World Cup and European leagues

[Hoosier Titan]

Np argument with me, as long as you're willing to entertain the possibility that bad officiating MAY have affected who plays in the finals!

Of course!  I think that's always true to some extent.

Spain is certainly a worthy finalist.  Germany MAY have been an even more worthy finalist.  We'll never know, due to yet another officiating (and rules) flub.

I think they were very evenly matched yesterday and I think that both would be worthy finalists.  I agree that we'll never know how it would have gone had both teams been at full strength.

I've certainly enjoyed the Cup, and have no major qualms about the finals, but FIFA has done their best (worst?) to ruin it.

But ban the vuvuzelas!!  Go back to drums and cheering!!

Amen to that!  And singing, too.

[ScotsFan]

I've certainly enjoyed the Cup, and have no major qualms about the finals, but FIFA has done their best (worst?) to ruin it.

But ban the vuvuzelas!!  Go back to drums and cheering!!

Amen to that!  And singing, too.

That will be one aspect of this World Cup that I hope I never have to endure ever again!  The singing and cheering of futbol fans in the stands is a part of what I love about the beautiful game.  And having all of those cheers drowned out by what sounds like a swarm of bees has been more than irritating!  If FIFA can get learn just one thing among the many things they need to learn coming out of this World Cup, I would be happy to see a ban of those annoying plastic horns being that one thing!!! 

[ECSUalum]

Paul the octapus has chosen Spain to win the  2010 World Cup

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya85knuDzp8

[ECSUalum]

Goal-line technology back on FIFA agenda

http://www.rte.ie/sport/worldcup/2010/0709/blatter.html

[Hoosier Titan]

Next topic of discussion:  Should the US embrace diving?

It's interesting that we (and I include myself) are quick to condemn diving in soccer, but as the article points out, the same techniques are used in getting blocking or charging calls in basketball all the time.

And this was an area in which the officials were for the most part very, very lax.   The only time I saw "simulation" called was a yellow card against England's Glen Johnson, when he was clearly tripped.  Yet Christiano Ronaldo falls over like a leaf in October any time an opponent is within three feet of him.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story/_/id/5364953/ce/us/america-time-embrace-flopping?cc=5901&ver=us

[Mr. Ypsi]

Next topic of discussion:  Should the US embrace diving?

It's interesting that we (and I include myself) are quick to condemn diving in soccer, but as the article points out, the same techniques are used in getting blocking or charging calls in basketball all the time.

And this was an area in which the officials were for the most part very, very lax.   The only time I saw "simulation" called was a yellow card against England's Glen Johnson, when he was clearly tripped.  Yet Christiano Ronaldo falls over like a leaf in October any time an opponent is within three feet of him.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story/_/id/5364953/ce/us/america-time-embrace-flopping?cc=5901&ver=us

As I mentioned after Spain beat Portugal, a moment that warmed my heart was when Ronaldo clearly WAS fouled (perhaps even card-worthy fouled), but got no call.  Getting a reputation as a flopper will eventually come to haunt you!

If the US ever 'embraces' diving, I'll have to find another team!   But I understand what you are saying, and perhaps they should be a bit less stoic about fouls.  Perhaps even Coulibaly would have gotten the call right if one or more of the victims of PK-worthy fouls on the disallowed goal had actually fallen down!

[Gray Fox]

If the US ever 'embraces' diving, I'll have to find another team!

North Korea?

[Mr. Ypsi]

If the US ever 'embraces' diving, I'll have to find another team!

North Korea?

I wouldn't go quite that far!  (The country may finally be imploding - I'm doubtful North Korea will ever make the WC again; and within a Cup or two, there may not even BE a North Korea.)

I'm sure my statement was an exaggeration, but 'embracing' diving would definitely be a taint on the US MNT.  I'll stick with 'let 'em KNOW you've been (legitimately) fouled, rather than gamely bouncing back up TOO quickly'.

[Just Bill]

If the US ever 'embraces' diving, I'll have to find another team!

North Korea?

I've been reading goverment press releases on the North Korean website and it doesn't mention that they ever lost a game or gave up a goal.  Apparently, they must have won the World Cup!

[Gray Fox]

If the US ever 'embraces' diving, I'll have to find another team!

North Korea?

I've been reading goverment press releases on the North Korean website and it doesn't mention that they ever lost a game or gave up a goal.  Apparently, they must have won the World Cup!

Did they get any RED cards?

[Ralph Turner]

If the US ever 'embraces' diving, I'll have to find another team!

North Korea?

I've been reading goverment press releases on the North Korean website and it doesn't mention that they ever lost a game or gave up a goal.  Apparently, they must have won the World Cup!

Wow!  If you are reading the North Korean press releases, it really must be a slow summer.  And, it is still 6 weeks until the release of KICKOFF!      

[Stinger]

Great article about Cruyff's influence on Spanish football : http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/sports/soccer/11cupfeature.html?ref=soccer

As someone who has lived in Madrid and Valencia,  and has spent many years following Spanish football, it's nice to see this team coming together over the past 4 years.   http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/09/spain-united-on-the-field-and-off/?ref=soccer  There is a heavy Catalan influence on this team, yet they come together for their country. Fantastic to watch.

My signature will take on a different meaning tomorrow......  Vamos La Furia Roja!!

[Hoosier Titan]

Thanks for the links, Stinger.  Nice to read about how football can be a uniting force.

Fun match to watch between Germany and Uruguay today.  I like both teams and it was fun to see the momentum swings as a neutral observer.  I know it was wet and the ball was slippery, but the Uruguayan keeper should have done better on the first two goals. 

Four years ago I watched Spain and said "I wish Liverpool would sign Fernando Torres."  I got my wish, and he's been better than I could have predicted.  Now I'm thinking "Even though he's 31, I wish Liverpool would sign Diego Forlan."  He did everything--score, pass, take free kicks and corners.  He was the only player I saw who seemed able to control the ball even close to a Beckham-like kick.  So I liked this piece:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story/_/id/5370053/ce/us/diego-forlan-mvp-world-cup?cc=5901&ver=us

[Mr. Ypsi]

While I admire Forlan tremendously, the line about him being the MOST important single player in any team's success stuck in my craw.  Luis Suarez had only one less goal (in one less game), and 'took one for the team' in preventing Ghana from eliminating Uruguay in the Round of Eight.  Uruguay lived or died by those TWO players, not Forlan alone.

I hope the octopus gets a perfect score, since I already picked Spain as well.  Anyone picking Holland, and if so, give me your reasoning?

[Hoosier Titan]

Good points about Suarez, although for me Forlan's excellence at set pieces puts him a step above.  I was wondering more if anyone wanted to suggest players from other teams as being the most valuable for their teams.

I thought the crowd's treatment of Suarez today was shameful--a bit like the students who keep chanting "airball, airball" throughout a basketball game.  The handball was called, the penalty awarded, and Suarez was suspended.  End of story--or it should have been.