OK Soccer fans....help me out!

[50 Mile Radius]

Allright...

So I went to have lunch at Sammy J Peppers on Kingwsay and they had the Germany/Poland soccer dealio on. I am not a soccer fan, at all...in fact I crap on the sport.

It's the #1 sport in the world, and it's my opinion that the reason is, it takes the least amount of equipment to play. All you need is a ball, but i digress.....

I have a couple questions....


1) Does anything ever happen?

I mean, I musta watched for 30 minutes waiting for something exciting and it never happened. The "crowd" got excited when someone did a whirlly thing with the ball, but fuck, it was at midfield.....no where near the goal!

2) WTF is with the diving?

There's more acting on the field(think it's called a pitch), than on that World Wrestling Shit!

3) Can we make the nets bigger?

If I wanted to watch a 1-0 game, I'd go back and watch the NHL from 2 years ago!



OK, before you roast me for not understandig this shit.....I'm willing to gve it a chance. Here's what I want.....

I want to go watch the game at a pub where there will be tremendous excitement for the team playing. I want the homer crowd!

I want to watch the Italians play in an Italian Pub.....
I want to watch the English Play in an English Pub.....
I want to watch the Brasialians play in a Brasilian Pub...


you get the idea.....so help me soccer fans.....

Where and when should I show up this weekend?

If I have a great time I will officially adopt that team/country/bar as my team I am routing for.....


50 Mile Radius= "willing to see what the fuss is all about"

 

[DaBoneman]

I believe there are a couple of Brazilian places on Commercial Drive 1100-1300block. I think one is the Portuguese Club and another is the Samba resturaunt. Maybe someone else can be more helpful.

Brazil's next came is Saturday morning 8:30 AM

 

[Avery]

1) Does anything ever happen?

I mean, I musta watched for 30 minutes waiting for something exciting and it never happened. The "crowd" got excited when someone did a whirlly thing with the ball, but fuck, it was at midfield.....no where near the goal!

2) WTF is with the diving?

There's more acting on the field(think it's called a pitch), than on that World Wrestling Shit!

That's pretty much what I said in the AWCTB thread:

The lack of scoring and minimal scoring opportunities is one of the main reasons why soccer has never really caught on in North America. The other reason is the absurd play-acting by most of the players whenever anyone contacts them. They grimace and roll around like they're mortally wounded in an attempt to entice the referee to severely penalize the transgressor. Faking injuries is totally foreign to North American sports - it's considered unmanly, and even teammates are embarrassed by such behaviour. Remember Pat Burns publicly berating his own player, Claude Lemieux, for doing that? As long as this type of behaviour is not only tolerated, but seemingly condoned and encouraged, North Americans will continue to regard soccer players as skilled and fit, but pussies at heart.

Here's a response:

Scoring isn't what makes the games exciting. It's the ebb and flow of both teams vying to get into a position to have an attempt on goal. Sure goals are exciting, but the build up to the goal is the best part.

In other words, we don't understand the game. Actually, I do. The objective is to propel the ball into the other team's net without using your own hands. The ebb-and-flow is like sexual foreplay. Sure, it can be loads of fun, but the objective is still to score, not be stuck in midfield forever.

Interestingly, not one soccer aficionado here has addressed the diving/injury faking issue at all. I really believe that's a huge part of the limited appeal of the game here.

 

[steverino]

hey 50

From what the ladies tell me, you should be used to the faking.

 

[twoblues]

Interestingly, not one soccer aficionado here has addressed the diving/injury faking issue at all. I really believe that's a huge part of the limited appeal of the game here.

Woot! Somebody quoted me. You're right, though. I love the simile you used in relating the ebb and flo to foreplay.

Anyways, I was watching the game today with my brother, and yes, I think the diving/injury faking is a major issue. You can usuallly hear the crowd start to whistle and get on the player's case if he's faking.

One thing I'd like to see, though, is something similar to what the NHL started this year. Create a "divers" list. Fine players who are proven in replays to have "dove". It is a cardable offence to dive, but it is rarely ever enforced. The problem with diving, though, is that it can be hard for the referee to actually see everything.

Players moan and groan in all sports. What you notice in the NHL is that the usual diver's rarely draw a penalty because the Ref's pretty much guess that they're faking.

 

[GitS]

Honestly. Go to commercial drive to little italy. They will watch the world cup no matter what team is playing. It helps if Italy is playing that will get them riled up even more.


Things do happen. Most of the time it is very small. Threading the pass through defenders. A good challange for the ball. Well placed kick. Of course the all important Goal. It is very much the ebb and flow of the game that makes it the most beautiful game. I would really recommend watching 2 good teams go at it. Like when Brazil faced Croatia, the score was 1-0 but still good to watch. You want to watch a game being played by two teams who head out and run. Defensive teams are no fun to watch. If you hate the trap in hockey, it is worse in football.

The next "big" match I personally see is going to be France vs Korea. The Korean team plays pretty quick, and France has an older but experienced team. That will be on Sunday the 18th at 2pm. I'd say head into little Korea which is along kingsway just past Metrotown. See if you can find a pub there or a pool hall. Japan vs Croatia will be an excellent match as well. That is on at 12pm. Otherwise get up at 6am on the 21st and watch Holland vs Argentina.


The diving is sadly part of the game. When you have a lot on the line, like winning, you try to take advantage as best as possible. The diving has not been as bad as in past world cups. It's getting better.

Actually the nets are a little too big for my tastes. I know people will go "what the hell is he talking about. The scores are so low as is.." You have to look at it from on the pitch. Go to a school ground and stand in the middle of the goal. You have a guy kicking a ball at you at pretty high speeds because it is a ball. You have to judge/guess "left or right or stay. Up, down, or middle" Good goalies can read the way you kick the ball and the flight of the ball to attempt to save. Good strikers know how to keep the telegraphing to a minimal and to curve the ball in mid-flight. So from the goalie's stand point, that goal is pretty big. Do not forget he doesn't have the mountain of equipment that hockey goalies have. Then again they don't have a hard little projectile winging at them at 80 miles an hour. The key time for my bitching about the goal is when the game is settled by penalty kicks. You'll see why the nets are too big then.

Low scoring games are the hallmark of football. When you have two good teams play, you expect the goal total to be low. High scoring games are between 1 really good team vs a bad team. Or the other team was just not even trying to defend the ball.

Oh one last thing about football. You get 3 subsitutions total in the game. So the players are playing 90+ minutes a shift. There is no defensive or offensive line. There is no 45 seconds a shift. There is pretty much not a whole lot of change in personel on the pitch. These guys are pretty amazing.


I hope that this helps out a little bit. Little Italy, I would say is your best bet for a place to watch the entire tournement. Most of all Have fun.

 

[50 Mile Radius]

The ebb-and-flow is like sexual foreplay

So…..a 0-0 (they fuckin’ say NIL-NIL, which also annoys me…) game….

IS like foreplay, with no FINISH…(sex, w/o cumming)

From what the ladies tell me, you should be used to the faking.

I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think that is why these so called soccer hooligans drink and go crazy.....it is watching this stupid boring game that drives them nuts!

Ahhhhh, now that makes sense…….So I’m gonna go cheer for the Brazilians and then when we(my new adopted team) wins, I’m gonna go hooliganing!!!!!

 

[GitS]

50, you hit the nail on the head....nothing happens...ever! These countries that are fanatical about soccer must also have national "watch paint drying" leagues. Something can not be classifed as a sport unless there is a chance of the particpants being horribly injured or killed. When was the last time that happened in soccer? I can see one of these pansies hitting an opponent over the head with it's purse after the game or slapping a particularly nasty fellow on the othe side for a foul, but the norm is they go crying to the referee every time someone looks at them funny. I think that is why these so called soccer hooligans drink and go crazy.....it is watching this stupid boring game that drives them nuts!

The last time someone was killed.. Hmmm let me think. Oh yeah. The last time the Columbian team was in the world cup. Own goal. and the person got shot when he returned to Columbia.

If you don't think it is exciting watch something else. If you want to give it a go. Watch two high powered teams go at it. Croatia, Holland, Argentia, Brazil, England, and Korea. Those teams run. They play hard. Togo is pretty good to watch as well. There is artistry in the footwork and in the sheer endurance of the players. The players are not people who you want to mouth off to. When a man's job is basicly to have 3% body fat, have legs like tree trunks, and can pretty much run you down. I'm sure they are pansies. Play the game. Football is not a beer league sport. You will be in serious pain and you dont have to be near the ball.

 

[50 Mile Radius]

I hope that this helps out a little bit. Little Italy, I would say is your best bet for a place to watch the entire tournement. Most of all Have fun.

Those points do help a bit.....

Well, now I'm torn between little italy and the brazil thing...hmmmm

One more question.....If someone gets a red card(which, btw are WAAAAAY more prettier than the ugly yellow ones).....the guy is ruled off the pitch(notice i'm using the lingo...), and they don't get to replace him, right? But it doesn't seem like it has a big effect on the play?, or does it?

 

[twoblues]

Those points do help a bit.....

Well, now I'm torn between little italy and the brazil thing...hmmmm

One more question.....If someone gets a red card(which, btw are WAAAAAY more prettier than the ugly yellow ones).....the guy is ruled off the pitch(notice i'm using the lingo...), and they don't get to replace him, right? But it doesn't seem like it has a big effect on the play?, or does it?

Yup, the guy goes off and then it is 11 players vs. 10 players. The usual effect is that the team that has the player sent off usually becomes more defensive and the other team more offensive.

Another place to watch is a Mexican restaurant or the Croation Community Center. Either of those communities are huge fanatics.

 

[HaywoodJabloemy]

You forgot to mention the celebrations after a goal (when one finally is scored). Yeah, it happens in hockey and our football, but usually not as idiotic and wimpy, but more importantly the clock stops in those sports after a score. In soccer it's also about wasting time so the other team won't have as much time to equalize.

99.999% of the flag wavers actually don't like the sport any more than you do. If they did, Canada would have a hugely successful pro league with sold out 75,000 seat stadiums. Most of these posers wouldn't look out the window to watch a game being played in their backyard.

 

[bernini]

If it has to be explained......You most likely wouldn't understand.


Unfortunately, its not for everyone. Its usually North Americans (north of Mexico) who don't seem to take a great interest in the game. It move slow, its low scoring, a game can end in a "tie". However, if you really watch the sport, and see two teams play against one another, you will see it is a real thinking sport. The players are trying to think 5 passes ahead of the present. It is a lot like chess. Truly the perfect sport in this man's opinion.

bernini.

 

[visiting]

The Columbian player in question was killed after a fight at a bar. Now did the fight break out because people in the bar were teasing him for having scored on his own team? you decide....

There have been many deaths associated with soccer, from the over crowded bleachers that collapsed to the fighting with the visiting fans at games in the UK, Italy, Germany, Holland, and I am sure missing a few. I even herd that many years ago (I think it was in Italy) a player broke away and was going on a break-away, and a fan took out a gun, and shot the ball!


In Italy there was a game so violent in the stands that the referee stopped the game, and it was rescheduled with no fans. I was at a game in Germany, and they fence in the visiting team's fan, and escort them to the city limits, (if it is a bus), the home team's fans do not use the same entrance. I think they do the same in Italy also now, not sure about other counties.


For those that ask about Red and Yellow cards.

Red Card gets a player kicked out of the game, (not replaced)
Yellow is a warning, but 2 yellows equal a red card.
In the World Cup, and most tournaments after every 3 yellow cards, the player gets suspended 1 game. If the player gets a yellow card (his 3rd in the tourney) he will finish the game, and be suspended the next match. This is why some players try to get yellow cards, depending on whom they are going to play next, as top players may want to miss a game with a weaker team, rather then miss a more important game later.

Also note a direct red card is an automatic suspension, 1 game, and may be more depending on the "foul", and what the tournament committee may decide , but 2 yellows, I do not think is an automatic suspension. (unless it's the 3rd yellow, above)


Ok now for soccer as a sport, you need to compare soccer to chess, as the field is much bigger than basket ball where they score lots of points, or hockey, the average soccer player runs about 10 miles in a game, so they have to control their tempo.


Faking: That is a foul, and the player gets a yellow card for that. Now like anything the referee has to decided if it is obvious or not, he may have fallen, but the rolling on the ground for 2 minutes may be faking.... yes fans will tease the players (from the visiting team) for faking, and their own players if it gets bad.

 

[aznboi9]

Ok now for soccer as a sport, you need to compare soccer to chess, as the field is much bigger than basket ball where they score lots of points,

Hmmm... comparing a sport to the fast paced action of chess. Now if that doesn't turn people on, I don't know what would!


(Pic taken from a real match! No doctoring of photo!)

 

[rickoshadows]

One thing I'd like to see, though, is something similar to what the NHL started this year. Create a "divers" list. Fine players who are proven in replays to have "dove". It is a cardable offence to dive, but it is rarely ever enforced. The problem with diving, though, is that it can be hard for the referee to actually see everything.

Players moan and groan in all sports. What you notice in the NHL is that the usual diver's rarely draw a penalty because the Ref's pretty much guess that they're faking.

As a player (defender), I can tell you that any decent ref wasn't born yesterday. They have to call the foul when they see it, but they can tell who the divers are. I love it when a striker makes a ref look stupid with a dive. I then get 2 to 3 free shots at him without a whistle. And these guys are really vulnerable looking over their shoulder to receive a ball!

 

[WalterMitty]

gays playing soccer? really? nahhh...

 

[wilde]

What a surprise? Not liking a sport that you know nothing about and are also no good at. Typical American bullshit, just didn't know we have become that obnoxiuos as well. Ignorance is bliss, stay ignorant.


.

 

[wilde]

Well I know a lot of people would say that someone who is a Montreal Canadiens fan could be classified as ignorant.........

And who would that be, Toronto Maple Loser Fans?

I like your interpretation of ignorant. If being a fan of a team who has won the most Stanley cups in history is ignorant. Hell, I am proud to be ignorant, you smart one you......

.

 

[wilde]

the original purpose of 50's thread was to bash soccer....

Actually, NO.

50 Mile Radius= "willing to see what the fuss is all about"

But sure enough, thanks to people like yourself this thread turned into one.

We should not digress here though, the original purpose of 50's thread was to bash soccer....

Did you undergo a heart transplant in the last 24hrs? Cause I could have sworn that I saw you trolling all over Avarice's A.W.C.T.B. thread. Poofter this, poofter that...... Start you own bloody thread, you unignorant wanker.


.

 

[50 Mile Radius]

Sparky, Wilde....

SETTLE

You're both right! I do bash it, but am prepared to learn a little more about it(i figure 1 Gadzillion fans can't be wrong ).....

So it's a toss up between the Italians and the Brazilians.....how can i decide where to go???

OH I know...........who's got the hotter babes as fans?

Hairy Chicks or Tanned Goddesses.........

Survey says:

Brazil!!!!!!!!!