World Cup…

[Jersey mike]

Anyone watching? Brazil Eliminated.

[Rams]

I'm probably in the minority but, I'm not a soccer fan.   Doesn't matter to me who wins or loses.
It would have been nice to see the USA win but, not being a big soccer country, they did pretty well (I'm told).

Rams

[msb]

Yep, most games so far...those early games my time out here in BC make for some long days

I know a lot of guys on here probably don't think too much of football/soccer, but if one takes the time to understand the game and its importance to so many countries and their citizens around the world, the World Cup in particular is fascinating theatre, as is the game itself and all that surrounds it on this stage. Was exciting having Canada qualify for the first time in 36 years, though they weren't quite ready to really compete especially in the tougher group they were slotted in to begin the tournament. Some pretty big upsets...Spain, Brazil, Belgium, Germany being knocked out earlier than expected.
I love Croatia...no prima donnas, just play a real hard-working team game...they, and England (just for tradition-sake and to see how Brits in general will react if they actually get to the final or even win it) are my favorites going forward.

[..]

Lotsa teams with players that have no relation to that country.

Lotsa prima donna hair dressers faking tackles quicker than they can breathe.

[RNFWP]

 
Enjoyed watching the whole match, extra time and penalties. I was pulling for Croatia. Upsets always make for quality entertainment.

Pulling for the Netherlands now...

[RNFWP]

Lotsa teams with players that have no relation to that country.

Lotsa prima donna hair dressers faking tackles quicker than they can breathe.

...have to admit... agree with your observations. It's just that I enjoy the sport itself, the fans and the larger than life world stage too much to let the little things spoil it.

Growing up I had a closer relationship with traditional U.S. sports (still like amateur games). Most of the stuff related to MLB, NFL and NBA makes me prefer to do yard work (I hate yard work)   

[Jersey mike]

Yep, most games so far...those early games my time out here in BC make for some long days

I know a lot of guys on here probably don't think too much of football/soccer, but if one takes the time to understand the game and its importance to so many countries and their citizens around the world, the World Cup in particular is fascinating theatre, as is the game itself and all that surrounds it on this stage. Was exciting having Canada qualify for the first time in 36 years, though they weren't quite ready to really compete especially in the tougher group they were slotted in to begin the tournament. Some pretty big upsets...Spain, Brazil, Belgium, Germany being knocked out earlier than expected.
I love Croatia...no prima donnas, just play a real hard-working team game...they, and England (just for tradition-sake and to see how Brits in general will react if they actually get to the final or even win it) are my favorites going forward.

Brazil going home is crazy, totally unexpected and what a match. Extra time was fantastic. That’s the beauty of this tournament every 4 years.

Lots of big countries going home early.

England/France tomorrow should be a good match.

Was expecting an Argentina v Brazil showdown.

Croatia is now my dark horse team.

The Morocco match was crazy, hope they put up a big fight vs Portugal.

[RP#62]

I enjoyed playing the game - I used to play intramural in my school days.  Watching a game just doesn't hold my attention though like football (maybe I just haven't seen the right game).    A guy I used to work with calls it communist football.

-RP

[Serk]

If I wanted to watch a bunch of guys struggle to score for 90 minutes I'd take my friends to the bar...

(Said in mirth, not spite. If you enjoy it that's all that matters, blah blah blah)

[ridingron]

I really couldn't care less.... No matter how hard I try. I have seen some video clips of the common flops. I think they need to have a couple more refs looking for that. Then red card them or whatever and throw them out of the rest of the game and the next one too. My son played youth soccer and I'd rather have sat home and watched the grass grow knowing full well the result of that (yard work).

I feel the same about pro sports. My last watched sport, college football (American), is losing my interest more and more every season.

[Jersey mike]

I have to admit before I met Barbara I was not a follower of this game but I ended up marrying into a soccer family which changed my view on the game.

My wife and her siblings all played but it was Barbara who excelled at it and went on to play D1 here in NJ. She started and played whole games for 4 years in college and still graduated with high honors.

Both my in-laws coached travel teams but my father-in-law made a name for himself as a coach. His involvement with different leagues and getting clubs up and running, which at the time really launched excellent programs here in NJ. He spent close to 25 years involved in youth sports and thousands upon thousands of kids…boys and girls have benefited. He was a big proponent of getting the local clubs to focus on the growth of girls teams especially. He was a scout and coach for several Olympic Development Teams and coached many Select Teams across NJ. Clubs which he helped get started are still up and running, are still active and growing, they’re successful and have far greater facilities than when he began and hundreds of kids benefit every year at those clubs.

All my kids played and were very good players all through high school. Believe me when I say we traveled…every single weekend. We could be in New England one weekend and the next in Virginia. Sometimes on of the kids would have to travel out of state with another teammate because we both were heading in different directions with the other 2 kids.

My one daughter went on to become a local ref and liked it, the pay was excellent.

So I got sucked into it. We don’t watch soccer all the time and are happy we’re not traveling all over the place at crazy times of the day and sitting on cold sidelines anymore. When the World Cup and Olympics roll around we pay attention to both men and women. Sometimes we’ll watch some qualifying games and casually keep up before the big events. To be honest I would love to go to England and see some matches there of the big clubs.

[Rams]

If I wanted to watch a bunch of guys struggle to score for 90 minutes I'd take my friends to the bar...

(Said in mirth, not spite. If you enjoy it that's all that matters, blah blah blah)

Ya know, I have to admit that Serk's suggestion is entertaining.   I just hope that 90 minute entertainment starts before my curfew. 

Rams

[RNFWP]

Morocco gets past Portugal to be the first ever African team to make it to the semi finals.

[Jersey mike]

Morocco gets past Portugal to be the first ever African team to make it to the semi finals.

What a match. Great for Morocco.

Maybe Croatia v Morocco final.

Been a great WC.

[..]

Frickin French.

[Jess from VA]

The only sport worse than soccer is bowling. 

In Air Force Squadron Officer's school, they made me play soccer as a punishment drill.   

 

[Jersey mike]

Frickin French.

Yeah, I was pulling for England.

That was a tough loss, opportunities were there for sure.

[Jersey mike]

The only sport worse than soccer is bowling. 

In Air Force Squadron Officer's school, they made me play soccer as a punishment drill.   

 

Hey…bowling ‘s a fun time. I’d have say badminton is worse.

[Gryphon]

I gave up bowling for sex: the balls are lighter and you don't have to wear the ugly shoes.   

[Jess from VA]

I gave up bowling for sex: the balls are lighter and you don't have to wear the ugly shoes.   

 

My mom drove me and my jr hi dates to bowling alleys, because that was the principle place to go with no driver's license and not much money.  And was an acceptable public place for her parents to let me take their daughter.  We sucked at bowling, but we did it anyway.  For change-up, mom drove us to roller rinks, and I was a better skater than bowler.  We could hold hands roller skating, until someone fell down. 

Sex was a few years away.