw [-X )

The Dutch, Germans & Italians are amongst he worst Western European offenders, all linked to the rise of Neo-Nazism. In Italy a couple of years ago, hooligans managed to throw a scooter from the top tier of the stadium down onto the fans below. Craziness.

But the real bad boys right now are the Eastern European nations & the Turks. The ex-Soviets might as well have swastikas tattooed on their foreheads.

And the Turks seem to stab & murder at least two Brits every time any of our sides travel there to play.

[Booze]

It was brought up, and there is a lot of truth to it. I heard a reporter just this week on ESPN talking about the threats, monkey chants and bananna throwing.
They had audio of whole sections of crowds screaming racist slurs.

What country was that from, Russy? I forgot to mention that Spain have been bad offenders lately. Even including their coach.

[Boss]

Iran V. Mexico. Eerie similarities with their flags.

http://fotw.fivestarflags.com/images/i/ir.gif

http://www.globosapiens.net/subapp_countries/app_data/flags/fullsize/mexico-flag.gif

[the deta]

the was a great segment on HBO inside sports focusing on racism in the stadiums of europe. It was on probably a year ago..... One of the most chilling things was a sign that fans held up that must have been 40 feet long and 10 feet high that read. " Aushwitz is where your belong, The ovens are your homes. "

Really crazy stuff , and a very impactfull story. THey also focused on Englands' efforts to curb the problem.

IRAN JUST TIED IT UP! They probably get killed when they get home if they dont win.

[Booze]

Any paddys on SFJ? The Ivory Coast have nicked your flag as well...

[Dr. P]

What country was that from, Russy? I forgot to mention that Spain have been bad offenders lately. Even including their coach.
I know Spain was mentioned. I've got it podcasted, but the GD 3 hour show is one clip. I'll dig around for it.
I have a theory that America was forced to face racism at a faster clip than countries where other races moved there voluntarily ...with our history of slavery and segregation we had to create civil rights.

[TheWagesofSin]

... we had to create civil rights.
Who's we? You got a turd in your pocket?

[the deta]

USA plays tomorrow at 1150 am eastern time. on ESPN2

[Booze]

I know Spain was mentioned. I've got it podcasted, but the GD 3 hour show is one clip. I'll dig around for it.
I have a theory that America was forced to face racism at a faster clip than countries where other races moved there voluntarily ...with our history of slavery and segregation we had to create civil rights.

Well, i happen to agree with you on this one Russy.

The US was famously built upon an immigrant population, but over the centuries, so was the UK. Well, England, anyway. Whilst the original Britons got pushed out towards Wales & Cornwall.

It's absolutely insane to be racist when our whole societies are built upon immigration, but as we know, until relatively recently, our records on civil rights have been horrendous. Lucky we had South Africa to take the heat off of us.

But like you said, If a country's citizens have to confront this problem at close quarters, they will quickly realise that, well wouldn't you know it? Theyre just the same as us. Even if they do have a :bowl:

And then, even though it might take 20 years, we can all just get along.

[TheWagesofSin]

I think we have less racism here because our blacks are a hell of a lot scarier than your blacks. Your blacks walk with a cane and wear a monocle; our blacks wear strange metallic jewellry on their teeth and carry large-caliber pistols.

[Booze]

USA plays tomorrow at 1150 am eastern time. on ESPN2

I'll be supporting ya. I've had a bet that you'll win your group.

USA! USA! :dance: :dance: :dance:

[the deta]

I'll be supporting ya. I've had a bet that you'll win your group.

USA! USA! :dance: :dance: :dance:

Cheers Mate! :thumbsup:

[Booze]

I think we have less racism here because our blacks are a hell of a lot scarier than your blacks. Your blacks walk with a cane and wear a monocle; our blacks wear strange metallic jewellry on their teeth and carry large-caliber pistols.

lmao lmao lmao

We have one monacle that we present to an honorary black chap on a rotational basis,just to pretend that we see the colonists as equals... :whistle: & you're prolly thinking of ex-boxer Chris Eubank. If not, this is the strangest coincidental thread of all time!

Let me assure you though, that the rest of our black cousins can be almost as... unfriendly as they can be in extreme cases in Americaville.

Tons of gun crime in my home town right now, due mostly to the peoples of the Caribbean& Eastern Europe.

The UK police dont carry firearms, traditionally, but more & more squads are going out strapped in London these days.

How are we whacking all these suspected Muslim Fundimentalists otherwise?

Boo Ya! :rock:

[TheWagesofSin]

you're prolly thinking of ex-boxer Chris Eubank. If not, this is the strangest coincidental thread of all time!
This must be, 'cause I never heard of Chris Eubank. The only Eubank I know is Kevin Eubanks, the mild-mannered band leader of the Tonight Show.
He doesn't wear a monacle, to my knowledge.

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

:score: for MEXICO

My roommate has $$ on Portugal... I agree, we'll see what happens

[Gave 'M a Swirly]

That's the same for me with hockey & basketball, but i love American Football (which is the 2nd best sport in the whole world, if you ask me, although I'm too far removed to know enough to enter the Fantasy Football comp.) I kind of dig baseball as well, which gets pretty good coverage over here.

American Football made it's first appearance here in 1983. Which is why, amongst the small subculture of Yank football aficianodos in the UK, the 'Skins are the most supported team. I watched the 83 Superbowl with my dad & we were both instantly hooked. My dad bought me a football that year, which me & my mates spent hours perfecting a nice spiral with, & then tackling the shite out of each other. Ive still got it, & it's kind of my Rosebud.

John Riggins is still my all time favourite Yank football dude, closely followed by Walter Paton. Ah, the good old days, eh?

I find football almost as boring as soccer. It must have something to do with culture and nationality. I'm Canadian, and it's like we're hot-wired at birth to love Hockey.

[Booze]

I find football almost as boring as soccer. It must have something to do with culture and nationality. I'm Canadian, and it's like we're hot-wired at birth to love Hockey.

The only hockey i like is of the Electronic Arts variety, on the Sega Megadrive (what did they call it over there? The Genesis, wasn't it?)

Anyway, Swirly, each to their own, fella...

[Gave 'M a Swirly]

The only hockey i like is of the Electronic Arts variety, on the Sega Megadrive (what did they call it over there? The Genesis, wasn't it?)

Anyway, Swirly, each to their own, fella...

I think you're correct. And you're right - to each his own.:thumbsup: :tipofthecap:

[CommunistaCow]

USA plays tomorrow at 1150 am eastern time. on ESPN2

Correction. The Czechs played today at 11:50 am. Sadly, the US squad evidently thought the World Cup was in Korea again.

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

Correction. The Czechs played today at 11:50 am. Sadly, the US squad evidently thought the World Cup was in Korea again.

Haha, werd

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

USA got their asses handed to them on a silver spoon... I had no bets on this game but my roommate did. I just text messaged him one word: FLUSH

[moneymaker]

World Whaaa?

The rest of the world loves it? Good, another great reason to hate it!! :dance:

[the deta]

I watched Ghana V Italy today.... it was a pretty exciting game... there were quite a few chances, and some good saves. :thumbsup:

[CommunistaCow]

I watched Ghana V Italy today.... it was a pretty exciting game... there were quite a few chances, and some good saves. :thumbsup:

As bad as the USA squad played today, there's a real good chance that both Italy and Ghana will beat them.

Hmm, now who was it that predicted 3 and out?

[The Dude]

No matter how many kids play or how many leagues there are, the US is not and will not ever be a soccer nation.

[CommunistaCow]

No matter how many kids play or how many leagues there are, the US is not and will not ever be a soccer nation.

True. For starters, the US players haven't yet refined the fine art of going down like they've been shot with an elephant gun and writhing in pain for several minutes, only to pop up and take off. Geesh, do they have training classes for that in Europe and South America?

[Boss]

True. For starters, the US players haven't yet refined the fine art of going down like they've been shot with an elephant gun and writhing in pain for several minutes, only to pop up and take off.

That's because all the athletes that perform that particular manuever are in the NBA.

[Dr. P]

lmao lmao lmao lmao http://i5.tinypic.com/1493x2w.gifhttp://i5.tinypic.com/1493x2w.gifhttp://i5.tinypic.com/1493x2w.gifhttp://i5.tinypic.com/1493x2w.gifhttp://i5.tinypic.com/1493x2w.gif

[Boyd]

True. For starters, the US players haven't yet refined the fine art of going down like they've been shot with an elephant gun and writhing in pain for several minutes, only to pop up and take off. Geesh, do they have training classes for that in Europe and South America?

I love it when they bring out the little canvas stretcher to carry the guy off to the sidelines. It's like some kind of Marx Brothers routine waiting to happen. The trainers should be wearing clown suits.

[CommunistaCow]

That's because all the athletes that perform that particular manuever are in the NBA.

lmao :score:

Now THAT was funny!

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

That's because all the athletes that perform that particular manuever are in the NBA.

lmao lmao lmao lmao lmao ... that's post of the week material, haha

[Booze]

US GOT SMOKED. I didnt think it was going to be that bad, I predicted 2-1 Czech, but the US, they didnt take it seriously.

Michael Essien is my boy! He played hard in the Ghana v Italy game. CHELSEA

Oh God. These Chelsea bandwagon jumpers really get everywhere ;-)

Essien was great, though. Even if he is the dirtiest bastard in this World Cup.

[Booze]

I know I'm supposed to have no sense of humour when a Yank has the audacity to slag off football, but this is so vitriolic it made me laugh...

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/14741693.html

... and here's what my favourite football website thinks of it...

http://www.worldcup365.com/mediawatch/0,16726,7977,00.html

(I in no way endorse the bit about the USA being the most despised country in the world, of course. ;-) )

[CommunistaCow]

"America is also the most-despised country on earth. Perhaps the more pertinent question is whether they can they see the connection there."

Earth to all euro-trash snobs - we actually don't give a red state ass what the rest of the planet thinks of us. After all, we're not the ones going ga-ga over a silly sport that denies the use of one's arms.

Geesh, where's a good Cricket match when you need one?

[melon]

That's because all the athletes that perform that particular manuever are in the NBA.

Raja Bell

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

Ohh, most Americans in the U.S. just haven't been exposed to enough soccer to like it or accept it. It's catching on, but probably won't reach a status equal to say hockey - not for a while anyway.

It's interesting listening to the local sports stations try to integrate the World Cup into their program while open to admit they don't know much about the sport. Even Jim Rome seems as if he's taking a bigger interest in the World Cup this time around.

Next game: BRAZIL! I'm going to nap until then

[Booze]

Ohh, most Americans in the U.S. just haven't been exposed to enough soccer to like it or accept it. It's catching on, but probably won't reach a status equal to say hockey - not for a while anyway.

It's interesting listening to the local sports stations try to integrate the World Cup into their program while open to admit they don't know much about the sport. Even Jim Rome seems as if he's taking a bigger interest in the World Cup this time around.

Next game: BRAZIL! I'm going to nap until then

Like France are doing now against the Swiss.

[Mr. Irrelevant]

That's because all the athletes that perform that particular manuever are in the NBA.
Well hell!! Get those NBA guys some knee pads, cleats, and some orange slices and we're good to go.

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Even Jim Rome seems as if he's taking a bigger interest in the World Cup this time around.

Meh, isn't that interesting... I've noticed that as well. According to Romey. Soccer wasn't even a sport 5 years ago. He was constantly delivering smack about Latin America teams and their favorite food being orange wedges, and how the Euro's like to demolish entire stadiums on top of each other by "soccer-moshing" in the stands.

Now he's all of a sudden... down with soccer. He clearly wants to transition from being known as a shock-jock, to being considered the next great sports anylist. Which is fine, I still like him. I just find his new outlook on Soccer to be interesting.

[Booze]

The best player in the world is about to take the stage for Brazil. In the 25 years that I've been football obsessed, I've never seen anything like Ronaldinho. This fella is amazing.

Hopefully, he'll have a great World Cup, because the big name players have a tendency to disappoint in this competition.

If he does turn on the magic, & it still doesn't do anything to get you footballsceptics the least bit excited, thats when I'll shut up about how it's the best sport in the world.

He's also the ugliest bloke in football, so if he does have a stinker, at least you'll be able to laugh at his teeth.

:-)

[BowlHaircut]

Ohh, most Americans in the U.S. just haven't been exposed to enough soccer to like it or accept it. It's catching on, but probably won't reach a status equal to say hockey - not for a while anyway.
World Cup looking up at hockey is a lot like Herb Sewell's friend shooting porn from under a toilet seat. Neither person is in a very good place there...

[Dr. P]

Lee, it's hard for Americans to embrace the sport in large part because our country's best athlete's don't play it! Our strikers are 5-6, 145 and shit! I know skill is more important than size in the sport, but the Reggie Bushes of our country choose to play more lucrative (and popular here) sporting activities. Unless you're in a car or riding an animal, speed, size and strength helps in all athletic endeavors. Those guys in the US play football, baseball, and basketball.

[moneymaker]

"America is also the most-despised country on earth. Perhaps the more pertinent question is whether they can they see the connection there."

Earth to all euro-trash snobs - we actually don't give a red state ass what the rest of the planet thinks of us. After all, we're not the ones going ga-ga over a silly sport that denies the use of one's arms.

Geesh, where's a good Cricket match when you need one?

Most despised, yet everyone wants to be here. No matter what the frogs, kaisers, or waps say most of 'em would come here in a second. And oh how they all spit in our face...but with their greasy hands out.


I have been all around the world (thanks to Uncle Sam). Most everyone I met, including Asians, Europeans, and Africans would give it all up to live here and love Americans despite what Al Gore and other America haters would have us believe.

For those that were on the fence, my M16 cinched the deal!

http://gayjourney.com/flags_gay/soccer.gif

[the deta]

Wow that brazil match was pretty close.... and renaldo (sp?) seemed to be injured and didnt really contribute much. I am starting to get WORLD CUP FEVER!!!

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

What a bitchin game that was. Who knew Croatia would step it up and contend for the game! Ronaldinho is a badass and wtf with Ronaldo...sluggish as hell. At least Ronaldinho is always smiling.

Best game of the day was Korea v Togo. Man those Korean fowards are FAST. Park is a badass as well.

All I thought while watching the Korea game was "wow, that's a lot of bowls"

:bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl:

[Booze]

All I thought while watching the Korea game was "wow, that's a lot of bowls"

:bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl:

lmao lmao lmao

Typical Yank, though. Don't know the rules. It was only :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: plus :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: on the sub's bench. ;-)

[the deta]

Lee perhaps you could enlighten me .... i saw today when they were showing a players stats it said "Caps" what does that mean?! There was another word i dont remember at the time that i meant to ask about.

[Booze]

Wow that brazil match was pretty close.... and renaldo (sp?) seemed to be injured and didnt really contribute much. I am starting to get WORLD CUP FEVER!!!

Ronaldo was rubbish, wasn't he? He's been slagged off about his fitness & his weight for a few years now, but has still banged the goals in, no matter how many soft tacos he has for his pre match meal.

Doesn't look like he'll be doing the business in this World Cup, though.

[the deta]

Im seriously considering getting some taco bell tonight. SERIOUSLY considering it.

[AB]

Im seriously considering getting some taco bell tonight. SERIOUSLY considering it.

Been there done that. Jeez I'm full. Time to drink!!!

[PeggyLove]

Im seriously considering getting some taco bell tonight. SERIOUSLY considering it.

TACO's....hmmmmmmmm

[Booze]

Lee perhaps you could enlighten me .... i saw today when they were showing a players stats it said "Caps" what does that mean?! There was another word i dont remember at the time that i meant to ask about.

Caps refers to how many times a player has played for his country. Because back in the day, they actually awarded England players with cub scout style headgear whenever they were selected for the national team.

Sounds a bit strange in these days of huge wages & win bonuses. Not to mention slightly :gay: , but that's Englishmanship for ya.

[the deta]

Thanks Lee. I would have never guessed that was what it stood for. :thumbsup:

SFJ .... helping me understand soccer more.

[Booze]

TACO's....hmmmmmmmm

So when I mention Messican food, all of a sudden the thread comes alive? #-o

Bloody Americans. No wonder you prefer Basketball to soccer. It's all about instant gratification with you lot.

No concentration... ](*,) ;-)

[the deta]

LOL where is Raj!?!?!?

[Booze]

Lee, it's hard for Americans to embrace the sport in large part because our country's best athlete's don't play it! Our strikers are 5-6, 145 and shit! I know skill is more important than size in the sport, but the Reggie Bushes of our country choose to play more lucrative (and popular here) sporting activities. Unless you're in a car or riding an animal, speed, size and strength helps in all athletic endeavors. Those guys in the US play football, baseball, and basketball.

That's a good point, Russy, & one that I hadnt really thought about. Your soccer players are basically rejects from all your other sports, whilst all the potentially great strikers & towering centre backs are getting cherry picked for the NFL & NBA. :-k

That's a shame, because your college system could teach all the soccer superpowers a thing or two when it comes to recognising & nurturing talent.

Whereas the English Football Association has grand ideas about filtering young talent up from schools & eventually into an FA academy, the reality is that the rich clubs are doing all the running. Clubs like Man Utd & Chelsea are snapping up players at ridiculously young ages. Often by poaching them from smaller clubs who have already invested a lot in them.

On the one hand, I suppose it's a good thing that these kids are getting a good footballing education at academies with top class coaches & excellent facilities. On the other, it's leading to an even wider gulf between the big money clubs & those trying to catch up.

If these teams can buy any player in the world and they have a stranglehold on all the new talent coming up, they will be unstoppable. Great for them, bad for the League. Boring for the fans. It's already happened with Chelsea effectively buying the Premiership title for the last two seasons.

What we could really do with in soccer is a salary cap & a draft system. The draft is a beautiful idea. Even if it does sound like the sort of filthy commie idea that belongs more in the land of the :bowl: than the home of capitalism. ;-)

[Booze]

The Argies absolutely spanked the Serbs today. 6-0.

La la la LAAA!

Being British, I should not applaud those Falkland Islandsinvading, handball cheating scumbags, but they were absolutely fantastic. Props where they're due. :tipofthecap:

It's the big one for you guys tomorrow. USA V Italy.

If you get a result against the greaseballs, I predict an upsurge in interest in this competition. At the moment I'm on me own. Even Ed has abandoned me. :cry:

Of course, theyre rather good, & it would take a slight miracle...

I'm rootin' for ya though.

Lee's Daily World Cup Update owwwwt!

[the deta]

I havent abandoned you lee.. its just that the US OPEN golf tourny has been on and well that wins out over the World cup in my book. But i ll be slammin back some brews and watchin my USA brothers tomorrow!

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

The Argies absolutely spanked the Serbs today. 6-0.

La la la LAAA!

Being British, I should not applaud those Falkland Islandsinvading, handball cheating scumbags, but they were absolutely fantastic. Props where they're due. :tipofthecap:

It's the big one for you guys tomorrow. USA V Italy.

If you get a result against the greaseballs, I predict an upsurge in interest in this competition. At the moment I'm on me own. Even Ed has abandoned me. :cry:

Of course, theyre rather good, & it would take a slight miracle...

I'm rootin' for ya though.

Lee's Daily World Cup Update owwwwt!


Yeah, :wtf: is FIFA putting the US up against all these decent teams... if they want to spark American interest in the sport (which I know that was an objective of there's), put us up against Ghana or something. We've got a shot, I'll definitely be tuning in.

[Booze]

USA has a decent team. The main issue with whether they will bring it all to the table.

BTW, though the Argentina v Serb game was awesome, I have to say that the best game of the day was the Mexico v Angola. The defensive effort displayed by Joao Ricardo and the rest of the squad, especially after Andre got red carded. They still have a ticket in the tournament and can really put a wrench in the works if they play like they did today.

Man, I hope England makes it to the finals so I can see Peter Crouch do his robot dance.

Amen, Brother :dance: :dance: :dance:

I bow to your knowledge of football, btw. Angola really did the business today. That result was what the World Cup was all about.

A 36 yr old goalkeeper was man of the match, representing a country where the average life expectancy is 38. Makes you think.

One thing I must correct you on though. You say you hope the USA can 'bring it all to the table.'

In soccer, we call the playing surface 'the pitch'.

I'm kidding! ;-)

[Booze]

SOCCER? :wtf: we call it "Football"

heh.

btw, root for ghana tomorrow. The boys from West Africa are going to bring it MICHEAL ESSIEN gd it!

Oh God. It's the Chelsea fella... :whistle:

[CommunistaCow]

Are they going to have a halftime show today?:gay:

[Booze]

Are they going to have a halftime show today?:gay:

Halftime is strictly for having a beer & a wee, eating a balti pie & moaning about how crap your team are playing.

Mentalist chicks with attention seeking nipples are conspicuous by their absence. :-)

[Dr. P]

That's a good point, Russy, & one that I hadnt really thought about. Your soccer players are basically rejects from all your other sports, whilst all the potentially great strikers & towering centre backs are getting cherry picked for the NFL & NBA. :-k


Likewise, it's not enough of a part of our culture. And no part of urban or inner-city culture. It's largely rich, suburban kids playing soccer in the US. But all kids have toy basketball goals and "footballs". And the Boy's Clubs and such for less fortunate youth have football and hoops teams. Every school has teams for those sports by 1st grade. There is no soccer team until High School in many instances, and the kids that play there are too small or slow to make the other varsity teams. No wonder the US has great goalies, but few players elite at having a ball on their feet. Just a thought.

[the deta]

Oh yea!!! USA about to take the pitch against them italians..... USA USA USA USA USA.

I also think monty tees off at the open within the hour, as does Phil.... Time to crack a few beers!

[Dr. P]

Italy will kill us, Ed. Soccer matters there, their premire athletes play soccer. I'm rooting for us, but our 5th place ranking is absurd. Look at who the corporate sponsor was that did the ranking....

[the deta]

With an attitude like that...... <shakes head>


USA USA USA USA USA!!!

[Dr. P]

Awwwww. Ed, look at the skill level and size of their strikers! They'd never have stepped on a soccer field if they grew up here. Much like Reggie Bush would be a soccer phenom if he grew up in Italy. I wish, wish, wish we had some of our premiere athletes involved in the sport. We have more money, better facilities, human resources, nutrition, and a much larger population than Brazil. But we will never beat them in soccer unless it becomes a part of our culture, like it is theirs.
Just a gloids' opinion.

[the deta]

USA USA USA USA USA USA USA !!!!

Do YOu Beleive in MIRACLES?!!?!?!?!?!!?

[TheWagesofSin]

They say Steve Nash is a superior point guard 'cause of all the soccer he played- the way he crosses the court while distributing the ball is unique, supposedly- I dunno anything about soccer so I can't say if that has any merit or not.
Uh... GO USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Booze]

Awwwww. Ed, look at the skill level and size of their strikers! They'd never have stepped on a soccer field if they grew up here. Much like Reggie Bush would be a soccer phenom if he grew up in Italy. I wish, wish, wish we had some of our premiere athletes involved in the sport. We have more money, better facilities, human resources, nutrition, and a much larger population than Brazil. But we will never beat them in soccer unless it becomes a part of our culture, like it is theirs.
Just a gloids' opinion.

Russy, just have a beer & enjoy the strange feeling of the USA getting beat at something for once. Assuming you do get beaten, that is.

The beautiful thing about football is that odd results happen all the time. It's a funny old game.

Ed, I'm having a pint of bitter. Cheers! :tipofthecap:

[Booze]

They say Steve Nash is a superior point guard 'cause of all the soccer he played- the way he crosses the court while distributing the ball is unique, supposedly- I dunno anything about soccer so I can't say if that has any merit or not.
Uh... GO USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does he use his feet? ;-)

Italy were 1-0 up, but an own goal & a mental elbow mean that it's now 1-1 & Italy are down to 10 men.

I think I do believe in miracles.

[TheWagesofSin]

So US and Italy tied, what does that mean in terms of tournament placement? (Lee, if you're not wasted yet on that bitter beer, maybe you can tell me). I's jes an ignint american, ya'suh.

[the deta]

Well the USA didnt lose!!!

[TheWagesofSin]

USA now has to beat Ghana, no questions. Of course, we shall see how the other game in USA's group plays out, Italy v. Czech. At this point, there is an outside shot that the USA could make it, if Italy beats Czech (very very possible) and the USA wins (Ghana is now a force, but I think it is doable).
Okay, thanks, I kinda get it. If you'll pardon I'm going back to NBA.com now... this is not my world.

[Booze]

HA HA HA HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW????? GHANA 2 CZECH 0).

Good call, Bobby Boy. Ghana were great, & the Czechs did a good impression of complacent Euro bigwigs who felt that they had the game won before they went onto the pitch. I hope England don't make the same mistake against the 'lesser' teams.

I loved Muntari's lone celebrations after his offside goal, when he was the only person in the world who was unaware the goal was disallowed & couldnt work out why nobody was coming to give him a congratulatory cuddle. lmao


USA now has to beat Ghana, no questions. Of course, we shall see how the other game in USA's group plays out, Italy v. Czech. At this point, there is an outside shot that the USA could make it, if Italy beats Czech (very very possible) and the USA wins (Ghana is now a force, but I think it is doable).

Well summed up. This is the most interesting group of the lot now. Who knows how it's gonna turn out?

Another big day today. First up it's Japan V Croatia, who should both be going all out for a win. Then Brazil V the Aussies, who are on a high from their late win over the Japs & will be thinking that anything is possible.

The late game is France V South Korea. France have started slow & everybody is saying that their aging side is past it. And the Koreans are well known for sticking a spanner in the works of the big boys.

Plus, today is the start of my month long holiday from work & my son bought me a crate of lager for Father's Day. Ooooh yehhh! :dance: \\:D/ :dance: \\:D/ :dance:

[the deta]

Sounds good Lee.... Happy Fathers day to you... i didnt know that you folks across the pond celebrate the day! Enjoy those beers brotha! And enjoy tthe futball!

[CommunistaCow]

Did the referee in the USA-Italy match lose it, or what?:wtf:

That match was completely out of his control from the start. With the US squad finally attacking, he all but took the game out of their hands.middlefinger

Of course, I still don't know if they could have scored. And guys, what in the hell are you doing trying an offsides trap on a free kick less than 15 meters from the endline? Pope should have gotten a red card more for his horrible performance.

[the deta]

Yea i cant wait to watch the Bowls and Frenchies play. I missed the Bowl VS Togo match, but i do remember hearing about the amazing speed of the bowls.

Also i am looking forward to the brazil match... hopefully ronaldo shows up... he was a non factor in their last game.

[Booze]

My predictions for the remaining games:

Brasil 2-1 Australia
Korea 2-0 France

Australia is good, but they lack the pop and pure ability that Brasil has in basically, all of its players, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, KAKA, CAFU GD IT

Korea will destroy France. If you saw the first Korea game, you saw how FREAKIN fast the Korean players were. All thats going to happen is the ball will be launched downfield, the Korean strikers will hold back until ball goes onsides, then they will outrun the FRENCH GEEZERS to the ball, put it on NET GD IT. I have never seen such a display of speed as I did when Korea played Togo.

This is a strange game for the Aussies. They would have been dreaming about playing Brazil throughout their careers, & now the day has come they will be well up for it & want to give a good account of themselves.

BUT... their coach (Guus Hiddink - the bloke who exceeded all expectations with the Bowls at the last World Cup & a real smart fella) has been talking about resting players for this & concentrating on their game with Croatia, which they have a great chance of winning & going through to the next round.

You know those Aussies aint gonna be able to hold anything in reserve once they get out on that pitch though.

[the deta]

Awesome... soccer rules... 12:03 PM and im having a beer!

[the deta]

DAMN ronaldo just got kicked in the leg.... DId anyone see the mark those spikes left?!?!!? OUCH!

[Booze]

DAMN ronaldo just got kicked in the leg.... DId anyone see the mark those spikes left?!?!!? OUCH!

That was thru his shin pads as well. Unsurprisingly, I'm having a beer too. 5.10pm, & the sun is well over the yardarm.

Cheers, everyone!

[the deta]

Cheers Lee!

Hear is another question about the game for ya..... What's the deal with the wierd plastic half-domes that cover the bench? Are they to keep players cool by some sort air conditioning? thats all i could think of. Or maybe to protect players from projectiles? Surely there is an explanation to these odd structures.

[Booze]

Cheers Lee!

Hear is another question about the game for ya..... What's the deal with the wierd plastic half-domes that cover the bench? Are they to keep players cool by some sort air conditioning? thats all i could think of. Or maybe to protect players from projectiles? Surely there is an explanation to these odd structures.

I don't think they've got air con, Ed. I've seen a few managers hit their head on the roof of those things over the years though.

Usually, the worst view in the stadium is from the benches, which is why a lot of coaches like to sit in the stands to watch the first half in the English Premiership, talking to their assistant via phone.

[the deta]

Intersting.... So you dont know what pupose they serve either?

[Booze]

Intersting.... So you dont know what pupose they serve either?

Nope. You got me on that one! You got me on that one... :-)

There's probably some obscure FIFA directive behind it though.

Ronaldo's playing like a big girl's blouse again.

[the deta]

Yea i think i am rooting for the aussies in this match.

I should be out swimmin! but i got the World Cup Fever!!! Maybe ill take a quick dip after this game.

Phil tees it up in 2 hours.... Monty tees it up in 1 hour 40 minutes playing with Vijay,... and they are both three strokes back .... Should be a good sunday!

[Booze]

Yea i think i am rooting for the aussies in this match.

I should be out swimmin! but i got the World Cup Fever!!! Maybe ill take a quick dip after this game.

Phil tees it up in 2 hours.... Monty tees it up in 1 hour 40 minutes playing with Vijay,... and they are both three strokes back .... Should be a good sunday!

I just flicked over to Sky Sports to catch some US Open action. They were interviewing some spectators. I've never seen so many pairs of chino shorts in one place before in my whole life. They were all wearing belts too. It's a good look... :gay:

[Angelina_Jelly]

Nope. You got me on that one! You got me on that one... :-)

There's probably some obscure FIFA directive behind it though.

Ronaldo's playing like a big girl's blouse again.

Lee, This is really off topic, but...but...but.. I just listened to your audio clip and, um, I was wondering if there is some sort of a back stage pass to which I could subscribe through which I could get daily podcasts of you saying random stuff in your sessy British accent?

Better yet...will you allow me to give you a bikini wax and make you my Wife?

[the deta]

Lets Go Bowls!!!!
:bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl:


Jeesus H... what was the deal wth that french fan an his live chicken?!?!


Lets Go Bowls!!!!
:bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl:

[Booze]

Lee, This is really off topic, but...but...but.. I just listened to your audio clip and, um, I was wondering if there is some sort of a back stage pass to which I could subscribe through which I could get daily podcasts of you saying random stuff in your sessy British accent?

Better yet...will you allow me to give you a bikini wax and make you my Wife?

Not now, luv... there's football on telly ;-)

[Dr. P]

Nice one, Lee!

[Booze]

Nice one, Lee!

Nah, I'm just trying to act hard in front of my mates. Kind of like Travolta at the start of Grease.

I just sent her a PM begging her to wax me up... :lewser:

[Booze]

YYYYESSSSSSS!!! :bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :bowl:

Go on South Korea. Ive got a tenner on the draw...

:worship:

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Not now, luv... there's football on telly ;-)

lmao lmao lmao lmao lmao

I bet she's willing to make you a sammich, while your watching the game!

[Angelina_Jelly]

lmao lmao lmao lmao lmao

I bet she's willing to make you a sammich, while your watching the game!

lmao lmao Got that right. I know what makes a man happy. Accordingly, I know a lot about sandwiches. tee hee.

[Zerath]

I was really bored so I watched the French VS Korea match. The koreans have the worst awfence(Misspelled I know) ever. The best thing about the game was the french didn't win.

[Booze]

I was really bored so I watched the French VS Korea match. The koreans have the worst awfence(Misspelled I know) ever. The best thing about the game was the french didn't win.

Yep. The Frogs getting sucker punched made it one of the games of the tournament for me.

The bowls didn't really get the better of the French midfield until about the 80th minute, when they started to commit players forward & attack down the right wing.

Until then, France were very solid & their defence was playing too deep for the Koreans to attempt playing long balls into space behind them to use their pace, like Robert Leonard rightly said would have ripped the French apart.

So it was funny that the bowl goal came from a cross, headed back across goal by a 2ft 3inch fella. That made it even sweeter. lmao

I hate France, mainly owing to the fact that I support Tottenham Hotspur. Our hated local rivals are Arsenal, who have had a French manager & a load of French players over the last 10 years. including Thierry Henry, the striker who scored for the frogs yesterday.

YP Lee, the South Korea right back, plays for Spurs :dance:

[Booze]

Not the most mouthwatering day of the World Cup schedule, this one, but there is a slight chance of an upset like yesterdays France v South Korea draw.

I've put my money on a Switzerland/Spain/Ukraine treble, which should be an absolute certainty. But in football you never know.

Togo almost didn't turn up for their game against the Swiss, after yet another argument over money.

Average income in Togo: US$1000

Amount Togo players are reportedly demanding, per player, just to play in the World Cup: US$196,300.

Average income in the UK: US$45,754

Amount we'd have to pay each England player if we were to use the same factor of multiplication: US$7,746,152.20

Only Beckham gets that ;-)

[short stack]

Soccer 's the world's greatest game; their athletes the most powerful and skilled. What passes for sports in the US is very pathetic. The only people playng decent "American football" are college girls playing rugby.
Or marines playing touch in the mud.

Phil's hatred of soccer is predictable, but I ignore it. I switch him off when the Wireman stuff comes on, the
"dying DJ" stuff (too creepy), and the "NFL is life" stuff.

No one's perfect.

[Booze]

Soccer 's the world's greatest game; their athletes the most powerful and skilled. What passes for sports in the US is very pathetic. The only people playng decent "American football" are college girls playing rugby.
Or marines playing touch in the mud.

Phil's hatred of soccer is predictable, but I ignore it. I switch him off when the Wireman stuff comes on, the
"dying DJ" stuff (too creepy), and the "NFL is life" stuff.

No one's perfect.

That tears it!

You've done it now, buddy. The last thing we need is another debate on soccer vs NFL, NBA or MLB.

I agree with you, of course... :thumbsup:

[short stack]

Thanks, Lime. I'll be at the local Albanian-owned barbeque joint--our version of a tube station curry shop--cheering on the Ukrainians. Eastern PA is full of them, descendents of steel mill workers. The soccer crowd here ain't too bad, very popular in California and Chicago,for ex. But the advertising industry/owners/whatever player's assoc, et al just have the opiate of the masses manufacturing process down to a fine art form. Therefore, we don't have sports that can't be shoved down our throats, along with the
cola, beer and junk food.
Sugar, meat and alchohol, brother, where we're at. And their spiritual equivalents.
Togo played with heart, though, eh?

[Dr. P]

Soccer 's the world's greatest game; their athletes the most powerful and skilled. What passes for sports in the US is very pathetic. The only people playng decent "American football" are college girls playing rugby.
Or marines playing touch in the mud.
"Tackle Football" is an intricate and amazing spectacle at the professional level. The football playbooks for major college teams are around 700 pages. NFL coaches are often educated at top universities, and must have the ability to grasp complex schemes and systems and relay the information to players from all sorts of backgrounds. The athletes are part machine, part ballerina, like Greek Gods, heros throwing thunderbolts and catching lightening. The bravery and courage displayed by these men on the gridiron is beyond that of mere mortals. The average NFL career is 4 years, and by age thirty their bodies are broken from injuries and bone-crushing hits.
I'm not calling soccer fooz-ball on grass, but if you appreciate sport, you have to see the beauty that is tackle football.

[TheWagesofSin]

Every sport should be like soccer. How much better would the NBA Finals be this year if the basket was lowered and Shaq just stood in front of it the whole game? :roll:

Save that soccer shit for the tourists, baby, this is America.

[Dr. P]

<Russy contemplates spamming the thread with American sports talk>

Hey Wages, what'd ya think about that time out call last night?

[TheWagesofSin]

<Russy contemplates spamming the thread with American sports talk>

Hey Wages, what'd ya think about that time out call last night?
I haven't seen it yet. I was too busy discussing the amazing 0-0 tie match yesterday between the Bowls and the Frogs. Wait, or was it... aw forget it.

[TheWagesofSin]

Y'know, I've refrained from criticizing soccer in this thread... I say, to each his own... and I understand the Limeys are into it (Lee).

But Short Stack...(breathing heavy)...you... you went too far... and now I gotta bag on soccer... it's all your fault...

[Booze]

"Tackle Football" is an intricate and amazing spectacle at the professional level. The football playbooks for major college teams are around 700 pages. NFL coaches are often educated at top universities, and must have the ability to grasp complex schemes and systems and relay the information to players from all sorts of backgrounds. The athletes are part machine, part ballerina, like Greek Gods, heros throwing thunderbolts and catching lightening. The bravery and courage displayed by these men on the gridiron is beyond that of mere mortals. The average NFL career is 4 years, and by age thirty their bodies are broken from injuries and bone-crushing hits.
I'm not calling soccer fooz-ball on grass, but if you appreciate sport, you have to see the beauty that is tackle football.

I have to agree. I got hooked on American Football in 1983, when I was 10 years old & they first showed the Superbowl in the UK. My dad loved it, let me stay up with him until the wee small hours to watch it and have Monday off school to recover. After that it became a yearly ritual of ours.

John Riggins was just the sort of no-nonsense fella that my dad (& therefore, me) admired in soccer. And we both became Redskins fans.

I was well into the NFL throughout the rest of the 80's, & I went to the 'American Bowl' at Wembley Stadium in '89, when the Eagles played the Browns. This brought home to me how much TV adds to the experience. I always thought I understood the game, but I was lost without the commentatators explaining the plays. I love the stats that come with American sports, & that are creeping slowly into soccer.

I let my interest slide a bit after that, although according to Phil's compressed Superbowl history, I haven't missed much. I still watch a few games a season though, & usually catch the Superbowl.

I can't better your description of the sport, Russy. It's unlike any other I can think of. Chess played with gladiators who will need new knees in their 40's. I love it, but I think it needs a lifetime immersed in it to really know the game. And that's not really possible from this distance.

[CommunistaCow]

Soccer 's the world's greatest game; their athletes the most powerful and skilled. What passes for sports in the US is very pathetic.

:roll:

Short stack sounds like a local sports writer here in Houston. Because 7 more people are tuning into the WC this year compared to 4 years ago, this guy has proclaimed that soccer is sweeping the land and primed to take over as the top US sport. While I hate to burst the bubbles of delusional nutcases, in this case I feel I must.

To wit, here are some national ratings numbers to put things in perspective:

USA vs Italy = 5.2
Masters Sunday = 9.0
Kentucky Derby = 8.9
Daytona 500 = 11.3
Super Bowl = 42.1

Look, to each his/her own. But, if we can put up with this quadrennial bout of stupidity and insanity, the least you hooligans can do is not piss down our back and tell us it's raining.

[Booze]

Y'know, I've refrained from criticizing soccer in this thread... I say, to each his own... and I understand the Limeys are into it (Lee).

But Short Stack...(breathing heavy)...you... you went too far... and now I gotta bag on soccer... it's all your fault...

Hehehe...

See Short Stack, I told ya!

I had them all calmed down & bored & you had to rile 'em up again... ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

I call a truce. ;-)

[short stack]

I played both sports in high school, in tough leagues too.
There was no comparison. Football was the worst thing in most of our lives at the time, while later, soccer became a joy and pleasure. And much tougher. The training was brutal compared to football's, which was a joke in contrast. The worst was the sicko coaching and
community/ parent insanity. So many guys ruined their
knees I lost count. The ultimate was when, literally crazed by all the shouting to "kill", even during practice,
I sent the star quarterback to the hospital. Of course I didn't mean to hit him so hard. I was a freshman, one of
only two to play varsity. Needless to say, I lasted that year just barely and switched to soccer in 10th. And that was after a nice run throughout junior high too.

Our soccer coach was a golden gloves champion, which
helped us dedicate ourselves to the sport.

Sure, tackle football has some wonderful features. It's also killed the sportsmanship of high school sports, and a high school soccer career is a fantastically effective antidote. Look at basketball also. Ever see a high school Navajo reservation game? Remember the two brothers that Sports Illustrated wrote up? They didn't have a chance...yet they were easily the most unbelievable players I ever saw, simply NEVER missing, and they were
dwarfed by the black players from Phoenix. So the point is that in the US sports is too greatly influenced by the business side. So a sport like soccer hasn't got a chance, just like the Navajo players, who were too far from the scouts and too culturally "foreign" to the urban
media empires, and their bosses especially.
I remember the 70s, when it had a chance. There was a ganeration of owners who thought it would fly. But the "formula" was all wrong for TV and it died and most of the owners found other investments.
Like junk food.

[the deta]

Hockey pwns both Soccer and Football....... Case Closed!

[CommunistaCow]

"But the "formula" was all wrong for TV and it died"

Yeah, 0-0 ties, horrible acting by "world-class" athletes taking dives and officiating that makes the NBA officials look good tends to be a real strong formula. :roll:

"The worst was the sicko coaching and
community/ parent insanity."

Ever been to a youth soccer match lately? :roll:

[Booze]

Tunisia have just gone 1-0 up against Spain.

I'm all for an upset, normally, but this could cost me 50 quid here... #-o

[the deta]

Tunisia have just gone 1-0 up against Spain.

I'm all for an upset, normally, but this could cost me 50 quid here... #-o

lmao ..... Sorry Lee im all about Tunisia in this one!

[Booze]

Yeah, 0-0 ties, horrible acting by "world-class" athletes taking dives and officiating that makes the NBA officials look good tends to be a real strong formula. :roll:

I can't argue with the play acting (very un-English up until recently, when we seem to have joined in, much to my disgust), & the awful refereeing (when will FIFA sanction the use of at least goal line video evidence?).

But until you understand that there can be such a thing as a great 0-0 match, you'll never get soccer.

Defending is an art form too. It's not all about players like Ronaldinho, Maradona & Pele.

[Booze]

lmao ..... Sorry Lee im all about Tunisia in this one!

Why, you dirty... ;-)

[CommunistaCow]

I can't argue with the play acting (very un-English up until recently, when we seem to have joined in, much to my disgust), & the awful refereeing (when will FIFA sanction the use of at least goal line video evidence?).

But until you understand that there can be such a thing as a great 0-0 match, you'll never get soccer.

Defending is an art form too. It's not all about players like Ronaldinho, Maradona & Pele.

Don't get me wrong Lee. I firmly believe that we all have our likes and dislikes, and that's a good thing. But, just as I refrain from telling others that their likes really suck and my likes are the best, some others might want to take that to heart.

[Zerath]

Hockey pwns both Soccer and Football....... Case Closed!

Swimings better then hockey.

[Booze]

Don't get me wrong Lee. I firmly believe that we all have our likes and dislikes, and that's a good thing. But, just as I refrain from telling others that their likes really suck and my likes are the best, some others might want to take that to heart.

Amen, brother.

I hope I've not been guilty of that, & if I have I apologise. There should be another thread entitled 'Soccer sucks/No it doesn't' for all that crap.

[CommunistaCow]

Amen, brother.

I hope I've not been guilty of that, & if I have I apologise. There should be another thread entitled 'Soccer sucks/No it doesn't' for all that crap.

Nope. You have been nothing less than a right proper English gent. :tipofthecap:

Of course, there's still the minor issue about the whole monarchy thing. But, that's not really your fault I guess. :thumbsup:

[the deta]

Ohhhhh!!! Spain TIEs the GAME!

[Booze]

Ohhhhh!!! Spain TIEs the GAME!

2-1. Suck on that Tunisia...

[the deta]

Damn.... you are in the quid Lee!

[Booze]

Damn.... you are in the quid Lee!

It ain't over til the big German opera singing chick sings.

[short stack]

Sorry, guys, and especially you Cow. I'm new, and new to the etiquette. Didn't know Phil Hendrie fans were
concerned with not offending, even so slightly, the prejudices of others. I mentioned it because, in an unfunny way, Phil went after soccer.
Call me a "Soccer Don".

[CommunistaCow]

Sorry, guys, and especially you Cow. I'm new, and new to the etiquette. Didn't know Phil Hendrie fans were
concerned with not offending, even so slightly, the prejudices of others. I mentioned it because, in an unfunny way, Phil went after soccer.
Call me a "Soccer Don".

No need to apolgize. We are all a very self-deprecating crew. But, when you cross over into more of a Jim Rome-ish style rant, it gets the buttons pushed.

BTW, slightly :offtopic: , but one of the funniest SNL skits was Mike Meyers doing the soccer hooligan TV show. Oh man, those guys were a scream.

[Booze]

Call me a "Soccer Don".

You're a Soccer Don. :thumbsup:

When did Phil do the anti soccer bit? I haven't heard much for the last week. I know there will be a small part of me that gets angry, (I get a small twinge of indignation when he trashes Limeys, too :cry: ) but if I can't have a sense of humour about these things, the PHS ain't the show for me, is it?

[Dr. P]

I know Brazil has a rich history of one-word named players. What about that Brazilian player, "Fred"? I mean, C'mon. Fred?

[short stack]

Hey Lime
Last week some time, late in the show. Stupid.
"It's like croquet, man." and ""Who cares about a sport
no one likes!"
His usual lucid, cogent observations about stuff he hates.
Or rather stuff others like, instead of the stuff he likes,
or maybe even him. Like he's actually pretending to be
jealous of the media that the World Cup is getting. That's not for laughs.
So, why? Just to be a baby? Seems odd to me. Like he's really depressed about leaving radio and bitching about
everything. Too bad when he does that but like I said
no one's perfect.
I think there was a silly character bit as well. Not funny.
(Unfunny routines are always horrible.)

[Booze]

I know Brazil has a rich history of one-word named players. What about that Brazilian player, "Fred"? I mean, C'mon. Fred?

I think all the cool names had been given out by the time he turned up. It's a shame that his strike partner, Barney, is suffering from a cruciate ligament injury. ;-)

[Dr. P]

<Russy checks online for a Barney jersey to wear out>

[Dr. P]

I leave all the soccer dissers alone. If they dont enjoy the sport, big fucking deal. If they disrespect the sport, it shows their level of intelligence and overall demeanor.
Ain't one nigga on this thread dissed soccer, bro. Read the posts. By Sweet God I will sing Dixie fir ya if you can find one example that wasn't a fancy retort! I'm even watching this shit.:thumbsup:

[BowlHaircut]

Out of curiosity, the Americans who enjoy Soccer, did you play as a kid?

[dr.orfannkyl]

Sweet feathery Jesus does soccer suck.

[the deta]

I never played soccer. But i really only get into when its the world cup. But i Love watching the World Cup. I have tried to watch soccer at other times and just cant get into it.

[Dr. P]

Bowl, Yes, I played it in grade school. Until I was doing well in "tackle" football, and chicks liked that better.

[Booze]

I never played soccer. But i really only get into when its the world cup. But i Love watching the World Cup. I have tried to watch soccer at other times and just cant get into it.

Maybe you should pick an English Premiership team to support & start watching that when the season begins in August, Ed.

I'd nominate Tottenham Hotspur. Full of young home grown players, including 4 in the England World Cup squad, getting better every year & just missed out on a Champions League place last season. They like to play good attacking football & should challenge the likes of Liverpool, Man Utd & Arsenal next season.

They also happen to be the team I support ;-)

The only problem with the Premiership is that Chelsea will probably walk it again, on account of being owned by a Russian billionare who is buying all the best players in the world & paying them wages that no other team can get near. If you want to support a team who win all the time, choose them, but surely that would get boring?

[Booze]

I'll post this before someone else does

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5097208.stm

The truth is that hooliganism in Britain has been largely stamped out (if you'll excuse the word stamped) by the police. It had to be done, because in the 70's & early to mid 80's it really was out of hand.

Back then, there would be running battles on the terraces, culminating in the Heysel Stadium disaster in '85, when a wall collapsed during a pitched battle between Liverpool & Juventus fans. 39 fans died & all English clubs were banned from Europe for 5 years.

Guess how the police solved the problem? By gathering intelligence, then cracking skulls & asking questions later. Exactly how they're dealing with the islamic fundamentalist threat now. Innocent people were victims of the crackdown on hooligans, just as they are in the crackdown on terrorism. Unlike now, though, they were left to get on with their jobs without having to wring their hands & offer their genitals to the press every time somebody was wrongly arrested.

And it worked. Hooliganism in Britain still exists, but it's been forced underground to the point where it doesn't really have anything to do with the sport at all. Which it never has, if you ask me, or 99.9999% of other people who go to matches. It's more like Fight Club now. Arranged fixtures in fields & industrial parks where blokes go to compare the size of their wangs.

The UK police had to deal with it first, & were so succesful that their expertise is now sought by police forces all over the world. Where, unfortunately, the problem is still a big one. Eastern Europe in particular is a hotbed of hooliganism, mostly linked to Neo Nazism.

None of their violence has anything to do with football, either. The stadiums are just the venues.

[the deta]

Maybe you should pick an English Premiership team to support & start watching that when the season begins in August, Ed.

I'd nominate Tottenham Hotspur. Full of young home grown players, including 4 in the England World Cup squad, getting better every year & just missed out on a Champions League place last season. They like to play good attacking football & should challenge the likes of Liverpool, Man Utd & Arsenal next season.

They also happen to be the team I support ;-)

The only problem with the Premiership is that Chelsea will probably walk it again, on account of being owned by a Russian billionare who is buying all the best players in the world & paying them wages that no other team can get near. If you want to support a team who win all the time, choose them, but surely that would get boring?

I might just do that LEE. WHen it boils down i am just a sports fan, and can get into just about anything. I was a big fan of Curling during the last olympics. Its just that i have no idea when soccer starts or ANYTHING about the league and such. I also dont know if i can get the games... i do have that new Fox Sports Soccar channel so i should be able to get some.

Keep me up to date when the season starts... and i will make an effort to get into it. On your suggestion i will also root for Tottenham Hotspur, they sound like my kinda squad. And F Chelsea , they sound like soccer's version of the New York Yankees and their owner George Steinbrenner.

[the deta]

I love that. You admittedly know nothing about the premier league, and have no experience other than what this limey (sic) is telling you about it. Since he likes Tottenham, gee it only makes sense you would too! Why dont you come to that conclusion after you actually have experience with the premier league? Chelsea has some great talent, but many would say Manchester United (owned by Malcom Razer a yank) is more like the Yankees, in part due to their fans. Yankees win a lot, like Chelsea, but they dont always win. Hell ROONEY isnt on Chelsea, and hes arguably britans biggest talent (beckham can only bend it, hes not been as much of a force as he has in teh past).

Im going to go with Lee's suggestion. If i dont have a team to root for, i am not going to be able to watch it. I need to pick a horse and ride it. Hopefully that gets me into the sport more. Then after i am exposed to more of the game and more teams/players, maybe i'll find another team i like better, and if i do, i'll switch. But to start ill go with Tottenham.

Thanks for the update on Manchester United... Im now adding them to my "F THEM" list, right next to Chelsea. \\:D/

:tipofthecap:

[CommunistaCow]

I love that. You admittedly know nothing about the premier league, and have no experience other than what this limey (sic) is telling you about it. Since he likes Tottenham, gee it only makes sense you would too! Why dont you come to that conclusion after you actually have experience with the premier league? Chelsea has some great talent, but many would say Manchester United (owned by Malcom Razer a yank) is more like the Yankees, in part due to their fans. Yankees win a lot, like Chelsea, but they dont always win. Hell ROONEY isnt on Chelsea, and hes arguably britans biggest talent (beckham can only bend it, hes not been as much of a force as he has in teh past).

Boy, soccer really seems to bring out the best in folks. :roll:

This really is getting too funny. While listening to Fox Sports Radio this morning, they opened up the lines to nothing but hardcore soccer fans asking them to give reasons as to why US sports fans should give a rat about soccer. The callers were virtually identical in that they would start off by stating that soccer was the most intellectual, pure sport in the world. They then would invariably call anyone who didn't love soccer an idiot, jerk, asshole, loser, on and on.

I guess soccer fans haven't picked up on the irony thing yet.

[Booze]

Boy, soccer really seems to bring out the best in folks. :roll:

This really is getting too funny. While listening to Fox Sports Radio this morning, they opened up the lines to nothing but hardcore soccer fans asking them to give reasons as to why US sports fans should give a rat about soccer. The callers were virtually identical in that they would start off by stating that soccer was the most intellectual, pure sport in the world. They then would invariably call anyone who didn't love soccer an idiot, jerk, asshole, loser, on and on.

I guess soccer fans haven't picked up on the irony thing yet.

I think we all know a fair bit about the kind of people who call radio shows, Communista. ;-)

[Booze]

Im going to go with Lee's suggestion. If i dont have a team to root for, i am not going to be able to watch it. I need to pick a horse and ride it. Hopefully that gets me into the sport more. Then after i am exposed to more of the game and more teams/players, maybe i'll find another team i like better, and if i do, i'll switch. But to start ill go with Tottenham.

Thanks for the update on Manchester United... Im now adding them to my "F THEM" list, right next to Chelsea. \\:D/

:tipofthecap:

Heh, nice one, Ed. I'll let you know who we'll be playing first when they announce the fixture list.

Come on you Spurs!*

*That's Tottenham Hotspur, not San Antonio, for those who haven't been paying attention.

[BowlHaircut]

Goddamn, nobody on this site seems to have any reading comprehension skills. I never once used any personal attacks in that quote. I went though the statement and analogized it (doesnt happen much on this site as well). I only argued that the lack of experience manifested outwardly on his part is a bad argument for him to make such statements.

What do you mean I don't have any arithmetic skills?

[the deta]

I'll let you know who we'll be playing first when they announce the fixture list.


Oh yea!! :rock:

[Booze]

England v Sweden kicking off in 20 mins.

Crouch is on the bench & Rooney starts. That means we probably won't see any robot dancing, but we might see some goals.

Robert Leonard said it about Rooney. He's the chosen one. The most naturally talented English player for almost 20 years. He's got it all, skill, speed, a hammer-like shot & above all, strength.

Rooney's been rushed back after breaking his foot, & this is his first start since his injury. Normally, I'd say bet your house that this match will be a draw, as that would suit both teams & we haven't beaten the Swedes for 38 years. But Rooney will be well up for this, like a dog let off the leash.

Another surefire bet will be for him to get a yellow card, because he has a temper too.

Come on England!!:dance:

[CommunistaCow]

Goddamn, nobody on this site seems to have any reading comprehension skills. I never once used any personal attacks in that quote. I went though the statement and analogized it (doesnt happen much on this site as well). I only argued that the lack of experience manifested outwardly on his part is a bad argument for him to make such statements.

Roberto, my apologies for not placing a more distinct seperation between my comments. My comments about the radio callers was more a general observation about how ironically uncivil the soccer fans have become. While I do feel that you were a bit harsh in your response to Ed, I should have made a cleaner segue.

Of course, based upon the undertone of your above response, I'd like to recommend some totty time. There has been an edge creeping forth in you of late, my friend. I hope the hooligan virus has not taken hold. :gay:

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Out of curiosity, the Americans who enjoy Soccer, did you play as a kid?

Yeah, I played from age 7 through my senior year in high school. While in high school, I also played football, but the football squad sucked even worse than the soccer squad. So the level of interest by the babes was about equal. At my school, the chicks really dug the boys who played Baseball and wrestling <--- which I also did. We were tremendously good at those sports, so obviously the hotties were down with it. Soccer was really hot at a neighboring H.S. The chicks at that school, dug their players. That school won state 3 years in a row. I bet none of them play soccer now though. hahahahaha.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Angelina_Jelly]

What do you mean I don't have any arithmetic skills?

I thought that ALL BOWLS excelled in math....
you are working your abacus right now, no?

Ah so.:bowl: :bowl: :bowl: :thumbsup:

[Angelina_Jelly]

England v Sweden kicking off in 20 mins.

Crouch is on the bench & Rooney starts. That means we probably won't see any robot dancing, but we might see some goals.

Robert Leonard said it about Rooney. He's the chosen one. The most naturally talented English player for almost 20 years. He's got it all, skill, speed, a hammer-like shot & above all, strength.

Rooney's been rushed back after breaking his foot, & this is his first start since his injury. Normally, I'd say bet your house that this match will be a draw, as that would suit both teams & we haven't beaten the Swedes for 38 years. But Rooney will be well up for this, like a dog let off the leash.

Another surefire bet will be for him to get a yellow card, because he has a temper too.

Come on England!!:dance:

ahhhhh, swoon! when I read this I hear Lee's sessy accent. Never thought I was interested in football until now.
Keep talking Lee.:dance: :chicks:

[Angelina_Jelly]

Out of curiosity, the Americans who enjoy Soccer, did you play as a kid?

I enjoy soccer. Well. Not really. I do enjoy the fantasy of making sandwiches for Lee and his mates whilst they watch footbal.
I will NOT EVER participate any game that involves a ball. Except golf, 'cuz I am a priss.

Back to the thread on what scare me as a kid. Volly balls. I HATE THEM. DODGE balls. YIKES SADISTIC grade school gym teachers. I HATE BALLS except golf balls.

sorry for getting off topic here. I would like to cut anyone who ever threw a volly ball at me.:fire: :fire: :fire:

[Angelina_Jelly]

Bowl, Yes, I played it in grade school. Until I was doing well in "tackle" football, and chicks liked that better.

I would make an exception for playing ball games only for you dear. :chicks: :chicks:

[Booze]

Phew, that was close. England 2-2 Sweden, & although Joe Cole scored one of the best goals you'll ever see, Sweden should have won it in the 2nd half.

Still, we won our group, which means we play the runners up in Group A, Ecuador. Instead of Ze Germans.

Right, the football's finished. What were you saying, Ange? :flirt:

[CommunistaCow]

I've got a quick question for the soccer nuts out in SFL-land. What is the big deal about Bruce Arena?

I keep hearing all the talking heads on the tube and radio mention that Arena is a great coach and look for him to get the US squad turned around. But, given how long he's had the squad, and the dawning reality that the team was totally unprepared, I'm not quite certain how he came about the "great" moniker.

Any insight gang?

[Booze]

I've got a quick question for the soccer nuts out in SFL-land. What is the big deal about Bruce Arena?

I keep hearing all the talking heads on the tube and radio mention that Arena is a great coach and look for him to get the US squad turned around. But, given how long he's had the squad, and the dawning reality that the team was totally unprepared, I'm not quite certain how he came about the "great" moniker.

Any insight gang?

USA had a crap 98 World Cup, finishing bottom of their group. Although the last episode of Seinfeld aired during it, so they might have been distracted.

In 2002 you made the quarter final, against all expectations, so I think he's been riding on that glory up until now. Looks like you might finish bottom again this time, which ain't good enough. Maybe he'll go & you can get a foreign coach

What's up with his name, though? I've heard of stadiums named after coaches, but never a coach named after a stadium. :-)

[CommunistaCow]

Thanks for the info, Lee. The education continues.

Although, with the Tour de France coming soon, I'll shortly be right back in "who gives a damn" mode relative to soccer.

[Angelina_Jelly]

.

Right, the football's finished. What were you saying, Ange? :flirt:

lmao Just keep talking Lee.:thumbsup:

[CommunistaCow]

Yaaaaaaawn. What was that?

Seriously, for what it's worth, the US squad will gag once again. Even in a pool that has a depleted Czech team and a sub-par Italian squad, my guess is that they find a way to go 3 and out.

Of course, I hear that OLN has an episode of outdoor paint drying airing this weekend. Whew, so many tough choices.

Hmmm, now who was it that called that one? Could it have been the Cow? :me3:

Of course, now that the US is gone, watch the TV ratings rival that of Keith Olberman's show. :score:

[Dr. P]

I think until today, the US hadn't even scored a goal! Number 5 ranking, hah!

[BowlHaircut]

Watched 5 minutes of the Brazil-Japan game today...

Pretty exciting header given by the Brazilians! Goooooooooooooooooooooool 1-1

[BowlHaircut]

Are you on sfj to be a groupie or something?
I don't know about her, but I got dibs on being an EtatheD groupie.

[CommunistaCow]

Watching Brasil is an experience that should not be missed. That game was amazing. Cheers to Ronaldo for tying the World Cup goals scored record. He will become the record holder, no doubt. Brasil could field 4 teams and all 4 would make it to the last round, there is little doubt about that. Brasil, the worlds best soccer players, the worlds biggest river in terms of discharge volume, women with 36" tight toned firm asses and a decent face, what isnt there to like?

Besides the rampant drug use, STDs, poverty and promiscuity (oops, scratch that last one), I guess not much. :poke:

But, the cynic in me aside, they can play some mean soccer.

[Dr. P]

And Brazilians are the greatest fighters in the world. Hands down, if you take out structure and rules, they are the most skilled and well-rounded pugilists the planet has to offer. For a few more years, anyway. We're catching up pretty quickly.

[Boss]

OMG...the US lost to Ghana. lmao lmao lmao lmao

What a power house.

[CommunistaCow]

If you focused on just those three things, you have basically described the whole of africa, much of asia, portions of eastern europe, and latin/south america.

Not to mention east LA, New Orleans, Detroit and most every other urban center in the US. But, since we can't play soccer, we're all obviously doomed.:runaway:

And obviously, I'm being a tad facetious.

[CheddarFoCheesy]

Soccar is for poor third world countries, and the England area.

[the deta]

Bump.

Thats right BUMP.

And props to the Brits for winning today. Im looking forward to the Brazil - Ghana match on tuesday.

Im all about ghana now.

[buddickman]

What the hell happened to the US???
In the World Cup

[the deta]

THe US Just disnt show up for their first match, Tied the second. They did decent in the first half off their third game, then they got called on a BS foul in the box and gave up a goal on a penalty kick, ultimatly falling to ghana.

[CommunistaCow]

What the hell happened to the US???
In the World Cup

When you only have a total of 1 shot on goal over 2 games, the word "sucks" comes to mind.

[the deta]

I don't know about her, but I got dibs on being an EtatheD groupie.

Take a number bowl!



ANyway the second round comes to a close today..... iam routing for Ghana to upset the brazillians .. and for spain to beat the "frogs"


World Cup Fever is aliiiiiive!!!!

[the deta]

Damn Ronaldho just deeked the gollie straight up Hockey style.... that was SICK. Looks like brazil is going to pwn ghana.

[CommunistaCow]

Damn Ronaldho just deeked the gollie straight up Hockey style.... that was SICK. Looks like brazil is going to pwn ghana.

You got that right. The final score didn't even come close to describing what a mugging that match turned out to be. In retrospect, thank gawd the US didn't move on - I think it might have been 5-0 or worse.

[Booze]

You got that right. The final score didn't even come close to describing what a mugging that match turned out to be. In retrospect, thank gawd the US didn't move on - I think it might have been 5-0 or worse.

Ghana could easily have scored a couple of goals though. They looked great coming forward, but I couldnt believe how naive they were at the back.

They held a really high line & it was inevitable that their offside trap would get sprung at least once or twice.
Spain are risking the same thing right now against France. Thierry Henry is like greased lightening. He's been caught offside about 5 or 6 times now, but all he'll need is one chance.

[FearAndLoathingInSoCal]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/June%20Dailies/soccer.htm

Interesting find: statistics for American and the World Cup...

[Mr. Irrelevant]

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/June%20Dailies/soccer.htm

Interesting find: statistics for American and the World Cup...

Boy, the President's poll numbers are dismal.... ooops, wrong article. <Click>

[the deta]

Story about Lee and his buds.... (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17302491&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=beer-we-go--name_page.html)

[Booze]

Story about Lee and his buds.... (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17302491&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=beer-we-go--name_page.html)

I'm so proud... :oops:

How about this for dedication, though

World Cup Story Of The Day
'A Beijing football fan refused to let the small matter of his house burning down disturb his enjoyment of Tuesday's World Cup match between France and Spain.

'A fire broke out in a hutong in the centre of the Chinese capital at 3am local time on Wednesday - kickoff time in Hanover - and gutted the traditional courtyard dwelling, the Beijing Daily Messenger reported.

'"When the neighbours shouted 'fire!', I took my little baby and ran out in my nightclothes," the man's wife told the paper.

'My husband paid no attention to the danger, just grabbed the television and put it under his arm.

'"After getting out of the house, he then set about finding an electric socket to plug in and continue watching his game."' - Reuters.

[CommunistaCow]

Story about Lee and his buds.... (http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=17302491&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=beer-we-go--name_page.html)

"In Nuremberg, organisers revealed 70,000 England fans who flooded the city drank 1.2MILLION pints of beer - an average of 17 pints each."

Holy crap, I am impressed. I thought I could drain the brew, but geesh.:worship:

[the deta]

DAMN i was thinking that the quarter finals started today!

[Booze]

Start tomorrow. Im getting psyched for the GERMANY vs argentina match tomorrow.

Yesterday was tough, being without a game for the first time in 2 1/2 weeks. I'm coping by watching Wimbledon.

Who do you lot fancy to make the semis? I'm getting my money on Germany v Italy & Portugal v Brazil. I hope England start playing some football at last, otherwise Portugal will punish us.

We owe them for knocking us out of the last European Championships on penalties. It all got very nasty between the two teams that day. Big Phil Scolari was their coach then, as well as Brazil manager when they beat us in the last World Cup. And he was all set to become the next England coach until he pulled out of the deal.

So, although I really like the guy, it would be pretty sweet to beat him for once too.

[CommunistaCow]

Yesterday was tough, being without a game for the first time in 2 1/2 weeks. I'm coping by watching Wimbledon.

Who do you lot fancy to make the semis? I'm getting my money on Germany v Italy & Portugal v Brazil. I hope England start playing some football at last, otherwise Portugal will punish us.

We owe them for knocking us out of the last European Championships on penalties. It all got very nasty between the two teams that day. Big Phil Scolari was their coach then, as well as Brazil manager when they beat us in the last World Cup. And he was all set to become the next England coach until he pulled out of the deal.

So, although I really like the guy, it would be pretty sweet to beat him for once too.

It will definitely be interesting to see how pretty boy Beckham will handle the Portugese thugs. And, I still believe the WC is headed towards an Italy-Brazil final.

[Booze]

It will definitely be interesting to see how pretty boy Beckham will handle the Portugese thugs. And, I still believe the WC is headed towards an Italy-Brazil final.

I'd go for Germany v Brazil.

This is why Becks will have something to prove against Portugal...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30ZOFqVFm-w&mode=related&search=

If you watch really really carefully, you can see that Beckham's left foot slides slightly when he plants it & nudges the ball before he kicks it.

Honest. ;-)

[Booze]

Oh sweet football. You're back. Never leave me again.

[the deta]

Awesome I dont have to go to work today!! I think ill watch a little footie and then do a little swimming and then watch more footie! Then its off to see Nine Inch Nails. :thumbsup:

GO GERMANY