It's Here!

[arthur]

There's an interesting article in the current issue of Newsweek about Argentina's team. I know very little about World Cup soccer, but I gather they are one of the favorites.

ag

[Guest rohale]

I'm a huge football fan, I've been watching this sport since I can remember. In fact the country I was born and raised in, football is like a religion and for me it's absolutely fantastic. When I was growing up, my dad would take me down to the Old Trafford and watch Manchester United play and ever since I've been a fan of this team. I used to be a big fan of the Mersey Side teams such as Liverpool and Everton. The nice aspect whenever I go back to Europe, I was always make sure to attend a football game. I'm a footballer for life

 

Now onto this year's football. My predictions for the top ten football teams to look for in the Fifa World Cup 2006 are as follows :

Germany

Argentina

Italy

France

Brazil

Spain

Czech Republic

Korea

Mexico?

England

 

All of the above mention teams look good on paper, we'll find out in the coming days and weeks as to who stays and who goes home from Germany. Now I keep hearing people say the team to watch out for is Brazil. I say sod the damn predictions. The team that could really take the world cup home is England. Earlier today, 20 yr old Forward Striker, Wayne Rooner has been cleared to come back and quite possibly help England as they face Paraguay in the first round. Hopefully when the world cup is over, he'll be able to play for his home team of Man Utd and do some serious damage out there.

 

Now To build on the success of Wayne Rooney who is a fabulous player in his own right, England has other really great players like Paul Roberson, the great David Beckham, Michael Owen, Terry & Frank Lambard. Offcourse to have the great Sven-Goran Erikson as England's coach. Who do the fucking Brazilians have these days? England's football players are really shaping up to be a team that has to be reckoned with, like it or not.

 

I hope England gets the chance to meet Brazil at some point in the semis I suppose and really show what those fucking little panzies are made off and in due process send back to South America where they can hopefully sulk in disgrace.

 

Ro

[+ Lucky]

RE:40,000 Prostitutes

 

There is an article in the Washington Post where the lead says that "as many as 40,000" prostitutes will be coming to Germany to service football fans. The article itself says that "more than 40,000" will come. How do they get these figures? Is there a survey?

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/09/AR2006060901477.html

[Guest]

I feel soccer will have a tough time ever catching on in the U.S. because there are no breaks in the game for commercials on TV. Two of the main reasons I prefer U.S. football are: (1) The scores on soccer games always seem to be 2-1, or something like that. For me, that not only makes for a long, boring game, but it also doesn't make me feel as if the winning team can really claim superiority--it merely seems a random function of when the game stopped, and (2) Although strategy, of course, plays a part in every team sport, U.S. football seems as much an intellectual as a physical game. It's almost like a chess game in motion. U.S. football is probably the only spectator sport I enjoy watching (unless you count a purely visual sport such as gymnastics or figure skating at the olympics). I personally find sports where the ball keeps going back and forth, such as soccer and basketball, rather boring. At least in basketball, points get earned during the game, so there is some excitement. In soccer, it seems one is as likely to see a goal scored as to see GW Bush get a rim job.

[Guest verymarried]

I hate to bring a good little sports discussion back to a base level but are there some favorite hot soccer guys to look for? I have seen the shirtless Beckham on the cover of vanity fair and oh-my-god. Are there other particular hot ones whose "unpadded shorts" should be tracked on large screen?

[Samai139]

Football/Soccer Boring? Hardly. If you had given the game a chance and had watched either the Germany vs. Costa Rica match or the Poland vs. Ecuador match yesterday, you would have seen at least several exciting goals, and the results were not just a "fluke" of when the game ended. Speaking of end of games---that is also rather suspensful--since you never KNOW when the game will end---there are seconds, or sometimes minutes added on because of "game stoppage."

Lack of commercial time seems to me the BEST reason to watch televised footbal---I thank the heavens for the continuous action and the missing nonsense of a sales pitch.

Final Point: Another poster talked about the World Cup and said something about 60 minutes---it's more---90 minutes.

The rest of America can blather on about the "World Series" and the NBA Finals. For me? I'll take 22 sexy men running around in shorts any day/night. Oh yeah---and quite often at the end, they rip off their jerseys and then.........YES!!!!

[Guest Merlin]

Football and to a lesser extent baseball do have a intellectual, i.e. tactical and strategic component. Soccer does not seem to have it. I think the primary reason for low interest in the US is that we already have several team sports with strong fan support and there is little "room" for another. There is a slight feeling that soccer would detract from the sports we now love and is in that sense, a threat to "our" sports. Finally, we know that the US team is not likely to win. Hard to get excited about a game you are likely to lose.

[Guest]

I agree that the abscence of commercials is not a negative. I'm suggesting that from a financial point of view, networks have little incentive to televise soccer. The one thing I dislike about U.S. football, which I'll give credit to soccer for, is the stiff prohibition of "excessive display of celebration." For once I'd like to see Tom Brady rip off his shirt in celebration... ;(

http://mk23.image.pbase.com/u13/tombradyjr/upload/3488977.brady_camp02.jpg

 

But I think that the fact that when the game ends is unkown just lends credence to my argument that these 2-1 scores is more of a function of chance than proof that the winning team played twice as well...

[+ deej]

>I think the primary reason for low

>interest in the US is that we already have several team sports

>with strong fan support and there is little "room" for

>another.

 

Perhaps, but that's changing. 40 years ago, soccer in the schools was unheard of but Little League baseball and Pee Wee football were everywhere. When those kids grew up, they had no interest in soccer because they didn't understand it.

 

Today, soccer is so popular with kids we've coined the term "Soccer Mom" for the mothers driving the kids to practice. 30 years from now (i.e. in another generation :-)), those young adults will be more receptive to professional soccer and have the money to back it.

 

The foothold has been taken. It just needs to mature.

[trilingual]

Soccer is just as much a game of strategy, skill and luck as any other major team sport. It's fast moving and has lots of heart-stopping thrills, even if scores are relatively low. But high-scoring basketball gets boring, with scores every few seconds, and American football's scoring system is strange -- 7 points per goal. Most games end with about as many actual goals as you might find in a soccer match!

 

What I like about soccer is that it rewards grace, strength, speed and agility rather than height and bulk. Anyone can play soccer and hope to excel at the game, unlike basketball or American football or rugby, which require specific kinds of exaggerated physiques. This afternoon I watched the Argentina/Ivory Coast game, and it was fascinating to watch the smaller Argentines win against the larger (and often faster) Ivorians. Another thing I like about soccer, at least at World Cup level, is that even small countries have a real chance at winning. This was Ivory Coast's first World Cup, but they pressed perennial favorite Argentina hard, and Argentina's win was no walk over. England, another powerhouse, only won its first game because of an early "own goal (or autogoal)" by Paraguay. (Scoring against your own team by knocking the ball into your own goal.) Otherwise it would have been a 0-0 draw against a team from one of the smallest and poorest countries. First-timer Trinidad & Tobago, a tiny country, held off the Swedes 0-0. And so on. Does luck have a role? Sure. But it only takes a few minutes of watching a team like the Ivorians to see how much skill is involved, too.

 

In any case, they're off and running! Brazil's first game is Tuesday, and that should be worth making time to watch! Some observers think this may be the finest Brazilian team ever, and that's saying a lot! This year's team is deep with talent and experience, including 2 world's best players. As long as Brazil doesn't let that go to its head, it has a good chance of pulling out a sixth championship! O-le, o-le-o-le-o-l-e, Bra-zil, Bra-zil! :9

[Guest]

Of course, there's tons of skill. But these 0-0 scores seem to prove my point. I was watching BBC America today and they announced some 4-2 score, and said something about its being the highest score in World Cup history. The scores point to chance, rather than superiority as being the deciding factors. Have there been suggestions to make the goals bigger or something like that to make the scores more meaningful?

[Samai139]

I'll do some research later today, but I "think" the BBC announcer was perhaps referring to the highest score in the first round? or maybe in that category? Not sure, but surely number of goals is not the defining criteria for a sports event to be exciting. Humm. Think tennis? Baseball?

Give World Football a chance. If nothing else watch Brasil and Mexico and the USA and at least one African team---the men alone are worth watching. Have you ever watched David Beckham in action? I don't care if he is straight, he's a beautiful example of a MAN.

Different Issue: I also watched the Argentina vs Cote d'Ivoire match--it was very exciting and even though the Argentines were smaller, team work and the ability to work as a team was evident. The Ivorians were individually very, very good, but their lack of working/playing as a team was fairly evident, IMHO.

[Guest Merlin]

There may be an element of strategy in soccer, but clearly not to the extent that it is central to American football, where each play is pursuant to a complicated plan, diagramed in advance, and with a specific movement assigned to each player.

[+ Lucky]

I am now a football fan...rooting for Brazil.

 

http://graphics10.nytimes.com/images/2006/06/13/sports/13brazilhp.jpg

[trilingual]

Please. There's more than an "element" of strategy in soccer. But luck is important, too. That's true in any major team sport, from rugby to volleyball.

 

The opening games have been interesting! Many of the teams from small countries have been stronger than their bigger, well-known rivals would have imagined! The only team that's really been walked over was the U.S. What happened there? Meanwhile, Brazil won its first game, but just by 1-0. Croatia played hard, and rather dirty. What a lot of yellow cards! But they're clearly a competitor to be contended with. Looks like it should a pretty thrilling month, with teams that tend to be more evenly matched than the pundits predicted!

[Guest]

>Meanwhile, Brazil won its first game, but just by 1-0.

> Looks like it should a pretty thrilling month, with teams

>that tend to be more evenly matched than the pundits

>predicted!

 

A thrilling month of 1-0 scores! :7 This just seems to support my thesis that it's hard to tell how evenly matched teams are in a sport where scores hardly, if ever, occur... :+ Is it not at all possible to concede that scores like this detract from the significance of these games???

[jakobsen]

From Agence France Press

 

Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo is pin-up boy for Dutch gay magazine Gay Krant.

 

For pictures, go to http://www.cristiano-ronaldo.org/cristiano-ronaldo-new-photos-2.php

[Samai139]

Yes, it's possible to concede your point, but, did you by any chance watch the Poland vs. Germany match? If you didn't--it was scoreless until the 80 something minute--I suppose by your standards this would be boring, but it isn't. Both teams defended their goals, both goalkeepers did their jobs and when the German goal did come, it was orgasmic. I enjoyed it and even though I was hoping Poland would win, simply because they haven't beaten the Germans in 85 years, I was entertained by the skills, the artistry and the athleticism of ALL the players. Great Match.

I would comment on more of the games, but unfortunately the beach has been more of an attraction for me the last few days---when it clouds up or rains, I'll be glued to the tv screen in the morning and afternoon.

[Guest rohale]

I suppose it's fair to say that if one grows up in a country where football is the passtime sport, then that's what a person will end up liking, assuming one develops an interest for the sport. Football is not not meant to be everybody's cup of tea and that's the way it's supposed to be.

 

Now onto the Fifa World Cup football results from yesterday, I'm only going to mention one result, Peter Crouch and his English teammates advanced to the next round by clinching Group B with an easy 2-0 victory over Trinidad. David Beckham and Mr Rooney once again proved for England why they're both great players for their team.

 

Onto a different matter, to those who are unaware, Brazil's very own Ronaldo was admitted to hospital yesterday complaining of dizzy spells. The good news for Brazilian fans is he's A-Ok and with having a day off on Wednesday, he deservedly got much needed rest.

 

Now speaking about Ronaldo, I watched the football match between Brazil v Croatia this past Tuesday. Even though Brazil won the match with a score of 1-0. It was very nice to see the Croatians put up a good fight against the over-hyped Brazilians. Even though Kaka ( carcas for some in England ) scored the winning goal for the Brazilians. It was somewhat disappointing to see Ronaldo play like a buffoon. I think it might have been at maybe half-time when the football sailed into the penalty area and suddenly Ronaldo looked like American baseball player Barry Bonds trying to field a fly ball in a windswept left field. Or to put it mildly, a bloated, stiff icon, fighting for his bearings in the shadows. By the time the football bounced harmlessly, Ronaldo was still searching for it, bumping to a Croatian defender, another wasted chance by a has been of today.

 

Ronaldo was probably the game's best player in the 1990's, who rebounded from career threatening injuries to carry his country to their fifth consecutive world cup in 2002, is long gone, the victim of too many matches, too many injuries. Tuesday's match ended with Ronaldo being benched and replaced by a younger player, more energetic, Robino, and now there is growing speculation that it is only a matter of time before Ronaldo becomes a permanent reserve.

 

The only redeeming quality left with Ronaldo these days is the possiblity of needing three goals to surpass West Germany's Gerd Muller as the tournament's all-time leading scorer. I like to say Der Bomber's record looked safe against Croatia. A little more movement might help Ronaldo or even any movement. Clearly, Ronaldo's salad days are over in more ways than one. Overweight, content to walk long stretches, Ronaldo was rarely involved in an offensive that once revolved around him. Even Brazil's President made a remark about Ronaldo's physical condition, I wont even mention some of the jokes coming out Europe about Ronaldo.

 

The big question becomes, just exactly how much longer can Brazilian Coach Alberto Parreira be expected to be loyal to Ronaldo without putting Brazil's title defense in jeopardy, especially with Germany, England, Italy and now the Czech Republic breathing down their necks. I think the world is beginning to find out that just maybe this years Brazilian team is overhyped by great expectations.

 

Still in terms of the football matches from yesterday, it was England's day to enjoy and that they did. Now they still need to play better in their forthcoming games if they want to take home the world cup to London.

 

Rohale

[+ ArVaGuy]

Say what you will about the USA team but today was one hell of a match up against Italy.

 

And what about Ghana taking on the Czech Repulic and pulling off one hell of a win? Best game of the day.

 

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/World%20Cup%202006/LucaOnyewu-1.jpg

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/World%20Cup%202006/CannavaroDonovan.jpg

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/World%20Cup%202006/PirloReyna.jpg

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/World%20Cup%202006/CannavaroMcBride.jpg

 

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/cpapa8162/World%20Cup%202006/Totti.jpg

[Barry]

Hangin' out at the Cup

 

http://www.orbitfiles.com/download/id180186672

 

Barry

[Guest]

RE: Hangin' out at the Cup

 

Someone aughta tell these foreigners about Athletic Cups (or just plain athletic support). Do they get yellow cards for that (pulling down the pants, that is)? It doesn't seem like very sportsmanlike conduct...

[trilingual]

The World Cup begins Friday. I know many American viewers are STILL not into football (soccer) but this IS the biggest sporting event on earth and one that virtually every country on the planet will be glued to all through June and early July! Even you non-sports lovers should tune in for the sight of hunky guys of every race and nation running around for sixty minutes in unpadded shorts! ;-)

 

The last time around, the English-language broadcasts of the games in the U.S. were kind of lame -- lots of complaints of bad camera work and not-very-knowledgeable commentators. Those who understand Spanish (or just want to watch the games muted) can find all of the games on Univisión (with a few overlapping ones on its sister network Telefutura). Let's just say that their commentators throw themselves into the whole spirit of the thing with considerably more enthusiasm!

 

Unfortunately, I'm stuck in the U.S. at the moment. I'll miss the whole experience in Brazil, where the entire nation just shuts down when one of the games is on, where neighbors decorate entire streets in the national colors during the series, and Carnival-like festivities break out every time Brazil wins (which is often). Brazil has a fabulously talented team this year, so it has a good chance of winning the World Cup for a sixth time, far more than any other nation. But there are plenty of other talented teams (and endless eye candy), so you can have a whole month of fun! Enjoy!

[jackhammer91406]

RE: Hangin' out at the Cup

 

Barry,

Thanks for that link. the Network coverage of the cup misses all the good stuff like that, at least from what I have been seeing. Love the expression of the exposed guy's face. it kind of says is that enough for you or do you need more. heheh

[jackhammer91406]

REFLECTIONS IN A CUP - Reading the tea leaves

 

I have been watching the World Cup for the first time in my life and I just watched the US loss to Ghana.

I am the last to cry conspiracy, but I think politics have cost the American team dearly.

The officiating at almost every level has sometimes been suspect and many teams have suffered because of some "phantom" fouls. But I do believe that the current world political situation has caused some officials to judge American players very harshly in calling fouls that weren't fouls. The most blatant of these was today's penalty kick resulting in the go ahead goal for Ghana.

Now bad calls are common in all sports and an athlete just has to accept them and move on. But when the officiating seems so obviously against your team, I think after a while it becomes difficult for the player to keep trying their hardest when the odds seem so stacked against them.

I wasn't optimistic about our chances at the outset since many countries have much better teams, so this isn't sour grapes on my part. When I hear commentators from all over the world stating (in different words) the same thoughts I have expressed here, well it tells me I am not far off the mark.

 

On a positive note, I have seldom witnessed a sport where the sportsmanship was so much on display across the board. opposing teams will kick the ball out of bounds to allow a fallen man from the other team time to recover. Helping an opposing man up after a fall. In the heat of the contest, these examples of PURE sport shine like beacons.

 

I am impressed with this game and will follow it much more closely in the future.

 

Thank you World Cup.