Socca thread

[julien_simon]

Who follows soccer here?

I know Strongy does. anybody else?

France is playing two critical games this week for the qualification for the next world cup. They have not been playing very well and it's gonna be tough.

What is your favorite team?

any prediction in any league?

[Muddy]

First of all, it's called football.

[julien_simon]

well, I don't wanna confuse all the north americans.

[ewomack]

I'd soccer, but she's nice...

<ducks>

[julien_simon]

here we go - bunch of pervs on this forum I tell ya :D

[ewomack]

You mean Peruvians? Who?

[Muddy]

Prove what?

[Strong]

France are struggling at present. The only guarantee of getting through the group stages of qualification is to win your group. You don't really want to end up in the one of the play offs. Serbia are a good side. France have their work cut out for them Julien, that is for sure.

England seem to be a shoe in for 2010 in South Africa, they are so far ahead in their group. Likewise, Ferre's Netherlands looks sure to go through.

[Muddy]

What the hell is a "shoe in"?

[Muddy]

Sounds painful.

[Strong]

A certainty. :sqlaugh:

[ewomack]

If someone ever asks you if you want one, run the other way.

[Muddy]

Hell no! I'm not presenting that opportunity!

[ewomack]

No no... just say politely... "excuse me, sir, can I have a shoe-in?" It's considered very respectful in my country...

[Muddy]

I can never get a shoe in sideways.

[julien_simon]

France are struggling at present. The only guarantee of getting through the group stages of qualification is to win your group. You don't really want to end up in the one of the play offs. Serbia are a good side. France have their work cut out for them Julien, that is for sure.

England seem to be a shoe in for 2010 in South Africa, they are so far ahead in their group. Likewise, Ferre's Netherlands looks sure to go through.

i can't wait fgor the french coach to get fired because he really sucks, playing with 3 defensive midfield each game when we have so many talented offensive ones.

[Strong]

Your right! The French have a formidable attack, even if they are getting on a bit now. They need to be freed and allowed to do what they are good at. But perhaps they are not so solid at the back as compared with the World cup and European cup winning sides of the recent past. Hence the manager is so focused on defence.

[ewomack]

Why hasn't football/soccer caught on in the US? Any theories apart from the fact that we're self-absorbed loonies?

[Strong]

You have so many high profile competing sports. Also throughout the world, boys grow up playing the game, with their fathers, on the streets, at school, with friends, with enemies. Fathers would drag their little boys off to matches every weekend. It is part of everyday life, the very fabric that we wrap ourselves in to keep warm. It is part of the culture.

I don't know, but I guess it does not have the same significance in the US.

[Muddy]

Also the US is obsessed with and immersed in violence and precariousness.

[julien_simon]

I believe it is a matter of values. Is the US or Canada, soccer is not consider at virile enough so they want to play Rugby and Football, Hockey etc...

Then we they grow up, they get tired of all the fighting and start playing other sports. In Canada, soccer is almost considered a girl sport.

it probably has something to do with history but I'm not cultured enough....

[Strong]

Also the US is obsessed with and immersed in violence and precariousness.

Don't be mislead! There is a dark side to football, violence, hooliganism, tribal/gang/club warfare, racism and bigotry. Heck in Scotland the two major footballing clubs are Celtic and Rangers, the supporters are split along religious lines, Catholics vs Protestants. Last year several supporters died after being knifed during European club games.

Julien may be right with the North Americans not seeing football as a macho game, but throughout the rest of the world it is very much about men and violence. In fact the reason that this attitude has changed somewhat in England is because more women and children have been encouraged to go to football matches. That and life time bans for violent offenders at matches.

[julien_simon]

I actually like the mentality of soccer player a lot more in Canada because whoever plays here doesn't play to do like everybody else but actually loves the sport.

I stopped playing soccer in France because I couldn't stand 90% of the players.

[Strong]

I used to play in the local park. Anybody could turn up and join in. It was great fun. One afternoon I showed up a guy by putting a couple of beautiful passes past him. The next time a ball was at my feet he lunged at me with a two footed wrestling move. Took me out completely. And this was just a friendly game in the park. I was limping for weeks after. Last time I played.

[julien_simon]

I used to play in the local park. Anybody could turn up and join in. It was great fun. One afternoon I showed up a guy by putting a couple of beautiful passes past him. The next time a ball was at my feet he lunged at me with a two footed wrestling move. Took me out completely. And this was just a friendly game in the park. I was limping for weeks after. Last time I played.

yup - that's exactly my point.

who is he? Where is he? I'll send Muddy kick his ass.

[Strong]

That is the thing. Never saw him before, never seen him since. It was a turn up and play kind of thing. Just for fun. But this guy just lost it for no apparent reason.

[julien_simon]

That is the thing. Never saw him before, never seen him since. It was a turn up and play kind of thing. Just for fun. But this guy just lost it for no apparent reason.

he is not a separate case.

The worse soccer game I have been to, the parents were yelling at their kids asking them to tackle our knee etc...one kid spat on the referee so the referee gave him a red card and the dad just ran up to the referee to kick his ass.

it was like being at a human zoo, the depravation of the society, geo-localised in one soccer game

I stopped after that year. Just starting playing again in Canada....and tear my ACL.

Perhaps I'm better just watching soccer on TV

[Strong]

It is ludicrous. In Sunday league football in this country, purely amateur, they had a problem find referees for matches because of the violence directed at them.

There was one guy that was given a lifetime ban because of his violent play. I just don't understand how some people can take it so seriously and commit the kind of fouls that can leave people crippled for life. And all because of a 'friendly' Sunday morning game of football.

That has no part in football for me!

I just watch as well now. Mainly European club football.

[julien_simon]

I like the Enligsh premier league the best, and of course the french league.

Spanish league isn't bad but I hate the italian league.

[Strong]

Yeah the Italians play a very negative, boring football. The teams in the premiership like to attack, I think it is more entertaining, hence it's popularity.

Who do you think is going to win the premiership and the Champion's league this season?
Chelsea, Real Madrid for me. I hate Chelsea btw.

[julien_simon]

haha, I hate Chelsea too but unfortunately, I see them winning the premier league. I'd like to see Arsenal win but I don't think they've got the shoulders to be consistent all year long.

I think it will be interesting to see how Real Madrid manages his egos....CR has not been playing very well.

Chelsea and Real are definitely in the top there. Let's not forget Barcelona either.

[Strong]

I'd like to see if Real can get all their galacticos working together. I don't think CR is worth the 80 million they paid for him. He is good, but he still needs quality players around him.

[julien_simon]

Agreed. I'm pleasantly surprised by Benzema. I thought he was gonna be an expensive sub but he is doing quite well.

Letting Robben go was a mistake though. I really like this player.

[ewomack]

There is no more violent sport than soccer. Soccer fans in South America and europe make hockey fans in North America look like doily-hewing grammas.

So, by extension, people in the USA should LOVE it...

[julien_simon]

the fans are violent, but the sport is less violent than hockey or rugby for example

[ewomack]

Indeed, but the fans make up for it in droves...

[julien_simon]

especially those crazy hooligans.

in south america, they are even crazier. They almost rule each club.

[ewomack]

A friend of mine was at a futbol game in Peru and the fans starting tossing tear gas canisters at each other. The game of course ended with a riot, a set of bleachers collapsed and the maim rate was unmeasurable. He got out alive, thankfully. He gave me this poignant advice: never go to a soccer game in South America.

[julien_simon]

I second that advice

[ewomack]

Fully heeded, thank you.

[Muddy]

It doesn't get on topic until about a fourth of the way through.


Z5vSpz7Eu9Q

[Atom]

Soccer thread? You have GOT to be kidding me. Seriously, folks, snap out of it!

[ewomack]

We're nuttier than fruitcakes here...

[Atom]

That Robin Williams is funny, he's even funnier on talk shows. Everything is right off the cuff.

[ewomack]

Drugs helped him out earlier on... I think he's clean now...

[Atom]

Drugs helped him out earlier on... I think he's clean now...It's a mistake to generalize drugs. We as Americans have been severely brainwashed.

[ewomack]

Yes, in many ways... like the idea that being a celebrity is actually a worthwhile pursuit... I bought that one for years... oww...

[Atom]

Yes, in many ways... like the idea that being a celebrity is actually a worthwhile pursuit... I bought that one for years... oww...How famous? Anyone I would know, or was it a local thing?

Coke, ok.
Booze, fine.
Heroin, alright then.
Shrooms, yes.

Drugs? No.

[ewomack]

Very local... I was on local radio some years ago, but I also made it on to national television once... then I came to my senses... and the rent was due... etc., etc.,...

[Atom]

I heard he checked himself into rehab, I don't know for what drug/s though.

[Atom]

A common part of treatment has always been to convince the addict that it doesn't matter what mind altering drugs are involved as well as convince them that they are "an addict" in the first place, because to an addict, a drug is a drug is a drug ..., but I am here to tell you that, in general, it does matter, and not the opposite. This is part of the brainwashing I've mentioned, but it can save lives, so that's what's taught in rehab.

[ewomack]

There are some addictive personalities out there... I hear that descendants of alcoholics are at a high risk to become addicted to anything from mind altering substances to Beanie Babies...

[Atom]

There are some addictive personalities out there... I hear that descendants of alcoholics are at a high risk to become addicted to anything from mind altering substances to Beanie Babies...That's true, and my point is that it absolutely does matter whether it's to booze or beanie babies, the "professionals" say that it doesn't.

[Atom]

Things are made black and white to save lives. It's a case where it's right but incorrect at the same time. It's deemed necessary.

[Atom]

Also, there is no such thing as a gateway drug.

[Atom]

We are truly brainwashed, and in respects unrelated to drugs of course as well, but that's another subject.

[Atom]

I think that as well of course would have sounded better.

[Atom]

These are the things we need polls for.

Who votes of course as well?

[Atom]

Don't be shy, speak up.

I vote as well of course.

[Atom]

Please don't anyone introduce punctuation issues, I may pop a cork.

[Atom]

lol


©®

[Atom]

It does matter whether it's opiates or psychotropics.

[ewomack]

Psychotropics all the way!!!! Whooooooo!!!!

[Atom]

That was a trick statement, BTW. *gorch*

[ewomack]

Oh oh... I've been *gorched*

[ewomack]

According to the Muppet Wiki, there is a Land of Gorch (http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Land_of_Gorch)...

[Atom]

Well I'll be, and I thought I was being original.

I've not actually sat and watched the Muppets before. That may in fact be accountable for my thread of sanity, I simply do not know.

[ewomack]

yVw96wzmZC8

[ewomack]

xpcUxwpOQ_A

[ewomack]

jc_UCc8EQcQ

[Strong]

^ that is like my cooking.

England vs. Croatia tomorrow, should be very interesting. Should pretty much decide England's World Cup qualifying group. There is some bad feeling because Croatia effectively prevented England from going to the European Cup finals in 2008. Also some of the Croat players and management have been making inflammatory comments. So it is a bit of a grudge match. All good fun. It is on TV, so I'll be watching it. :sqbiggrin:

[ewomack]

How does a Yankee watch international soccer? I imagine that I need some kind of expensive cable channel... or a really long umbilical stretching from BBC television center...

[Strong]

There are secret squirrelly places on the internet. Or I suppose you could frequent a reconstruction of a British pub in the States, they might be showing the match.

[Muddy]

How does a Yankee watch international soccer?

Go to the nearest trailer park. Shouldn't have to wait too long before you see someone soccer.

[ewomack]

Oh, I can see that in the suburbs just fine... that and teens on crack...

[Strong]

The world cup qualifications are over and all the teams going to South Africa are now known.


FULL LIST OF TEAMS AT 2010 WORLD CUP

HOSTS: South Africa

AFRICA QUALIFYING: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria

ASIA QUALIFYING: Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea

EUROPE QUALIFYING: Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland

SOUTH AMERICA QUALIFYING: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay

NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA AND QUALIFYING: Honduras, Mexico, United States

ASIA/OCEANIA PLAY-OFF New Zealand

Article: BBC Sports - Who has qualified for South Africa 2010 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8087418.stm)

There was a big controversy over the France vs. Rep. of Ireland game but Fifa will not replay the match so the result stands, France go through by the hand of Henry! :sqrolleyes:

Julien what have you to say :sqwink:

[Rankenstein]

How does a Yankee watch international soccer? I imagine that I need some kind of expensive cable channel... or a really long umbilical stretching from BBC television center...

You can generally find live soccer on veetle.com - it tends to show the big ticket matches, so you might not get to see e.g. Burnley vs Wigan, but Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal will generally be shown live from some feed or other, same goes for your Milans, Barca, Bayern, etc. I'd expect the England match to be shown. Quality can be patchy, though.

[julien_simon]

There was a big controversy over the France vs. Rep. of Ireland game but Fifa will not replay the match so the result stands, France go through by the hand of Henry! :sqrolleyes:

Julien what have you to say :sqwink:

They have already replayed the 2nd leg so it is only fair.

here is the recap: Thierry Henry - Jeu de main - Le Jeu ! (http://www.jeu-de-main.com/)

[Strong]

I got a score of 30 - 1 :sqlaugh:

[Strong]

I'm thinking if something like that happens at the world cup, Fifa will have to introduce extra referees or cameras to help the ref.

It is just too ludicrous the way it is now. Fifa are bringing themselves and the game into disrepute. The irony can't be lost on them.

[julien_simon]

I am all for 2 extra refs right behind the nets to check the mess during corner/free kicks and simulations from players.

Everybody blames Henry and I can't blame them. That's was a shameful victory. but you can't replay every game that has been impacted by a bad decision.

For example: Serbia-France. Whoever won that game would end up first. Our goalie got a red card and a penalty kick after only 10 minutes for an imaginary foul. So we were down one player and 1-0 after 10 minutes. It ended up being 1-1.
We might have won that game without that decision and never had to play against Ireland in the first place.

So yeah, that hand was a totally not far play and put shame on that victory, but that's not the first one (Maradonna) or the last one.

Therefore, I am all up for the video and/or more referees.

[Strong]

Roy Keane summed it up for me by asking two questions. Why did the defenders let the ball bounce in the six yard box, every school kid is taught never to do that. And secondly where was the goal keeper, a forty yard free kick into the the six yard box should be smothered by the keeper. It was a very interesting interview, it sums up the situation perfectly. He doesn't blame France or Henry, and if you remember he was a Rep. of Ireland captain and is now a manager. Captain of Man Utd as well.

Interview: BBC Sports - Roy Keane interview (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8370497.stm)

[julien_simon]

Roy Keane summed it up for me by asking two questions. Why did the defenders let the ball bounce in the six yard box, every school kid is taught never to do that. And secondly where was the goal keeper, a forty yard free kick into the the six yard box should be smothered by the keeper. It was a very interesting interview, it sums up the situation perfectly. He doesn't blame France or Henry, and if you remember he was a Rep. of Ireland captain and is now a manager. Captain of Man Utd as well.

Interview: BBC Sports - Roy Keane interview (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8370497.stm)

yeah, I read that and it was refreshing.

Lots of other players also said: "Sometimes, it's just a reflex. You don't mean to, but the ball is on the hand, the ref didn't see it. For a captain to say, let's tell the ref and not send my team to the world cup would have brought him a lot of blames anyway."

I know I think I would never do it or tell the ref (I play soccer too) but in the heat of the moment, being captain of the team, millions of people expecting a lot from you, nobody knows how they would react until they are on the spot.

[ewomack]

This thread isn't in my language... so maybe I shouldn't be butting in so rudely... sorry, folks, carry on with your esoteric chatter...

[Strong]

Sorry Ed, we were talking about soccer, namely the game between France and the Republic of Ireland, which was a play off match to see who would qualify for the Football World Cup, hence an important match! A player, the captain of France no less, Henry, who previously had a magnificent record as a great goal scorer, used his hands to control the ball and set up a goal which saw France draw the game and thus go through to the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer.

After the match, Henry admitted he committed the hand ball. The Irish demanded the match be replayed, the French refused and the world football governing body(FIFA) refused the Republic's demand. Even the Irish government got involved asking for a replay.

Suffice to say the Irish are up in arms and the French are embarrassed but, with that classic shrug of the shoulders, are off to the World Cup, the supreme footballing tournament held only once every four years.

(A few years ago, England were knocked out of the world cup finals by Argentina, when Maradona knocked the ball into the net using his hand. The referee must have been blind, because everybody else saw it. Maradona claimed it was divine intervention and the goal went down in history as the Hand of God goal.)

Since then there have been calls for video replays to be made available to the referee in making crucial decision such as these, but Fifa have rejected them. Calls for extra referees to be positioned behind each goal mouth to assist the referee have also been rejected.

Hence the furore and indeed outrage at Henry's hand ball in such a crucial game. By all accounts the Irish should have won the game and gone through. But the referee's decision is final and he didn't see the hand ball. Incidently, the referee had a good game but through no fault of his own could not have seen what happened, but an assistant behind the goal would have and could have notified him. Thus this injustice could have been avoided. Which explains the incredulity at FIFA maintaining their position in the face of common sense.

[julien_simon]

^what he said.

and I confirm about 90% of the people in France being embarrassed. (i did a survey to the entire population so this number is real)
there are lots of hoax and every tv show make fun of henry. Some people even asked him to stop his career....

how to flush an entire career in one move.

reminds me of Zidane.

[Strong]

I don't blame Zidane (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinedine_Zidane) at all for the head butt! If someone had said what Materazzi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Materazzi) was reported to have said to him, to me, I would have lashed out too. I put all the blame on the Italian, it was him that brought the game into disrepute. What kind of a man is he to resort to such tactics to provoke a player?

Zidane is still the greatest French player for me, in fact he is right up there with the greats of the game. No doubt in my mind.

[julien_simon]

yeah but if you ask a kid about zidane, the first that comes to their mind is the head butt.

[Strong]

Kids only remember what they see, his career was more than that one match, in which he scored if I remember.