Hi all, im not bothering with a poll I just want replies to this question. So, what is yours? My most memorable is USA 94, and the Italy- Brazil, penalty shootout. Poor Roberto, lucky he didn't get shot like that Colombian who has murdered because he scored an own-goal in qualifying.

Here's mine.

"Some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over. It is now"

Do you mean out of the tournaments I've seen myself?

Probably Brehme's penalty in the Italia 90 final.

Or the penalty shootout in the semi-final. :D

when ravelli caught the last penalty in the quarter final against romania -94.:yeah:

when belgium was nr4 in -86(but i was not even born yet!)

do world cup qualifiers count??

England vs. Germany 5-1

:D don't think I'll ever forget that

When Norway beat Brazil with 2-1 in France -98 (I am half Norwegian)

When Maradona scored with the "hand of god"!!! Classic!:D

"When Maradona scored with the "hand of god"!!! Classic!"

Damn cheat.

Originally posted by MrPresident
"When Maradona scored with the "hand of god"!!! Classic!"

Damn cheat.

Yeah, it's weird that the Argentinians have managed to get that portraited as "great" over the time...

Hey come on.Maradona's run in that world cup was something special.That cannot be denied.

My favorite moment is when Renaldo had a panic attack or whatever before the last final.This helped me clean up in the wagering department :D

"Hey come on.Maradona's run in that world cup was something special.That cannot be denied. "
No-one has denied that but the guy is a cheat. End of story.

I just remembered another special moment. It was a goal for Brazil in the 1970 WC. They kept the ball for ages with great skill. Then it was played upfront and it got to Pele who waited and played it off to (forget his name) who smashed in it the bottom right corner. One of the best goals ever scored.

Their was a channel 4 progream about this a week ago. They listed the top 100 world cup moments that people had voted for and suprisingly Maradona's second goal against England came first...

Dennis Bergkamp's 2-1 in the 87th minute of the World Cup 1998 quarter-final Holland-Argentina.

Allan Donald being run out by Mark Waugh at the bowlers end to tie the game in the semi final of the 1999 World Cup.:D

It has not happened yet: When Canada will win the World Cup :D :D :D :D :D

Gazza's tears in 1990

and Hurst's Hat trick against W.Germany

Originally posted by animepornstar
when ravelli caught the last penalty in the quarter final against romania -94.:yeah:

Yeah, that one is a true classic. :)

I also vividly remember the free-kick by Tomas Brolin in that game. :D

Originally posted by MrPresident
"When Maradona scored with the "hand of god"!!! Classic!"

Damn cheat.

It was not a cheat.

The first goal in that match was the best goal ever, so it counts as 2.

"To prover this, all we have to do is to look back at the most wonderful goal in the history of football scored by Maradona in World Cup 1986 against England. Maradona easily managed to dribble past SEVEN English players including the goalkeeper scoring an amazing goal"

what are you talking about mr spice? kennet andersson scored that goal with a header on a high ball from brolin. everyone knows that...

Then there was Steve Waugh's magnificent fighting captain's innings of 120 not out against South Africa in the earlier Super Six part of the 99 tournament.:D
Truly a great World Cup moment.

Okay Simon it seems you need to be told that this is about the football world cup, and not world cups in general...

I don't think he cares....

Originally posted by Dell19
Okay Simon it seems you need to be told that this is about the football world cup, and not world cups in general...

Ooh! Football world cup!

Then it must be NZs demolition of England in world cup in South Africa, when Jonah Lomu ran straight over the top of Mike Katt.:D

It's fascinating that people call an event in a sport only played by some commonwealth countries a "World Cup". That's almost as intelligent as American baseball's "World Series"... ;)

Originally posted by Kublai-Khan
It was not a cheat.

The first goal in that match was the best goal ever, so it counts as 2.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Originally posted by Dell19
Okay Simon it seems you need to be told that this is about the football world cup, and not world cups in general...

Willem got it in one: I don't care. ;)

Consider it a rejoinder to the silly superiority complex of some people in regards to soccer/their version of football.

Anyway, it didn't say so specifically at the start. Never seen a single soccer World Cup game before. Come to think of it, I've never seen a single soccer game before, save in snippets, or in news programs. And glad of it. :)

And the Cricket World Cup does get the attention of a few people in the sub continent.:p

Anyway: Mike Gatting getting caught off the reverse sweep in the 1987 final. :D

Originally posted by Hitro
It's fascinating that people call an event in a sport only played by some commonwealth countries a "World Cup". That's almost as intelligent as American baseball's "World Series"... ;)

Wpould you be referring to Cricket (in which there are at least 99 members of the International Cricket Council - you can even find the German webpage here (http://www.dcb-cricket.de/)). or Rugby, with at least 97 countries affiliated to the International Rugby board (again, you can find the german rugby unions website here (http://www.rugby.de ) .) ;)

Simon seems to have rather a lot of favourite moment(s).

I have to go with the time when Wasti and Anwar set the tournament record for an opening partnership at Old Trafford in 1999, thereby demolishing the New Zealand attack and claiming a place in the finals against Australia (boo!)

And ainwood - do you not mean Mike Catt?

Originally posted by duke o' york
Simon seems to have rather a lot of favourite moment(s).

I have to go with the time when Wasti and Anwar set the tournament record for an opening partnership at Old Trafford in 1999, thereby demolishing the New Zealand attack and claiming a place in the finals against Australia (boo!)

And ainwood - do you not mean Mike Catt?

Any of the ones where the Poms cop a hiding are good. :D
And there are quite a few to choose from...

And thankye for reminding me of the Pakistani choke job in the final in 1999.
We whipped them. :D

Originally posted by ainwood
Wpould you be referring to Cricket (in which there are at least 99 members of the International Cricket Council - you can even find the German webpage here). or Rugby, with at least 97 countries affiliated to the International Rugby board (again, you can find the german rugby unions website here .)

:lol: Deutscher Cricket Bund :lol:
Well I don't doubt that there are some people playing it in other countries as well. But does Germany take part in the "World Cup" for example? I don't know, but anyway, 99 is still far away from "World". Same with 97.
But far more important than some individuals playing it (you'll find a knitting champion in may countries...) is the importance of the game in the respective countries. And outside Britain and some former British colonies that importance is close to zero.
Which doesn't mean these are stupid or boring sports, I don't know enough about them to have a sophisticated opinion on them, at least Rugby looks like it could be fun.
But Football (or however you like to call the game where a ball is played by foot) is the uncontested first sport in the world, if you like it or not. So the "World Cup" is the FIFA World Cup, any other one should have its sport's name with it to make it clear.

Originally posted by duke o' york
And ainwood - do you not mean Mike Catt?

Yep. :blush:

Originally posted by Hitro
But Football (or however you like to call the game where a ball is played by foot) is the uncontested first sport in the world, if you like it or not. So the "World Cup" is the FIFA World Cup, any other one should have its sport's name with it to make it clear.

Oh dear. You've been listening to Mr P too much I fear. ;)

"Igor, take a note: 'Have soccer banned, barred and expunged from human memory.' File it under 'Things to Do Next Week'." :mwaha:

They will learn to love the endless debates on the LBW law, and the use of the torpedo. :mwaha:

Originally posted by ainwood
Oh dear. You've been listening to Mr P too much I fear. ;)

Interesting answer. Are there any arguments too? ;)

Originally posted by Simon Darkshade
They will learn to love the endless debates on the LBW law, and the use of the torpedo. :mwaha:

We already love the endless debates on the offside rule, and the use of one-two passes. :D
Taking it away would be the ultimate failure of His evil dictatorship.

Originally posted by Hitro
We already love the endless debates on the offside rule, and the use of one-two passes. :D
Taking it away would be the ultimate failure of His evil dictatorship.


Oh, we have ways of wiping the collective memory of all those afflicted, and enough time in the gulag being used as bookmarks should work on them....:mwaha:

Originally posted by Hitro
Interesting answer. Are there any arguments too? ;) Arguments as to whether other sports should have the sport named in the title, or as to whether its the "soccer world cup" or the "football world cup".:confused:

And in the vain hope of being mildly on topic, my favorite soccer world cup moment would be in 1982, when New Zealand actually qualified for it.:goodjob:

Originally posted by ainwood
Arguments as to whether other sports should have the sport named in the title, or as to whether its the "soccer world cup" or the "football world cup".

Arguments concerning my point that Football is the most popular sport in the world and "The World Cup" is concieved as "THE FIFA World Cup" in the world and therefore if you talk about other sports on a worldwide forum you should make that clear by referring to "The Cricket World Cup", the "Aussie Rules Football World Cup" ( :lol: ) or whatever else.

Originally posted by willemvanoranje
Dennis Bergkamp's 2-1 in the 87th minute of the World Cup 1998 quarter-final Holland-Argentina.
That was sooo great man, I was working during that match in a supermarket and there were tv's all over the place, when Bergkamp scored everybody wanted to see it and the customers just had to wait. :D The schwalbe by Van der Sar (keeper) in that same match was a beauty too, the only schwalbe by a keeper I've ever seen. :lol:

Originally posted by Hitro

Arguments concerning my point that Football is the most popular sport in the world and "The World Cup" is concieved as "THE FIFA World Cup" in the world and therefore if you talk about other sports on a worldwide forum you should make that clear by referring to "The Cricket World Cup", the "Aussie Rules Football World Cup" ( :lol: ) or whatever else.

How do you back up your claim that soccer is the most popular game in the world?

And secondly, even if it is (which I dispute), that alone does not give it the right to call itself "the World Cup" in preference to any other sport. It is not even the first sport to hold a "world cup".

Call it the FIFA world cup (like FIFA do;) ) by all means, but not The World cup.

Originally posted by ainwood
How do you back up your claim that soccer is the most popular game in the world?

It has the most players worldwide as well as the most fans.

And secondly, even if it is (which I dispute), that alone does not give it the right to call itself "the World Cup" in preference to any other sport. It is not even the first sport to hold a "world cup".
You are right, but "it" is not calling itself "the World Cup", "FIFA World Cup" is the official name of it's most important tournament. The World Cup is the most important sport title in the world, without any doubt. So even those that don't follow the sport in general usually know when it's World Cup time just because of the immense number of followers the tournament has.
So we (the fans) call it the World Cup, sure there is a certain ignorance in that. But honestly, when someone makes a thread about favourite World Cup moments and then mentions the 1994 final Italy vs. Brazil that should be enough for anyone to figure out that his other sport is not concerned. :rolleyes:
American football fans usually would call a thread "Superbowl thread" instead of "NFL Superbowl thread" or "American football Superbowl thread" as well. And the post then should be enough to figure out that not some other Superbowl (if there's something like that) is concerned.

Originally posted by Hitro It has the most players worldwide <snip> No, It doesn't. :D


You are right, but "it" is not calling itself "the World Cup", "FIFA World Cup" is the official name of it's most important tournament. The World Cup is the most important sport title in the world, without any doubt. So even those that don't follow the sport in general usually know when it's World Cup time just because of the immense number of followers the tournament has.
So we (the fans) call it the World Cup, sure there is a certain ignorance in that. But honestly, when someone makes a thread about favourite World Cup moments and then mentions the 1994 final Italy vs. Brazil that should be enough for anyone to figure out that his other sport is not concerned.

Yes. I did work out that the majority of the posters believed that it was about the Football (or Soccer) world cup. However, since the thread title was "world cup", I don't think it is unreasonable to post about favorite moments from 'other' world cups. Do you?

Which other game has the most players and supporters then? ;)

Originally posted by ainwood
I don't think it is unreasonable to post about favorite moments from 'other' world cups. Do you?

No. A little childish maybe, but not completely unreasonable. ;)

Originally posted by Hitro Which other game has the most players and supporters then? ;) There is not a lot of 'conclusive' data around, but its a toss-up between soccer and table tennis.No. A little childish maybe, but not completely unreasonable. ;):rolleyes:

The most popular participation sport in Britain is angling, but unfortunately it makes rubbish telly. (Almost) Every year, the BBC's sports personality of the year is won by Bob Nudd, the champion angler, but the votes for him are disqualified in favour of the participants of more media-friendly sports.

Originally posted by ainwood
There is not a lot of 'conclusive' data around, but its a toss-up between soccer and table tennis.

That's only about people organized in clubs and even table-tennis organizations acknowledge their second place in that behind football.
But far important are the unorganized players and followers. How many table-tennis players are there in the slums of Nairobi or Sao Paulo? Not many. But you'll find many football players and fans everywhere.
And you don't really want to compare the table-tennis World Championships with the football World Cup in terms of importance, do you?

On the flip side, how many tables are there in Nairobi and Sao Paolo? Not many, and it is far harder to play table tennis without a table than it is to play football without a ball, as most of these street kids of your example do. Feel free to assert, though, that the most popular sport in the world is footcan or footcardboardbox. ;)

Originally posted by duke o' york
On the flip side, how many tables are there in Nairobi and Sao Paolo? Not many, and it is far harder to play table tennis without a table than it is to play football without a ball, as most of these street kids of your example do. Feel free to assert, though, that the most popular sport in the world is footcan or footcardboardbox. ;)

That's in no way a flip side. In fact you just mentioned the main reason for football being the most popular sport in the world. Other sports may be equally funny or challenging but almost all of them need more equipment, be it a table, as basket or a special ball. But football can basically be played with cans or other roughly rounds objects. That is its big advantage.
It can also easily be played with varying numbers of players and in varying places.
You still not mentioned another sport equally widespread. Table-tennis may be very popular in Asia, cricket in British influenced countries, baseball in the US and Cuba, but football has alot of followers everywhere.

But if the street kids had access to expensive sports equipment then maybe they would take up other sports as well. Why not consider athletics as the most popular sport as even children who have never seen any kind of race will play chase?

Originally posted by MrPresident
I just remembered another special moment. It was a goal for Brazil in the 1970 WC. They kept the ball for ages with great skill. Then it was played upfront and it got to Pele who waited and played it off to (forget his name) who smashed in it the bottom right corner. One of the best goals ever scored.

Yeah, that one was real great and burned into my memory. It was the fourth Brazilian goal IIRC, Carlos Alberto!

Also:
1974 Holland-Argentina, Cruijff scores from an incredible angle and hard, very hard!
1978 Holland-Italy, Arie Haan scores from 35+ metres and suprises Dino Zoff.

Originally posted by duke o' york
But if the street kids had access to expensive sports equipment then maybe they would take up other sports as well.

That may well be. But currently that is not the case, so football is what they grow into.
Why not consider athletics as the most popular sport as even children who have never seen any kind of race will play chase?
Because playing chase doesn't lead enough children into playing or following athletics later. But those who played some more or less abstract form of football stick to that sport in bigger numbers.
Over the decades that has lead to football become a traditional sport in many countries.
And it's not only followed by the poor, that's another important point. It is pretty important in all groups of society.

EDIT: Don't ask me how you "play" athletics, but I won't change that now... :crazyeye:

This one is my favorite moment.

do world cup qualifiers count??

i don't think i will every forget it either!! :)
I loved the picture of the scoreboard reading "Deutschland 5-1 England

originally posted by duke of york

The most popular participation sport in Britain is angling


What the hell r u on about??? Angling? What is that drawing two lines and getting a protractor and measuring it for points?? :D

Originally posted by animepornstar
what are you talking about mr spice? kennet andersson scored that goal with a header on a high ball from brolin. everyone knows that...

:blush:

You are right of course, I don´t know what got into me. I mixed things up with one of the free-kicks against Bulgaria. I am sooo ashamed, you have no idea. :blush:

Originally posted by deepfreeze
I loved the picture of the scoreboard reading "Deutschland 5-1 England

I would have loved that too... ;)

Come down guys, it was a meaningless match after all. Both teams qualified, we rigged the draw, and you are screwed. :lol:

Okay I know you people have been waiting, patiently I might add, for my views on this football thread. Well wait no longer.
I loved the picture of the scoreboard reading "Deutschland 5-1 England
There is a huge picture of that scoreboard on an advertising board close to my train station. It reads Deutschland 1 - England -4. I should mention the ad is from a company called more>than with its slogan being why accept less than when you can accept more>than. A daily reminder about that glorious night.
The most popular participation sport in Britain is angling
This is true. However large participation in a sport doesn't make it the most popular. My Dad has not played football for countless number of years but he is one of the devoted football fans I know. As proof let me tell you he supports Derby County, if you don't know who they are then consider yourself luckly. Football is the most popular sport in Britain without question. I am not sure about whether it is in the world but I would be happy to accept any bets for it isn't. I wonder if anyone has any information on the recent viewing figures for the past World Cups. I know this wouldn't be conclusive proof about the sport's popularity but it does give some indication.
Cruijff
I respect any player who has a move named after them.

My final note: Just because Americans/Australians don't like a sport doesn't mean the rest don't like it. The World Cup is the world's competition and Football is the world's sport.

I heard 40bn in total would be expected to watch the games in this years world cup.

Best Moment : Ray Houghton vs. Italy in N.Y. at USA 94, (I was too young to remember Italia '90).

Worst Moment : ROY KEANE, AAAARRRGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
And I had been convinced we could get to the quarters. So now with a heavy heart I say Cameroon will be dark horses. We'd have kicked their arses otherwise.

What's the world cup? I that like curling or something, maybe a beer drinking festival? :LOL:

Originally posted by MrPresident
As proof let me tell you he supports Derby County, if you don't know who they are then consider yourself lucky.

Ah.. good old Rams.
They now seem to be the new dustbin for the glorious Toon! :D
It was Spurs (Ginola, Ferdinand), and we've also had Everton (Ferguson, Pistone, Watson) and Man City (Howie, Pearce, Charvet, Distin :(). Keep up the good work! Anyone want a Spanish centreback? Very good at er... getting injured! :D

Why are there so many soccer threads?

Very few people in North America are interested in it! :rolleyes:

Well if TF gives us our own forum then you will not have to read all our football threads...Oh wait you don't have to read them anyway.

The world's a big place outside the North America ( believe it or not), football is the most popular sport in the world and this civ fanatic site isn't just restricted to North America, so I think it's justafiable to have a lot of football threads going on at the moment.
Also with the biggest sporting event in the world (including the Olympics) approaching it's natural that the large number of football fans in the world would want to talk about it.

Why are there so many soccer threads?
Very few people in North America are interested in it!

I don't agree with a single thing here.

First of all, if you think that we should avoid posting football threads just because North Americans don't like it, then you shouldn't be allowed to post NFL/superbowl, NHL, NBA, Baseball treads, right?

Then there is the fact that many people in North America are interested in football. You do realize that U.S.A. and Mexico have both qualified this year? And both U.S.A. and Mexico has hosted World Cups recently (1994 and 1986). I do realize that football is far from the most popular sport in U.S.A. and Canada, but there is still an interest for it, especially in Mexico.

I only remember '98, so my favorite moment was when mexico (i'm a mexico fan) scored the tying goal against Holland in the 49th minute and qualified to go to the second round where then they were soundly beat by Germany 2-1.

Originally posted by Hitro

I would have loved that too... ;)

Come down guys, it was a meaningless match after all. Both teams qualified, we rigged the draw, and you are screwed. :lol:

Well this shows that

a) If the Germans don't qualify for the second round they are not on the same par as England who are arguably the most competitive group.
b) We have such an injury-plagued squad that the worlds biggest optimist has lost hope, though Sven hasn't :lol:
c)That the German team are cheaters for 'rigging' it.

Ok so it's natural to defend your team after it has just been mauled by a big rival, but don't make up a load of rubbish to deflect criticism. As for what that parsifal said, this is an off-topic room if you cared to read, and we can talk about what we like within reason. Football I would say is in reason, as is any other sport.

Correction: "England who are IN the most competitive group"

Originally posted by deepfreeze
Well this shows that

a) If the Germans don't qualify for the second round they are not on the same par as England who are arguably the most competitive group.
b) We have such an injury-plagued squad that the worlds biggest optimist has lost hope, though Sven hasn't :lol:
c)That the German team are cheaters for 'rigging' it.

a) That's a strange logic, don't you think? Comparing teams who played different opponents doesn't make much sense usually. So if both get eliminated in the first round that just shows that they are equally bad.
b) Our team has arguably more problems with injuries. The complete defense (Nowotny and Wörns definetely out, Rehmer still recovering) is away. Two of the most important midfielders (Deisler and Scholl) aren't there, the third, Ballack, seems to be out of form. Jeremies, Bode and Ziege have all been injured for some time and can't be in top form. And in the offense there is a choice between Jancker, who hasn't scored a single goal in the Bundesliga and Bierhoff, who should have retired years ago...
So don't tell me about injuries :p
c) Not the team, the football association is. :D
How do you think we stole the 2006 World Cup from South Africa? :lol:

Ok so it's natural to defend your team after it has just been mauled by a big rival, but don't make up a load of rubbish to deflect criticism.
Rubbish? It WAS meaningless as it didn't influence the outcome of any team's qualification bid. It was as meaningless as England's victory in EURO 2000, a tournament both teams should forget better sooner than later.
If you look at the statistic you'll find out that England has won much more games against Germany than vice versa. But besides the controversial '66 final I can't think of any really crucial one. That's where the rivalry comes from. :D
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think (West-) Germany has finished better than England in every World Cup since 1970, at least not worse.

As for what that parsifal said, this is an off-topic room if you cared to read, and we can talk about what we like within reason. Football I would say is in reason, as is any other sport.

Here now I can agree! :goodjob:

WAS meaningless as it didn't influence the outcome of any team's qualification bid.
It was meaningful. It meant England finished first and qualified. Germany finished second and had to face Ukraine to qualify. That to me is not meaningless. Also I don't care who you are no-one wants to lose at home to a rival team 5 goals to 1. If for nothing else you gave us England fans something else to chant about, the other being '66.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think (West-) Germany has finished better than England in every World Cup since 1970, at least not worse.
You say that as if it is hard to do. England were a bad team. We know it, you know it, everyone knows it. However whenever there is the hint of success the media goes wild. And when the media goes wild everyone goes wild.

Originally posted by MrPresident
It was meaningful. It meant England finished first and qualified. Germany finished second and had to face Ukraine to qualify. That to me is not meaningless. Also I don't care who you are no-one wants to lose at home to a rival team 5 goals to 1. If for nothing else you gave us England fans something else to chant about, the other being '66.

Sure people cared about the 1-5 against England. The team's performance was so bad (although a little bit of luck also contributed to the extreme result) that it was questionable if they could win a game against practically anybody. But that group also saw Germany's 1-0 victory in the old Wembley's last match as well as England almost not qualifying if not for that questionable free-kick in the last minute against Greece.
But anyway, I'm just kidding around. Most people here don't care that much about this rivalry, which seems to be far stronger from the English side. Here we care more about Holland (who won't be at the World Cup, btw :D ). I personally don't care about that too much either, originally I've always liked English football, that has just changed a little since I speak English and can read English newspapers / watch English television. Why could that be... :crazyeye:
You say that as if it is hard to do. England were a bad team.
That's too easy. As I said in my last post, England has won far more games against Germany than vice versa. So I wouldn't take that for granted. ;)

Most people here don't care that much about this rivalry, which seems to be far stronger from the English side.
The rivalry is very strong on the English side. Probably because of WWII. Whereas Germany were fighting on many fronts all over Europe. Britain was just fighting for survival. Also the fact that England beat W.Germany the only time we won the World Cup probably also has something to do with it. I personally think that there could be something to say for the fact that both people are very similar. There is kind of a respect between England and Germany. It certainly means something to us to beat you.

Originally posted by Lord_Vetinari


{snip}

Then there is the fact that many people in North America are interested in football. You do realize that U.S.A. and Mexico have both qualified this year? And both U.S.A. and Mexico has hosted World Cups recently (1994 and 1986). I do realize that football is far from the most popular sport in U.S.A. and Canada, but there is still an interest for it, especially in Mexico.


Also it should be noted that 2/3 of the people attending
the 1994 World Cup were Americans. Also youth soccer
is *very* popular here. Soccer will probably never catch
up to American football or basketball, but I don't think it
inconceivable that it could displace the National Hoodlum
,er, Hockey League at some point.

Anyway, the moment from a casual observer:

Letchkov's header goal during Bulgaria-Germany in 1994.

Dennis Bergkamp's 2-1 in the 87th minute of the World Cup 1998 quarter-final Holland-Argentina.
Gawd, what a beautiful play! :love: Really, that play really stands out - absolutely phenomenal. Even score, time running down...

Holland's first goal vs West Germany in '74 - I didn't see it until years later, but wow! Same for the Brazil goal someone mentioned earlier. One of the english fellows remarked after the game that they knew it was over after that goal, despite almost a whole game yet to play...

Maradona's full field run was good, but the handball was pure cheat. BOO! That same WK (or was is '90?), some Saudi guy ran end to end and punched in a beautiful shot - does anybody remember his name?

Tho it wasn't WK, van Basten's physics-defying goal vs USSR in '88 euro championships is a favorite.

As for footie's popularity in north america, there are many millions of kids enrolled in either school or league teams in the US alone. Hardly unpopular.

Wow, page 4 and there have already been several posts on topic! :p ;)

I am a huge college basketball and pro football fan, however I always get up for the World Cup. I mean the US never really does much but the anticipation and country vs. country really gets the crowds into the action.

It is a slower moving game but the strategys and mental toughness are unmatched. Great sport, I played it from lower school through college and I will always love the game.

How about France losing? Maybe the US can turn a few heads . . . then again I can't help but remember the god-awful Iran loss in 98, finishing 32nd amongst 32 qualifying teams . . .

What an embarassment! We can only go up. It's not about the US though, I enjoy watching Nigeria, Germany and Ireland play as well. Not to mention England, give them hell for us!

The World Cup is a great thing that too many Americans miss the boat on, it's not always about us guys. Lot's of great things happening world wide if you open your eyes!

I love the game!

Now if American football was played worldwide there would be some SERIOUS paybacks in order :p

Whoops! Should be strategies and embarrassment. And “American Football were played . . .” instead of “was played”. I am a market analyst, it was driving me crazy! Sorry for being a nitpicker. It’s in my nature!



:goodjob:

When Paolo Rossi scored against Brasil In Spain 82' for Italy
GGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!!!
Forza Italia!!!! World cup 2002 :yeah:

Originally posted by maddskillz

The World Cup is a great thing that too many Americans miss the boat on, it's not always about us guys. Lot's of great things happening world wide if you open your eyes!

I love the game!

Now if American football was played worldwide there would be some SERIOUS paybacks in order :p

I agree. World Cup soccer is the biggest and best sport event ever. Better than the olympics!

And USA has there own team playing this year and yet I watch TV american channels with no advertisement support :(
But I watch the spanish channels you see almost in every commercial about soccer!
This country still does not know the true spirit of FIFA WORLD CUP SOCCER!!!!

I forsee a WONDERFUL WORLD CUP THIS Month!!!
Final four: Italy, Argentina, England...maybe Portugal or France(if they win their two remaining games)

Go Italy all the WAY!!!!!!!!!!!

:yeah:

The US women's team is one of the world's best - two world cup titles, once runner up. :goodjob: So the women are elite in the world while the men are still trying to make a mark.

In women's WK action, the headed save by defender Chastain on the goal line was a heart stopper - perfect cross, the chinese nailed the ball wide of the goalie, only to see it cleared... all in about 1/10 of a second. *gasp*

" That same WK (or was is '90?), some Saudi guy ran end to end and punched in a beautiful shot - does anybody remember his name?"

Saeed Al-Owairan...

One of the funnest games to watch in my opinion was the IranXUSA game in the last world cup. It was fun to see those to go head to head in football.

Speaking of world cups, anyone see the world class cups in Miss Universe? :P

I can't belive no English fans have mentioned Owens goal against Argentina in WC 98 - WHAT A GOAL - i nearly wet myself

:)


oh btw Maradona IS a cheat but his second goal was without a doubt the greatest goal of all time

Maradona IS a cheat

Everyone keeps mentioning how Maradona was a cheat, but it's funny how no-one's hit on the fact that England should have been banned three times over by now because of their fans' violence.

the hooligans AREN'T England fans

Why should we be banned because they parade under our colours

if i wore a USA shirt and smacked someone over the head with a chair near a football ground should the USA team be banned

I thought not

Mmm... Best moment ever???
Well, as an argentinian my answer is obvious.

Remember Argentina - England 1986?:D
Well, i admit that Maradona´s second goal was great.
But the "hand of god" is incomparable!!!!

:goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob: :goodjob:

DIEGO!!!! DIEGO!!!! DIEGO!!! DIEGO!!!!

When Paolo Rossi scored against Brasil In Spain 82' for Italy
Really!! That was a great goal nonnob3!!

And what about BRAZIL 1970!!!!! Best team ever????
And Holland 74!!!!
And Senegal 2002!!!!:D

Pearce and Waddles penalties.

how come all Argentina fans think the hand of god was the greatest thing ever :confused:

it was a trimuph of stupidity over common sense

Belgium 1 - Argentina 0
Opening match WC 1982

how come all Argentina fans think the hand of god was the greatest thing ever

I know it Crazyduck!!! I´m not an idiot. It may be the greatest cheat in the history of football. I was joking.
But please, don´t blame Maradona. It was the referee´s fault. He didn´t annul the goal.


Belgium 1 - Argentina 0
What about WC86 Yop? That was your greatest performance ever!!!!

Originally posted by nonnob3
But I watch the spanish channels you see almost in every commercial about soccer!
This country still does not know the true spirit of FIFA WORLD CUP SOCCER!!!!


Yes; product placement!:D

I usually only see soccer advertisements during soccer games. (I live in the US.)

What about WC86 Yop? That was your greatest performance ever!!!!
Well, we were just lucky back then. (made 2 off-side goals versus the Sovjet-Union)
But it was just great beating the mighty Argentinians, when even in Belgium, noone believed it.

But please, don´t blame Maradona.
Don't blame Maradona? Are you serious? Who should we blame, God?? The man put his hand in the air made contact with the ball and then ran away celebrating and you don't think he should be blamed. Refs make mistakes, everyone does. Maradonna cheated. You reap what you sow. I put all the blame on him.

the interview after the game with Maradonna was funny . He denied everything and said it was the work of god:eek:

Originally posted by civ1-addict

That was sooo great man, I was working during that match in a supermarket and there were tv's all over the place, when Bergkamp scored everybody wanted to see it and the customers just had to wait. :D The schwalbe by Van der Sar (keeper) in that same match was a beauty too, the only schwalbe by a keeper I've ever seen. :lol:

Remember the red card in the 90 semifinale for the German who was actually fouled by the Oranje keeper (what was his name?) ????? That was a Schwalbe-Plus by that goalie :lol:

We still hate him for that around here ;)

the interview after the game with Maradonna was funny . He denied everything and said it was the work of god
Please, Mr President!!!! As civman says in he´s post: "it was the work of god" :D

Anyway, it happened 16 years ago. You can´t do anything about it now. But take a look at football history, there are many suspicions about many games, players, champions (Italy 34, England 66, Argentina 78).
Why don´t you focus your attention on the next Argentina-England game??

Originally posted by CrazyDuck
how come all Argentina fans think the hand of god was the greatest thing ever :confused:

it was a trimuph of stupidity over common sense
Poetic justice:

Argentina loses the WK2002 final as someone hand balls the winning goal into the net. :goodjob: :lol:

Argentina loses the WK2002 final as someone hand balls the winning goal into the net.

NOOOO!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!! We are really suffering here!!! Our economy is destroyed, give us something to be proud of (another hand of god?)

It was the hand of god, look at the transfiguration.:D

"Our economy is destroyed, give us something to be proud of (another hand of god?)"

Cheaters never prosper.

Come on guys!!! Forget it!!! Is stupid.
Please, i don´t want to start a fight.
Let´s talk about football, not about the rivalry between our countries. Please!!!!
i´m sick of this stupid and nonsense conversation

Originally posted by academia
Come on guys!!! Forget it!!! Is stupid.
Please, i don´t want to start a fight.
Let´s talk about football, not about the rivalry between our countries. Please!!!!
i´m sick of this stupid and nonsense conversation

Hand of God
Beckham sent off
The Falklands

Speaking as a neutral;

Whatever Next???!!!!
:crazyeye:
:p
:D

An England win?

89 minutes, 0-0 England vs. Argentina.

The game has been a furious tit for tat in the mid field with no major chances on either side.

The ball goes to Simeone, Batistuta's running in, this could be the first and last real chance for Argentina...!

What's this?

The heavens are parting! A huge hand has come down and flicked Simeone away like a peanut into a beer glass, Batistuta falls to his knees in disbelief, the ball is plucked from the air by this dextrous apparition and slowly but firmly placed in the Argentinian net it's 1-0 to England!

The final whistle blows!

The crowd go wild!


And somewhere in a dark corner of the world Maradonna is crying...


:D

Originally posted by Dell19
An England win?

Let's not go nuts.:p