World Cup Opinions

[OnionTerror]

I LOVE the World Cup.

I love the excitement. I love the highs, the lows, I love the atmosphere, the socialising, the drinking (!)

Ever since 1990 it's been a special thing for me. OK, some years have been better than others, but once you 'get' that feeling, it's like a drug.

I can't wait for Saturday personally.

If I could watch every game, I would. Italia 90 was a truly memorable WC for me too, even though its been called one of the worst in living memory...

[deadman]

If I could watch every game, I would. Italia 90 was a truly memorable WC for me too, even though its been called one of the worst in living memory...

Haha I can't think why!

I can understand why people don't like it, but I always get the feeling that those who don't really put themselves out to express their disgust, and that I don't get.

We're all just different I suppose.

[OnionTerror]

Haha I can't think why!

I can understand why people don't like it, but I always get the feeling that those who don't really put themselves out to express their disgust, and that I don't get.

We're all just different I suppose.

You could argue it was the introduction of blatant diving - Klinsmann being one of the main culprits and the Voeller "gobbing incident", although many English fans got some joy in seeing Maradona cry in the final..

WP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup claim that it was the dirtiest WCs ever (16 red cards) with the lowest ever goals to games ratio..

[daniel stallion]

Haha I can't think why!

I can understand why people don't like it, but I always get the feeling that those who don't really put themselves out to express their disgust, and that I don't get.

We're all just different I suppose.

The thing is, it isn't just their disgust with the game, it's their derision, disgust and contempt for people that do happen to like it - actually getting annoyed that people like it - as if it designed to spite them.

[deadman]

You could argue it was the introduction of blatant diving - Klinsmann being one of the main culprits and the Voeller "gobbing incident", although many English fans got some joy in seeing Maradona cry in the final..

WP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_FIFA_World_Cup claim that it was the dirtiest WCs ever (16 red cards) with the lowest ever goals to games ratio..

I thought Waddle's hair was to blame.

I also forgot the pure hatred I felt for Klinsmann then. *******.

On a better note, I discovered New Order and Ray Ban Wayfarers.

[deadman]

The thing is, it isn't just their disgust with the game, it's their derision, disgust and contempt for people that do happen to like it - actually getting annoyed that people like it - as if it designed to spite them.

I hear you. I still don't get exactly why that is either. Personally I think it's a great shame that they're just missing out on how utterly glorious it can be.

Let's just hope we rise to the occasion this time and have a great campaign.

[OnionTerror]

I thought Waddle's hair was to blame.

I also forgot the pure hatred I felt for Klinsmann then. *******.

On a better note, I discovered New Order and Ray Ban Wayfarers.

Mullet rage?

Dirty cheating %%O(£")£)$)%

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMSW7ZKBah0

[daniel stallion]

Mullet rage?

Dirty cheating %%O(£")£)$)%

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMSW7ZKBah0

[OnionTerror]

..and I remember the satisfaction I got after the Gurmans got knocked out in '94 by Bulgaria..

[deadman]

Very cliche post but dedicated to the WC haters nonetheless :

[Oliver Sutton]

Really looking forward to this one.

The most open ever.

Loads of possible dark horses as well, (Denmark, S Korea, USA), plus any African team could get a good run . Maradonna will be entertaining.

I bet it pees off all the egg-chasers how football has spread and how sucessful it's become.

Thirty years ago African teams were considered a joke (remember Zaire).

Likewise with Asian team yet S Korea got to the semis.

It's even taking off in the States. Now longer just a game for posh kids and women.

In the meantime Rugby has failed to spread at all.

[Oliver Sutton]

..and I remember the satisfaction I got after the Gurmans got knocked out in '94 by Bulgaria..

It's incredible the passion it can even raise in countries where football is not their national sport.

Here's some great commentary from the Miracle of Cordoba where Austria stopped Germany progressing.Wasn't even to progress themselves.

The commentary is known by schoolkids in the way "They hink it's all over" is in England.

"Goal. Goal.Goal. Goal.Goal. Goal. I am going crazy."

That Krankl was a fantastic player. His first goal was even better. Contolled a cross wothout bouncing and volleyed it in.

[Guest theboltonfury]

Really looking forward to this one.

The most open ever.

Loads of possible dark horses as well, (Denmark, S Korea, USA), plus any African team could get a good run . Maradonna will be entertaining.

I bet it pees off all the egg-chasers how football has spread and how sucessful it's become.

Thirty years ago African teams were considered a joke (remember Zaire).

Likewise with Asian team yet S Korea got to the semis.

It's even taking off in the States. Now longer just a game for posh kids and women.

In the meantime Rugby has failed to spread at all.

The trouble is, that as it spreads, so does the average mentality of its fans, who generally speaking, having watched years and years of lower league football, are complete morons.

[ccc]

Really looking forward to this one.

The most open ever.

Loads of possible dark horses as well, (Denmark, S Korea, USA), plus any African team could get a good run . Maradonna will be entertaining.

I bet it pees off all the egg-chasers how football has spread and how sucessful it's become.

Thirty years ago African teams were considered a joke (remember Zaire).

Likewise with Asian team yet S Korea got to the semis.

It's even taking off in the States. Now longer just a game for posh kids and women.

In the meantime Rugby has failed to spread at all.

Soccer is the most popular* sport for kids in Oz, NZ and the US. They just mostly give it up at abuot the age of 10-12.

If it reallly took off in these countries ? I think they could all potentially be extremely good. Possible WC winners. They all have a passion for sport and a history of excellent training. I don't think it will really take off in these places though. They love their other sports too much.

* I am pretty sure.

[Guest BetterOffOnBenefits]

My opinion?

England are mediocre at best and will get thrashed, as usual

What's funny is that in any other sport where we are naff, people don't watch it because our teams are naff!

People don't follow British tennis for example because it's pointless, so why footie?

[Sledgehead]

Ha ha - you just (very badly) made the exact point I was getting at you fvktard! The EXACT point. You looked it up yet still don't understand the word....

Brilliant.

Read the bit about 'jointly exhaustive' .......

did that.

Give me one example of something that is neither interesting nor boring.

Give me one example of something that is neither pointless nor fruitful.

[Oliver Sutton]

Soccer is the most popular* sport for kids in Oz, NZ and the US. They just mostly give it up at abuot the age of 10-12.

If it reallly took off in these countries ? I think they could all potentially be extremely good. Possible WC winners. They all have a passion for sport and a history of excellent training. I don't think it will really take off in these places though. They love their other sports too much.

* I am pretty sure.

I think the US and Oz are already taking off. They are ranked 11th and 14th in the world at the mo and are no longer the pushovers they once were.

ALways makes me laugh when I go to the States and they talk about soccer being a posh sport.

[Sledgehead]

Well the documentary was about humans. It didn't take a condescending, elitist, self aggrandising perspective so I can't really answer your question.

I know you believe your superior life form transcends the rest of the population, but I believe the documentary was extrapolating to the population at large, not just the ones you look down your nose at.

so you are describing sheeple. Is there any reason why you won't admit it?

[ccc]

Right it is starting today so what are people's thoughts on the actual upcoming games ?

SA vs Mexico ? No idea.

France vs Uruguay ? Tricky one. France look poor and Uruguay are pretty solid. Could be unspectacular. 0-0.

South Korea vs Greece ? No idea.

Nigeria vs Argentina ? Could be a cracker. 2-3

England vs USA ? Interesting one. US will be up for it and are a very solid team. I can see England struggling unless they get an early goal. If it is all square at half time I would go for the US. 1-1

[ccc]

I think the US and Oz are already taking off. They are ranked 11th and 14th in the world at the mo and are no longer the pushovers they once were.

ALways makes me laugh when I go to the States and they talk about soccer being a posh sport.

Yep definitely not a laughing stock anymore. Decent solid teams. If they really went for it I reckon both could be potential WC winners. I just think the lure of their other sports is too much. Time will tell.

I just cant see the masses moving from Baseball, US Football, Basketball, Cricket, Rugby League/union in large enough numbers for it to become a major sport in these countries.

[feed]

France vs Denmark ? Tricky one. France look poor and Denmark are pretty solid. Could be unspectacular. 0-0.

You just made that one up it's Uruguay v France

[ccc]

You just made that one up it's Uruguay v France

Amended. Forgot a game too.

[Sledgehead]

Right it is starting today so what are people's thoughts on the actual upcoming games ?

England vs USA ? Interesting one. US will be up for it and are a very solid team. I can see England struggling unless they get an early goal. If it is all square at half time I would go for the US. 1-1

Press have been making mischief over potential gamesmanship from the yanks trying to wind up shrek. My instinct would be they are too new to the game to want to do anything but play. Having said that footie players aren't known for their sportsmanship. Kids are taught from the get go to claim throw-ins that clearly aren't theirs. I think that's what started me off ...

[ccc]

Press have been making mischief over potential gamesmanship from the yanks trying to wind up shrek. My instinct would be they are too new to the game to want to do anything but play. Having said that footie players aren't known for their sportsmanship. Kids are taught from the get go to claim throw-ins that clearly aren't theirs. I think that's what started me off ...

I think it is the English media making excuses already. If he gets sent off it will all be the refs fault. Same as Rooney with the stamp. That was all the fault of Ronaldo's winking eye apparently. The fact Rooney stamped on a boys nads clearly wasn't important.

I doubt Rooney would be stupid enough to hold up a red rag to a referee and ask for as sending off ?

As for the Yanks trying to wind him up ? Many of them play the game in Europe so they know the score. Other teams do it - why not..

[efdemin]

Press have been making mischief over potential gamesmanship from the yanks trying to wind up shrek. My instinct would be they are too new to the game to want to do anything but play. Having said that footie players aren't known for their sportsmanship. Kids are taught from the get go to claim throw-ins that clearly aren't theirs. I think that's what started me off ...

Too new to the game?!? They've been around for a good decade or two as a 'proper' football team and most (all?) of their best players are experienced Premiership or European players. E.g. Landon Donovan came to Everton on loan in the last few months of the last Premiership season and made a great impression, McBride at Fulham, Kasey Kellar as keeper etc.

They have a reputation for being 'solid' - i.e. not technically as good as other teams but make up for it with teamwork, close marking and 'strong' tackling. They will be working to wind up Rooney no doubt about it. As will every other team as he's got a history of losing it in big tournaments <sigh>.