as an aside, whats the reception toward the world cup over in the states?

Not sure until it happens (wasnt here for the last one) but people seem to be a lot more aware of it than last time. Beckham helps I guess and the fact were playing USA first game is a big deal to them, they rate us very highly, whereas we just think of them as another bum team.

US soccer has taken big steps lately, watch out

Quote from: SamNot sure until it happens (wasnt here for the last one) but people seem to be a lot more aware of it than last time. Beckham helps I guess and the fact were playing USA first game is a big deal to them, they rate us very highly, whereas we just think of them as another bum team.

Actually I think USA are a semi decent team. theyre definitely not like spains or brazils, but theyve come on a long way
Theyve got some players in the PL, Donovan, dempsey, howard, friedel, altidore etc there are a couple more but i forget who they are

While i think well win the group, the match against the USA will be the hardest and may not be a win

If we dont win Ill never hear the end of it.

Quote from: EddI myself will enjoy this world cup for what it is. A showcase for for the top footballing talent in the world, a chance to see some of the best players playing some great, or maybe not so great football, and hopefully may the best team win.

This is the sole reason I will watch games other than it being a social event - few jars with the lads and a game of football on at someones house/down the pub.

Quote from: EddAs a footnote, those people who are anti football, and those people who are english and buy those T shirts mentioned in the OP. Youre just as f**king bad as the thugs who start fights. The missing TV excuse doesnt even cut it anymore, now that on demand services like iPlayer are available. What did football ever do to you to be deserving of your wrath? You just come across as bitter twats jealous that some (most) people actually enjoy watching the sport. If you dont like it, thats fine, thats awesome, its your choice. But dont whinge at people who do like it, just keep ur mouths shut.

Agree with the first half about the tees, thats just asking for trouble, but I really dont understand how its possible to be bitter/jealous that someone likes a sport that you dont? How is it possible to take any emotional gain from liking a sport that someone else doesnt. I like watching bowls down at the green but you dont so ner! sounds a bit silly really doesnt it.

I think for most people I would hope the objection is just to the constant buzz of people/press/media talking about it 24/7. Its as annoying as Big Brother/X-Factor and exactly the same scenario of media saturation. Really anyone that has complained about either of those programmes but is calling out people in this thread for rejecting football coverage is a bit of a hypocrite.


A perfect example of annoyance at sports coverage - I was sat in the pub the other day and every single screen had Sky Sports News or some twaddle on - it wasnt even LIVE coverage! Why not have some with BBC News or music channels perhaps - who seriously wants to sit and read the same statistics over and over like its life or death news? If the results from the days games are that important you should be at home checking the internet/ceefax or whatnot.

World Cup football is bloody awesome  

Quote from: Clockd 0NeAgree with the first half about the tees, thats just asking for trouble, but I really dont understand how its possible to be bitter/jealous that someone likes a sport that you dont? How is it possible to take any emotional gain from liking a sport that someone else doesnt. I like watching bowls down at the green but you dont so ner! sounds a bit silly really doesnt it.

In my defence, i just said it comes across that way. I have no idea what peoples motivations for disliking it are, but I can comment upon how it looks to me.

For example, it seems a lot of people are unhappy about the amount of TV coverage and build up. Perhaps they are unhappy that their particular sport of choice doesnt have the same coverage, and hence jealous/bitter

Ill admit that there probably is too much coverage for the world cup, but I really like some of it. Particularly programmes like 5lives Monday night club, or the guardians Football weekly. They cover little nuances and similar things that i really really enjoy. Things like discussions and opinions......things that you would hear down the pub with your friends, except done by people with inside knowledge and first hand experience of the sport.

What bugs me about sports on swedish tellie is, there can be a nice weekly show at 8 PM every thursday (or whatever) I come and sit down to see it as usual and they have taken it out !!!! for some tennis, soccer or whatever sports coverage !!!! show it in a sports channel.

Quote from: Clockd 0NeA perfect example of annoyance at sports coverage - I was sat in the pub the other day and every single screen had Sky Sports News or some twaddle on - it wasnt even LIVE coverage! Why not have some with BBC News or music channels perhaps - who seriously wants to sit and read the same statistics over and over like its life or death news? If the results from the days games are that important you should be at home checking the internet/ceefax or whatnot.

Youve never been to a bar in the states then.

do they show cricket over there at all?

Quote from: bearWhat bugs me about sports on swedish tellie is, there can be a nice weekly show at 8 PM every thursday (or whatever) I come and sit down to see it as usual and they have taken it out !!!! for some tennis, soccer or whatever sports coverage !!!! show it in a sports channel.

Exactly.

Quote from: Edddo they show cricket over there at all?

Lol no. Youre lucky to get soccer and for that you have to go to an Irish bar.

You think they know nothing about soccer, at least they understand the rules (like kicking it in the net). Cricket they have no clue at all. Could tell them you used a tennis ball and a brick and they wouldnt know.

Quote from: Sam

Quote from: Edddo they show cricket over there at all?

Lol no. Youre lucky to get soccer and for that you have to go to an Irish bar.

Yeah for Irish pubs in the US, my regular pub was one "the starry plough"