Brilliant Game

[Wombat]

It's a major sport everywhere in the world except USA, Antarctica and New Zealand.

So, what's the main sport in New Zealand?

Hakas. No, snowball fights. Sorry, I really mean Rugby Union and Netball.

[jsluder]

It's a major sport everywhere in the world except USA, Antarctica and New Zealand.

So, what's the main sport in New Zealand?

Hakas. No, snowball fights. Sorry, I really mean Rugby Union and Netball.

Interesting. I'd never heard of netball until now.

[fearfaoin]

I am not holding my breath though. Soccer doesn't lend itself very well to star-worship (as Am. football, baseball, basket ball, hockey do)

Why's that? Too much teamwork?
It seems like the British still have their football dieties. Beckham comes
to mind.

Hockey does pretty well in many regions of America, and I don't think
it has the star worship levels of any other American sport...

[Colin]

- two failed offside traps is embarrassing.

One failed offside trap - two Costa's WERE offside the second time but the
ref and linesman missed it. TV didn't. That's the risk you take playing
that kind of trap.

[fearfaoin]

Another reason soccer isn't big in America is that the draw is a very common result and often the right result.

Yeah, one common American complaint is the low scores that often
turn up in Soccer games. Oh, my goodness! What in the world?? If it makes them feel better, they
could multiply every goal by 7. "Did you see that game last night?
It was a 21-21 tie!" Good grief.

[Bloomfield]

- two failed offside traps is embarrassing.

One failed offside trap - two Costa's WERE offside the second time but the
ref and linesman missed it. TV didn't. That's the risk you take playing
that kind of trap.

I agree. But I'd be a lot more upset about it if the game had turned on it. Even the first goal's non-offside call was very close. And there was a close offside call the other way toward the end of the first half. But to see the Germans running, with Schweinsteiger and Schneider coming up the sides was just brilliant: lovely, open, exciting soccer for most of the game.

[Jack]

Wanna know something else about it? Today the google.ca homepage has balls and logos on the front of it.

[dubhlinn]

The Germans laid their claim to the prize. A lovely team.

Two against them from the backwaters of Costa Rica will be a topic of conversation in the dressing room.

The Offside trap is a minefield that can blow up in your face...dodgy at the best of times.

Happy days are here again..

Slan,
D.

[Colin]

My picks for group winners and runners up:

A Germany/Costa Rica
B England/Sweden
C Argentina/Holland
D Portugal/Mexico
E Italy/Czech Rep
F Brazil/Croatia
G France/Switzerland
H Spain/Ukraine

[Bloomfield]

A: Germany/Poland
B: England/Sweden
C: Argentina/Netherlands
D: Portugal/Angola
E: Czech R/USA (sorry, Italy)
F: Brazil/Croatia
G: Korea/France
H: Spain/Ukraine

[Jeferson]

A Germany/Costa Rica
B England/Sweden
C Argentina/Netherlands
D Portugal/Mexico
E Czech Rep/Italy
F Brazil/Croatia
G France/Korea
H Spain/Ukraine

[izzarina]

The Germans laid their claim to the prize. A lovely team.

Bleh...that's what I get for checking out this thread when we're only getting the game here right now I suppose there's no point in watching the rest

[dubhlinn]

The Germans laid their claim to the prize. A lovely team.

Bleh...that's what I get for checking out this thread when we're only getting the game here right now I suppose there's no point in watching the rest

Every point Dear Izzy.

Today was the openimg gambit, the host country goes first, and let Costa Rica get two goals past them.

Plenty more to come..a mighty crack lies ahead.

Play fair and support whoever is playing against England.

Slan,
D.

dats how we do be doin' it ..Ms. Sarsfield

[OnTheMoor]

I am not holding my breath though. Soccer doesn't lend itself very well to star-worship (as Am. football, baseball, basket ball, hockey do), and the American (media) are much more enamoured with the star player than with the team.

No offence, but this is Bull. No one attains international celebrity status(outside of North America) like soccer stars. Cheers,
Brian

[SteveShaw]

The reason football is popular everywhere (except the USA) is that it's a simple, flowing game that requires stamina, speed and skill. Unlike that completely inexplicable game, American football, the players do not wear ludicrous padding, stand around for ten minutes waiting for someone to throw a strange "ball," then, when the ball is finally thrown, proceed to beat up anyone in their immediate vicinity, before starting this same procedure all over again. Nor does proper football require the presence of strange females on the touchline dressed in large pompoms jumping up and down emanating esoteric chanting sounds. Should you agree with this just encourage me by saying so and I'll launch into telling you why cricket is, in fact, the world's greatest sport. But, for now, it's England 1, Paraguay 0. Say no more.