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The World Cup

T

Tobytook

New Member
Not terribly literary - and very OT - but is anyone else interested in the World Cup this year?

I tend to take a very disinterested approach to football generally, but I do get into the World Cup when it rolls around.

This is less to do with the actual sport, and more to do with the fact that it is a genuinely global activity. It brings countries together in ways that "right-on" politics can only dream about.

Disappointingly, though, I was watching the England/Denmark match today

(aside:YES!!)

and John Motson - commentating for the BBC - made mention of how well Japan and Korea had done. Foolishly, I thought he was talking in terms of the two countries hosting the event, cementing international relations and getting over their dubious past. Turned out he was referring to the teams and their performances so far! I sat there and thought, one of us is missing the big picture - and I'm not even sure which of us it is!

Tobytook
 
I follow the world cup...sort of. (if you count watching the sport shows way after the game is over just for the hilites :D ) i'm cheering for korea cause its so great after 48 yrs they're finally moving on to *gasp* the SECOND round!! I really am happy, and even tho I know their chances are pretty slim, it's good to live in the moment ;) My next team after korea is England, of course. That 3-0 game rocked (and yes, i saw the whole thing...not live though :rolleyes: it was a repeat) Anyways I hope england wins this year, since argentina and france are out *whew~* -B
 
Well, I live in Germany - so it is not hard to guess my favourite ...







... Korea! :cool:

Did you see how the celebrated the second round??????????
They are so enthusiastic! That's great!

I think it is good that some of the real favourites are gone from the competition! I hate it when the "experts" only are talking about how great the French and Portuguese teams are! In fact I hoped that Paraguay would win against the German team!

Well, I think YOU are the one missing the picture, Tob! :)
Just sit down in front of the TV with a cold beer and some chips and enjoy!!!!!! :D

/Holger
 
Originally posted by Holger
Just sit down in front of the TV with a cold beer and some chips and enjoy!!!!!! :D
Click to expand...
You mean crisps, right?

:)

Shame about Ireland going out to Spain on penalties.

An odd stastical fact: England have only ever been knocked out of the tournament by Argentina and Germany. (Doesn't bode well for us if we - and you - get through the quarter finals!).

Tobytook
 
thanks for supporting korea, holger...its great you have good sportsmanship for other countires ;) i agree with how the *experts* never give the underdog teams much credit, and i really think senegal has done great this time around. (of course, the experts know much more than me, but its still a fact :p ) anyways the cup will be up for grabs for anyone this year, so it'll be an interesting tournament to watch. -B :)


p.s. i remember one brand of *crisps*when i lived in england...*walkers* i think. hey...are they still in business? i sure hope so. as soon as i go back there i'm going to buy me one and eat it....childhood memories flooding back!!!
 
go, korea, go!!!

the game hasn't started yet *only 5 more hours :rolleyes: * but I'm getting very excited. Italy is such a good team, and Korea's chances aren't looking so hot, but imagine if they win...!!! I'll tell you; you won't see a single korean in sight that won't be celebrating....including me ;) -B

and if they don't win...? well i still have the good ol brit team to cheer for :p
 
HAHAHAHHAHAHA!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

What do you think the country is doing right now? It must be chaotic! It is the right time for a revolution! ;)

/Holger

Edit: uh, sorry for the "revolution", Darren!
 
tom-ayto, tom-ato...

I have no idea why....BUT I CAN'T THINK BECAUSE KOREA WON!!!! :D Sorry the happiness will wear off soon, but right now I need to CELEBRATE!!! -B
 
Hands across the world

Yep, that was a cracking match, and a corking victory for the co-hosts. (They really went for it, didn't they?) Definitely the most exciting match of the whole thing - so far.

One of the reasons I like the World Cup (not being much of a football fan, otherwise) is because it is so well named. It's a truly global event, linking so many people together with a common purpose. It happens as a side-effect, really, but the World Cup does more to champion a global society than any number of political summits or trade agreements.

And often, by the quarter finals, it's just the Europeans and the South Americans left. This year the representation is still multi-continental. How good is that? (Almost as good as the England 3:0 win - but not quite.)

Tobytook
 
I too only watch football every two years (I watch the Euro tournament too).

It was a shame Ireland were beaten by Spain. I thought Ireland played a very good game and probably were the true winners there. Penalty shoot-outs seem so unfair sometimes.

Looking forward to a good match tomorrow.
 
ahhh!!! I can't sleep, I can't eat...until the next game. I think I have a huge soccer ball (or football) going round and round in my head right now...I'm slowly turning insane...for football!! :p -B
 
tough luck for england

and it really is too bad....I was cheering for them so much. Well...lets hope the *experts* are wrong and either senegal/turkey will beat brazil so korea can have a chance! ;) -B
 
We wuz robbed!

Well, no, we weren't really, were we?

Comprehensively outplayed, despite early inspiration from Owen and a bonkers Mexican referee who seemed to be on our side. (What was that red card all about?!) And I don't care what anyone says about team responsibility - Seaman should not have let that second goal anywhere near the net.

Thought I might find solace in a win for the USA - at least they were trying! - but that was not to be, either. Still, it was a much better game, especially when Germany's baffling substitutions payed psychological dividends - the Americans, totally confused by their opponent's tactics, decided to ignore the ref and start playing by NFL rules. Cue yellow cards and abject bewilderment for all.

The match was further enlivened (for viewers in the UK) when the ITV presenters apparently switched over to a Swedish porn channel; the commentary turned to "repeated thrusts" and "inside moves" that were "deeply penetrating". God knows what camera angle David Pleat was watching when he spoke feverishly of "a last gasp handjob on the line".

The minds of the native spectators in the crowd were also clearly on other things: they started chanting "Korea! Korea!" halfway through the second half.

What a match.

Who's left to cheer for? Oh, right - it's Korea all the way!! (And I call myself a good pro-European :eek: !)

Tobytook
 
up at 1:45 AM

If Korea doesn't score soon, I'm going to scream!!! :( I have a *bit* of insomnia, as you can see. I don't even have the channel that broadcasts it live *pretty sad, huh* so now I'm camped out at the worldcup site biting off my nails. You know, if Korea wins this game I'll be content; I'd be fine with being beaten by Germany, but I feel we need just ONE more win to make it feel complete!!! *does that even make sense?* -B

just ignore this crazy post completely....i've gone temporarily insane. I think tomorrow my signature will surely come into full effect.
 
I am very, very....*happy*. You have NO idea....Oh my god I can hear the cheering and the horn at 2:36 AM!!! I have a very strong urge to join them, if I wasn't in my pajamas looking all like a madwoman that desperately needs some SLEEP. -B



YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
 
"GRRRRRRRRRRREAT" Tony tiger would say!

Did you see the face of Kim Il Yong? He did not move a single muscle at the end ...
If I had not seen him smile during the game I would have supposed they had placed a picture there ... faking it is him ...
 
oh no! senegal didn't get through...i was hoping they would win because they're underdogs too ;) like korea. i think it'll take more than an act of god to stop brazil now. :( -B
 
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