# 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 10, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677 "2010-06-10T17:32:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![The\_Understander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/221 "2010-06-12T21:28:19Z")
We didn’t lose! We didn’t lose! We … ugh… doesn’t scan. Ah well, cheers to a slippery ball gaining the USA a draw and not an 8-0 beat down. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/222 "2010-06-12T21:38:08Z")
> [@Enfant Terrible](#): > > We didn’t lose! We didn’t lose! We … > > ugh… doesn’t scan. > > Ah well, cheers to a slippery ball gaining the USA a draw and not an 8-0 beat down. Your team is horribly outmatched and is expected to be swept. The team manages to force a game 7. Are you pleased with how the series has gone so far? I’m guessing we agree, or you’re going to lie about it. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/223 "2010-06-12T21:58:43Z")
I thought a good game for the USA, and a decent but slightly disappointing game for England. USA had some good chances in the first (especially in the air) and one or two in the second (including one off the post!) with a big error by England’s keeper, while England also has some chances but put all their shots except one or two right into Howard’s chest (he played solidly, but no real tough saves). If this was scored by judges, I had USA slightly winning the first half, and England winning the second by just a little more. Maybe 11-9 at the end. Nobody could have complained had the final score been one goal either way. Which is, depending on how the rest of the Cup goes, a step up for the USA, from “Can occasionally challenge the big guys, but basically third rate” to “Solidly competitive class, if not a first rate favorite” ---
**Author:** ![abbeytxs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@abbeytxs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abbeytxs)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/224 "2010-06-12T22:11:06Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Yes, sorry. The apostrophe is used to denote feet, so I assumed… Why does it matter what time the foul was called? Thanks for the info, as well, **Rysto**. I have no idea why it matters what time the foul was called or the goal was scored. I’ve just always seen it done that way. Hopefully, someone will come along and enlighten us soon. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/225 "2010-06-12T22:14:22Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Why does it matter what time the foul was called? Thanks for the info, as well, **Rysto**. It’s not of any significance, except perhaps analytically: “That yellow card must have taken the shine off the goal they scored 2 mins earlier” “Oh, that’s why they subbed that player: he got a yellow card very early in the game [so there was a high risk of a second yellow and being sent off]” And so on. * * * For me more embarrassing than Green’s error was ITV’s “live” streaming service. Low-res, clunky interface, and frequently would cut out altogether (and then have the cheek to show ads again). Anyone know a good, free site to stream the (non-BBC) games? ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/226 "2010-06-12T22:27:23Z")
I listened to some of the game on AM ESPN radio. There was a constant buzzing, humming sound going on throughout the game that was pretty annoying. Was that the crowd? It didn’t sound like crowd noise. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/227 "2010-06-12T22:37:36Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Was this game more physical than is the norm? Looked like a lot of collisions for a soccer game. Mostly normal, though I did think there were a couple of extra brutal English tackles. Thought they were a bit lucky to finish with 11 men. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/228 "2010-06-12T22:42:18Z")
> [@MD12](#): > > I also noticed that, I’m glad that person didn’t use it for greater harm during the match. For those who missed that laser being used at the Argentina-Nigeria game, here is the evidence: [http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/12062010/2/photo/12062010154907.html](http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/12062010/2/photo/12062010154907.html) BTW this is not the first time this was seen in soccer, but it is worrisome that they are using them at the world cup. [http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2008/03/laser-zap-leads/](http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2008/03/laser-zap-leads/) > [@](#): > > The Union of European Football Associations has fined the French champion Lyon because a fan zapped Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo with a laser during a match. > > ``` > Television replays showed a circle of bright, green light shining on [Ronaldo] during the first half of United’s Champions League game at Stade Gerland on Feb. 20. > > The fine was imposed for "incidents of an unsporting nature," UEFA said in a statement. > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Estilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Estilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Estilicon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/229 "2010-06-12T22:45:49Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > England didn’t lose. Try to control yourself. 🙂 You are right. It felt as a defeat. Mr. Green is thanking God that he wasn’t born as Mr. Verde in Colombia. (that was another joke). ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/230 "2010-06-12T23:00:32Z")
\*\*Algeria vs Slovenia 7:30 A.M. EST. Serbia vs Ghana 10:00 A.M. EST. Germany vs Australia 2:30 P.M. EST\*\* \*Want the pretty colors again? Raise my salary! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Estilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Estilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Estilicon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/231 "2010-06-12T23:01:50Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > \*\*Algeria vs Slovenia 7:30 A.M. EST. > > Serbia vs Ghana 10:00 A.M. EST. > > Germany vs Australia 2:30 P.M. EST\*\* > > \*Want the pretty colors again? Raise my salary! 🙂 Germany vs Australia? I wonder what are the odds. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/232 "2010-06-12T23:07:13Z")
> [@Quercus](#): > > …Which is, depending on how the rest of the Cup goes, a step up for the USA, from “Can occasionally challenge the big guys, but basically third rate” to “Solidly competitive class, if not a first rate favorite” Solid analysis all around but I think you’re much closer to slotting in the second class than you’re to the first. Again, I didn’t think today’s result was a fluke, what with Spain having suffered its only loss in the past 49 matches to the US and the US leading Brazil by two goals in the Confed Final – even if they lost 3-2 at the end. No superstars in the true sense of the word, but very gifted athletes that will run their hearts out for 90+ minutes. Trust me, I don’t think you’re a picnic for anyone…which doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love to get a rematch 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/233 "2010-06-12T23:09:12Z")
Just got back home. Bit of a sickener, but I actually thought England played quite well. They just need to stop shooting straight at the keeper, and get a decent man between their own sticks, and they’ll be in with a shout. Glen Johnson was our best player by some distance. Heskey as usual was as much use as a fart in a hurricane. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/234 "2010-06-12T23:09:37Z")
> [@Estilicon](#): > > Germany vs Australia? I wonder what are the odds. Not good for Australia. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/235 "2010-06-12T23:14:34Z")
There’s been more than one joke about the murder of Escobar – here’s a Wiki link. > **[Andrés Escobar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9s_Escobar)** > > Andrés Escobar Saldarriaga (Spanish pronunciation: \[anˈdɾes eskoˈβaɾ saldaˈrjaɣa\]; 13 March 1967 – 2 July 1994) was a Colombian professional footballer who played as a defender. He played for Atlético Nacional, BSC Young Boys, and the Colombia national team. Nicknamed The Gentleman, he was known for his clean style of play and calmness on the pitch. > On 2 July 1994, Escobar was murdered in the aftermath of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, reportedly as retaliation for having scored an own goal which c... It was terribly shocking. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/236 "2010-06-12T23:15:07Z")
Incidentally I had to laugh at the advertising board directly behind Rob Green in this shot: [![](https://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) ](https://tinypic.com/images/goodbye.jpg) Very appropriate… ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/237 "2010-06-12T23:24:56Z")
I was a little confused by the ABC announcers who kept saying the biggest USA strength is how well they work as a team. They really only got anything done when the other team screwed up, or there was a great individual effort. Howard bailed them out of loads of poor team defense with perfect fundamentals, ie get yourself in position to be able to reach the ball, and stop it cold whenever you can touch it. Altidore had the great run, and Donovan and Dempsey had good some sequences, and Cherundolo got left on an island several times and came through well. But as far a overall team coordination that was their weak point. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/238 "2010-06-12T23:29:49Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Incidentally I had to laugh at the advertising board directly behind Rob Green in this shot: > > [http://i46.tinypic.com/2r37zvo.jpg](http://i46.tinypic.com/2r37zvo.jpg) > Very appropriate… Oh dear. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/239 "2010-06-12T23:30:28Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Not good for Australia. 😃 Current best odds on Betfair: Germany 1.51 Australia 8.8 The Draw 4.3 ---
**Author:** ![Estilicon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@Estilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Estilicon)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677/240 "2010-06-12T23:43:57Z")
> [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](#): > > There’s been more than one joke about the murder of Escobar – here’s a Wiki link. > > [Andrés Escobar - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9s_Escobar) > > It was terribly shocking. Yes it was. An Argentinian journalist claimed before today’s match that a Nigerian player was actually shot at because he said that he didn’t want to play anymore in the National Team. A disgrace. Soccer is about having fun. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-fifa-world-cup-south-africa/542677.md?page=13)