|
|
Post by kmc on May 30, 2006 22:02:29 GMT -5
Yak, you HAVE to stop doing drugs. I love soccer. I've played it all my life, even in (admittedly Div. III) college. But I like the Olympics a lot more. I'd wager that you and rit don't follow soccer that much outside of the WC, so don't go acting like it's a travesty to not think that it's the world's premier athletic competition. Oh, Yak, I'll definitely give you that. I don't follow soccer nearly as much as I'd like. Still, I can't see it losing out to any Olympics, but really that's because I find the Olympics to be boring as shit. Who do you have picked, just out of curiosity? |
|
|
|
Post by kmc on May 31, 2006 10:22:20 GMT -5
I can't see the Dutch pull this off, but it's really more a question of passion and less of talent. They are more or less in the same boat as the Americans; their lives, their country's future morale, their honor are not dependent on the outcome of the World Cup. At cruch time, I don't think they have what it takes to win it all. Now FIFA has the Americans ranked 5th in the world. Does anyone here really think that the Italians, who haven't played that well in the last few years, are gonna go back home with a loss to the Americans under their belt? No way in hell.
Can't wait till the games start.
|
|
|
|
Post by NdY on May 31, 2006 10:44:14 GMT -5
You do know that the FIFA rankings are just a numerical equation much like the BCS rankings in college football, right? No one really thinks that the US squad is the 5th best in the world, much like no one really thinks that the Mexicans are 4th in the world. But a top 12-15? Definitely.
I don't follow soccer enough to really pick a squad one way or the other. I do know, though, that the Brazilians are 3-1 favorites and that seems to be rather overwhelming. Their midfield is pretty unbelievable right now, from what I can remember. But WC soccer, particularly in the knockout stages, can be extremely unpredicatable, so I try not to make predictions one way or the other.
I'd like to see the English do well as half of my family hails from that little island. And I'd obviously like to see the Americans do well as the progression of soccer in the US from the ground up is something that I can legitimately feel like I was part of in a distant kind of way. The US will never care about it as a sport as much as it does the NFL/MLB/NBA, so any type of success can be seen as an against-all-odds type of victory, however small it really is.
Which is kind of why I don't understand why you wish such ill will against them. It's not like it's a case of us throwing a ton of money at a sport to try to win it all. I'm sure that Nike (or is it Adidas?) probably provides them with more money than anyone else, which is no different than your beloved Brazilians. But whatever, you're welcome to your own allegiances.
Just expect to hear about it when they, some day down the road, knock out your team in the tourney. It'll happen sooner than you think -- that's just the way the sport works.
|
|
|
|
Post by JesusLooksLikeMe on May 31, 2006 11:49:39 GMT -5
Mexico and US are clearly not the 4th and 5th best teams in the world, and benefit in the rankings from playing teams like Canada and Trinidad all year long. But on the other hand... Europeans tend to grossly underestimate both teams.
The US have some excellent players, including the talented Donovan, who I believe to be world class, the canny McBride, and some great athletes who can run around for 90 mins without flagging.
Mexico are terrific in their way, and have the sophistication to be able to mark Brazil's stars out of a game, like they did last summer in that mickey mouse exhibition tourney. England would go into a knockout game against both of those teams overconfident, and both would have a chance of beating us.
But still, the rankings don't count for much.
Layla - I agree the Spanish league is the strongest in the world now, followed by the English league. As you say though, both teams are complete chokers on the national stage. I can't believe England only has 1 world cup and Spain none (and England have no Euros, I believe maybe Spain won one once? Can you confirm?)
What you should never do is underestimate Argentina and Germany. I can't believe kenny is so blasé as to write off the Argies, and the Germans may be crap but they're at home, and as usual they have a peachy draw. The bastards. I also happen to fucking hate hate HATE both teams, so they always do well and no doubt one of them will knock England out in the last 16 or the last 8. Grrr...
But I feel that, while France, Holland and Portugal are also good, only one team can stop Brazil... step forward Italy. I know they're in turmoil, Juventus are about to get stripped of their titles and relegated, people are heading to jail... just about right, then, for the Italians to go and win against the odds.
|
|
|
|
Post by kmc on May 31, 2006 13:07:09 GMT -5
I don't wish ill will against the US. Not at all, Yak. I just know from my experience talking to a lot of foreigners considering US futbol that the last thing they want is for the US to win the Cup, ever. Take it for what it is. I like watching well played ball, that's all.
I know the rankings don't count for much. My point was precisely that, although I guess it wasn't articulated that well. Basically, my assertion is that passion and pressure matter a lot more than individual skill during the Cup. Hell, I think the Czechs look great on paper, but I know that on any given day they can lose to anyone, and I haven't seen that passion for the sport from those guys to lead me to think that they have what it takes to pull it off in the Cup. What matters is heart (I know that's cheesy, but it's important) and I don't know if they have it.
But of course I will back the Brazilians. You gotta back your home country. That said, I have little faith they can pull it off. If not, I'd rather see the Brits do it, as they are due, and there are so many heartbreaks in their history...
I am always blase about the Argies. It's a Brazil thing. But I'd be terrified of playing them. And I don't care for the Germans. Like I said, they will go far because they are at home, but I don't trust their game.
|
|
|
|
Post by kmc on May 31, 2006 13:11:17 GMT -5
I think many different teams can stop the Brazilians this time around, JLLM. Our mix of players is due for a disappointment.
|
|
|
|
Post by phil on May 31, 2006 13:28:32 GMT -5
Very much looking forward to read your posts during the WC ...
That will be more fun than watching the actual games ... ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by RocDoc on May 31, 2006 14:02:41 GMT -5
Anti-, anti-, anti-, as a theme is interesting.
...is there any team sport you like to watch, Phil?
|
|
|
|
Post by phil on May 31, 2006 14:11:40 GMT -5
Doc ~ I don't watch that much TV anymore ...
I did take the time to watch the Québec city Junior hockey team
win the Canadian Championship sunday afternoon
and I'll catch part of some Canadian football league matches
but I don't care much for professional sports anymore ...
I'd rather play Ultimate Frisbee with the kids !
That being said, back in the early 80's, I did watch many World Cup games
with an Italian, a French, a Corsican and a Mexican ...
It was WAY much more fun to see those guys watching the game
than watching the game itself ... !!
|
|
|
|
Post by RocDoc on May 31, 2006 14:23:08 GMT -5
Well yeah, getting out and exercising/rehabbing that hip of yours is far preferable to sitting on an ever-widening ass.
Some watch in order to inspire themselves to get out and try to bust a move or three...after watching 'The Masters' of the game.
Watching a good tennis match makes me want to PLAY.
But here, repeatedly telling everyone that there's just nothing there worth watching...why, when you see the way some folks here love this shit?
OK, for you there's not...but it sure implies that everyone else is just wasting their time.
|
|
|
|
Post by kmc on May 31, 2006 19:18:07 GMT -5
Doc, you a fan?
|
|
|
|
Post by RocDoc on Jun 1, 2006 13:40:06 GMT -5
I played some loosely organized soccer when I was in my early teens and one of the neighborhood Dads organized us to play some 'friendlies' with other similar enthusiasts AND against rival Lithuanian neighborhood teams.....got to go watch the Chicago Mustangs play against the New York Cosmos even!
One of the first Pro Soccer leagues ever.
And at the old Comiskey Park...it's possible that it was one of the years that Pele was still 'playing' as a world class soccer draw...past his prime, but it like when the WHA hired Bobby Hull away from the Blackhawks. Tho Hull had far more spark...
Not a huge follower, but I always try to watch a few of the Mondial games, yeah.
A great game, the real football.
|
|
|
|
Post by limitdeditionlayla on Jun 1, 2006 20:37:39 GMT -5
But still, the rankings don't count for much
Of course they don't. The qualifications are hideously unfair. Teams like the US find easy entry b/c they play such futbol luminaries as Haiti. The only CONCACAF team I even look twice at is Mexico. It makes me angry b/c Australia has so much potential, but has needed to play the 5th ranked CONMEBOL (read: Sth America...ie countries who have nothing else to do but play futbol all day) to get a look in.
JLLM - Spain have not won a Euro. Fucking choker bastards.
This statement I applaud:
What you should never do is underestimate Argentina and Germany
Huzzah.
Then I read on & saw this:
only one team can stop Brazil... step forward Italy
Really? Italy are in the World Cup so that female fans can have sexual fantasies about their players.
If Italy wins, JLLM, I will
a) aplogise for not taking your prediction seriously
b) courier to you a six-pack of my fave beer with a framed print-out that reads 'JLLM Knows Everything'
c) have sexual fantasies about Francesco Totti
|
|
|
|
Post by limitdeditionlayla on Jun 1, 2006 20:41:20 GMT -5
Here is my Pre-Cup Man of the Match: Freddie Ljungberg. If you don't know who he is, then you suck, b/c he plays for the mighty Arsenal. I could care less about Sweden, but look at this fine specimen of man. I have decided he is my soulmate - I also have a panther tattoo! Very similar to that one, only mine is on my left hip, but close enough. The sad thing is none of you are going to appreciate this picture. Your loss.  |
|
|
|
Post by limitdeditionlayla on Jun 1, 2006 20:43:15 GMT -5
Very much looking forward to read your posts during the WC ...You'll love my posts especially Phil. I'm the offficial Hot Man Correspondent, bringing up to the minute images of the sexiest soccer manbeef direct from the pitch to you at home 
|
|
