world cup.. from an american with no horse in race

Appreciated. I know most of that but still, good post.

Addressing popularity, the US has no football tradition and has never produced a player that is good enough for the mediocre clubs in Europe. Well I think, once, a player called Ernie Steward, he played for a team that sometimes finishes 10th in the Netherlands, Willem II. But other than that the nation has had no contact with football. Forgive me if I use the actual term, Im not going to call America “the great Satan” just because some Arabs cal it that either.

Football is a team sport defined by individual skills, like basketball but a lot more rich and interesting.
This has little to do with the atmosphere we feel around games - that your American football can definitely produce. I see American football as a congregation of communities, as real football is in South America. In terms of the variety in athletic feats, I find it limited. Running fast holding a ball in your hand is not that impressive to me - taking American sports I find hockey a lot more impressive. Of all American sports thats the form that I admire, it allows for fast combinations like football, it requires quick witted reorganizations initiated by the payers themselves, much more tactics come up in the moment.

Its pointless to try to deny that American football is a cool game to be involved in - I can see ho it mobilizes communities and how it gets very tense with nice violent resolutions. But I still find it a lot less interesting than football, which Ill admit is boring often enough.
Yet the difficulty of scoring a goal is what makes the game so rich - scoring a goal is almost like inventing the wheel, it demands a lot of creativity.

Probably this is just a matter of background.

More people care about football in the USA only, the rest of the world is silly for soccer.

…although American football has taken off big-time here (nfluk.com/tickets/index.html) it is not our national sport, but it does draw the crowds and has an ever-growing fan base.

Does it make you feel at home, MR?

PK: "so, after some research, I am predicting Germany to win it…

what are your thoughts?"

Der: I think you are wrong. (Wink/smiley face)

Magsj, I always feel at home no matter where I am.

That was fantastic. I think it’s the first time ever the Germans went out in the group phase.

Certainly didn’t expect that one. Excellent tournament. Did you see the Messi goal? Poetry in motion!

You simply just dislike Football, as opposed to American Football? your strong dislike of Football was saying to me otherwise.

Immersive experiences of the un-experienced are not your thing? and I don’t mean bedding a different ethnicity female to you…

I will have to watch that in the hi-lights… I’ve missed the last few days of matches due to an excess need to sleep #-o

K: well, that certainly didn’t go the way I thought it would…

UMMMMMMMMMM

I will wait until after those fine Brits face Belgium this afternoon
to decide… but I really have only Brazil to fall back upon…
as far as favorities go…

it really is anyone’s tournment at this point…

Kropotkin

Im glad he came through for these awesome people that traveled along, they were singing en full masse the whole time they were down, no other match had that kind of atmosphere so far. I started out supporting Nigeria but being impartial the passion of these Argentinians despite their idiotic coach convinced me of their rights in the tournament.

Croatia would be my pick. They don’t have any real defects and offensive they’ve alway impressed me.

Just watched the France-Argentina game and it was an excellent
game……. I think that France just wanted it more and had more
heart then Argentina and that is why France won…….

It looked to me like Messi kind of gave up after the 80th minute.

He really didn’t play a very good world cup at all and he will
be critized for it and he should be…

Now, can France win? Maybe if the draw works out
but they have the heart to win it, but will the talent follow?

Kropotkin

Since we’re out, I’m rooting for Croatia. They are the best slavic team anyways, they always were. But I don’t think they can compete with Brazil which looks like destined to win this world cup. Here are my predictions:

Semis:
Brazil - France
Croatia - Switzerland

Finals:
Brazil - Switzerland

Final ranking:

  1. Brazil
  2. Switzerland
  3. France
  4. Croatia

Let’s see how wrong I am.

There you go. Spaniards are out (thanks Akinfeev) and so Croatia’s path can’t be easier now.

Belgium was lucky as sin to win that game…

Japan really should have won it… never discount luck
in any sport…

Kropotkin

ok, the UK-Sweden game is now in the 66 minute and the Brits are up
2-0… the thing about this game has been how fast it has been, and by
that I mean, both teams really drive the ball… and are very quick in doing
so……the speed of both teams is the best of any game I have seen so far…
also the English keeper has made a couple of really good saves…

going to work shortly…

Kropotkin

ok, game over, UK wins……

two things impressed me, first the team speed of England and
the overall team defense… the english lads have a real chance to win
this thing…

Kropotkin

The entire country has taken to the streets… the chanting drifting on the breeze, and this time, no siren after siren after siren, for the next few hours… unlike the night of the previous match we played.

I spoke too soon… the sirens are approaching.

Can they not celebrate in peace? and yet still… horns tooting, fireworks going off, and a dog starts barking, but the cheering doesn’t seem to ever stop.

My condolences, Mags. Croatia is too good for you . . .