Explaining the World Cup (and FIFA) to Americans

[MM 6,562]

We'll see.

 

I fervently hope you're right.

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

 

 

[Odense 498]

I fervently hope you're right.

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

Well - IF he is willing to see that is really up to you Martin

[MM 6,562]

Well - IF he is willing to see that is really up to you Martin

 

Eh?

[atlas2 4,329]

The one thing I cannot ever understand about World Cup or soccer in general is the fascination with it in Latin America. A culture that is so based on macho goes crazy for the most feminine sport imaginable. While American style football at least requires some intense physical conditioning, as long as you can run a bit in soccer you are in. Soccer players are frail metrosexual types. American football players, even the gay ones, are tough as nails with many built like a freight train.

 

 

On reflection, (sour as this post is), I think it should be conceded to MLV that there are aspects of the game that I wish had not become so established. And it might be these aspects that have coloured MLV's view….Namely the theatrical reaction to the gentlest of tackles in the hope of conning the Ref into giving a free kick or handing out a booking. It's become expected that players will drop to the floor and writhe in pain if a finger brushes against a cheek nowadays, and so all teams do it to some degree. Ironically I think the macho latin Americans and the European 'latin' countries led the way in this.

 

This aspect together with the tugging of shirts and arguing with referees are bloody annoying to my generation who can remember a time when it wasn't so prevalent. And criticisms that lovers of football must accept.

Edited June 13, 2014 by atlas2

[Odense 498]

 

Eh?

 

Just a silly joke - but I will explain

 

He said: "we'll see" - and you said "I fervently hope you're right"

 

.If he is seeing it (as he sort of promised) then it IS up to you - if you also see it then you fervent hope has come true

[MM 6,562]

 

 

 

Eh?

 

 

 

Just a silly joke - but I will explain

 

He said: "we'll see" - and you said "I fervently hope you're right"

 

.If he is seeing it (as he sort of promised) then it IS up to you - if you also see it then you fervent hope has come true  

Obviously dark Scandinavian humor at work there.

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

 

 

[atlas2 4,329]

"Oh, I see." said the blind man to his deaf daughter.

[englishinsiam 15]

Cracking video and so true. You'll never find an Englishman that would give that worm the time of day

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

 

[jacko 8,822]

Cracking video and so true. You'll never find an Englishman that would give that worm the time of day

 

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Really?

Greg Dyke and a few others aren't great fans.

[short 215]

If you think that is funny, wait until he does the NCAA.

[Gonzo 419]

I don't like basketball, baseball, hockey or soccer. I DO like American football and boxing.

[TheFiend 1,181]

Nice one Gonzo.... It's a shame both the NRL and the RFL have outlawed the shoulder charge tackle

[atlas2 4,329]

Cracking game in New Zealand right now.

[Gonzo 419]

Cracking game in New Zealand right now.

I hope England can beat the Kiwis, which is a hard task.

 

[Gonzo 419]

Cracking game in New Zealand right now.

Unlucky England lost to the Kiwis in Dunedin by one point (27 to 28), despite scoring the last 14 points. Commiserations and better luck tomorrow morning in the world cup against Italy.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

MM we are not all Ignorant in America hehe but thanks for that.

[MM 6,562]

MM we are not all Ignorant in America hehe but thanks for that.

 

I think that title came from the video's page.

It was actually a diatribe about FIFA.

Still funny though.

 

Composed on a mobile phone.

 

 

[atlas2 4,329]

I hope England can beat the Kiwis, which is a hard task.

 

 

 

I was called a racist once, (not to my face but it got back to me), for suggesting to a New Zealander that the white kiwis look stupid doing this. What I meant was they don't look authentic…….. Ahhh I'm probably a racist.

[MM 6,562]

 

 

I was called a racist once, (not to my face but it got back to me), for suggesting to a New Zealander that the white kiwis look stupid doing this. What I meant was they don't look authentic…….. Ahhh I'm probably a racist.

[Fornicator 106]

Don`t they all ?

I was called a racist once, (not to my face but it got back to me), for suggesting to a New Zealander that the white kiwis look stupid doing this. What I meant was they don't look authentic.. Ahhh I'm probably a racist.

Very funny!!!!

[Gonzo 419]

 

 

I was called a racist once, (not to my face but it got back to me), for suggesting to a New Zealander that the white kiwis look stupid doing this. What I meant was they don't look authentic…….. Ahhh I'm probably a racist.

Now, lets put things into perspective. The Haka and shagging sheep are part of Kiwi culture. Having said that, I hope I don't ever meet face to face with any New Zealand All Black player.

[atlas2 4,329]

Now, lets put things into perspective. The Haka and shagging sheep are part of Kiwi culture. Having said that, I hope I don't ever meet face to face with any New Zealand All Black player.

 

 

Yes and they traditionally call their sheep 'Arty'

 

 

It's the real reason for the crouched thigh slapping part in the haka when they chant……"Cum Arty, cum Arty korra korra!!"

 

 

I sat in the lounge in Singapore airport and noticed this group of enormous blokes were milling quietly about… and being very respectful of those around them. It quickly dawned on me they were a rugby team passing through but not a famous one……… And then I started to put names to faces. It was the bloody All Blacks. No attention was being paid to them at all….no autograph hunters. It felt like I was the only one who knew these stars were amongst us. I thought how gobsmacked some of the Kiwis I know would be had they been here.

 

It didn't seem right to disturb them by taking photographs or approaching them for autographs…….. I actually considered breaking the ice with the 'Arty' joke above…...

 

I still break out in a cold sweat whenever I think of that...

Edited June 17, 2014 by atlas2

[harro1 256]

On reflection, (sour as this post is), I think it should be conceded to MLV that there are aspects of the game that I wish had not become so established. And it might be these aspects that have coloured MLV's view….Namely the theatrical reaction to the gentlest of tackles in the hope of conning the Ref into giving a free kick or handing out a booking. It's become expected that players will drop to the floor and writhe in pain if a finger brushes against a cheek nowadays, and so all teams do it to some degree. Ironically I think the macho latin Americans and the European 'latin' countries led the way in this.

 

This aspect together with the tugging of shirts and arguing with referees are bloody annoying to my generation who can remember a time when it wasn't so prevalent. And criticisms that lovers of football must accept.

 

Good post. For the guys brought up on the game, those aspects of the game you spoke of are annoying. For most not brought up on the game, those aspects make a game unbearable. It's a shame as I really like watching highlights, the skills in the game are amazing.

I really like to see the penalty shoot outs. It seams most soccer fans don't like them at all.

[MM 6,562]

Good post. For the guys brought up on the game, those aspects of the game you spoke of are annoying. For most not brought up on the game, those aspects make a game unbearable. It's a shame as I really like watching highlights, the skills in the game are amazing.

I really like to see the penalty shoot outs. It seams most soccer fans don't like them at all.

 

I'd say there's no better example of drama and feigned injury on the field than this short of the stricken Mueller from Germany. Pepe (POR) taps him in the lower jaw, he drops like a rock holding his forehead, then Pepe goes to him, touching his head GENTLY with his own (automatic red card for a "head butt") and chides him for being a big fucking baby.

 

Moments later,as Mueller stands up and confronts Pepe (not shown in this video), his painful facial injury seems to have miraculously disappeared as he angles for a more serious penalty against Pepe.

 

http://youtu.be/BIyXpFmelFs

 

See also http://www.smh.com.au/fifa-world-cup-2014/world-cup-news-2014/thomas-mueller-under-fire-over-reaction-as-pepe-sees-red-for-headbutt-20140617-zsa4s.html

 

showing the whole sequence at around 33s.

[atlas2 4,329]

If you want to see the dark side of football…….the conning, the intimidating of referees, the time wasting and one of the finest dives ever in a world cup final from the current USA manager (worth a look on its own that)…….and listen to the pissed-off condemning English commentary……..Here it is. Oh and an incongruous moment I'd forgotten about, (given that it was one of the worst WC finals ever) at the very end.

 

Edit: Some of the yellow cards were awarded for the hair-cuts.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm thinking it won't do any harm to emphasise the moment at the end.

 

It was an award given to Gary Lineker. Not because he was, (and still is), the only Englishman to receive the Golden Boot at a World Cup Finals. Nor because he is the second highest England goal scorer of all time. But because in a stunning career spanning 15 years at the highest level in England, Spain and Japan he was NEVER booked once.

 

i doubt given today's game that will ever happen again.

Edited June 17, 2014 by atlas2