2016 Copa América Centenario / UEFA Euro

[notahomer]

I know the Germans had a strong game but I think there will be the home turf (I know its not "HOME") but they are the closest left, Argentinians who pull out the win. I hope its not a 1-0 game but I guess we'll see....

[TheLionKing]

Wonder what type of bet the current and former pope got going. Current pope is Argentinian and former pope Benedek is German

[Toppy Vann]

I know the Germans had a strong game but I think there will be the home turf (I know its not "HOME") but they are the closest left, Argentinians who pull out the win. I hope its not a 1-0 game but I guess we'll see....

My sense is Germany as Messi can't do it alone.

[TheLionKing]

More frustration for the home nation as Netherlands shut out Brazil 3-0 claim 3rd place.

[Toppy Vann]

More frustration for the home nation as Netherlands shut out Brazil 3-0 claim 3rd place.

Netherlands post game statements said they came to play and if you watched Robben at all or know of him - that's one passionate player who doesn't suffer team mates not going full out, flat out always.

They arrived and walked the field (as I saw) and Robben led the way. That is a World Cup tradition that you see players do pre-game there and in other games that are huge.

They looked ready and instead of emptying their bench (still good guys there) they signalled they wanted to play. Haven't heard any stories but the Brazil collapse here in Hong Kong is suspicious to the Chinese gamblers - go figure they'd see the conspiracy. It is possible at that level. I'd like to know where the Brazil back line play as the top stars with lots of cash likely won't take bribes.

[TheLionKing]

Germany becomes the 1st European nation to win the World Cup in South America winning 1-0 in extra time. I was driving down Commercial after grocery shopping and the street was practically deserted. Coffee shops and bars had people standing outside watching the game.

[Toppy Vann]

Germany becomes the 1st European nation to win the World Cup in South America winning 1-0 in extra time. I was driving down Commercial after grocery shopping and the street was practically deserted. Coffee shops and bars had people standing outside watching the game.

I was fairly confident that the Germans would do it. Messi can't do it alone and while the Argies back line was good - it was a matter of when.

[Sir Purrcival]

At least it was a good goal and not decided by Penalty kicks. Still another less than offensively minded game. 1-0 with few chances. I don't think I will ever truly understand the adoration of this game. It can be entertaining but there are too many long moments of nothing punctuated by some occasional exciting plays and even fewer brilliant plays.

Couple that with allegations of corruption by FIFA and I don't see a beautiful game. I see a boring one. It's one saving grace in my mind is it's a game within reach of most nations regardless of wealth. By the way, anyone know when the World Cup was last won by either a non-euro team or South American team? Oh yeah, that would be never so it is a little anti climatic from the get go. A handful of nations have won it multiple times and then a smattering of teams winning it once.

[notahomer]

At least it was a good goal and not decided by Penalty kicks. Still another less than offensively minded game. 1-0 with few chances. I don't think I will ever truly understand the adoration of this game. It can be entertaining but there are too many long moments of nothing punctuated by some occasional exciting plays and even fewer brilliant plays.

Couple that with allegations of corruption by FIFA and I don't see a beautiful game. I see a boring one. It's one saving grace in my mind is it a game within reach of most nations regardless of wealth. By the way, anyone know when the World Cup was last one by either a non-euro team or South American team? Oh yeah, that would be never so it is a little anti climatic from the get go. A handful of nations have won it multiple times and then a smattering of teams winning it once.

I agree completely regarding being baffled as to the beatiful game. I realize though that many people have similar opinions about my favourite sport: Canadian Football....

[Sir Purrcival]

True enough.

[TheLionKing]

At least it was a good goal and not decided by Penalty kicks. Still another less than offensively minded game. 1-0 with few chances. I don't think I will ever truly understand the adoration of this game. It can be entertaining but there are too many long moments of nothing punctuated by some occasional exciting plays and even fewer brilliant plays.

Couple that with allegations of corruption by FIFA and I don't see a beautiful game. I see a boring one. It's one saving grace in my mind is it's a game within reach of most nations regardless of wealth. By the way, anyone know when the World Cup was last won by either a non-euro team or South American team? Oh yeah, that would be never so it is a little anti climatic from the get go. A handful of nations have won it multiple times and then a smattering of teams winning it once.

I too can't understand the preoccupation with soccer. Can't stand all the diving and fake injuries. Can't understand the "stoppage" time. Why can't they use a stop watch like other sports ? Clock stops when there's an injury etc.

[KnowItAll]

At least it was a good goal and not decided by Penalty kicks. Still another less than offensively minded game. 1-0 with few chances. I don't think I will ever truly understand the adoration of this game. It can be entertaining but there are too many long moments of nothing punctuated by some occasional exciting plays and even fewer brilliant plays.

Couple that with allegations of corruption by FIFA and I don't see a beautiful game. I see a boring one. It's one saving grace in my mind is it's a game within reach of most nations regardless of wealth. By the way, anyone know when the World Cup was last won by either a non-euro team or South American team? Oh yeah, that would be never so it is a little anti climatic from the get go. A handful of nations have won it multiple times and then a smattering of teams winning it once.

I too can't understand the preoccupation with soccer. Can't stand all the diving and fake injuries. Can't understand the "stoppage" time. Why can't they use a stop watch like other sports ? Clock stops when there's an injury etc.

one must realize that they do not have the ankle support of hockey skates and taped up football shoes. It is easy for them to twist an ankle which can hurt like hell for a few minutes then be okay. Same with a kick in the shins, or groin.

Granted, I never played tackle ball, but I hurt myself, temporarily, a lot more per hour played of soccer, than I ever did in touch or flag football. Even when blocking was allowed.

Not saying there isn't some diving and faking, just like there is in hockey, or when receivers try to draw a phantom PI. Most of it is not.

[South Pender]

I absolutely agree with you guys who wonder how soccer can be described as "the beautiful game." Personally, I find it boring to watch--as so aptly described by Sir Purrcival. As a kid, I played soccer, rugby, and football. I got out of soccer as soon as I could and would have gone all in on football had our school not cancelled the program, forcing us all to play rugby, which, as it turned out, I really enjoyed. When I think about it, I think one of the best things about football, from the viewpoint of the spectator, is that once play starts, just about anything can happen, including some moments of really high excitement. We get a chance to anticipate this with every play. In soccer, on the other hand, there those long periods of nothing that Sir Purrcival mentioned.

Still, there's a lot to be said for soccer (even if I hate watching it!). It is a more egalitarian sport than football and hockey, both of which require large expenditures by the parents of kids playing the sport and, at least with hockey, parents who are willing to get up at 5:00 a.m. to get their kids to practice. Anyone, theoretically, can play soccer, and all that's really required are a field and ball (I'm ignoring shoes and shin pads, etc., but they're pretty small change compared to football and hockey gear). And it's truly international, which I like. Another big factor now, at least in my mind, is that soccer is a sport that won't lead to concussions (and the later resulting dementia), lifelong knee problems (largely premature osteoarthritis), and a host of other injuries that plague football particularly. If my kids were young today, I'd probably steer them away from football--given all the new medical and technical knowledge that is now available--and I'm glad that my two grandsons play soccer, rather than football.

[WestCoastJoe]

Growing up in North America I tend to share the view of "soccer" as being boring. However, more and more I do appreiciate it for the beauty it does have. I think this started with Pele in North America. And then Zinedine Zidane and France winning the World Cup. Zinedine is the most skilled, amazing player I have ever seen. Yes, yes ... the head butt.



One other thing, in N.A. we are used to fast food. Lots of scoring. Lots of actions. Heroic, physical play. Those elements are missing in soccer.

But I understand that in casinos people get large dopamine bursts when they get a "surprise" jackpot. That is the kick that gets them to keep on putting in the coins. I guess there is some of that in soccer. Rare scorres. Huge dopamine burst when they happen. LOL

[Toppy Vann]

I played and coached soccer mostly on winning teams from Grade 5 and won a Provincial Cup and Mainland Cup as a 12 year old - team never quite regained that top form after that but it was a good team. Played and coached as an adult but I also played football which coincided with the soccer season but never had a game exactly at the same time. Once I had to go from morning soccer to afternoon football but so young it was not a factor for fatigue. As an adult my mens' teams were mostly good but I did get into several turnaround situations and got several teams promoted - one to Premier and I know the game from coaching sessions and clinics and having former pros on my team and coaching with a former Scottish pro player and coach.

BUT I have never understood how they labelled soccer the beautiful game other than those who in the moment (or Pele's book title) felt that a game was played that way on the day.

I dislike the diving and hate the term "simulation" - it's basically just one real term that applies and that is cheating. Cheating on the rules and the sportsmanship that is supposed to be in the game.

For a time the term "professional foul" cropped up as players hauled down someone about to score. That term has for the most part not been seen since the RED card rule if you foul someone like that.

That was a rough final that I'd like to have seen played without the bad tackling for fouls but even these pros do that as they get it done to them. You don't see the classy players doing this. The shirt pulling in the box on corner kicks and grabbing was let go and even late in the game as the ref didn't want to determine the outcome BUT they could and the risks are not worth it.

On corners the tugging and grabbing would be eliminated if the top teams went back to combining zone - man marking on corners - now in WC it's all one on one. Put one or two players on the posts. I put two on posts. Some teams cover one post - near post to corner and some back only. I like both. This cuts down the goal size. I like my big defenders on the 6 yard line facing out and keeping clear the 6 yard area for the GK who can out reach any opponent with his hands but can't get there if his on team is in front of him. I don't know why these WC teams abandoned the short corners as the shirt holding was brutal such that they couldn't outjump defenders.

I have always coached and taught men that "There is absolutely nothing professional about fouling an opponent." That just makes your failure to be in the right position to cover or your own failings to do what you needed to do within the rules. Don't embarrass yourself and the team by making it worse. The second part of this teaching is to "Make that player who beat you have to finish and score!" I operate on the reality that even pros standing with an open net miss! Last night the German player headed the ball back to an Argie standing offside behind the central defender and he missed!!!! Had the defender tripped him for a PK - Argentina would NOT have missed.

A great book on sport philosophy is Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson where he says simply something like: Play hard. Play fair. Play now.

He teaches respect for the game and the rules, your opponent, your team mates and yourself. I think he has it right.

In the end it's a game.

The Netherlands wanted that 3rd place. Arjen Robben and his team mates walked the field before the game in their civvies just like they'd have done in the final as players in soccer always do at that level! Messi (who I like) showed a bit of disdain for his second place medal and took it off before being filmed with it coming down the stairs. He's not a bad guy I don't think but it was not a good sign.

The Germans were all class post game as they were with Brazil. Making a channel for the Argentina team was world class like the game they played yesterday and the team they seem to be this year.

Make no mistake about soccer though. It is the ONE sport you can go anywhere in the world and talk to pretty much any sports fan and find someone who likes the teams you do or your opponents. China, Hong Kong - all south east Asia are huge fans of soccer. The pro teams will no doubt be here in this region in July August as this is a huge market for jerseys, etc. The subway in HK yesterday was full of shirts - mostly German as has been seen for some time. Shopping malls run and re-running the games here with elaborate stage set ups with some being TV audiences before live matches.

I was in Costa Rica on business some years ago when my friend was in the office renting a car and I ventured to the back where Man United shirted staff on lunch were watching a game from the EPL. Instantly there was something for us to talk about as they and I were Man U fans.