WC 2006: Group E
- Thread starter Red Door
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TimTheEnchanter
I...am...an Enchanter!
Back to the group E stuff...
What did the Italian team say about the result in the last game? Will they hold a grudge against the US? the reason I ask...if they get word that the US is leading their game against ghana, and italy is leading it's game, might they concede a goal late to allow the tie, knowing it would still give them the #1 spot (with a ghana loss) but would allow croatia to advance over the US on goal differential? Might they do that anyway, regardless of what happened on saturday (because, well... all european teams hate the americans and want to see them fail, right?
)?
What did the Italian team say about the result in the last game? Will they hold a grudge against the US? the reason I ask...if they get word that the US is leading their game against ghana, and italy is leading it's game, might they concede a goal late to allow the tie, knowing it would still give them the #1 spot (with a ghana loss) but would allow croatia to advance over the US on goal differential? Might they do that anyway, regardless of what happened on saturday (because, well... all european teams hate the americans and want to see them fail, right?
)?
Marla_Singer said:That's because football is made as a sport being played continuously. That's the big difference between US sports and football actually.
US sports such as base-ball or NFL are found boring by Europeans because of all the breaks. Obviously, the tensions in those sports are concentrated on very short periods of intensity. Out of those periods of high intensity, nothing happens, players simply shew gums.
On the other side, football is a game played continuously, with players jogging during an important part of the game. That means that the game is still on when there are moments of low intensity, and that's what Americans find boring. I think that's just a cultural difference between both continents, it's simply about what we are used to and what we consider as sport. However, what I personally like in football is that moments of high intensity can take you by surprise, something which is a lot less true in games where the chronometer is stopped during breaks.
As I've said, it's a cultural difference, with pros and cons in both cases. I personally think that there's room for all sports in their diversity, and that they should simply be accepted as different, without necessary trying to find a system superior to the other one. It's all a matter of taste after all. And that's because tastes are different that diversity is so enjoyable.
Um, no.
If all the best Football (soccer) players in the entire world played in America for the past 50 years, I guarantee you it would be just as popular as American football or baseball. Americans find Soccer 'boring' because it doesn't get enough exposure in the states. Watching MLS would be like watching a Triple A baseball game. No one cares.
Azale said:
Oh stop it, you couldn't even comprehend what I was saying. Don't be a jerk.
Azale said:
Nascar? Haha.
Anyways, what you failed to mention was that the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB all have one thing in common: the best players in the world play in those 'American' associations. When you turn on the ESPN or almost any channel for that matter, you hear hype from these sports. When kids are growing up in the US, even though they are all playing AYSO, they see Dad and friends sitting around, watching America's so called 'National Pastime'. You sure as hell won't see that same father sitting around and watching the two best European Football teams about to play. Why? They aren't American and that channel doesn't come with basic cable.
And I never said there was. You could use the same argument what I just posted as to why American Football and Baseball isn't as popular in Europe.
Marla_Singer
United in diversity
Well, It's true that with a draw Italy would be qualified but that's rather a dangerous game to play since you're never free to concede a goal in the end of the game... and a loss for the Italians could very likely mean the elimination of the competition.volta said:
Anyway, my favourites for that third game will be both Italians and Ghanaians.
Hitro
Feistus Raclettus
Italy vs. Czech Republic would become a great match if Ghana should manage to lead 3-0 or so at half time...
Sisonpyh said:
You started it, dont flame Americans and then expect me just to lie down and agree
NASCAR I mention, not because I like it becuase I dont, but because it is popular. It is the fourth most popular "league" in this country and its arguable that Formula 1 racers are far superior to them. So Americans are not the best racers, bar none, in the world.
America has not even won the Olympics in basketball in its last several tries, much of its best baseball players come from OUTSIDE of this country, the best hockey players come from Canada (and Europe). NFL is of course the most popular, but its not because we have the best players in the world. It helps, but its extreme rise in popularity over EVERYTHING else in this country is due to a mix of excellent TV contracts and good management compared to the other leagues.
As someone before said, if the American MLS had the same prestige as a league like the one in England or Spain, it would be right up there with the NFL, MLB, and NBA.
What YOU said was that Americans could not watch something they are not the best at. I took it to mean that you did not think Americans could watch a sport that other AMERICANS are not the best at. If thats not what you meant, then fine.
The only thing I personally dont like, is the fact that ties are allowed. Im not used to it. MLB has no ties, basketball has no ties, NFL has a tie every 4 years or so, hockey doesnt have ties very often. It is why Im so looking forward to the elimination rounds...no more ties
kingjoshi
King
I think that's another big factor. I personally don't mind ties, but US culture has a huge ahborance to them. I would prefer a system of automatic 1 point each for a draw and then the winner of overtime gets the remaining point.Azale said:The only thing I personally dont like, is the fact that ties are allowed. Im not used to it. MLB has no ties, basketball has no ties, NFL has a tie every 4 years or so, hockey doesnt have ties very often. It is why Im so looking forward to the elimination rounds...no more ties
win in regulation = 3
win in overtime = 2
loss in overtime = 1
loss = 0
I think that gives the players/teams something to play for, yet recognizes the equality of the teams in this match.
ummmm........
Extremely normal.
It doesn't bother me when two teams end in a tie, but when a team is actually playing to tie, that annoys me.
ThERat
Deity
honestly, i don't think any of these 4 teams have to fear Brazil this time. Time to face them and give them the boot in the next round. I think Brazil profits from fear factor. Something the German team always profited from as well. Teams do not need to fear Brazil, they are much weaker than anyone would think.
ummmm........
Extremely normal.
Or maybe that's just what they want us to think 
The reason the US isn't as good as the rest of the world is because the best athletes play other sports. Someone I played soccer with when I was younger said he was playing to stay in shape for the other sports he played. He was the quarterback and best basketball player for my high school and he was good at soccer but gave it up for the other sports when he got to high school.Sisonpyh said:
I just got through watching the NBA finals and thinking how Dwyane Wade would be if he played soccer instead of basketball. He would win all the headers and be damn near impossible to stop one on one. I wonder what Allen Iverson would have been able to do with his quickness if he grew up playing soccer instead of basketball.
I don't know if you recognize these names but I bet someone from the US could imagine with me how good Reggie Bush would have been if he played soccer.
Urederra
Mostly harmless
I have seen some fundraising matches where professional soccer players and proffesional basketball players play soccer matches and almost none of the basketball players are good at soccer. Goalkeeper possition aside, very tall people don't play well at soccer.
That's because they haven't been playing soccer their whole lives. The people I mentioned aren't very tall but they are amazingly quick.
edit: I don't know where you are from so maybe they have been playing soccer their whole lives. I saw a basketball game between the Dallas Cowboys (American football team for non-americans in the thread) and a college basketball team and the Cowboys weren't that good but because of their athleticism they were decent.
another edit: I found another thread that this was being discussed in so I'm going to stop posting about this in this thread.
edit: I don't know where you are from so maybe they have been playing soccer their whole lives. I saw a basketball game between the Dallas Cowboys (American football team for non-americans in the thread) and a college basketball team and the Cowboys weren't that good but because of their athleticism they were decent.
another edit: I found another thread that this was being discussed in so I'm going to stop posting about this in this thread.
Azale said:
I started what? Are you twelve?
Yes, I'm flaming myself. Since you know, I am American.
Azale said:
NASCAR IS NOT A SPORT
Azale said:
Well duh. But they play in the NHL, which is an American association. And the reason the US hasn't won in basketball the last two occasions was because they failed to send the best players.
Azale said:
The reason the NFL has these lustrious TV contracts and good management is because the best players in the world play in the states. But thanks for proving my point. Exposure is the key here. Not only that, NFL is 'Americanized.' I mean come on, they named the game 'Football' for christ sakes. Last I checked, 99% of American Football is not played with your feet. Yeah, lets create a new sport and name it after the most practiced sport in world. That will show em!
Don't get me wrong, I love American Football. I played it for for about 10 years.
Azale said:
It will never have that prestige since the best players in the world play in Europe. Again, those other leagues you listed, what do they have in common? Right, the best players in the world flock to those organizations.
Azale said:
Well, yes and no. But there is a pride issue. American Soccer is pretty much a joke overseas and even our own people are cynicle about it. The average joe off the street, who probably has watch two soccer games in his life, will go 'LOL US SOCCER, THEY SUCK'. Then you ask him why and he can't answer. Then he will go on about how 'boring' soccer is, but can't give you a reason.
Fact is, Americans watch what the media throws at them. Soccer will never have any major influence here in the states as long as 2nd and 3rd rate players continue to play here. People don't get excited about the NBDL or Triple A for a reason. Why? Those athletes aren't the best and are not playing on the top level.
Azale said:The only thing I personally dont like, is the fact that ties are allowed. Im not used to it. MLB has no ties, basketball has no ties, NFL has a tie every 4 years or so, hockey doesnt have ties very often. It is why Im so looking forward to the elimination rounds...no more ties
NHL doesn't have ties often?
Come on now. I just think the American misconception of Soccer (Football!) is hilarious. Considering, it is the most played sport for by children. And the fact Americans gobble up Boreball, which features a bunch of unathletic guys standing around for 3 1/2 hours with a ball that is only play for about 3 1/2 minutes the entire the game.
TimTheEnchanter
I...am...an Enchanter!
I'm not going to comment on the rest of your points because statements like this call into question the validity of your entire postings because it is so ludicrous. The game is called football because it was derived from "Rugby Football" in the late 1800's. It is not some modern marketing ploy conjured up to take advantage of the popularity of another sport and to suggest so shows either a lack of any understanding about the sports in question or a tendency to extreme and ridiculous exaggeration, both of which would lead most readers to dismiss the rest of your arguments as likely to be equally unfounded.Sisonpyh said:
Winner
Diverse in Unity
Marla_Singer said:
Well, I find ice hockey games more interesting than football, I'd say there is much more action there. For me, the prolonged periods of game in football, where nothing happens and no team even gets close to the goal are totally boring.
But it depends on what teams are playing. I've seen some very good and entertaining football games as well as very boring hockey games.
I'd say Czechs and other "hockey nations" like that sport because they're good at it.
What I can't explain is why is football so popular even in countries that have never won anything important.
ChrTh
Happy Yule!
Winner said:
I think it's the accessibility of the sport. All you need is a ball to play; goals are easy enough (ok, if you get the ball between the rock and the oak tree it's a goal -- we'll ignore the height because that's what a lot of pickup games do). The basic strategy is easy: get the ball in the goal. Rules are easy: don't tackle the other guy, don't touch with your hands. Voila, you have a football game.
Basketball is quite popular too for a similar reason. Not quite as accessible, granted (one does require hoops and it's hard to use natural features in lieu of them), but still quick and easy to play. However Basketball, while somewhat international, has not been around long enough in such a context to gain a huge following.
