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Neilster -> RE: 2006 World Soccer Championships in Germany (7/10/2006 4:19:01 PM)
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I couldn't work out how Henry was nearly knocked unconscious by such an innocuous bump. I've had worse trying to get to the bar at the pub.
And it was amazing how Zidane's head-butt to the chest managed to knock Marco Materazzi completely off his feet, like he'd been hit by an elephant gun from 20 paces. Materazzi was the chief wounded-look, shrugged shoulders, wild gesticulation, annoying bastard in the Italian team and I'm surprised Zidane didn't give it to him right on the shnoz. The head-butt to the chest didn't do any damage, except to French hopes.
Every World Cup is the same. Most of the interesting games are in the early rounds where there is positive football and plenty of scoring, especially from long range. But then the teams with attacking flair, often African, are mostly bundled out by a combination of professionalism, solid defence and "big team" decisions by the referees. Thus, the finals are packed with highly disciplined teams with excellent defences, often leading to "thrilling" 0-0 results after 120 minutes. Don't get me wrong, these games are often very tactically interesting but some actual goals would help the spectacle. On top of this, the entire affair is lousy with diving cheats who often scam victory, despite endless FIFA assurances about stamping out simulation.
I watched a game of Australian Rules football between two bottom teams after really enjoying the first week of the World Cup and I was struck by what a great game I was seeing. Both sides were absolutely desperate, there was a relentless pace, it was physical, athletic and there was regular scoring. An international version of this would be incredible.
Football (soccer) fans in Australia often denigrate Aussie Rules by saying "Who cares? No other countries play it". Well, there's a reason for that. It was invented here and no-one else had much exposure to it. Also it is beginning to be played in other countries anyway. Its lack of international profile doesn't mean it isn't a wonderful game. Australians have had over a century of exposure to soccer but have overwhelmingly preferred to watch Aussie Rules and both forms of Rugby.
High class International Rugby is a phenomenal thing to watch. No simulation there: just strength, toughness, speed and skill. It must attract a different breed of Frenchman and Argentinean because they have national teams with proud records. In Rugby Union, Rugby League and Aussie Rules, athletes regularly play on with broken bones, punctured lungs etc. It's just part of the culture and when you are used to seeing that, a footballer who flings himself metres through the air before rolling half a dozen times and writhing around in apparent agony for several minutes, only to subsequently run off like nothing happened, is extremely hard to take.
I do enjoy "the beautiful game" but I just wish there was a little more stoicism, tempo and scoring and less Academy Award performances and useless chipping around of the ball at the back. Of course by the time the next World Cup rolls around, I'll have forgotten much of this and will be looking forward to it again. Although everyone's going to get mugged in South Africa. My ex girlfriend had been there for ten minutes before she was nearly raped by two black guys. Nice joint. I think I'll watch it on telly.
Cheers, Neilster
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