I just wanna say...

[ProgressiveTokyo]

USA USA USA USA USA !!!

http://turbo.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2009/12/2010-world-cup-schedule1.jpg

[MT Alex]

Nice to see you around agian.

[ProgressiveTokyo]

USA 1 - ENG 1

Could we really beat the powerhouse? Is it 1950 again???

[MT Alex]

1950? It saddens me to think that soccer has been played in America for that long.:(

[WhiteLotus]

LOL, i'm from the UK and I saw this from a mile off. Went down the pub to watch it, and found it hilarious watching all the guys down there screaming at the tv. Seriously, i'm glad we drew, (although US played shit) because it makes the England fans come down to earth.

[SK-1]

(although US played shit) because it makes the England fans come down to earth.

http://img.techpowerup.org/100612/Capture545.jpg

:rolleyes:

[WhiteLotus]

Yup, just the way England plays. Seriously, any brit that thought that wasn't going to happen is a frigging idiot.

[DrPepper]

I lol'd at that goal.

[WhiteLotus]

As did I. The only one in the pub mind. I felt like I was going to get very deaded.

[DrPepper]

As did I. The only one in the pub mind. I felt like I was going to get very deaded.

I'm quite safe up here. Most people want england to lose because it's england.

[WhiteLotus]

I want england to lose. The team is shit, and the nation is deluded into thinking they are good.

[DrPepper]

I want england to lose. The team is shit, and the nation is deluded into thinking they are good.

They are but I can't say anything.

[jmcslob]

I can't believe it!!! the US has a soccer team...
Well I bet all 50 American soccer Fans are happy as hell right about now..

[DrPepper]

I can't believe it!!! the US has a soccer team...
Well I bet all 50 American soccer Fans are happy as hell right about now..

You guys don't like it soo much ? wonder why.

[DanTheBanjoman]

Has the USA ever even won anything? Does anyone take them serious as a team?

[DrPepper]

Has the USA ever even won anything? Does anyone take them serious as a team?

Basketball ? American Football ?

[DanTheBanjoman]

Basketball ? American Football ?

What do you think this thread is about?

[DrPepper]

What do you think this thread is about?

Football obviously. I was pointing out the only games they win are games they made up.

[FordGT90Concept]

Baseball, soccer, and rugby get hardly any audience in the USA. It's basically all basketball, football, and NASCAR. Hockey and indy lands somewhere in the middle.

[Magibeg]

Success in sports really comes down to a couple of factors:

1. interest in the country
2. funding for the sport
3. population (bigger the better)
4. climate
5. the occasional super athlete (guys like Phelps which are pretty much gods gifts in their respective sports)

[WhiteLotus]

Wasn't phelps caught out with drugs or am i thinking of some other dude...

[FordGT90Concept]

A picture leaked of Phelps using a bong.

[jmcslob]

Has the USA ever even won anything? Does anyone take them serious as a team?

I don't know if they have won anything as I really only Kind of knew we had a team (thought it was more of just an Olympic team)...So that would be...No we don't take em seriously and I hope nobody else does...

Soccer is more of a Girls sport over here...Almost everybody knew who Mia Ham was...But mostly because she is HOT:D

Personally Ive always thought of Soccer as a sissy sport..something the little guys do when they can't make the Football, Baseball, Track or even Tennis Teams..

[MT Alex]

Personally Ive always thought of Soccer as a sissy sport..something the little guys do when they can't make the Football, Baseball, Track or even Tennis Teams..

Absa-muthafuckin-lootley(toast)

That, or they play lacrosse.

[jmcslob]

Oh god Lacrosse LOLz hell that even ranks behind Soccer

[DrPepper]

Personally Ive always thought of Soccer as a sissy sport..something the little guys do when they can't make the Football, Baseball, Track or even Tennis Teams..

Football has become a sissy ass girl sport these days. They don't let kids play it in school now because it's "too dangerous" .....

[theJesus]

I hate all sports. I only check this sub-forum because sex is recreation.

edit: oops, I thought this was a thread for things that you just wanna say pertaining to sports and recreation

[ProgressiveTokyo]

Personally Ive always thought of Soccer as a sissy sport..something the little guys do when they can't make the Football, Baseball, Track or even Tennis Teams..

Riiight, sissy sport. Because running around playing rugby with 10 pounds of body armor (American Football) is so manly...lol

And whoever said (i forget) that baseball isnt popular..etc is obviously from somewhere that doesnt have a baseball team. Im from the North East (Mass) and baseball is the most popular sport to both watch and play. It all depends on where you are from.

Id love to see those sissy American Football players join a real rugby team and see what its like to play without the full body suit...and without stopping every 1 minute (seems like they stand around doing nothing 90% of the time).

[FordGT90Concept]

And whoever said (i forget) that baseball isnt popular..etc is obviously from somewhere that doesnt have a baseball team. Im from the North East (Mass) and baseball is the most popular sport to both watch and play. It all depends on where you are from.
A lengthy explaination of popularity:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_professional_sports_in_the_US_rank_in_popul arity

Insight into why baseball is losing viewership:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tom_verducci/05/04/contact.pitches/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=Sbin


Id love to see those sissy American Football players join a real rugby team and see what its like to play without the full body suit...and without stopping every 1 minute (seems like they stand around doing nothing 90% of the time).
American football is an explosive sport, not an endurance sport. It's like half a dozen sumo wrestling matches happening at the same time every 15 seconds. Those not wrestling are sprinting. Football is a full-contact sport; rugby, not so much.

[DrPepper]

A lengthy explaination of popularity:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_professional_sports_in_the_US_rank_in_popul arity

Insight into why baseball is losing viewership:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/tom_verducci/05/04/contact.pitches/index.html?xid=cnnbin&hpt=Sbin



American football is an explosive sport, not an endurance sport. It's like half a dozen sumo wrestling matches happening at the same time every 15 seconds. Those not wrestling are sprinting. Football is a full-contact sport; rugby, not so much.

Rugby is full contact though minus the body armour.

[FordGT90Concept]

The difference: the ball can't touch the ground in football but it can in rugby. If you're about to get waxed in rugby, you can dispose of the ball to yourself. If you're about to get waxed in football, brace yourself. 300 lb man hitting 150 lb man = broken bones/neck/spine. All the injuries that do occur even with all the protective gear should tell you how much more brutal football is than rugby.

[DrPepper]

The difference: the ball can't touch the ground in football but it can in rugby. If you're about to get waxed in rugby, you can dispose of the ball to yourself. If you're about to get waxed in football, brace yourself. 300 lb man hitting 150 lb man = broken bones/neck/spine. All the injuries that do occur even with all the protective gear should tell you how much more brutal football is than rugby.

That's just unsafe. Even in mixed martial arts people don't get hurt that badly. Armour isn't needed in rugby because the aim of it isn't to destroy other players.

[MT Alex]

Football has become a sissy ass girl sport these days. They don't let kids play it in school now because it's "too dangerous" .....

I guess that is a good way to track the emasculaion of a culture. Soccer is encouraged in our schools, now, because it isn't as dangerous. No more dodge ball, and I can't imagine what fate would befall some poor kid who started up a game of "smear the queer." Pretty soon we'll progress/digress to where you are at, without even soccer.

I also think soccer takes on a different form here. Many parents like it because coaches here don't project such a virilant desire to win. Most youth soccer games don't even keep score. It's a big kumbaya fest filled with Moms and Dads who want to raise sensitive little twats who think everyone is a winner. I imagine it's much more competative on your side of the pond.

[DrPepper]

I guess that is a good way to track the emasculaion of a culture. Soccer is encouraged in our schools, now, because it isn't as dangerous. No more dodge ball, and I can't imagine what fate would befall some poor kid who started up a game of "smear the queer." Pretty soon we'll progress/digress to where you are at, without even soccer.

I also think soccer takes on a different form here. Many parents like it because coaches here don't project such a virilant desire to win. Most youth soccer games don't even keep score. It's a big kumbaya fest filled with Moms and Dads who want to raise sensitive little twats who think everyone is a winner. I imagine it's much more competative on your side of the pond.

Well that's gay. The football I know is not about happyness. I've been in SO many fights over football. I sent a guy to hospital because he pissed me off one day. In Scotland it's very sectarian and people die because of it lol. It's rediculous.

[jmcslob]

Rugby is a Real Mans sport IMO

American Football is as well...When those hard shoulder pads nail you in the Hip or the Helmet crush's your arm It Hurts like hell every time Plus when a 300lb guy hits you at full speed as your running the opposite direction at full speed It hurts like hell..

When you take a helmet to helmet hit it's like someone is trying to rip off your jaw and break your neck again it hurts like hell...

Those pads really only protect your head and shoulders and that's about it..

If I could have I'd of played without the Thigh pads as they get jammed into your thigh and that will hurt for days...

That body armour only allows you to hit harder which is still definitely felt LOL

Oh and the Object of American Football is to bring the PAIN till the other team has no will to play

[ProgressiveTokyo]

I guess that is a good way to track the emasculaion of a culture. Soccer is encouraged in our schools, now, because it isn't as dangerous. No more dodge ball, and I can't imagine what fate would befall some poor kid who started up a game of "smear the queer." Pretty soon we'll progress/digress to where you are at, without even soccer.

I also think soccer takes on a different form here. Many parents like it because coaches here don't project such a virilant desire to win. Most youth soccer games don't even keep score. It's a big kumbaya fest filled with Moms and Dads who want to raise sensitive little twats who think everyone is a winner. I imagine it's much more competative on your side of the pond.

I thought the same thing till I started watching English football in the Pub with my Brit friends here. Footie is one of the most competitive and brutal sports around.

Just panzy ass Americans teaching their kids this koombaya version which is why American footballers are not taken seriously.

[theJesus]

I like soccer because a lot of soccer moms are MILFs

[jmcslob]

I like American football cause I like Violent sports...where it is OK to be violent

[DrPepper]

I like American football cause I like Violent sports...where it is OK to be violent

Hockey is fucking sweet for that.

[theJesus]

I like American football cause I like Violent sports...where it is OK to be violent
I like BDSM cause I like Violent sex...where it is OK to be violent

[DrPepper]

I like BDSM cause I like Violent sex...where it is OK to be violent

Thank you google images for clarifying BDSM for me.

[theJesus]

Thank you google images for clarifying BDSM for me.
I lol'd.

[Triprift]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/41859/1276376570285.gif

[entropy13]

Football >>> that other sport called "football" in the US and "American football" everywhere else.

National team football is slightly more popular, but club football is more exciting (especially among the top clubs in the Champions League). When the Arsenal v. Barcelona draw was announced, there was a collective gasp from the audience in the hall where the draw was being made.

Also, for all intents and purposes there's no FIFA like entity for American football, and no World Cup counterpart. Oops wait there is but it's not exactly quite famous is it. Honestly I'd even rather watch rugby than American football.

[DrPepper]

Lionel Messi has made football an art.

[Wile E]

Absa-muthafuckin-lootley(toast)

That, or they play lacrosse.

Lacrosse is more hardcore than football can ever try to be. It's basically like hockey without skates, but cross checking is legal. You are thinking of the wrong sport. Lacrosse is violent.

It's a hell of a lot more manly than pansy ass baseball or track.

[DanTheBanjoman]

I don't know if they have won anything as I really only Kind of knew we had a team (thought it was more of just an Olympic team)...So that would be...No we don't take em seriously and I hope nobody else does...

Soccer is more of a Girls sport over here...Almost everybody knew who Mia Ham was...But mostly because she is HOT:D

Personally Ive always thought of Soccer as a sissy sport..something the little guys do when they can't make the Football, Baseball, Track or even Tennis Teams..

wtf is wrong with you? Mentioning someone hot and not posting a picture? I Googled but I'm not fixing this mistake for you.

[WhiteLotus]

you lot have forgotten about ozzy rules. Now that's a sport worth watching.

[DonInKansas]

I also think soccer takes on a different form here. Many parents like it because coaches here don't project such a virilant desire to win. Most youth soccer games don't even keep score. It's a big kumbaya fest filled with Moms and Dads who want to raise sensitive little twats who think everyone is a winner. I imagine it's much more competative on your side of the pond.

I debate the competitiveness of any sport where teams think a tie is an acceptable outcome. There's been more ties in this World Cup than there are in a UN meeting.

[Triprift]

I could say the same of American sports its like Americans cant keep up with free flowing games so they invent stopages( Time outs).

[entropy13]

I debate the competitiveness of any sport where teams think a tie is an acceptable outcome. There's been more ties in this World Cup than there are in a UN meeting.

Draws are only acceptable in league competition, or the group stages of the World Cup (3 matches for each team) and regional tournaments (the Euros have the same format as the World Cup, club tournaments like the Champions League has away and home group matches for a total of 6 games). After that it's FT, ET, PS when needed.

Put it this way, a 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Manchester United in Manchester, then another draw, maybe just 1-1 in London, would be like the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs splitting the season series 2-2. Then when the playoffs come, you can say it'll be like the Champions League knockout rounds.

[Reventon]

LOL, i'm from the UK and I saw this from a mile off. Went down the pub to watch it, and found it hilarious watching all the guys down there screaming at the tv. Seriously, i'm glad we drew, (although US played shit) because it makes the England fans come down to earth.

Haha that's kind of what I was thinking too.

[DonInKansas]

Put it this way, a 1-1 draw between Arsenal and Manchester United in Manchester, then another draw, maybe just 1-1 in London, would be like the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs splitting the season series 2-2.

Not really. Someone WON all four of those games.

[entropy13]

Not really. Someone WON all four of those games.

Because basketball rules does not allow draws, or "ties" as you Americans put it. Even in American football it's possible, albeit rare, because you can score different ways each worth different points. Anyway, it would really be personal preference I guess. Sometimes there are stubborn ones though. Why can't you be, like in my case, be both a Dallas Mavericks fan AND an Arsenal fan for example?

Also, the draws are crucial in football leagues because there are no "play-offs", except for the lower leagues, where the play-offs are for promotion. A win is worth three points, a draw is worth one point, a loss is worth nothing. Goal differences are taken into account as well. A win (or conversely a loss) in the NBA, is still a win (or a loss) regardless whether it was 129-80 or 84-83. Winning 3-0 is arguably better than winning 2-1, and conversely a 2-1 loss would be slightly better than a 3-0 loss. a 0-0 draw is worth a point but not much else, a scoring draw can help with goals scored (although the GD remains the same).

And then there would still be the play-offs in the NBA where the "regular season" is hardly a signifier of what would happen there. Which would be unlike the English Premier League for example.

The NBA is a marathon, plus numerous 1v1 best of 7 100m sprints (the play-offs).

The EPL is a marathon. But besides the marathon, there are also a knockout 100m sprint competition (Carling Cup, or whatever sponsor they have), a knockout 200m sprint competition (FA Cup), and for the select few, either a knockout 5,000m race or a knockout 10,000m race, with qualifiers and "group stages", you can say a round robin of 200m sprints against 3 others, playing against them twice (in the case of the Champions League), or against 5 others, playing against them once (in the case of the Europa League).

[ProgressiveTokyo]

Because basketball rules does not allow draws, or "ties" as you Americans put it. Even in American football it's possible, albeit rare, because you can score different ways each worth different points. Anyway, it would really be personal preference I guess. Sometimes there are stubborn ones though. Why can't you be, like in my case, be both a Dallas Mavericks fan AND an Arsenal fan for example?

Also, the draws are crucial in football leagues because there are no "play-offs", except for the lower leagues, where the play-offs are for promotion. A win is worth three points, a draw is worth one point, a loss is worth nothing. Goal differences are taken into account as well. A win (or conversely a loss) in the NBA, is still a win (or a loss) regardless whether it was 129-80 or 84-83. Winning 3-0 is arguably better than winning 2-1, and conversely a 2-1 loss would be slightly better than a 3-0 loss. a 0-0 draw is worth a point but not much else, a scoring draw can help with goals scored (although the GD remains the same).

And then there would still be the play-offs in the NBA where the "regular season" is hardly a signifier of what would happen there. Which would be unlike the English Premier League for example.

The NBA is a marathon, plus numerous 1v1 best of 7 100m sprints (the play-offs).

The EPL is a marathon. But besides the marathon, there are also a knockout 100m sprint competition (Carling Cup, or whatever sponsor they have), a knockout 200m sprint competition (FA Cup), and for the select few, either a knockout 5,000m race or a knockout 10,000m race, with qualifiers and "group stages", you can say a round robin of 200m sprints against 3 others, playing against them twice (in the case of the Champions League), or against 5 others, playing against them once (in the case of the Europa League).

Ive actually got a question for you that even my wife who is a huge fan couldnt answer.

In the group stages of the World Cup what would happen if the 2 second place teams had the same points AND goal differential (as improbable as it is, it is mathematically possible)???

[Triprift]

Ummm a playoff maybe dont quote me on that one though. =/

[entropy13]

Ive actually got a question for you that even my wife who is a huge fan couldnt answer.

In the group stages of the World Cup what would happen if the 2 second place teams had the same points AND goal differential (as improbable as it is, it is mathematically possible)???

Determining final positions is usually like this: Points - Goal Difference - Goals Scored - head-to-head result between the two.

A slightly recent example of that would be 06-07 where Liverpool finished 3rd ahead of Arsenal based on GD, both were on 63 points iirc.

The La Liga has it differently though, since after a tie in points the head-to-head results (since they meet twice in the league) will be next to be determined.

[DaveK]

That was barely even a goal for the Americans. And the funny thing was, a newspaper in the US reported it as "America wins 1-1" :rolleyes:

[WhiteLotus]

That was barely even a goal for the Americans. And the funny thing was, a newspaper in the US reported it as "America wins 1-1" :rolleyes:

Forgive them, they don't know much about the sport...

[DonInKansas]

Ive actually got a question for you that even my wife who is a huge fan couldnt answer.

In the group stages of the World Cup what would happen if the 2 second place teams had the same points AND goal differential (as improbable as it is, it is mathematically possible)???

According to what Isaw, they do a coin flip. England and the USA may have this issue if both teams win by the same amount or both get draws in their next matches. A coin flip? Seriously? If the teams had played to a real result instead of a draw you could use head to head and call it a day.

[entropy13]

According to what Isaw, they do a coin flip. England and the USA may have this issue if both teams win by the same amount or both get draws in their next matches. A coin flip? Seriously? If the teams had played to a real result instead of a draw you could use head to head and call it a day.

LOL Are you sure you're still talking about the FIFA World Cup? Coin flips are only done to determine which half the winning team (in the coin flip) will start the match.

Theoretical situation:
Slovenia is 1st, but US and ENG are both at 3 points. They drew 1-1. They both have a +1 GD. They both scored 3 goals.


The ranking of each team in each group will be determined as follows:
a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
b) goal difference in all group matches;
c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria,
their rankings will be determined as follows:
d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between
the teams concerned;
e) goal difference resulting from the group matches between the
teams concerned;
f) greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the
teams concerned;
g) drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee.


a) tie, since both at 3 points.
b) tie, since both at +1.
c) tie, since both scored 3 goals.
d) tie, since they drew.
e) tie, since they drew.
f) tie, since they both score once.
g) this would happen. But this has never happened ever since the World Cup started in 1930. So basically it would all be a theoretical situation. If it does happen, it would be the first time in 80 years.

PDF file from FIFA: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/fifa_wc_south_africa_2010_regulations_en_14123.pdf

EDIT: Actually they're the same, it's just that it's more unlikely for g to happen in the UEFA CL group stages and the EPL because they meet twice.

[DonInKansas]

Drawing of lots, coin flip, whatever. Same (stupid) deal. My point stands. No draw = no problem.

[Triprift]

Looks like America will make it to the next round top the table ahead of England.

Edit: They have.

[entropy13]

Drawing of lots, coin flip, whatever. Same (stupid) deal. My point stands. No draw = no problem.

Stupid me, I just realized that in the situation that you mentioned both the US and England goes through, and the drawing of lots would then be similar to...simply drawing lots. The finishing positions would be inconsequential because neither of those that would "tie" would be left out of qualifications, so it was only a simple matter of knowing who will face who afterwards.

OK so your point still stands. And then? Has the World Cup finished already? Um, no. The draws can only help you qualify but won't make you "champion" or anything, which you may be implying. And before you even got to the World Cup you have had to go to the qualifiers too. However way you put in, draws counts for something but wouldn't be much without winning i.e. even if you draw all of your games, to be able to qualify you have to hope that the other teams lose or also draw games.

And then addressing your equation of "No draws = no problems". The draws were put into place because it would actually be possible that even after 172361278936 Extra Times no one would be able to score and would still be a draw. Unlike basketball for example, once you're substituted, that's it. Only 3 subs too. So it's more of a "draws = no problems", especially in the league matches, than anything else. The World Cup's group stages serves as an "extension" of the qualifiers because of the format, albeit shorter, and not region-specific.

[WhiteLotus]

Just caught the highlights of thsa USA match, they sure played well. Albania lucky to lose 1-nill.

[Triprift]

Albania. :confused:

[WhiteLotus]

Albania. :confused:

Algeria.


DOH!!!!! (nutkick)

[mtosev]

ahahahaha. we lost the game to england and we're exiting this world cup. unlucky turn of events for us.

[Triprift]

Not good enough England could of scored a few more. Poor performance of the Slovenians.

[mtosev]

Not good enough England could of scored a few more. Poor performance of the Slovenians.

not bad at all. last time we played at the wc in japan/korea 2002 we lost every game. against spain, south africa and paraguay. so we are getting better. :D

[Triprift]

Yep by 2018 ya might even make the second round. :D

[DonInKansas]

And then addressing your equation of "No draws = no problems". The draws were put into place because it would actually be possible that even after 172361278936 Extra Times no one would be able to score and would still be a draw. Unlike basketball for example, once you're substituted, that's it. Only 3 subs too. So it's more of a "draws = no problems", especially in the league matches, than anything else. The World Cup's group stages serves as an "extension" of the qualifiers because of the format, albeit shorter, and not region-specific.

Two words: Penalty Kicks. Works for them in any other sitch.....

[entropy13]

Two words: Penalty Kicks. Works for them in any other sitch.....

Penalty shoot-outs only happen in knockout competitions, the league formats allows draws because there is no possibility of getting "eliminated", only relegated AFTER the season. Penalty kicks would remove a lot of interesting debates going on in football fan's forums, which isn't possible to happen in the US sports.

As I have previously mentioned, the leagues are a marathon. If a marathon runner SLOWED DOWN ("drew" in the football side of the analogy), does it already mean that he lost the race already? Take note that he didn't stop (i.e. "lose" in the football side of the analogy).

Also the theoretical situation I put out with the US and England was actually impossible. LOL

[Triprift]

Italy out of the world cup and bottom of there group lol.

[entropy13]

It would've been 2-2 or 3-3 as well, the last 20 minutes were crazy

[Triprift]

They didnt deserve to go though.

Hard luck on New zealand though go home undefeated and above Italy.

[ProgressiveTokyo]

Japan is up 0-2 right now.. holy crap we are going to advance to the knockout round for the first time!!!! 日本！！！日本！！！日本！！！

[DrPepper]

Japan is up 0-2 right now.. holy crap we are going to advance to the knockout round for the first time!!!! 日本！！！日本！！！日本！！！

Your one of the few who has two countries in the knockout stages.

[Triprift]

Grats to Japan.

[entropy13]

Japan is up 0-2 right now.. holy crap we are going to advance to the knockout round for the first time!!!! 日本！！！日本！！！日本！！！

I only saw some highlights, but it was more of being taking their chances than being the "better" team so to speak. At least Bendtner rests earlier. Only RVP (whose Oranje are my bet to win this year) and Fabregas still to play from among the Arsenal players.

[Triprift]

What about Argentina? they look pretty impressive to.

[entropy13]

lol forgot Ivory Coast is still playing, but I doubt they'll win 9-0 against North Korea so Eboue would inevitably return early as well.

[mtosev]

Japan is up 0-2 right now.. holy crap we are going to advance to the knockout round for the first time!!!! 日本!!!日本!!!日本!!!

wrong.the japs already did that at the 2002 fifa world cup.
Hosts Japan topped the group with two wins and a draw. Belgium also qualified after a see-saw match with the Russians, while Tunisia was also eliminated after picking up just one point.Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Japan 3 2 1 0 5 2 +3 7
Belgium 3 1 2 0 6 5 +1 5
Russia 3 1 0 2 4 4 0 3
Tunisia 3 0 1 2 1 5 −4 1

[Triprift]

Someones done his research.

[entropy13]

wrong.the japs already did that at the 2002 fifa world cup.
Hosts Japan topped the group with two wins and a draw. Belgium also qualified after a see-saw match with the Russians, while Tunisia was also eliminated after picking up just one point.Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Japan 3 2 1 0 5 2 +3 7
Belgium 3 1 2 0 6 5 +1 5
Russia 3 1 0 2 4 4 0 3
Tunisia 3 0 1 2 1 5 −4 1

He would be correct though if he said "first time to qualify while not being the host", because up until this year wherein the hosts, South Africa, failed to reach the round of 16, each and every hosts had done so.

[Triprift]

My picks for tonights games Uraquay over South Korea and US over Ghana.

[mtosev]

if we are talking about the world cup i have to post this: 4DcjN1pI2VM funny as hell.

[WhiteLotus]

fucking well done Ghana!

Good to see an African team through!

[Reventon]

I honestly thought USA had some kind of chance. Nope.

[WhiteLotus]

Of getting through yes, of winning the World Cup, not a chance.

Bu i'm glad Ghana got through, doing it for all of Africa.

[DonInKansas]

Ghana had the better athletes on the pitch (see, I'm learning!) all night. U.S. looked a step slow, but still had plenty of chances to win that match. Actually fairly entertaining to watch.

Meh, the U.S. will never have a chancce to win the World Cup since the elite U.S. athletes don't play soccer.

[WhiteLotus]

Ghana had the better athletes on the pitch (see, I'm learning!) all night. U.S. looked a step slow, but still had plenty of chances to win that match. Actually fairly entertaining to watch.

Meh, the U.S. will never have a chancce to win the World Cup since the elite U.S. athletes don't play soccer.

Well done, you are learning!

But the USA is a big country with a fair number of people. Eventually more and more people will play football, and the because of the numbers you have to choose from will eventually produce a cup winning team.

Next time I see USA progressing at least another round.

[btarunr]

Personally Ive always thought of Soccer as a sissy sport..something the little guys do when they can't make the Football, Baseball, Track or even Tennis Teams..
Actually American Football is the game where people suit up like pussies. Football (Soccer) and Rugby is where the men are at.

[WhiteLotus]

LOL. England played CRAP. Seriously, why does any body think our team is good?

[DonInKansas]

Actually American Football is the game where people suit up like pussies. Football (Soccer) and Rugby is where the men are at.

I'll give you Rugby, but watching a lot of these matches with the guys flopping like mad to draw foul calls doesn't exactly do a lot to prove toughness in the sport.

I always think it's funny when people compare American football to soccer. American football is a collision sport. They're two completely diferent animals. If we didn't call it "football" they'd probably never be compared.

[WhiteLotus]

Why the hell do you call it football?

[DonInKansas]

I guess it's because it branched from association football and rugby football.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_American_football

[entropy13]

Flopping isn't the norm in football, much like bumping into each other isn't the norm in American football. The norm there is lining up, standing, looking around and wasting time. LOL Then boom people bump into each other BUT the ball (or the "play") is somewhere else and the one with the ball keeps on running for a few seconds, a minute would be stretching it. And there is usually only ONE player that does all the great passing in a team, no one else.

In football there will always be running, contact isn't limited on when and where it could happen. A goalkeeper can assist with a goal, a defender can assist with a goal.

But I must admit that divers like Cristina Ronalda and Shrek are destroying the Beautiful Game.

I would still think though that stopping someone and getting the ball without actually pushing/pulling him is definitely harder, and more exciting than just simply doing so. Physical advantages comes into play, hence the inherent bias of American football.

Search in youtube about Paolo Maldini's son tackling Clarence Seedorf. Like father, like son indeed.


EDIT: Quite notable though that the most number of championships in the American Football World Cup is Japan, and in the case of baseball Cuba (in the "World Cup") or Japan (in the "World Classic"). In terms of the FIBA World Championships, it's USSR and Yugoslavia (Serbia), not exactly appropriate comparisons but since 1994 the US were hardly the dominating team.

[Triprift]

Meh if ya want to see real footy check out Aussie rules football.

[Nick89]

http://tv.gawker.com/5573553/ghana-player-fakes-injury-to-waste-time-in-usa-game-crowd-chants-bullsht

Man that pissed me off. Fuck Ghana for that bullshit.

[btarunr]

http://tv.gawker.com/5573553/ghana-player-fakes-injury-to-waste-time-in-usa-game-crowd-chants-bullsht

Man that pissed me off. Fuck Ghana for that bullshit.

I hope you are aware that time spent on injured players is added to the end of play as additional time?

[Nick89]

I hope you are aware that time spent on injured players is added to the end of play as additional time?

Really? Well I guess I"m a stupid american when it comes to 'football'

Well he still faked for no reason. >_>

[DrPepper]

Really? Well I guess I"m a stupid american when it comes to 'football'

Well he still faked for no reason. >_>

Whoever put Italy out did the same. They kept going down to slow down Italy but all it did was put more time on the clock ...

[Triprift]

Italy deserved to be out there masters of the dive and played crap.

[DrPepper]

Italy deserved to be out there masters of the dive and played crap.

This is Italy's homeground.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Diving_tower_at_the_2008_EC.jpg

[entropy13]

Italy's in the extremes for the past 70 years though. That's why it was called Battle of Highbury (first meeting between England and Italy) and Battle of Santiago (Chile v. Italy).

Then we get the 21st century Italy. LOL

[mtosev]

LOL. England played CRAP. Seriously, why does any body think our team is good?

No Beckham = the english suck

England played so good that they deserved to go home after the group stage. even the USA was better than you

[WhiteLotus]

No Beckham = the english suck

England played so good that they deserved to go home after the group stage. even the USA was better than you

No, Beckham was a spot kick taker, nothing more. The team lacked everything a team should have. USA were good i'll give you, shit tonnes of team spirit as well.

[mtosev]

i'm betting on Argentina or Brazil to win the cup

[WhiteLotus]

I'm hoping Chile knock out Brazil, although both Brazil and Argentina have shocking defence, those in the final should make a scoring game.

[Reventon]

Ghana had the better athletes on the pitch (see, I'm learning!) all night. U.S. looked a step slow, but still had plenty of chances to win that match. Actually fairly entertaining to watch.

Meh, the U.S. will never have a chancce to win the World Cup since the elite U.S. athletes don't play soccer.

^

[entropy13]

NED-ARG final, with the Dutch to win. :)

[Triprift]

Dutch wont even beat Brazil.

[DanTheBanjoman]

This is Italy's homeground.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Diving_tower_at_the_2008_EC.jpg

You mean Eindhoven?

Dutch wont even beat Brazil.

We shall see about that.

[entropy13]

Fcuking Robben, Kuyt and Sneijder during the Slovakia game. Selfish c*nts. HELLO YOU'RE NOT THE STRIKER, RVP IS!!! AND HE'S NOT A LINK-UP STRIKER OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE HE'S THE ONLY STRIKER IN THE FIELD.

I was just as frustrated as RVP was when I watched. It could have been a higher scoreline for all we know. RVP hat-trick against Brazil though. :D

[DaMulta]

God what a bunch of pussy ass fucking monkey dick nose cafe ball cunt shit eye fuckers

[DonInKansas]

Flopping isn't the norm in football,

Really? Could have fooled me with this World Cup. It's like a Vlade Divac family reunion out there.

[WhiteLotus]

Europeans (read Italians, Spanish and French) dive, it's just the way they play. The English is renown to be very physical, and finally the south American teams are all very skill-full and move around the pitch A LOT!

[entropy13]

Really? Could have fooled me with this World Cup. It's like a Vlade Divac family reunion out there.

The World Cup only happens every 4 years. Is the Americans losing to Japan in American football the norm then because that's what happens in the World Cup equivalents for it.

Europeans (read Italians, Spanish and French) dive, it's just the way they play. The English is renown to be very physical, and finally the south American teams are all very skill-full and move around the pitch A LOT!

Not really accurate though.

The "best divers" that played (or are still playing) in the World Cup are Spain, Portugal, Italy, Brazil, France, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

The least likely to dive are the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Slovakia, New Zealand and the United States.

Hence I was hoping that Brazil was in the other bracket instead to meet Spain, ensures one of them gets knocked out. At least one of the Iberians were out.

[mtosev]

We shall see about that.

:D the dutch winning the cup: lol. the dutch lost to croatia at the wc 1998 in france and placed forth. chances of the dutch winning are about 0/NIL. :p:)

[mtosev]

the dutch beat brazil. OMG:O

[WhiteLotus]

Brazil were awful in the second half, and really bad sportsman. One thing is to tackle, another is to stamp on him when he goes to ground. He deserved to be sent off.

[DaMulta]

I just wanna say...


BITCHES!!!!!!

[DanTheBanjoman]

:D the dutch winning the cup: lol. the dutch lost to croatia at the wc 1998 in france and placed forth. chances of the dutch winning are about 0/NIL. :p:)

Yup, because all the teams are exactly the same as 12 years ago and Croatia is playing really well this world cup. It's elementary.