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who do YOU think will win the WorldCup?

 
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Originally posted by Roy Ben Ami:
..i just heard FIFA will disqualify rivaldo and he will be kicked out of the worldcup as a lesson for others.


Call me a mad fan of Brazil, Rivaldo deserves a punishment, but not a ban. And IMHO, like in Cricket, some how they should introduce a third umpire, who can overrule the ground decisions. Thats the only way to keep such naughty boys under control.
 
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One reason why Soccer has not acquired much popularity in US might be the fact that it is not broadcast much by the network companies.
Soccer is a game that does not allow a lot of time for marketing - unlike basketball or football. In basketball, the network companies can squeeze in something like 10-15 advertisements in one timeout. And in football, each possession change is an opportunity for atleast a 3-minute ad time.
But in Soccer the players keep playing. If someone is hurt, he is just thrown outside the boundaries and the next players jumps right in.
Always follow the trail of money!!!
 
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Proof: More people are more crazy about soccer than any other sport.
I heard one argument that perhaps soccer is so popular because of some other reason (for instance, a lot of drinking). Infact, soccer is just as big in countries that do not allow alcohol as it is in Ireland. I have to agree with a previous comment that it is not big in America cause most Americans lack the patience.
But what I dont understand is this sorry excuse for a sport called baseball. I mean common, look at most the players- they are not athletes, they are fat-beer drinking couch potatoes. You want to see a real athlete, look at the soccer players. Now they are fine specimens of athletic ability, if I do say so myself.
How often do you see a baseball player do a backflip after hitting a home run? Not very often, because most of them are too fat.
but I know I will not be able to convince you, my American friends, and you will not be able to convince me, but at least most of the world is on my side :-)
 
mister krabs
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How anyone can claim that Americans lack patience when the number one sport in the USA is baseball is beyond me! Have you ever watched a baseball game? Most of the game is waiting for something to happen! And baseball players aren't athletic? Have you looked at Derek Jeter? I once saw a baseball player snap his bat in half after striking out as if the bat was a twig.
 
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congrats U.S.A.,
really nice to see such underdeveloped football nations like Senegal or USA win against solid football powers like France or Portugal.
 
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Soccer isn't popular with a lot of Americans because it is boring. A 1-0 hockey game is still exciting. The athlete comment is just silly. If they are such fine specimens, why do many get carried off on a stretcher like they are dead when they get tripped. Soccer actually makes baseball look exciting.
 
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Originally posted by <Soccer Fan>:
I mean common, look at most the players- they are not athletes, they are fat-beer drinking couch potatoes.


I'm sorry, but this is horribly wrong. Is a heavyweight boxer, who has chiseled muscles all over his body, not an athlete? I'll best most of them can't do a backflip. How about an offensive lineman in football (American football). I'll sure best those 300 pound behemoths can't do a backflip. Should they be able to, just to be called an athlete, I don't think so. That's not the kind of athletes they are. They don't jump through the air and kick balls while they're upside down. Rather, the stand on two feet and duke it out with another athlete in front of them.
How about a baseball player? Can a soccer player throw a ball 100 miles per hour or hit a tiny ball travelling that fast with a wooden club? Better yet, when the ball is hit and it's travelling twice that fast straight at the soccer player, could he catch it?
You can't say that someone isn't an athlete because they can't do a backflip. That's ludicrous. Believe me, baseball players spend as much time honing their skills (both on and off the field) as any soccer player. It's a tough sport, even if it isn't that exciting to watch. I'd be inclined to say the same thing about soccer.
Actually, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Sammy Sosa (he's a baseball player for the Chicago Cubs) does a flip as he runs to the outfield prior to each game. So, I guess baseball players can, in fact, do a flip. Go figure. :roll:
Corey
[ June 05, 2002: Message edited by: Corey McGlone ]
 
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What a DAY!!!
first Russia wins 2-0 versus Tunisia in a good game!
then the amazing game when USA wins Portugal (WOW!) with 2 self goals!!!
and then!!! Ireland scores 1-1 versus Germany in the 90 minute!!!
Thats the reason i LOVE this game.
 
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Russia!
 
Ashok Mash
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Originally posted by Roy Ben Ami:
..Ireland scores 1-1 versus Germany in the 90 minute!!!
Thats the reason i LOVE this game.


Exactly. That was almost like a suspense thriller with a dramatic climax. The great uncertainty of Football! (This sentence is commonly used about Cricket actually)
In fact, that goal saved 20 lives in my workplace, literally - they would have died of grief otherwise. Now, I have a bunch of exhilarated, totally thrilled colleagues around me who can?t stop praising their team.
 
Anonymous
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Like I said,
"I know I will not be able to convince you, my American friends, and you will not be able to convince me, but at least most of the world is on my side :-)"
Man, that was a amazing game by the USA though. Who do you guys think will make it from that group. I had Portugal and Korea, but now I am changing to Portugal and USA. What do you guys say?
 
Greenhorn
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Americans vs. Soccer has many dimmensions:
1. They don't understand the game
[Just like the rest of the world doesn't understand baseball]
2. It doesn't market well [no timeouts for beer advertisements].
3. They've never played it [can't notice intricacy or appreciate skills]
4. The rest of the world plays soccer because it doesn't require the facilities of basketball (rim, shoes, court), football (pads, helmet, pigskin) or baseball (bats, gloves, etc..).
/*********************/
I think soccer is the best sport for intuition. The decision making process in a game is never static - the plays aren't closely controlled by one single manager or coach. As players run to open space or create opportunities they are left to how well they understand the game, their opponent, their teammates and the situation.
The story is not just the score - the story is the process. In basketball you may see Kobe Bryant face up one on one and have about 3 seconds of intuitive decision making but in soccer each player does this for 90 minutes! Unparalleled.
/*****************************/
I don't know who I should go for. My country (Uganda) isn't going to have any national sports teams go anywhere in the forseeable future.
I think I'm going to have to go with Brazil although woeful defending makes me want to pick a European team for a championship.
I'd go for Germany, especially since they now have an immigrants playing for them from Africa. It's cool that Miloslav is an immigrant too. And Rudy Voller, blast from the past.
Well, anyway I'm mumbling.
>>Tetsuo!!
 
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I can't believe we (USA) pulled a victory over Portugal. That's probably gonna be it for us, but it's still pretty sweet.
Roy Keane's equalizing goal in the Ireland-Germany match was awesome! I'd love to see the Irish take it, but if I were a betting man I'd place my money on the Germans to go all the way (my admittedly unlearned opinion).
 
Roy Ben Ami
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Originally posted by Joe McGuire:
(my admittedly unlearned opinion).


not too unlearned
the germans are a resilient bunch.. they should never be ignord in EVERY world cup as they proved many times before.
they didnt win it 3 times for nothing.
i wish , as i said before, Italy would take it but id love to see any good football match and well done Ireland, i was with you in this match all the way.
oh, just as a side note, Rivaldo didnt get suspended but FINED with 6500 bucks! how ridicoulous! its like a 30 min work for him to get back that money. really hurts him there.
 
Axel Janssen
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Originally posted by Roy Ben Ami:

the germans are a resilient bunch.. they should never be ignord in EVERY world cup as they proved many times before.


Watched the last minutes of Ireland - Germany 5 times. German players had so much angst to do something wrong...
If they loose against africa-cup champion Cameroon, they are out (if the others win against Saudi Arabia, which has high probability)
<new panic>
 
Anonymous
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One day when I lived in the US I went to a baseball game. Ohh it was boring. Well, it wasn't a yankee-arizona type-of-game like, but the thing that I most remember is the fans playing with their gameboys, people reading magazines and so on. Why in the heck do you go to a baseball game with a gameboy??? I'd rather stay at home, the toilet is even closer
Now I'm studying in australia. I used to hate cricket but I now understand it a little (very little) bit. Rugby rules!!!, it's tough. they don't use any protection at all comparing to US football.
 
Ashok Mash
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Originally posted by Axel Janssen:

Watched the last minutes of Ireland - Germany 5 times...


I guess the problem with Germans is their well known machine-like punctuality. I guess they can't play after 90 mins and thats when Irish scored.
Ashok.
 
Thomas Paul
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Originally posted by Tetsuo Suzuki:
Americans vs. Soccer has many dimmensions:
1. They don't understand the game
[Just like the rest of the world doesn't understand baseball]
2. It doesn't market well [no timeouts for beer advertisements].
3. They've never played it [can't notice intricacy or appreciate skills]
4. The rest of the world plays soccer because it doesn't require the facilities of basketball (rim, shoes, court), football (pads, helmet, pigskin) or baseball (bats, gloves, etc..).
/*********************/
I think soccer is the best sport for intuition. The decision making process in a game is never static - the plays aren't closely controlled by one single manager or coach.


1) I used to play so I do understand the game. I didn't particularly like playing...
2) Baseball and football have lots of time not just for commercials but to analyze the game as it is being played.
3) see 1
4) Basketball requires a ball and a hoop. A basketball court is a lot smaller than what you need for a soccer field. I can't imagine how people who live in big cities get together for a soccer game. Baseball and football obviously require a lot of open space.
I think the big thing is that baseball and football are both intellectual sports that allow on-going and post analysis. Why did the coach call for a pass on 3rd and 3? Why did the pitcher try to get a high fastball past Bonds? Both games are heavily coached while in soccer the coach is mostly just a cheerleader during the game.
 
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1
Spring Java
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I got this mail so why not share it with you football fans...
Though I am not fan .. but I like it as there are very few rules.. and when I used to play then we had no rules except "Hand"
AW mail is here ..
===========
Interesting stuff ahead of the World cup...

Brazil last won the world cup in 1994.
Before that they won it in 1970.
Add 1970 and 1994, it equals 3964.

Germany last won in 1990.
Before that they won in 1974.
Add 1990 and 1974, it equals 3964.

Argentina last won the world cup in 1986.
Before that they won it in 1978.
Add 1978 and 1986, it equals 3964.

So going by this logic,
the winner of the 2002 world cup would be
the same as the 3964 - 2002 = 1962 world cup.
The 1962 world cup was won by Brazil.
===========
India has never won the world cup so we'll probably win it in the year 3964.
============
 
Roy Ben Ami
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cool Ravish! very intersting, although i hate to spoil this cute calculation, Italy will win this time
today games were:
Denmark - Senegal : 1 - 1
Saudia Arabia - Cameroon: 0 - 1
France - Uruguay: 0 - 0
the worst day in the world cup so far in terms of goals, but at least France got only 1 point
 
R K Singh
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any one knows who won in 1998 ??
 
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France won in 98.
unfortunately, this year it sounds quite different.
France is almost eliminated.....
 
Roy Ben Ami
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for general knowledge and just cause i want to here is all the world cup winners:
1930: Urugway
1934: Italy
1938: Italy
1950: Urugway
1954: Germany
1958: Brazil
1962: Brazil
1966: England
1970: Brazil
1974: Germany
1978: Argentina
1982: Italy
1986: Argentina
1990: Germany
1994: Brazil
1998: France
and let me add...
2002: Italy
 
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Perhaps one of the reasons that Americans cant get worked up over football (note the correct usage here folks ) is that the US national team doesnt have the kind of rivalry that other teams have in football... for example
Scotland vs England
England vs France, Germany, or everyone else
Celtic vs Rangers
Man Utd vs Liverpool or Arsenal...
Cheers,
Mark
 
Thomas Paul
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3 games, 3 goals, and 2 ties! Ughhh! At least in hockey they keep playing until someone scores a goal!
 
Corey McGlone
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Originally posted by Thomas Paul:
At least in hockey they keep playing until someone scores a goal!


Actually, that's only true in the playoffs...
During the regular season, they play a 5 minute 4 on 4 period and, if no one scores, it's a tie.
Corey
 
Anonymous
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Originally posted by Mika Hirvasoja:

It was actually Robbie Keane who scored, not Roy.
Roy Keane in fact was sent home from the World Cup after calling the Manager a F*****G W****R.


actually i believe it was a "f*****g english c**t"
 
Anonymous
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as to who will ... spain, go raul
 
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Amazing USA. Who would have bet a penny on them? Not me, I am surprised. My heart goes to Senegal! Hope they will win!
 
Mark Fletcher
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Amazing USA. Who would have bet a penny on them? Not me, I am surprised. My heart goes to Senegal! Hope they will win!


We're running a sweepstake at work... �2 an entry. Guess what? I drew USA! Bah!
Not at the world cup gives the USA odds of 125 to 1. If they keep up their luck like what they had with Portugal, I might place a bet on them
 
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England !!!
 
Ashok Mash
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Unbelievable performance by England!! But Argentines were chocking them to death in the second half.
 
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Who I think....to win it all
Has a chance: England, Brasil, Italy, Spain, Germany; don't bellieve much in Argentina
Has NO chance: USA, France, Cameroon, Russia, Senegal
Hopefully USA will go deep enough to attract a lot of local attention. When I go past local middle and high schools, guess what I see kids play the most? That's right: soccer. Give it another 10 years, and it will be top 3 sport.
Shura
 
Roy Ben Ami
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good luck to Italy tomorrow
 
Roy Ben Ami
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damn tht referee!! 2 legitimate goals cancelled

a world cup without Italy is a worldcup not worth watching
(there needs to be a crying smiley to convey me emotions)
 
Shura Balaganov
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Russia was just hammered by Japan... Considering the fact that a number of years back Japan signed a bunch of older European stars (including, coinsidentally, a few Russians) to play in their league, it is no wonder that their level is so high now. Russia, as usual, had tons of chances and slow vulnerable defence. That's how you usually don't go beyond first game of second round.
Remember, Belgium is old Russian foe, they knocked out Russia twice, in late 80th and in early 90th.
I always wanted it to be "Soviet Union" team again, that was the only way they had a shot at the Cup..Tough luck :roll:
Shura
[ June 09, 2002: Message edited by: Shura Balaganov ]
 
Thomas Paul
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So the USA is now 1-0-1. And they just need somebody to beat somebody else and we are all set.
And Americans have been playing soccer for years. Kids love to play it. But they go to baseball games. Go figure!
 
Roy Ben Ami
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tomorrow the third and final round starts:
2 teams already went to the 1/8 final, before the third round : Brazil and Spain.
5 teams are already out, no matter what they do in the third round.
and the rest 25 teams have to compete for 14 places....
good luck to Italy and Argentina and lets have a great 4 days!!
let the games begin.
 
Wanderer
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And Americans have been playing soccer for years.
Heck, the USA has even won the World Cup a couple times, in 1991 and 1999.
Not the men's World Cup, I admit, but still...
 
Axel Janssen
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Danish are just too clever. Frensh run a lot in the 1st half. Bummer :roll: . They are such a good team. Now 235 minutes without goal!!!
 
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