Whats The Big Deal About The World Cup

[neverdie]

Is it just me or is this year's wc less than spectacular?

Two things come to mind. 1. The atmosphere is atrocious with those horns blowing from start to finish. It so bad I wish I was watching pompey play while sitting next to the cow bell guy!

2. The ball. From what I have seen that thing belongs at toys r us. It's dead like a wet rag when hit with soft weight then takes off like a golf ball when hit hard. Never seen so many bad first touches and ill weighted crosses and passes.

Agreed, sir james.

Anyway, despite all of that, I am sure theres going to be some spectacular moments, as there nearly always is.

GO AUSSIE!

[Microwave]

I agree with bkkjames about the effect which the Jabulani match ball is having on the matches I've watched. I don't mind the horns, although these horns do prevent fans from being heard singing. But this is South Africa, so I don't mind some South African "culture" being added by the fans for each match. I know that the French squad complained about the horns which the fans blow into, but like the ball, all teams have to deal with the same nuance.

There were complaints about the Jabulani match ball before the World Cup began. I bought a "mini Jabulani" match ball for my son and he really digs it. Keeps it on his nightstand, a location in his room reserved only for those items considered most sacred. Cool!

[bkkjames]

Just reading on goal.com that they are looking at banning those dam_n vulvulger noise makers, I hope it's true.

Now the ball next please!

Tell me, does shitty football look better in HD?

[LuckyLew]

This thread was obviously opened by a person who has never played soccer or had never tried to learn the

game, possible because he/she comes from a country where 74 % of the population is obese and over weight

and therefor cannot play the game to a high level due to poor fitness levels.

Look at the top USA sports - NBA NFL and MLB - all sports where the game is interrupted more than any other

sport in the world. Why do pro athletes need 5 time outs in the last 30 seconds of a bball game? they should

know by now what to do after all they are pros? NFL lineman .. say no more. MLB a team sport where only the

pitcher and betters really matter with the rare interaction of the other 8 team members ... what a yawner.

Look at the level of fitness of a soccer pro compared to any top three USA sports and you will find the best athletes

are the soccer players.

Why does the world love soccer ... you nailed that one ... all you need is a ball to have a game.

[NADTATIDA1]

6 games in out of 64!! give it a chance.

I think it is a little early to make predictions on how good a tournament it is,Its a new ball for every World cup so nothing new there.

But atmosphere wise it seems ok apart from the horns which i agree...i would rather be sat next to pompey John and thats saying something

S Korea had a fine performance

[bkkjames]

I agree with bkkjames about the effect which the Jabulani match ball is having on the matches I've watched. I don't mind the horns, although these horns do prevent fans from being heard singing. But this is South Africa, so I don't mind some South African "culture" being added by the fans for each match. I know that the French squad complained about the horns which the fans blow into, but like the ball, all teams have to deal with the same nuance.

There were complaints about the Jabulani match ball before the World Cup began. I bought a "mini Jabulani" match ball for my son and he really digs it. Keeps it on his nightstand, a location in his room reserved only for those items considered most sacred. Cool!

[StevieH]

Another reason footballs so great, the songs.

rangers fans after 'keeper andy goram was diagnosed with schizophrenia. two andy gorams, there's only two andy gorams.

james, agree it's not been a spectacular opening but it's early days. think teams are playing cagily and more concerned about not losing their opening games than with winning them.

[VictorMeldrewBKK]

The funniest thing I just read about World cup re: England, from The Nation twitter

Henrywinter #England lions licking wounds in Bafokeng 

today...no media...light training. Time for leaders like Gerrard, JT, Rio & Becks to rally squad

Spot the odd one out? Rio a leader??????????

[mrclough]

I guess it must be difficult for some American's to appreciate a genuine world cup.

If you are taught from birth that a 'World Series' is something that only American's can participate in and win.......says it all.

Rugby's a great game, a man's game - but American 'football' which consists of the biggest loser contestants, who can't move and are dressed up like as if they are going FIM racing, is simply a joke.

Yea the World Cup for Soccer. The only world wide sport where you have more mayhem, murder,thugs, rape, vandalism in the stands, outside the stadium all for the sake of national pride than you have action on the field. Great Game.

:bah:Shit .... I never knew it was held in the Bronx !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Moonrakers]

Oh dear

[NADTATIDA1]

Oh dear

I think that pretty much kills this thread stone dead thank god!

[Moonrakers]

Here's the article.

I have highlighted some, errrm, interesting bits.

It was the second shot heard 'round the world.

In true revolutionary style, the underdog Americans came from behind and blasted the powerful Brits to a nail-biting 1-1 draw yesterday in one of the all-time great World Cup soccer battles.

Armies of Yankee revelers across the city celebrated their beloved longshot team as they took on their redcoat rivals.

England scored its only goal in the fourth minute of the afternoon match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

At Studio Square in Astoria, Queens, some 2,000 fans from both sides of the pond watched the two-hour game outdoors on a giant 9-by-12-foot flat screen while drinking beer and rooting for their respective home teams.

West Villager Matt Kennedy, 24, gasped in relief when the 90-minutemen evened the scored against the lame limeys.

"For the US, it's a win. Our one goal was a lucky one, but it was a goal nevertheless," the Yank gloated.

"1776, one to zero," said an exhausted Shane Hoback, 35, who drove 15 hours from hometown Lima, Ohio, to watch the game in the Big Apple. "Now it's two to zero."

Each time the camera cut away to injured soccer superstar David Beckham in the stands, American boos drowned out Brit cheers.

Other British fans, some draped in the Union Jack, screamed, "En-Go-Land!"

The feisty US team retaliated in the 40th minute, when Clint Dempsey's shot dribbled past blundering British goalkeeper Robert Green -- and "USA! USA!" erupted around the city and nation. This is the first time the US played England in the World Cup since its 1950 miracle 1-0 victory in Brazil.

Packed to the rafters at Nevada Smiths on Third Avenue partying soccer fans spilled onto the street.

"I always wanted to play in the World Cup," said David Pollard, 22, of Williamsburg, who was wearing a Stars and Stripes beanie. "I am living vicariously through these guys."

Banker Leonard Stello, 38, of Murray Hill, wanted revenge for a broken heart.

"I wanted us to kick their butt. I had an ex-girlfriend there, and I have nothing good to say about England."

Melody Woods, 29, an Upper West Sider who traveled to the UK for her studies said, "I came because it's the ultimate mash-up. I love the country, but I love ours more."

Additional reporting by Michelle Kaske

[email protected]

[Microwave]

One addition to this thread: I just watched a report on Thai TV 3 specifically about the horns. Similar replies from the Thai viewers when asked about the horns i.e. some didn't like the horns while others did. The report concluded by interviewing some enterprising Thais who claimed that they can reproduce these horns and have them for sale soon in Bangkok. A selling price point couldn't be confirmed.

I don't mind the sound of these horns while watching/listening to the matches on TV, but I certainly hope that there proves to be no market for this merchandise here...

[moo9]

Soccer is played the world over. US football is played in the US.

And American football should not be called football, because you can take the ball in your hands.

What is the big deal about American Football, Rugby, Australian Football???

But the worst is Cricket live on TV. What a waste of time it is!

[WarpSpeed]

Psycho, more like...

Here is Psycho

But that's not the photo that was posted, still no denying the impression given by the photo presented...

That is Stuart Pearce. I posted that picture because he is affectionately known in football as "Psycho"

Well then..

[WarpSpeed]

Warpspeed

Thinks a fair tackle in Football is bullying

so all you thoughts about how hard American football is have long lost credibility.

You are a wind up and a troll been at it all day,take a break mate and watch some Soccer sissys

You're the troll bar none, every post you've made has been antagonistic and challenging, that tackle was most definitely a penalty and I've been a certified referee not just a player..

Fouls are the opinion of the ref. my opinion is it was clearly a penalty in every sense of the rule..Since when is obstruction in the box not a penalty?? And that was the foul that should have been called, don't call me a troll unless you're ready to back it up off the forum!! And I sincerely doubt you are as fools of your ilk never are.....

JFYI your comprehension is atrocious as I have never said anything relative to soccer players being sissy's quite the opposite..

[WarpSpeed]

WS, I believe there is so much more to any of the sports than what first meets the eye.

My sole comment was these men are HARD dude, as hard as they come & they dont hide behind crash helmets and kilograms of padding and bs.

Yeah well I don't know how much football you've played but the misconception that pads are so protective is that I can assure you having played since my youth and into my late teens with very big college level chaps that the only benefit pads provide is allowing the person hitting you to hit even harder without reservations of potential injury to themselves and the confidence that he is going to hit you with his helmet or shoulder pads instead of his bare head or shoulders which is flesh on flesh..

[WarpSpeed]

Maybe its all the steroid abuse we read about  associated with the game. BTW you forgot to acknowledge that American foot and hand ball was also played by women. 

"the Sun? wouldn't waste my time. where is this commonly noted?   Just Google it, I just did and lots of hits (82,700 results) but I'm not saying its just American football. NFL strict drug testing?Oh come on. its common knowledge  that many sportsmen are at it and as soon as a new test comes out, so does a new drug that won't be detected. Too much money involved now.  So OK I'll retract that statement. 

Why should I Google it to verify your specious claim?? I'm not saying there hasn't been abusers but your claim is across the board and that isn't accurate nor is it fair to those who really work their <deleted> off to get in the condition they do..

And yes they do have comprehensive testing in the NFL and serious fines and suspensions just ask Ricky Williams of the Miami Dolphins or Lawrence Taylor of the Giants and in the case of Taylor his abuse predates the regs they have now....

can't you read, bye bye 

I can, but you're ability to is in serious doubt....

[smokie36]

Warpspeed

Thinks a fair tackle in Football is bullying

so all you thoughts about how hard American football is have long lost credibility.

You are a wind up and a troll been at it all day,take a break mate and watch some Soccer sissys

You're the troll bar none, every post you've made has been antagonistic and challenging, that tackle was most definitely a penalty and I've been a certified referee not just a player..

Fouls are the opinion of the ref. my opinion is it was clearly a penalty in every sense of the rule..Since when is obstruction in the box not a penalty?? And that was the foul that should have been called, don't call me a troll unless you're ready to back it up off the forum!! And I sincerely doubt you are as fools of your ilk never are.....

JFYI your comprehension is atrocious as I have never said anything relative to soccer players being sissy's quite the opposite..

Its incerdible isn't it Warpspeed with you being the biggest football player/referee/fan on the entire forum I've never noticed you anywhere on any thread on this forum before this week.

I must get to the optician really I must do it soon.....

As for any Americans posting here after the newspaper article please respond to that first cos its a joke guys really we mean hilarious in its delusinal quality.

[WarpSpeed]

Warpspeed

Thinks a fair tackle in Football is bullying

so all you thoughts about how hard American football is have long lost credibility.

You are a wind up and a troll been at it all day,take a break mate and watch some Soccer sissys

You're the troll bar none, every post you've made has been antagonistic and challenging, that tackle was most definitely a penalty and I've been a certified referee not just a player..

Fouls are the opinion of the ref. my opinion is it was clearly a penalty in every sense of the rule..Since when is obstruction in the box not a penalty?? And that was the foul that should have been called, don't call me a troll unless you're ready to back it up off the forum!! And I sincerely doubt you are as fools of your ilk never are.....

JFYI your comprehension is atrocious as I have never said anything relative to soccer players being sissy's quite the opposite..

Its incerdible isn't it Warpspeed with you being the biggest football player/referee/fan on the entire forum I've never noticed you anywhere on any thread on this forum before this week.

I must get to the optician really I must do it soon.....

As for any Americans posting here after the newspaper article please respond to that first cos its a joke guys really we mean hilarious in its delusinal quality.

Because I don't wish to speak about it with novice morons is that ok?? I generally stay away from such idiocy because it's nonsensical to discuss with emotional and not objective "FANS" just like motorsports and that's once again being proven valid. Especially with English "gods gift to soccer" fans you have no sense of balance, objectivity nor humility even in the face of being handed a well played draw you're nothing but apologists there's not a good sport amongst you.. Even in last nights game when your players started getting really frustrated and reality was beginning to set in the foul count went way up, it's that hooligan mentality that you resort to in every instance of defeat on any topic especially your only credible national sport...

Tell me how many pros or referees do you see posting on forums?? Why do you suppose that is?? They don't wish to subject themselves to such mindless arm chair quarter backing from "wannabees" that's why...

[Moonrakers]

How can a fan not get emotional. It's called passion.

[NADTATIDA1]

Warpspeed

Thinks a fair tackle in Football is bullying

so all you thoughts about how hard American football is have long lost credibility.

You are a wind up and a troll been at it all day,take a break mate and watch some Soccer sissys

You're the troll bar none, every post you've made has been antagonistic and challenging, that tackle was most definitely a penalty and I've been a certified referee not just a player..

Fouls are the opinion of the ref. my opinion is it was clearly a penalty in every sense of the rule..Since when is obstruction in the box not a penalty?? And that was the foul that should have been called, don't call me a troll unless you're ready to back it up off the forum!! And I sincerely doubt you are as fools of your ilk never are.....

JFYI your comprehension is atrocious as I have never said anything relative to soccer players being sissy's quite the opposite..

It wasn't obstruction the referee who is considerably more certified than you said so,his decision counts you being certified should know this?

And less of the threats you big baby,i'm a lover not a fighter

Just sen that you are getting quite abusive on the keyboard....name calling like Morons and fools will get you nowhere,being a certified referee you should understand this is not very good behaviour is it?

[smokie36]

Because I don't wish to speak about it wiith novice morons is that ok?? I generally stay away from such idiocy because it's nonsensical to discuss with emotional and not objective "FANS" just like motorsports and that's once again being proven valid. Especially with English "gods gift to soccer" fans you have no sense of balance, objectivity nor humility even in the face of being handed a well played draw you're nothing but apologists there's not a good sport amongst you.. Even in last nights game when your players started getting really frustrated and reality was beginning to set in the foul count went way up, it's that hooligan mentality that you resort to in every instance of defeat on any topic especially your only credible national sport...

Tell me how many pros or referees do you see posting on forums?? Why do you suppose that is?? They don't wish to subject themselves to such mindless arm chair quarter backing from "wannabees" that's why...

I am not English and take offence to you describing me as such get your facts right read some more on this forum before insulting us all try to behave in a rational and calm manner and enjoy the world cup.

you really do come across as the most pompous arse i've met here or on any other football forum.

[smokie36]

England not good at any other sport? Well that's just not cricket is it chaps?.....you know like rounders but a proper serious game....

[tigerfish]

only fitting i thought, considering some of the <deleted> ive read on this forum in the past couple of days!

[mrmillersr]

This thread was obviously opened by a person who has never played soccer or had never tried to learn the

game, possible because he/she comes from a country where 74 % of the population is obese and over weight

and therefor cannot play the game to a high level due to poor fitness levels.

Look at the top USA sports - NBA NFL and MLB - all sports where the game is interrupted more than any other

sport in the world. Why do pro athletes need 5 time outs in the last 30 seconds of a bball game? they should

know by now what to do after all they are pros? NFL lineman .. say no more. MLB a team sport where only the

pitcher and betters really matter with the rare interaction of the other 8 team members ... what a yawner.

Look at the level of fitness of a soccer pro compared to any top three USA sports and you will find the best athletes

are the soccer players.

Why does the world love soccer ... you nailed that one ... all you need is a ball to have a game.

So you want to shift the discussion from sports to the overall fitness of citizens of a specific country? If that's the case, how about telling us from what health wise, physically fit country you come from?

[smokie36]

only fitting i thought, considering some of the <deleted> ive read on this forum in the past couple of days!

[/url]

[bkkjames]

As a North American I can appreciate being passionate about NA sports like Football, Hockey, Baseball and the like but I don't see the need for this thread. Just because you don't like soccer / football, so be it - just ignore. Go watch some NASCAR or something.

Jock, I vote to close this topic or move it to the general sports section.

[smokie36]

As a North American I can appreciate being passionate about NA sports like Football, Hockey, Baseball and the like but I don't see the need for this thread. Just because you don't like soccer / football, so be it - just ignore. Go watch some NASCAR or something.

Jock, I vote to close this topic or move it to the general sports section.

I'll second this. More than enough nonsense on this forum already at the moment.

[carmine]

This thread was obviously opened by a person who has never played soccer or had never tried to learn the

game, possible because he/she comes from a country where 74 % of the population is obese and over weight

and therefor cannot play the game to a high level due to poor fitness levels.

Look at the top USA sports - NBA NFL and MLB - all sports where the game is interrupted more than any other

sport in the world. Why do pro athletes need 5 time outs in the last 30 seconds of a bball game? they should

know by now what to do after all they are pros? NFL lineman .. say no more. MLB a team sport where only the

pitcher and betters really matter with the rare interaction of the other 8 team members ... what a yawner.

Look at the level of fitness of a soccer pro compared to any top three USA sports and you will find the best athletes

are the soccer players.

Why does the world love soccer ... you nailed that one ... all you need is a ball to have a game.

So you want to shift the discussion from sports to the overall fitness of citizens of a specific country? If that's the case, how about telling us from what health wise, physically fit country you come from?

What is the point about talking about "football" when you clearly know nothing about it and have'nt even bothered to learn anything in order to enhance your troll thread. Had it not been for Warpspeeds consumate stupidity and willingness to make himself look like a complete cock it would'nt have been nearly as amusing. BTW. The sport is called FOOTBALL