I'll set up a Fantasy League for the FOT, as promised, sometime in the next week.
Soccer fanatics love to tell you that soccer is the most popular game on earth and that it's played by 500 million people every day, as if that somehow proves its value. Actually, the opposite is true. Why should I care that every single citizen of Chile and Iran and Gibraltar thoughtlessly adores "football"? Do the people making this argument also assume Coca-Cola is ambrosia? Real sports aren't for everyone. And don't accuse me of being the Ugly American for degrading soccer. That has nothing to do with it. It's not xenophobic to hate soccer; it's socially reprehensible to support it. To say you love soccer is to say you believe in enforced equality more than you believe in the value of competition and the capacity of the human spirit. It should surprise no one that Benito Mussolini loved being photographed with Italian soccer stars during the 1930s; they were undoubtedly kindred spirits. I would sooner have my kid deal crystal meth than play soccer. Every time I pull up behind a Ford Aerostar with a "#1 Soccer Mom" bumper sticker, I feel like I'm marching in the wake of the Khmer Rouge.
Fuck that guy.
I have never played any sort of fontasy sports game before. What, never? No, never! I have NO idea what I am doing. FUN!
We are playing for cash, right?
Drogba also likely out. Wow.
I have never played any sort of fontasy sports game before. What, never? No, never! I have NO idea what I am doing. FUN!
We are playing for cash, right?
Yeah, and you're already down $200!
Well, that's something I'll never be able to un-see.
This too ...
[youtube]sxdkyk8-Jm4[/youtube]
Nani - OUT! (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/08/nani-out-world-cup-2010)
Let's start the predictions:
Winner: Netherlands
Most goals-Golden Boot - Van Persie (Netherlands)
Let's start the predictions:
Winner: Netherlands
Most goals-Golden Boot - Van Persie (Netherlands)
Flameout: Portugal - I say they don't advance to 2d round
Dark Horse: Mexico (final 4)
I'd be very happy to see either Spain or Holland win it. Lots of very likable players, exciting styles/chemistry. I really like Ivory Coast and Cameroon, but wouldn't predict they'd make it past the second round. Overall, I would just be happy not to see any of the Brazil/Italy/Germany monolith in the final 4 :P
Netherlands looked strong in the Mexico friendly last month.
Something tells me Spoony does not care for Uri Gellar.
Something tells me Spoony does not care for Uri Gellar.
Let's see him do that with his mind, then I'll feel threatened.
There still needs to be healthy reserves for substitutions, injuries, etc
I'm confused. You get to pick 20-odd players, and then you have to pick a starting 11. Do the other guys not count? Why bother picking so many people if only 11 count?
I'm confused. You get to pick 20-odd players, and then you have to pick a starting 11. Do the other guys not count? Why bother picking so many people if only 11 count?
After each round, you can shuffle around your 11 - for instance, you might think that Portugal will struggle against Ivory Coast in their first match, in which case you may think twice about playing Portuguese attackers, on the theory that they're going to find it hard to score. But then, in their next match they're against North Korea, who by all right they should batter, so bring out your Portuguese attackers then. Rotation!
I'm confused. You get to pick 20-odd players, and then you have to pick a starting 11. Do the other guys not count? Why bother picking so many people if only 11 count?
After each round, you can shuffle around your 11 - for instance, you might think that Portugal will struggle against Ivory Coast in their first match, in which case you may think twice about playing Portuguese attackers, on the theory that they're going to find it hard to score. But then, in their next match they're against North Korea, who by all right they should batter, so bring out your Portuguese attackers then. Rotation!
Thanks. I think I got my line up all straight now. It's a pain only allowing two players per country max.
Does the group stage count as one round, or is it each game during the group stage. So much to know.
Is Tom in on this? He seemed interested on the radio.
I'm confused. You get to pick 20-odd players, and then you have to pick a starting 11. Do the other guys not count? Why bother picking so many people if only 11 count?
After each round, you can shuffle around your 11 - for instance, you might think that Portugal will struggle against Ivory Coast in their first match, in which case you may think twice about playing Portuguese attackers, on the theory that they're going to find it hard to score. But then, in their next match they're against North Korea, who by all right they should batter, so bring out your Portuguese attackers then. Rotation!
Thanks. I think I got my line up all straight now. It's a pain only allowing two players per country max.
Does the group stage count as one round, or is it each game during the group stage. So much to know.
Is Tom in on this? He seemed interested on the radio.
There is a "Scharpling" in the group now. He is probably at Kinkos going over the Soccer Prospectus picking his team right now.
Spoony's already bent.
I'm a TV-less slob. ESPN3.com will stream all games live but my ISP is not "participating".
Has anyone here used a reliable UK proxy or VPN service to access the BBC/ITV player? Or do you know of any other way to watch the WC online? I know some of the free ad-supported sites and softwares but I'm looking for something with better quality and reliability. I'll happily pay a few bucks for a decent service.
I'm a TV-less slob. ESPN3.com will stream all games live but my ISP is not "participating".
Has anyone here used a reliable UK proxy or VPN service to access the BBC/ITV player? Or do you know of any other way to watch the WC online? I know some of the free ad-supported sites and softwares but I'm looking for something with better quality and reliability. I'll happily pay a few bucks for a decent service.
Give this a read: http://lifehacker.com/5559652/where-to-watch-world-cup-soccer-streaming-live
I don't get how this works with the league and I want to beat the hardcore soccer fans here once again... what's the point of the bench? Do I ever have to use those players?The players can be switched to let you pick players who are up against weaker teams and therefore more likely to do well.
I'm playing the fantasy game under the team name "I'd Don't Give A Rip." I love the World Cup, but I have no idea who any of the players are. Pure luck is my strategy.
Things to note about substitutions
* If you remove a player who has scored points for your team, these points will be lost. The player cannot be brought back into your team until the next round.
I like how Henry of all people just got mad about an alleged handball.
I like how Henry of all people just got mad about an alleged handball.
I now understand the rules a little better.
From the rules section:Quote
Things to note about substitutions
* If you remove a player who has scored points for your team, these points will be lost. The player cannot be brought back into your team until the next round.
Which was exactly what I was trying to do.
Since not that clay mentioned Peter Crouch, I now have to say it again. Crouchy's got his nachos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mzb5ZlTh2w
I now understand the rules a little better.
From the rules section:Quote
Things to note about substitutions
* If you remove a player who has scored points for your team, these points will be lost. The player cannot be brought back into your team until the next round.
Which was exactly what I was trying to do.
So who won?
A small point, but one thing I am enjoying about watching the games is how critical the commentators are of the players, the coachs, the play in general.
"That was a terrible cross."
"I have no idea what his plan was with that pass."
"Coach X's decision to play Player y made little sense and finally, a substitution is called."
You just don't hear this type of statement in baseball, hockey, etc...
So of course my last (of round 1) desperate attempt to advance in the FOTFF ranks backfired horribly today. I went all out on Spain v Switzerland. My two most expensive players on the pitch - David Villa and Iker Casillas. Casillas as captain too. Surely the most impressive team of the last couple of years, the reigning European champions, who'd pretty much not lost a match in three-four years, would make mincemeat out of a poor, injury-filled Swiss team? Villa, with 8 goals in the last 9 matches, would surely put away a couple against this lackluster team, while Casillas would keep a clean sheet?
Yeah. No.
So of course my last (of round 1) desperate attempt to advance in the FOTFF ranks backfired horribly today. I went all out on Spain v Switzerland. My two most expensive players on the pitch - David Villa and Iker Casillas. Casillas as captain too. Surely the most impressive team of the last couple of years, the reigning European champions, who'd pretty much not lost a match in three-four years, would make mincemeat out of a poor, injury-filled Swiss team? Villa, with 8 goals in the last 9 matches, would surely put away a couple against this lackluster team, while Casillas would keep a clean sheet?
Yeah. No.
I had David Villa too, and Fabregas, who didn't even play. Grr.
Believe it or nuts, but the Swedish avant/electronica composer Håkan Lidbo was just commissioned by Swedish public radio P2 (a channel playing mostly classical music) to compose a piece for vuvuzela. It's gonna be three minutes long, and it's supposed to be done by next week. I'll be sure to link to it when it premieres.
A small point, but one thing I am enjoying about watching the games is how critical the commentators are of the players, the coachs, the play in general.
"That was a terrible cross."
"I have no idea what his plan was with that pass."
"Coach X's decision to play Player y made little sense and finally, a substitution is called."
You just don't hear this type of statement in baseball, hockey, etc...
Congrats En-ger-land! You deserve this:
So, on the top half of the bracket, Brazil has a fairly clear path to the finals. Who are they going to meet there out of Argentina, Germany, and Spain? My heart says Argentina, but my head says Germany. I would love to see Maradona and Messi's madcap style rewarded over the more measured approach of the other teams. But, I fear that Argentina's defense will not be able to stand up to Spain or Germany.
The Netherlands have played very well against some fairly decent opponents, but I don't think they could beat any of the big four left in the competition. I haven't seen them dominate the play as much as Germany or even Spain. There was an interesting article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/jun/29/world-cup-letter-from-netherlands (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/jun/29/world-cup-letter-from-netherlands)) in The Guardian about the team. that being said, it would be great to see them upset Brazil, but I don't see that happening.
Spain has done very well, but their success seems mainly due to David Villa. If he has an off night, Torres hasn't shown yet if he can step up in this tournament.
I agree about Germany, they have been very exciting to watch. Dynamic offense, organized defending, and youth have made them so different than the German teams of old. Not to mention the fact that their best player is a 20 year old of Turkish ancestry.
Here's my ranking of the 8 teams left, based on how they've played in the World Cup only:
1. Germany
2. Argentina
3. Brazil
4. Spain
5. Netherlands
6. Uruguay (the Forlan/Suarez tag team have produced some beautiful goals)
7. Ghana
8. Paraguay
"The Hand of God now belongs to me. Mine is the real Hand Of God," said Suárez. "I made the best save of the tournament. Sometimes in training I play as a goalkeeper so it was worth it. There was no alternative but for me to do that and when they missed the penalty I thought 'It is a miracle and we are alive in the tournament'.
"Now we are in the semi-finals although I was very sad because no one likes to be sent off. The celebration afterwards was impressive, but very quiet because nobody gave us a chance but, with courage, we move forward."
Wes vs. Martin in the real final. How's everyone betting?
(Also, Spain will face Holland in some secondary contest.)
Wes vs. Martin in the real final. How's everyone betting?An American v. a European in football? Is this even a serious question?
Nobody cares about that.
I don't want to call myself a hero...so if somebody else wants to go ahead and do that, I would appreciate it.
I enjoyed following the tournament and perhaps now, I will continue to follow the sport, year round. I have tried before and failed, in essence by being overwhelmed with info. Is there an easy way to keep up with the relevant events of the sport, i.e. an essential podcast, a website with good 'general' articles/updates ??
It has also been suggested that it is best simply to pick an English Premier League team and follow them.
I enjoyed following the tournament and perhaps now, I will continue to follow the sport, year round. I have tried before and failed, in essence by being overwhelmed with info. Is there an easy way to keep up with the relevant events of the sport, i.e. an essential podcast, a website with good 'general' articles/updates ??
It has also been suggested that it is best simply to pick an English Premier League team and follow them.
Martin and I enjoy the twice-weekly podcast from the Guardian. Hope you like puns.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/series/footballweekly
I use Netvibes and have a big wall 'o soccer feeds/widgets that keep me up to speed -
Liverpool fan CutOut?
I would recommend Liverpool for the emotional ups and downs they've given fans over the years
Avoid Manchester City, Chelsea and Man Utd.
I'm still impressed that you guys can keep up with this stuff. Adding Spain, Germany, and Italy to the mix as well as Champions League and Europa Cup makes my brain hurt.
Wes vs. Martin in the real final. How's everyone betting?An American v. a European in football? Is this even a serious question?
Not just an American. The American.
Congratulations: Wes.
I don't want to call myself a hero...so if somebody else wants to go ahead and do that, I would appreciate it.
My friend's three-year-old watching the World Cup: "Daddy, why don't those girls pick up the ball and throw it?"
I love the World Cup. I've adjusted to the significant possibility of a 0-0 tie in any particular game, I've adjusted to an enormous field and to long stretches where it seems like nothing happens.
What I will never adjust to is grown men faking injuries and being rewarded for it (cf. Honduras' entire strategy yesterday, and "Italy"). Flopping is justly called out, fined and ridiculed in the NBA, almost does not exist in American football - soccer needs a Reformation.