[Langley968]

Just came back from Brazil, where the preparations for the 2014 World Cup was a major conversation topic.

* the stadiums are all behind schedule

* the airports will be a concern in some cities

* accomodation in certain cities will not meet demand

* public transportation upgrades may not get done in time



and yet...



* the biggest concern for the Brazilians is whether the "boys from Brazil" will be able to pull off a home win (their recent games have NOT been very impressive)

* the biggest fear is that neighbouring Argentina( currently with the #1 player in the world - Messi) may come over and ruin the party!!!

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[craigawoodman]

And here I was thinking you were talking about Rugby Union - the game played in heaven.



Soccer - the only game where you cannot touch the ball. Isn't having thumbs and being able to grip and manipulate items what sets humans apart from animals. Hopefully the Italians will not be taking the same acting classes that they always do and if someone comes within 1 foot of them they are writhing around in agony on the ground until the penalty is given. Full contact soccer - now that might be worthwhile watching.

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[tamathumper]

Where's the part about a beautiful game? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/popcorn.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Ryan]

It's U of K vs U of L this weekend in New Orleans final 4 game.

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[ds968]

[quote name='craigawoodman' timestamp='1333022577' post='124047'] Full contact soccer - now that might be worthwhile watching.[/quote]. There IS such a thing, it's called Calcio Antico , and ironically it's played in Italy.. it's a mix of soccer, rugby, MMA cage fighting and among other things biting is also allowed ( Mike Tyson might be recruited, lol )

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[lbpesq]

Sorry, but "The Beautiful Game" can only refer to baseball, the truly perfect game. 'nuff said. PLAY BALL!



Bill

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[Langley968]

Ah... that "old school / old man" American ressistance to the world wide truth about which sport truly is "Tthe Beautiful Game"!!!



I knew this post would get some blood boiling! That's good <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/excl.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



History lesson for my American friends: last time the World Cup was played in Brazil (1950), the USA went as a "long shot" with a bunch of amatuer players and defeated the "mighty" English side. It is still considered by some as the greatest upset in World Cup history! There is a book and a movie called "The Game of Their Lives".

Here is a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_v_U...ates_(1950)

Calling on the international contingent of this Forum to SPEAK UP and STAND UP! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/icon_lol1.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='craigawoodman' timestamp='1333022577' post='124047']

Soccer - the only game where you cannot touch the ball. Isn't having thumbs and being able to grip and manipulate items what sets humans apart from animals. [/quote]



Craig,



As usual, you've nailed it on the head (imho, anyway). But this is one of those arguments that has no resolution. Everyone has a favorite sport, and compelling arguments as to why theirs is the "best" one. Oh, well, it can still be fun to watch...

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[ds968]

Team sports



Baseball = watching paint dry, and also not a sport ( similar to golf or billiards; some skill, but athleticism not required )

Basketball = very little difference to above in terms of watching paint dry

Rugby = manly sport, entertaining to watch

Football = close to rugby, but a bit more wimpy ( pads and all that...)

Hockey = same as rigby, but faster and more exciting to watch



Soccer - the only true phenomenal game in every respect ( other than the acting "dives", lol ) . No debates allowed, others' opinions to the contrary are irrelevant :-) :-)

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[craigawoodman]

How can soccer be a truely phenomenal game when most of it has nothing about trying to score and when someone scores it is usually about 15 seconds of play. There is usually little build up, just one kick and goal. In Rugby (either Rugby League or Rugby Union) there is constant play and sometimes length of the field tries. If I was to relate watching a sport to watching grass growing or paint drying, soccer would be right up there with cricket.



Now Women's Beach Volleyball - now that is a game.

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[Rap]

Ever try to hit a curve ball? Ever wonder why so few golfers ever make the pro circuit? Ever watch Peyton or Brady check off at the line based a a subtle nuance or spread they read? Not everything is brute. I agree some of these sports can be tough or boring to watch but how can you not have the appreciation for the degree of ability of those athletes who play pro sports!

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[ds968]

rap, I did not say there is no skill involved, just the stretch of the term " athletes " for the majority of the players , and the excitement of watching a sport where the action amounts to several minutes out of a thre or four hour span



women beach volleyball - yes abosutely great sport ( and the athletes to watch.. )



craig, this " most of it has nothing about trying to score and when someone scores it is usually about 15 seconds of play. There is usually little build up, just one kick and goal. " is the exact opposite of what the game is all about -

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[Scott Collins]

Great topic! Having played all of the sports listed (except women's volleyball...) I can say that they are all great. Love golf too, and I would says it's a sport, but in a different way. Played lots of soccer in high school. I enjoyed that greatly, even with a total idiot coach who knew nothing about the game except to play the kids who spoke spanish.



But one was the clear winner in wearing me out. Hockey. Nothing has ever come close. I'm not sure if any sport really takes as much out of you as hockey. I played rugby, but not in a league, so I could be a bit ignorant of that, I admit. And maybe water polo would be pretty tiring, but I'v never played it.

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[ds968]

ha, i knew this would wind everyone up,

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[ds968]

Ha, I knew this would wind everyone up, we're as passionate about "our own" sports and ready to trash-talk some other sports , as we are about 968s.. except with 968s we all seem to share the passion , not so much with sports. Hmm, I wonder what other topic on the lifestyle section can get this kind of rise out of us.. politics most certainly, religion ( we probably don't really want to touch that.. ), race relations, and...what else ? Can't think of anything at the moment

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[Rap]

Scott I had the same experience in soccer! I'm 55. DS I'm sure we can find something!! Lol

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[Chris Vais]

I played a lot of baseball in high school and college and after, initially as a pitcher and eventually as a 3rd baseman. When I was pitching, there was no such thing as a middle reliever nor was there a closer. It was not unusual to throw 120 or more pitches in a game, very tiring. I love watching baseball, having played it I appreciate the strategy of the game and enjoy watching it.

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[tamathumper]

Some time ago we had a discussion at work about what constitutes a sport, and we came up with some pretty good guidelines (we thought). For instance, a sport may be officiated, but if it's judged then it's not a sport and qualifies as a "competition". So, basketball would be a sport, and gymnastics or figure skating would not.



It also requires an offensive and defensive component, which opponents are engaged in at once or alternately, and no animals. So soccer is a sport, and horse racing is not.



There are some great curve balls, though, to each rule. Golf? Some say yes, but there's no defense. Curling? Croquet? Karate? Archery?



I don't think we agreed on much, but it made for an hour of lively discussion. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[ds968]

A subcategory is sports you enjoy playing but have little or no interest in them as a spectator.. Seems like a contradictory statement, but in my case there are several : ( and for this purpose let's just use the term sport in the broadest possible sense ) :

baseball, golf, karate , cycling, pool ( billiards,), bowling , come to mind...



And a separate subcategory : sports which we prefer to watch live vs on tv ( not talking about opportunity or convenience , let's assume you have all the time and all the money and you're a minute away from the stadium, arena , etc ) . I would still prefer TV

for most of the sports I enjoy watching , with exception of hockey, polo, formula 1 , which I would much rather see in person.

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[Scott Collins]

There is definitely defense in golf, but only in match play.

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