World Cup Soccer

[sabreur]

i don't like soccer.

So go play somewhere else, and don't annoy those of us who do....

[chefencer]

Sports Illustrated has pretty good WC coverage and here's the obligatory 'power ranking' list and 'players to watch' for your Cliff's Notes to Germany '06...

[downunder]

I'm beginning to understand that I might've underestimated the Japanese...
More Group A Analysis

I disagree. I think the Japanese are the weakest team in the group. They're struggling with a few injuries to key personnel and are a shadow of the team they were four years ago. Thats not saying they won't get through, but they'll have to work hard and have a bit of luck

[seak]

rep and love to soccer fans in advance of the world cup

[Army Fencer]

Go Team USA!

[seak]

agreed! (but I can't rep Army at the moment, still need to spread rep around)

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!


Can anyone think of a sport in which it is easier for the underdog team/competitor to score a draw (or upset win!) than soccer? There are lots of 0-0 games in soccer where the inherently weaker team managed to get a point by sheer defensive work, you won´t see that in basketball (for instance)

Just imagine an epee competition with poules of four, 50% promoted to 1st round of DE, and only 30 seconds of time per bout! Would be quite interesting!


Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

[D'Art]

To answer Mr Gustafsson, cricket. The whole bleedin' game is set up for a draw, hence the reason it's almost as much fun as watching paint dry while getting teeth pulled without anaesthetic. The key word being almost. BTW, Brazil will win fairly easily, unless someone has the balls to attack them, as their defence is as woeful as always.

[downunder]

To answer Mr Gustafsson, cricket. The whole bleedin' game is set up for a draw, hence the reason it's almost as much fun as watching paint dry while getting teeth pulled without anaesthetic. The key word being almost. BTW, Brazil will win fairly easily, unless someone has the balls to attack them, as their defence is as woeful as always.

i can't think of a post i disagree with more.

[Wise-Epeeist]

Excellent analysis by 97 percent of the messages posted on this thread. It does my heart good to see so many futbol fans here.

As a recent TV advert put it, soccer is noble sport ... like fencing.

[KD5MDK]

I don't watch much test cricket, but one day certainly isn't aimed at draws.

I am traveling for a tournament this weekend, but luckily I think I can watch the US-Czech game on monday if I wake up early enough.

[Fechter1]

Excellent analysis by 97 percent of the messages posted on this thread. It does my heart good to see so many futbol fans here.

As a recent TV advert put it, soccer is noble sport ... like fencing.

Ah, the 'Joga Bonito' ads... A somewhat odd choice for a spokesperson for "keeping the game beautiful", no?

[Wise-Epeeist]

Ah, the 'Joga Bonito' ads... A somewhat odd choice for a spokesperson for "keeping the game beautiful", no?

Word is, they're trying to clean it up. The ad was sort of a proactive social reinforcement of where they want to go, I think. Futbol *should* be noble.

[Fechter1]

Word is, they're trying to clean it up. The ad was sort of a proactive social reinforcement of where they want to go, I think. Futbol *should* be noble.

Oh, I agree, they should try to clean it up (dirty tackles, diving for penalties, etc). I just think there are better people to 'lead the charge' than him...

[chefencer]

Oh, I agree, they should try to clean it up (dirty tackles, diving for penalties, etc). I just think there are better people to 'lead the charge' than him...

But he has an ACcent!!

I do look for cards to fly in the groups... but I'm curious to see if the hammer is going to fall as hard on diving. I think it would be interesting to have a ref guideline that says when a player rolls along the ground more than twice as a result of a 'tackle' there can't be a card for that tackle... Diving's one of the only things I find distasteful about South American footy.

[chefencer]

i can't think of a post i disagree with more.

Well, just judging from the short time I've been around this forum, I have to conclude you must Really Disagree...and D'Art wasn't even talking about ROW, bent arms or marching!
*retreats out of distance and then off back of strip*

[downunder]

Diving's one of the only things I find distasteful about South American footy.

oh because other teams don't dive?

gerrard blatantly dived to win a penalty in the england-hungary game.

Everyone does it. Doesn't make it right or good to watch, but limiting it to the South Americans is unfair.

[downunder]

also, Cisse out of the world cup.

Reason why is here:

http://images.cainer.net//uploads/ouchcisse.JPG

[Wise-Epeeist]

Diving well is almost an art in its own right. Requires a fair bit of acting and excellent timing to pull off effectively. I believe a lot of players probably practice it as much as their goal shots and passes.

[chefencer]

also, Cisse out of the world cup.

Reason why is here:

http://images.cainer.net//uploads/ouchcisse.JPG

I just terrorized my whole family with that photo! My son said "Ouchihuaha!" and my wife said "Get that off the computer!".