World Cup 2010

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by Finnster

Just finished watching the Slovenia v USA game. Brilliant 2nd half after a disasterous start.

How you tell the difference between disastrous and brilliant? I've tried my darndest to understand this sport (and hockey, its N.A. cousin). Just can't get excited over a sport in which the objective (outscore the other team) hardly ever occurs. Kinda like getting married for the sex.....
Yes, I also have a difficult time with baseball - but at least in it, there are player stats to ponder while the pitcher is throwing a no hitter. Hockey at least has a fight every now and then.

Sorry.....I'll let you guys have your fun!

[Finnster]

Originally Posted by JThiessen

How you tell the difference between disastrous and brilliant? I've tried my darndest to understand this sport (and hockey, its N.A. cousin). Just can't get excited over a sport in which the objective (outscore the other team) hardly ever occurs. Kinda like getting married for the sex.....
Yes, I also have a difficult time with baseball - but at least in it, there are player stats to ponder while the pitcher is throwing a no hitter. Hockey at least has a fight every now and then.

Sorry.....I'll let you guys have your fun!

The biggest thing you have to understand is the strategy of the plays they are trying to put together and be able to see the flow of the game in the passing and opportunties. If you can't see it, its hard to follow. I don't really get all the hockey strat and formations, so it looks a bit like Icecapades with Fights.

Since soccer is not really shown on TV here, the only way you'll get it is if you really go out of your way to follow it or have played it as a kid. I did the latter. Mostly played keeper and midfielder, and more so keep upthrough HS teams and intermurals in college.

The WC is great as its the biggest tournment on the planet featuring the best collection of athletes in the world. Its only every 4 years, like the olympics, but better as everyone is playing the same game. (As opposed to many OC events where a small # of countries tend to dominate a particular event, say scandanavians and X-country skiing, and the real rivalries are just in a couple sports and the overall medal count.)

Watching what these guys can do is amazing. Able to kick a ball 40 yds right on target, with back and/or counter spin so it curves, wobbles or drops midflight is amazing. Executing a manuver to dodge a defender, sending in a cross in that threads the defense and ends up on the flying head or foot of a teammate and rockets to the back of the net is beautiful sight. Watching the offense put together a pattern of passes that shreds a seemingly impenetrible defense is awesome. GER's 4-0 match vs AUS was a clinic on this. It was like a flying chessmatch. VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

On the flipside, watching a striker break free for what looks like an easy goal, only for the keeper to charge, run down the striker and block the ball away.
As a keeper when I played, these were some of my best sports memories. A few times a kid would break free for an open shot, but I was very quick and ran down a few as they rushed to get a shot off. A few times it ended with me diving/sliding into their legs w/ the ball, and me taking the ball away as I slid through them knocking them to the ground.

Nothing better than watching their faces go from exhilaration as they are about to score, to panic as they see me charge them and they try to calm the ball for a shot, to utter devastation as they are picking thier faces up from the dirt to watch me punt the ball away for a counter attack, all in the span of seconds.

Non-stop action, ebb and flow, attack and counter. Upsets and comebacks. If you get it you love it. :)

[JThiessen]

I do have to admit - the female fans that gather at our local pub to watch the Seattle Sounders are suprisingly hot....

[rabosi]

Originally Posted by JThiessen

................................ Just can't get excited over a sport in which the objective (outscore the other team) hardly ever occurs. Kinda like getting married for the sex.....
......................................

Yes but when you finally get some it's like.........GOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLL!!!!