Official 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa thread

[toef]

Originally Posted by quirkmanly

There are 80+ professional teams in England and it would not be unheard of for them to play 50 games in a season. The population of the USA is between 5 and 6 times greater than that of England.

Do you have any other apples to compare with these oranges?

If you really aren't interested in the game in it's current format (which isn't going to change during this World Cup), why even bother to post in this thread?

To be fair, I don't think he's trying to crap on soccer, he's just bringing up some alternative ideas that happen to go against the obsession some people (at least in the US) spontaneously develop whenever the World Cup rolls around, because at least in the US that seems to be when the minority of soccer fans here suddenly feel boastful that the country is paying attention to THEIR sport.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by toef

To be fair, I don't think he's trying to crap on soccer, he's just bringing up some alternative ideas that happen to go against the obsession some people (at least in the US) spontaneously develop whenever the World Cup rolls around, because at least in the US that seems to be when the minority of soccer fans here suddenly feel boastful that the country is paying attention to THEIR sport.

That is pretty much the case. Didn't mean to crap in the sport in any way. I actually do watch some of the World Cup matches every four years. I just don't believe the sport is "perfect" by any stretch as so many others seem to believe. Every sport has it's flaws. And I do think there is room for soccer to grow in the U.S. under the right circumstances.

Show me just one all-world American soccer player and I think you'd have much more of a following in the U.S. Thus far we don't have that. But overall the U.S. Men's team has steadily improved over the past 20 years so it coudl eventually happen.

[Jellybeans]

People, what are your predictions ?

[ChadFL]

Ok, here's probably a newbie question but here goes. What do individual players on the winning team get? I believe last World Cup I saw them get some sort of medals. Do they also get rings or some fixed cash amount awarded to them?

[Lord_Stewie]

Originally Posted by John72953

This group has just been blown wide open! IMO this is a huge disappointment for Mexico, but they only have themselves to blame. Where was the defense? I also don't think that Suarez is a particularly good keeper, but this tie wasn't his fault.

The great unknown right now is Uraguay....we'll soon find out what they're made of.

John

I don't think they should be blamed John. I think they got ripped off by that "offside" goal. That was a truly unfair call from the ref.

I do have to hand it to the underdog, I was cheering for them but expected them to lose by a wide margin. Instead I find myself in for a surprise.

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Isn't the English Premier League considered the top league in the world? They only average about 30K per game in that league.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/stats/a...r=2009&cc=5901

The NFL in the U.S. averages more than double that.

I honestly don't want to get into which soccer league tops the other. I think they are all good in their own ways, it just depends on what teams you cheer for.

I mostly enjoy the Spanish and the Italian Leagues, since I have teams in both leagues that I support.

[Imamuppet]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Ok, here's probably a newbie question but here goes. What do individual players on the winning team get? I believe last World Cup I saw them get some sort of medals. Do they also get rings or some fixed cash amount awarded to them?

As you already mentioned, they get medals and usually a cash bonus depending on what country and how far the team gets in the competition. The bonus is provided by that countries soccer federation (I think). The US would receive the largest team bonus for winning $20 million.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Lord_Stewie

I don't think they should be blamed John. I think they got ripped off by that "offside" goal. That was a truly unfair call from the ref.

The player was clearly off-side and it was absolutely the right call. I can understand how disheartening the call was however.

Here an explanantion of the off-side rule:

http://www.offside-ref.co.uk/laws/11...rule/detailed/

John

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Ok, here's probably a newbie question but here goes. What do individual players on the winning team get? I believe last World Cup I saw them get some sort of medals. Do they also get rings or some fixed cash amount awarded to them?

Don't quote me, but I heard the Winning Team gets 30 Million. Can someone confirm this?

[quirkmanly]

Originally Posted by John72953

Don't quote me, but I heard the Winning Team gets 30 Million. Can someone confirm this?

You're correct John. FIFA announced the prize money at the end of last year.

$9 million – Round of 16
$18 million – Quarter-finals
$20 million – Semi-finals
$24 million – Runners up
$30 million – Winners

[gvortex7]

Good first half for South Korea so far. Very poor showing by Greece. I'm just wondering, does anyone else find that incredibly loud humming background noise annoying? I can't stand it.

[gvortex7]

2-0 Korea. Beautiful goal by Jisung.

[cajmoyper]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

Good first half for South Korea so far. Very poor showing by Greece. I'm just wondering, does anyone else find that incredibly loud humming background noise annoying? I can't stand it.

I was going to ask what that is. I don't understand how the players can play with that going.

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

I was going to ask what that is. I don't understand how the players can play with that going.

I found out what it is. It's a horn (trumpet) called a vuvuzela that South African football fans often use to blow during games down there. I hate the sound of it.

This is what it looks like:

They tried banning them during the world cup, but it is quite apparent that the attempt was unsuccessful.

[gvortex7]

Congrats to S Korea. Very nice win for them, and the 3rd straight opening match for the team as well. Impressive indeed. On the contrary, it boggles my mind how on earth this Greek team won Euro 2004. They are terrible in world cups.

[PrivatePixel]

Originally Posted by gvortex7

I found out what it is. It's a horn (trumpet) called a vuvuzela that South African football fans often use to blow during games down there. I hate the sound of it.

I hate it as well (it's one of the main reasons why I don't watch MLS games)

They tried banning them during the world cup, but it is quite apparent that the attempt was unsuccessful.

In my opinion, it detracts from the game because it ruins the atmosphere. Some of the European players have been quite vocal about its removal during matches, but FIFA hasn't done a damn thing, even though they have final say.

[gvortex7]

Originally Posted by PrivatePixel

I hate it as well (it's one of the main reasons why I don't watch MLS games)


In my opinion, it detracts from the game because it ruins the atmosphere. Some of the European players have been quite vocal about its removal during matches, but FIFA hasn't done a damn thing, even though they have final say.

Absolutely. It's incredibly distracting, not to mention the fact that you'd be hard pressed to hear your team mates on the field with that noise constantly being in the background. It makes it hard to communicate with one another.

By the way, that was a gorgeous header by Heinze into the upper left corner of the Nigerian goal.

[wilky61]

I think those horns dampen the entire pace of the game and the enjoyment of watching it... there aren't really any highs and lows, no moments of anticipation and tension, there's just drone. Lotta injuries and stoppages so far... this game feels like it's gonna have 5 minutes of time added back before half. Enjoying the Argentines' movements with/to the ball, though.

[Jellybeans]

Lots of early suprises which is awesome!


How is the Weather in all the cities where they play in South Africa ?

[gvortex7]

Nigeria is pissing me off with their mediocre play. It's as if they weren't even trying to win.

[Jellybeans]

How much are tickets to assist to the World Cup ? It must be very pricey!