What language does the Swiss national side use to communicate with one another during the games? I think at least some of the players are from the non-German regions and Swiss German is fairly incomprehensible to any but German scholars and those raised in certain Swiss cantons.
Why do some teams wear colors that are not their “national colors”? Australia wear green and gold, although their flag is blue with white and red. Italy are “the Azzuri” but their flag is red, white and green. Japan wear blue although their flag is white with a red circle. Most of the rest I can think of seem to incorporate the colors of their flag, although I probably missed a few.
FWIW, you can get every single regional Fox Sports in the nation with satellite TV. Or just the one nearest you, if you like.
I too dislike everything Fox has ever associated itself with except for the original Family Guy, the Simpsons (don’t watch it much, but I appreciate it and like the fact that it exists, if that makes any sense), the soccer coverage and the fact that regional FSN is always there to show games that wouldn’t make it onto ESPN or a local broadcast channel, like the local MLS teams, the NHL, etc.
Is there any way to download entire matches from the day in EPL/Serie A/La Liga/etc.? I’m not a fan of highlights, though it’s better than nothing.
A good general rule is to avoid dribbling in your defensive third of the field, as much as possible. Otherwise you can end up with fiascos like Claudio Reyna (unintentionally, and without foul) falling flat over and serving the ball to an enemy forward on a silver platter in front of the net. It’s best even to avoid short passing in the defensive third IMO. The thing is–if you sort of tap the ball to your defense, and there’s a defensive breakdown, the other team scores; if you slam it all the way down the field and there’s a defensive breakdown, your team scores.
European countries seem to have, some indeterminant time in the past, stolen their flags from one another, turned them at varying angles, changed the color of one stripe and called the flag their own.
France and Spain play tomorrow at (I believe) 2:00 your time, if you live in Central and follow Daylight Saving Time. I would LOVE to see that game–I’m an Espanophile and this is one of the best Spain teams seen in a long time, with a newfound winning attitude and hopefully they won’t repeat as one of the Cup’s most consistent underachievers. France has been in terrible form in this cup and the last, compared to the way everyone knows they can play. Nevertheless, I just hope to see some good play. I’ve been disappointed with most of the games I’ve seen, including Spain’s last one where they played the second-stringers–you would think those guys would want to play their hearts out for a spot, but nope, they didn’t care. Ukraine/Tunisia at the same time was awful. England/Sweden was one of the more exciting games I’ve had a chance to witness in recent times.
My study partners (who have turned into my leech-answers-off-me partners, as happens every freakin’ semester, although this time they’re pretty bright and pleasant and I’m learning and memorizing better by going over concepts with them) want me to study with them (explain things to them) tomorrow after class…which ends at 11:15, 45 minutes before Spain/France. I think I’ll have to come up with some excuse. Unfortunately I already broached the idea of us all going to see the game after class and they weren’t up for it, so they’ll be suspicious. Any suggestions for faking illness well? Maybe I’ll bring some syrup of ipecac if I can find some.
Yep. World Cup Match of the Day has complete world cup matches for the games that the BBC has the rights to, this includes all the forthcoming England games, one semi-final and the final.
As for normal Premiership matches, I have seen matches listed, but I’m not sure where they’re from (the BBC only has highlight rights). If they’re capped from SKY Sports (the broadcaster with the rights in the UK) then you should get reasonable commentary, the only way to know would be to try one and see. I have also seen Serie A matches, but my guess would be that they will have Italian commentary.
OK-so I didn’t understand Brazil’s 3rd goal at all. Where was the goalie? Just caught the last bit of the Brazil v Ghana match. I wasn’t rooting for either team, but I would have liked the Ghana side to have done better.
Ghana actually played magnificently for most of the match, let down by a couple of catastrophic defensive slip-ups and some poor finishing. Until the last 10 minutes (you may have missed a Ghanaian getting sent off on 80 mins if you only switched on at the end) they had a majority of possession and territory; they just fluffed all their chances in the last third of the pitch. Granted, Ghana’s chances up front were carved out by playing a risky game which allowed Brazil to score on the break as only they know how, but I think Brazil looked a long way from infallible today, and Ghana can feel unlucky not to come away with more.
The last goal: the goalie had been left one-on-one by his defence who failed to cover Ze Roberto’s run. He had to either come for the ball outside his area and back himself to reach it before Ze Roberto, or hold back for a one-on-one he’d be almost certain to lose. He opted for the former and almost made it to the ball, but lost out due to a higher bounce than he’d anticipated. Can’t really fault him there; the goal was effectively scored when Ze Roberto ran forward unopposed.
Really looking forward to Spain/France tonight, not least cos I stand to win £130 if Spain take the tournament. Would like to see Henry at least put in a good performance, but really can’t see France pulling things together at this stage; they’ve been rubbish, and don’t deserve to go through.
I thought the Ghanaians (sp?) played very well, but the scoreline also could have been worse. I think that is just the Brazillian way. I also think Brazil defends better than people let on, not brilliant, but it isn’t horrible either.
It’s a shame Essien wasn’t on the pitch. I’m looking forward to Spain-France and wondering if Spain can keep up the terrific form. Spain would have beaten Brazil today.
I didn’t see the game but listened to it on the radio and the commentator said that if Brazil play like that in the quarters then the form Spain are in, assuming they beat France, then Spain will win.
I’d like to see Spain win the whole thing as my first world cup memory is being in Spain during Spain '82 so I’ve always had a soft spot for them.
Let’s hope they don’t bottle it tonight against a pretty under-par France team.
No, certainly not; but they do give you space and time on the ball, and Ghana up until the final ball looked to make the most of that. I suspect Spain will be more likely to punish Brazil for that style of play, but of course committing the numbers to do so always leaves you vulnerable to the break. That’s going to be a stunning quarter-final; a real shame that that match comes so soon (probably).
What I meant was that I missed the events just prior to the third goal by Brazil, so I didn’t understand why the goalie was so far out of his box. It seemed that a press was on, so I would have thought the goalie would have been closer to the box. That’s all. I thought Ghana played well, too.
I am watching France v Spain and to me, this is great soccer. Very little dramatics and the ref seems to be telling the players-get on with it. Fabulous 2nd goal by France.
And now I’m over my disappointment, I agree that that was the quality match of the tournament thus far. France did very well at shutting Spain down in midfield, cutting off their formerly nifty passing supply to their forwards and closing them down rapidly in defence. They were the better team for most of the game, and Spain never looked truly like scoring from open play with the possible exception of that Luis Garcia header. Where was this France in the group stages?
That said, I’m pissed at Henry (one of my favourite footballers) for a cynical bit of simulation for the free kick resulting in the second goal. He should be ashamed.
Nah, I think the pundits got it absolutely wrong, which with ITV is no suprise. The foul was real, the free kick justly awarded… the shameful thing was pressing for the yellow card by grabbing his face.
I’m disappointed Henry felt he had to do that, it wasn’t a fitting end to a great match, but he was fouled.
I’d love to see an England v France semi, but I’ve a feeling it will be a Brazil v Portugal.
It just finished a bit ago here–fabulous! (I was rooting for France). I am so ignorant re most of world competition that I didn’t know that Spain is considered the Chicago Cubs of international competition. If I had known, I would ahve probably rooted for them!
I thought France played well. Spain seemed to want to put on the diving dramatics, but the ref would have none of it. France was also guilty of this, especially in the second half. But that Zidane goal was marvelous–the exact moves that my kids are taught, again and again–such a simple tactic, and devastatingly effective.
I am definetly rooting for France in their game vs Brazil. Sorry, but there is something about the Brazilian team I don’t like. You all can quote stats and players and plays to me and I bow to your greater knowledge. I just go on the smugness and the arrogance that I perceive (rightly or wrongly).
I just hope it doesn’t end up England v France–I won’t know who to cheer for!
(thank you all for not scorning my naive posts here). I hafta work on Saturday–damn.
It’s a replay of the 98 final, should be good and unlike 98 this time Ronaldo should be fit. It may also be Zidane’s last ever professional football match as he’s retiring after the World Cup. Hopefully he can go out on a high, with a good game, whichever way it goes.
