OT - World Cup

[michaelward]

The isolation is probably what has made the USA such a powerful country, as it is influenced only to a minimal degree by outside events.

Although I think this is slowly changing since 9/11



Michael Ward
http://www.exosoftwebdesign.co.uk (soon)
http://www.leythers.co.uk
http://www.metalandplastics.co.uk

[dk_art]

"hell, I even like that game on ice where the dudes are sweeping with brooms to guide a big rock."

Hehe .... it's called curling [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] ....... why's it called curling [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img] [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

Don't forget the dudettes ... curling's very popular for women and is on tv here as much as men's curling (from what I've seen when I have access to a tv)


I was thinking, we really need a general forum on these boards where people can just gab about stuff without feeling like their interupting a specific forum. Just a thought.

David K ... www.dkingdesign.com http://www.dkingdesign.com/stuff/signature.jpg

[michaelward]

The Xara Cafe... the forum for just natting



Michael Ward
http://www.exosoftwebdesign.co.uk (soon)
http://www.leythers.co.uk
http://www.metalandplastics.co.uk

[dalel]

I have to agree with your assessment of US sports.
Our most popular sports were invented here.

Basketball and baseball are probably the most televised sports in the US, because they play the most games every season, NOT because they are the most popular. I used to like both when I was younger and played them, but I can't stand to watch them now. I get sooooooooo bored. I believe American football is the most watched and popular game in the US, both college and professional.

Hockey was not popular in the US for many years, and was no more than a novelty, but it has become far more popular now. The Colorado Avalanche, the Stanley Cup winnner last year, is our local hockey team, and they have a huge following in Denver.(Denver is a fanatic sports city) I've been to a few games, though the tickets are horrendously expensive(About 30 English pounds for a cheap seat!) The arena is always full, just like the Broncos, our pro football team, and both stadiums have been consistently sold out season after season.

I wonder if you have season-tickets for your football. Here, many people hold season-tickets for the pro hockey and pro football games, and that guarantees them the same seat for every home game except playoff games.

I once had a problem with any sport where the score could stay at 0 - 0 for almost the entire match, but hockey has accustomed me to that characteristic. Low scoring can make any game boring. It takes time to understand and appreciate good defense(if the offenses are performing well). Low scoring still bothers me, though, and I will likely change channels if any game goes on too long without any score.

Maybe there is hope for soccer in the US. Soccer has become a *very* popular sport in US schools in recent years. ESPN shows games at regular intervals. I cannot enjoy soccer games unless it's women playing. Our US Olympic women's soccer team made soccer much more popular in the US than it had been for years, and many of those playing soccer in the schools in the US are girls. I feel that women use more strategy and finesse, and since they lack the brute strength and speed of men, the scores are a bit higher, which makes for a more interesting game. Or maybe I just like to watch sweaty athletic cuties running around on grass in shorts! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

IMO, soccer probably won't become popular here in the US, until our own men's team becomes a real competitor on the world stage.

Dale

Why, I’m afraid I can’t explain myself, sir, because I’m not myself, you know...
- Lewis Carroll

[This message was edited by Dale Landry on June 02, 2002 at 13:51.]

[dalel]

BTW, there is a World Cup match being shown live on a major US TV network(ABC) as I type this: England vs. Sweden.

This match would have not been televised on a major network 10 years ago. It would have only been televised had one of the teams been the US team.

Dale

Why, I’m afraid I can’t explain myself, sir, because I’m not myself, you know...
- Lewis Carroll

[Gaussian]

I love the way soccer unites countries and it's simple if you want to play it too: create something round and take 4 objects that mark the goal posts. That's probably the reason why it's so popular in poor countries too and love to watch these African teams playing better each year. See, sports like baseball, hockey, basketball, American football and so many other ones, nice sports, but hey, what's to fun to call yourself world- or olympic champion in these sports if only a few countries are playing it [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

[michaelward]

I think you've found the universal appeal of soccer - anybody can play it, from kids in poor countries to kids in richer countries, it doesn't matter. It's easy to setup, its easy to play - people associate morewith a sport if they've palyed it, so Soccer is on a winner there.



Michael Ward
http://www.exosoftwebdesign.co.uk (soon)
http://www.leythers.co.uk
http://www.metalandplastics.co.uk