# To what extent are you following the World Cup? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 1, 2014, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051 "2014-07-01T00:41:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/21 "2014-07-01T05:46:20Z")
I’m not following it at all, and find it to be a mild nuisance that’s been gumming up the airwaves. It’s weird to have the news on, and have them rattle off the headlines. Paraphrased from a week or so ago: “Hundreds of men in Baghdad have answered a call to arms as radical Islamist group ISIS advances toward the city. In Ukraine, separatists have shot down a helicopter carrying military personnel. And in World Cup news, Greece has defeated Croatia 3-0.” One of these things is not like the other. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/22 "2014-07-01T05:59:48Z")
I’m in the Netherlands, and I am the only person I know who doesn’t watch. I’m just not suited to watching sports. People keep telling me that I should try, the atmosphere will get me etc. But it’s just not true. I’m annoying to be around during a match. I don’t understand how apparently everyone has the attention span to watch sports on television. How can I be the only person who gets fidgety after about 3 minutes? Where are all the people who have ADHD during football matches? And then I ask inappropriate questions and laugh at inappropriate things. Yesterday I saw about 30 seconds of a match, and this guy was hobbling by the side. It was really funny because he was holding his bum like it was going to fall off. So I giggled. This was bad, because he was hurt and it was Very Serious. Then the stretcher came and he lay down in it, and it was like a funny little boat. Or a really shallow coffin. Again really funny. I had to walk away to laugh somewhere else. It’s no fun when everyone has their attention on the screen for hours, and my attention wants to do other things after a few minutes. The most fun is when there is a break in the stupid kicking the ball around stuff, but it always means something Terribly Serious and you’re not supposed to ask questions or laugh. So I just stay away and go for the party afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/23 "2014-07-01T06:05:57Z")
I watch it about one hour a day, not ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/24 "2014-07-01T06:07:02Z")
obsessively. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/25 "2014-07-01T06:09:51Z")
I have nothing against soccer, and I’m sure there are some Americans who are genuine fans of the sport. But the current mania for the World Cup here in the States seems to me to be mostly a matter of opportunity and hype creating interest where there was zero before. It reminds me of a conversation I had with a random stranger in a bar sometime back in the 80s. Somehow baseball came up, and I told him what I tell everyone else today…that I love baseball dearly and am utterly indifferent to any other sport. I told him my favorite team is the Indians. I’m located about equidistant from Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and folks around here tend to fall one way or the other in their national team loyalties. My dad was an Indians fan and took me to games as a kid, so naturally, that was the way I went and have remained…all my life, win or lose (mostly the latter!). This guy responded with “Well, I’m a fan of ‘America’s Team’” — those were his exact words. That was how the Atlanta Braves were hyped at the time, because their full schedule was broadcast on Ted Turner’s WTBS, and that station was on so many systems across the nation in the early days of cable TV. Now this guy had no reason in the world to be a fan of the Atlanta Braves — other than he could see that team’s games on TV every night. Somehow, that just rubbed me the wrong way. From the evidence around my office (the number of my co-workers who I _know_ have never given soccer a single thought before this year yet are now avidly watching The World Cup), the same thing is happening again. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/26 "2014-07-01T06:11:22Z")
P.S. To answer the question: not at all. No clue what’s going on, and no interest. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/27 "2014-07-01T06:18:57Z")
I don’t even follow \*real \*sports. I’m certainly not going to waste my time on some Euro-trash kid’s game for guys who can’t throw. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/28 "2014-07-01T06:26:12Z")
A couple of times a day I’ll see the current Google Doodle and I’ll think, “What is tha–oh, yeah, World Cup is going on.” Haven’t watched any games and have no interest in it. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/29 "2014-07-01T06:57:17Z")
I watch a couple games, when there’s a game on and I’m free, but I’ll probably purposefully watch the final. ---
**Author:** ![Weeping\_Wyvern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@Weeping\_Wyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weeping_Wyvern)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/30 "2014-07-01T07:25:21Z")
I have zero interest in any team sports, so naturally I am not paying any attention to this “World Cup” thing, whatever it is. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/31 "2014-07-01T11:19:59Z")
> [@Weeping\_Wyvern](#): > > I have zero interest in any team sports, so naturally I am not paying any attention to this “World Cup” thing, whatever it is. So edgy. ---
**Author:** ![franz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@franz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/franz)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/32 "2014-07-01T11:52:01Z")
Not at all. I do not care about this event… but I do love play soccer. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/33 "2014-07-01T12:18:43Z")
Soccer - meh. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/34 "2014-07-01T12:51:19Z")
Soccer was the first sport I played as a kid. I think it’s a great sport when played at the amateur level. Professional soccer has ruined soccer for me. I do watch the World Cup as time permits. Occassionally I’ll root for one team or another depending on the match. But I find myself annoyed repeatedly by the pratfalls and cheap shots of the childish cunts that are the current “stars” of professional soccer. Even more so when I hear the excuse from the expert commentators that it’s “part of the game” that you simply must understand to be able to appreciate. [Fuck that noise.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRPrrLdPhoE) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/35 "2014-07-01T13:05:59Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I do watch the World Cup as time permits. Occassionally I’ll root for one team or another depending on the match. > > But I find myself annoyed repeatedly by the pratfalls and cheap shots of the childish cunts that are the current “stars” of professional soccer. Even more so when I hear the excuse from the expert commentators that it’s “part of the game” that you simply must understand to be able to appreciate. [Fuck that noise.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRPrrLdPhoE) I am so with you on that. That clip is hilarious. I’m following the U.S. team. I’ve watched a little of their games. I’ve heard a bunch about it. How could I avoid it? From purely jingoistic reasons I want the team to do well. Also because of their underdog status. Once they are out (probably today) I won’t care at all. Soccer does not interest me at all. Its boring and simplistic. I don’t need constant action and scoring. Baseball is my favorite sport. But their is strategy and tactics with every single pitch. And yes I understand soccer very well thank you. I played it for many years. Fun game to play. I will never get into watching it. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/36 "2014-07-01T13:10:02Z")
Yeah, the constant flops any time one player gets with a yard of another tends to wear. With that said, I’ve seen a few matches that have been as good as this sport ever gets. I’ve been following in part because I work for a highly internationalized company, and many of my co-workers are highly invested in the Cup events. So, I’ve tried to catch at least part of most of the matches. Only parts, though, since most of the games are live during working hours in the US. ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/37 "2014-07-01T13:10:36Z")
Being blessed with a husband who _must_ watch any sports tournament/playoffs no matter what, I’ve been subjected to every single game. I pretty much tune it all out except for the really exciting parts (like the end of the Brazil/Chile game). Best of both worlds! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/38 "2014-07-01T13:11:46Z")
How come there was no poll option for “will watch ESPN replays of actual goals scored and slow-mo biting videos”? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/39 "2014-07-01T13:11:51Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > I think it’s awesome, I’ve been watching as many matches as I can. I’ve seen 2 out of 3 US matches so far. > > Once July 13 comes and goes I’ll forget all about soccer until 2018. Copy and paste this for me. Cept for the last part, I’ll watch Soccer when it’s on, but I’ll only HALF forget about it ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2014, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051/40 "2014-07-01T13:28:07Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Yeah, the constant flops any time one player gets with a yard of another tends to wear. I recently read the following: Soccer is 90 minutes of rolling around on the pitch pretending that you’re hurt. Rugby is 80 minutes of rolling around on the pitch pretending that you’re not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-are-you-following-the-world-cup/692051.md?page=3)