FB: Empire 8

[Yanks 99]

I know very little about soccer, especially the politics that go into hosting a WC. That being said, I kind of agree with Doid that Qatar's bid hinges a lot on "Trust us, we can get these stadiums built and we won't kill anyone due to heat stroke". I know a lot of people are saying South Africa kind of showed anyone could do it, but still

EDIT: And judging by the round-by-round votes, this wasn't even close. Qatar 11 votes in the first round. With 22 total, there was never really any doubt.

If Chase Field can be air conditioned, why not a soccer stadium?

That has a retractable roof, none of the stadium drawings have those. And it's not only about the stadium (and the players), but about the atmosphere, the fans in common areas, etc. I live in Dallas, and let me tell you, June and July are oppressive. Most people leave Dallas if they can in the summer. And Doha has an average temperature 10 degrees higher than Dallas.

This isn't sour grapes (OK, a little). If Australia won the bid, fine. Grant Wahl from CNNSI.com has some great thoughts on this.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/grant_wahl/12/02/3thoughts.wcbid/index.html?eref=sihp

Yeah, and the NCAA still has track regionals in Texas. Bastards.

They better hope the air conditioned stadiums and work out facilities are top notch.  I had the (dis)pleasure of "vacationing" in Kuwait on several occassions.  From now until the day I die, you will never be able to convince me that the entire area isn't the absolute worst place on earth.  And Kuwait is only about 500 miles north of Qatar...

[Doid23]

Wow....Doid with some SERIOUS soccer conversation.....

Mike Toop would be kicking your ass up and down Nott Terrace for this indiscretion!!!

Remember, Doid's brothers both played college soccer, and I was known to instill some fear in the hearts of every Eddie Firmani Summer League team back in the day as a 295 lb sweeper. Every time the games got to rough, my brothers would insert me into the game to restore some law and order. Easily the most hated member of the league ever.

As to Tooper, you obviously don't recall the story of Shep and I going to his house for dinner one summer, and bringing young baby Clint Toop a soccer ball. Toop didn't say thank you, didn't even joke about it, just walked into the garage and threw the ball into a garbage can. Priceless.

[Doid23]

Yeah, and the NCAA still has track regionals in Texas. Bastards.

In July?

Sure, you CAN do it, but why WOULD you do it unless you had to? There's a reason that the Rangers don't draw in August.

[maxpower]

Jeez, you guys act like humans have never existed there before.

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

That's one of two professional soccer leagues in Qatar. Glancing through the article, I did not notice that they have trouble filling the teams because 2-3 players die from heat stroke every game. If they can do it, why can't the rest of the world deal?

Unless you're worried about the host nation having an advantage....*gasp*

[union89]

Wow....Doid with some SERIOUS soccer conversation.....

Mike Toop would be kicking your ass up and down Nott Terrace for this indiscretion!!!

Remember, Doid's brothers both played college soccer, and I was known to instill some fear in the hearts of every Eddie Firmani Summer League team back in the day as a 295 lb sweeper. Every time the games got to rough, my brothers would insert me into the game to restore some law and order. Easily the most hated member of the league ever.

As to Tooper, you obviously don't recall the story of Shep and I going to his house for dinner one summer, and bringing young baby Clint Toop a soccer ball. Toop didn't say thank you, didn't even joke about it, just walked into the garage and threw the ball into a garbage can. Priceless.

That was the reason for my post.....Classic Toop.  Only better story was when he jacked up McLees & Anderson in the DU bar for their lack of summer conditioning.

[Doid23]

Jeez, you guys act like humans have never existed there before.

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

That's one of two professional soccer leagues in Qatar. Glancing through the article, I did not notice that they have trouble filling the teams because 2-3 players die from heat stroke every game. If they can do it, why can't the rest of the world deal?

Unless you're worried about the host nation having an advantage....*gasp*

Qatar? The 113th ranked team in the world? No one's worried about Qatar having an advantage. Of course they can survive, of course no one is going to die, you can make do. It's just a matter of why would you hold the premier soccer event in a place with no soccer history, no current infrastructure (e.g. Hotels, stadiums), unbearable weather conditions, less revenue (except in FIFA members personal bank accounts), and many better options, per FIFA's own analysis? Oh wait, I gave the answer before (personal bank accounts).

[maxpower]

I don't know, I've always been a proponent of having the occasional Super Bowl in Buffalo or Green Bay...

[Doid23]

I don't know, I've always been a proponent of having the occasional Super Bowl in Buffalo or Green Bay...

OK, but ask any Bills fan how cool it was to go to a Super Bowl in Minnesota rather than Miami or New Orleans or California. Didn't matter to me, I was warm in my family room. Just like Qatar won't matter to me either. But if they wanted to go somewhere diffferent and new, award it to Australia.

[AUKaz00]

Jeez, you guys act like humans have never existed there before.

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

That's one of two professional soccer leagues in Qatar. Glancing through the article, I did not notice that they have trouble filling the teams because 2-3 players die from heat stroke every game. If they can do it, why can't the rest of the world deal?

Unless you're worried about the host nation having an advantage....*gasp*

There's also a reason their season runs from September through April (granted the same could be said of all European leagues).

[maxpower]

I guess I don't have a problem with a factor of adversity that will affect all teams equally (except maybe Qatar, but, like you said, it's not like it's going to help them that much). These are the highest class of professional athletes in the world, with the highest class of trainers. They know how to deal with heat.

[AUKaz00]

I guess I don't have a problem with a factor of adversity that will affect all teams equally (except maybe Qatar, but, like you said, it's not like it's going to help them that much). These are the highest class of professional athletes in the world, with the highest class of trainers. They know how to deal with heat.

Tell that to Marco Materazzi!

[AUSaxons]

Does Alfred have anyone who can cover Shorts?

AU has a couple of outstanding DBacks in Alec Currier and Roland O'Brien. Reggie Pressley hasnt exactly been a slouch this season either, as he had a great game against Cortland. Short answer? No, but i'm hoping that between Currier and O'Brien in particular they can hold him in check to some extent.

[theaprof]

Does Alfred have anyone who can cover Shorts?

AU has a couple of outstanding DBacks in Alec Currier and Roland O'Brien. Reggie Pressley hasnt exactly been a slouch this season either, as he had a great game against Cortland. Short answer? No, but i'm hoping that between Currier and O'Brien in particular they can hold him in check to some extent.

Thank God, we are back to a discussion of AMERICAN football!!

I was beginning to wonder if any of you thought there was a game this weekend.

[purpled]

Can I have an AMEN for theaprof?!

So, you think Shorts will get double coverage, eh? Then who covers Collins, Brown, Mathie or Miller? Just asking.

[AUKaz00]

So, you think Shorts will get double coverage, eh? Then who covers Collins, Brown, Mathie or Miller? Just asking.

The pep band, obviously!

With the weapons Mount Union has, I would suspect most teams would want to get pressure on the quarterback so that he can't connect with his receivers.  The last thing we'd want is a hot Seaman hitting Shorts or we'll have a mess on our hands.  Wait, that didn't come out quite right...