World Cup Soccer

[davieddy]

Originally Posted by ewmayer

Yes, that looked like the Brazil most folks expect to see. Still, it could've easily ended a 2-2 tie ... the 2nd Brazil goal should've been disallowed as it was a clear hand [or better, upper-arm] ball, and there was another header by Ivoryu Coast in the 2nd half which was very dangerous.

Oh, and an Oscar nomination goes to the CIV player who got Kaka' eliminated [snigger ... sorry, knowing some Spanish makes the name "Kaka'" sophomorically amusing, especially in conjunction with the word "eliminated"] late in the game ... clearly that man has carefully studied the Italian school of my-face-got-ripped-off-by-a-phantom-foul playacting. One more reason the sport needs at least some limited form of instant replay, coupled with yellow cards and 2 minutes forced "injury time' on the sidelines for any player found to be faking it.

LOL, the weekend's farcical soap opera in the French camp was just très amusant.

I'm glad that goal was allowed to stand: it was an extraordinary
exhibition of skill and athleticism, and the upperarm is close to the
perfectly legal shoulder.
"That CIV player" was none other than Drogba, who is notorious
at Chelsea for that sort of thing.
I believe Kaka spells himself Caca which I thought was even more
sniggerworthy (French?). But since he has been the world's best player
(or thereabouts) for about ten years, most of us footie afficionados
overcame our giggling fit some time ago.

Did you see Ronaldo's goal for Portugal? On the run, he contrived
to balance the ball on his head, then roll it onto the back of his neck
before firing home. Talk about showboating!

My favourite goal of all time is Dennis Bergkamp for Holland v Argentina
(1998?). Needing the win, with two minutes to go, a teammate launches
a huge diagonal pass from the left touchline in his own half.
At a sprint, Dennis leaps a couple of feet in the air, and stops the ball dead (it hadn't hit the ground) with his right foot.
He flicks it up with his right and fires an unstoppable volley with his left.

David

[ewmayer]

In case you were bored with the footie, there's always the tennis:

Record-setting 10-hour Wimbledon match will stretch to a third day

Halted [for the 2nd day] due to darkness at 59-59 in the fifth set...holy cow.

[moebius]

With all respect to U.S., Germany will be world champion 2010.

[davieddy]

Originally Posted by moebius

With all respect to U.S., Germany will be world champion 2010.

First you beat England on penalties as usual (unless we have
a Russian linesman as in 1966).
Then Argentina, Spain and Brazil should be a doddle.

[em99010pepe]

'This World Cup is working out like WW2! France have forfeited, the USA turned up late, and England are left to fight the Germans!'

[davieddy]

Originally Posted by em99010pepe

'This World Cup is working out like WW2! France have forfeited, the USA turned up late, and England are left to fight the Germans!'

Italy has retreated, and Japan has launched a surprize attack.

[ewmayer]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10420131.stm

"Better get it right, buddy, or you're sushi!"

Interesting ... if cephalo-Paul really is that good, you'd think the aquarium could quickly become self-funding by placing appropriate wagers on the games.

That would lend new meaning to the term "Sucker's bet".

[davieddy]

etc



Sorry. (Entschuldichen bitte)
Wort ordnung aus order..
Wie nicht nach admittung defeat wizzout zee fight.

David

PS Hope I will wake up for the real thing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXeY74ttezU

[moebius]

Originally Posted by davieddy

First you beat England on penalties as usual (unless we have
a Russian linesman as in 1966).
Then Argentina, Spain and Brazil should be a doddle.

Again, a crushing blow against the island!

[xilman]

Woe, woe, and thrice woe.

Oh woe is me - my life is a misery
Oh can't you see that I'm at the start
Of a pretty big downer.


Paul

Oder,

Oh, schau mich an -
mit vollem Speed geht's direkt in die Scheiße.

[Prime95]

Please forgive a question from an American with little appreciation for soccer football.

Last week I watched the refs blow calls disallowing two goals for the U.S. in group play. This weekend they botched calls on goals for England and Argentina.

So in a sport where a single goal often decides a game, I've seen the refs make game-changing mistakes in 4 of the 6 games I watched -- and this in the sport's most important tournament.

So why aren't more refs on the field and/or video review? How do the sport's fans put up with this? A more cynical observer might think such a rule change would spoil the bribery income stream for refs.