DTOUR: It's World Cup Time!

by CapHill on Jun 11, 2010 12:00 AM CDT in DTOUR

I'm baaaack! Didya miss me? No. Well, I'm going to make you read my ramblings anyway. After weeks of working waaaay too many hours and not drinking (or sleeping) enough, my schedule has finally backed off enough for me to start perusing the sports blogs again. Other than following the strangely mesmerizing game of Red Rover currently being played by the college football power conferences, I haven't been able to keep up with any sports - I didn't even see a single match of the French Open! For a sports fanatic like me, that's unacceptable. However, this being the annual lull in the sportsverse (excepting baseball, which just ain't gonna cut it), I become morose, thinking I was just going to have to gut it out until football starts. But there's another form of football, what we Americans in our infinite wisdom call "soccer", and it has a fairly big tournament coming up. All hail the sports gods! I will have something to watch over the next month after all!

Sidebar: One of the employees at my company is from SoCal. Although in all other respects she is a lovely person, her LAness shows itself in her choice of sports teams: Dodgers, USC (hello, banhammer!), and the hated Lakers. Today she told me her favorite player is Derek Fisher. I thought it unfortunate that I did not have the power to immediately dock her pay.

I know the basic rules of futbol, but I don't follow it. I couldn't tell you which team is the best, which might be a sleeper, and which player(s) is king. However, I have chosen a team to follow in the World Cup (besides the US team - it's mandatory that we Americans bring our national pride to the forefront, much like the Olympics). So without much ado, I give you this:

Ivory_coast_medium

Since the event is being held in South Africa this year, I thought I should root for an African team. In my extensive research (one article), the Ivory Coast is led by Didier Drogba, one of the best strikers in the world with a seriously awesome name. Apparently, he broke his arm, but he might still be able to play. Irregardless (hi Q), the above is quite possibly the coolest sports poster I've ever seen, so GO ELEPHANTS GO!

Since I'm assuming we have many interested PtRers, feel free to use this thread to discuss the World Cup or anything else (this is a DTOUR). And one more thought before I bid adieu: PAC-11, Baby! Woot!

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Hi Cap!
…

Basically voted most normal person on PtR.

by Queness on Jun 11, 2010 1:24 AM CDT reply actions

I thought it unfortunate that I did not have the power to immediately dock her pay.

You should had totally told her your thought. You can never have too many friends in the work place, you know.

Apparently, he broke his arm, but he might still be able to play.

They don’t really need arms to play futbol. That’s why it’s called futbol after all.

"We lost so many games that we shouldn't have lost," - Ginobili, May 2010

by Kondor on Jun 11, 2010 1:42 AM CDT reply actions

So they don’t need arms? They should have them removed then for speed’s sake.

by Cedarpark on Jun 11, 2010 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions

They do need arms to make flops more dramatic.

by doggydogworld on Jun 11, 2010 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I’m waking up at 6:30 am to watch Mexico- South Africa, two teams I don’t really care about.

The World Cup is like having herpes, you think it’s gone away and that you forget about it, and then it comes back in a nasty flare-up, and it’s all you can think about.

Also I don’t know crap about college football but I’m pretty sure it’s not gonna be Pac-11 for long, aren’t other teams bailing out too?

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 11, 2010 3:03 AM CDT reply actions

Word is that the major TX schools, Oklahoma and Colorado might join too.

Free Tiago Splitter!

by Tim C. on Jun 11, 2010 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions

The PAC XX will expand to at least 12 members, but now it’s up to the Texas schools to decide what they want to do. I’m just happy that the CU administration was proactive for once, instead of displaying their usual idiocy.

by CapHill on Jun 11, 2010 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions

For next season, right? Or this one? Seems like the schedule is already made and all.

by Cedarpark on Jun 11, 2010 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

It would be two seasons from now (the upcoming one, and one more). Talk about awkward…

by tomasito on Jun 11, 2010 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Although Nebraska announced it’s going to the Big1011?? in 2011. There are going to be some epic grudge matches this year.

by CapHill on Jun 11, 2010 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions

1st match over. Mexico 1 South Africa 1. I was really REALLY rooting for South Africa. I don’t know why, but I hate the Mexican soccer team.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."

by Edg5 on Jun 11, 2010 10:58 AM CDT reply actions

Very very lucky to come out with a draw, that strike that hit the post would’ve been the winner. But then again Mexico was playing better.

Off to play Age of Empires III until the next match.

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 11, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Mexico didn’t seem intimidating at all. I almost wish for them to advance so Argentina can crush them in the second round. But it’s still just the first game. They could get better.

France-Uruguay should be entertaining.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."

by Edg5 on Jun 11, 2010 11:08 AM CDT reply actions

I think Mexico matches up with Argintina pretty well. Of course I’m no expert, but I’d enjoy watching that match.

by Big50 on Jun 12, 2010 12:52 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Argentina should be able to exploit the weaknesses they showed against South Africa. If they leave the left side of their defense as wide open as they did in the first game, Messi could do some serious damage. They were probably overconfident against an inferior team, though. I rather play Uruguay in the second round, to be honest.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell

by Edg5 on Jun 12, 2010 4:41 AM CDT up reply actions

total random post here…but I thought PtRers would find this interesting, check out the poll results
http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2010/6/6/1503574/what-do-suns-need-to-do-next

"I DON'T EAT DAWG EITHER"...."A dawgs got personality, personality goes a long way."
by Mace Windu

by 2NASHTY on Jun 11, 2010 12:50 PM CDT reply actions

surprise surprise…. well you know what they say, if you can’t beat ‘em, oh wait, they did beat us didn’t they. Well, if you can beat ’em, beat ’em.

You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime

by the little o on Jun 11, 2010 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

why isn’t henry playing?

You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime

by the little o on Jun 11, 2010 2:40 PM CDT reply actions

benched I mean

You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime

by the little o on Jun 11, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Because Domenech is crazy. Henry hasn’t played that much for Barcelona this year but I would take Henry over Anelka every time.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."

by Edg5 on Jun 11, 2010 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions

he just subbed in for anelka

You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime

by the little o on Jun 11, 2010 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions

And the excitement of the World Cup continues with a 0-0 draw between France and Uruguay!

I did a lot of soul searching. I didn't find anything.

by Hipuks on Jun 11, 2010 3:35 PM CDT reply actions

Awful match. France has been underachieving since the 02 finals. Uruguay sucks, plain and simple. It’s just Forlan and Suarez and not much else.

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."

by Edg5 on Jun 11, 2010 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Really? Is the run to the championship game against Italy in ’06 underachieving? They beat Brazil and Spain among others that year.

by Big50 on Jun 12, 2010 12:55 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Ugh I meant since 2006. In 02 the went home in the first round. They should have want it all in 06. That team was great. Henry, Ribery, Viera and above all Zidane (one of the most underrated soccer superstars ever).

"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell

by Edg5 on Jun 12, 2010 4:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Go Ozzies, we got ripped off in the quarter finals last time by those thieving Italian buggers. Was pretty massive to get that far, would love to get out of group stage this year as well.

"When you go in for a job interview, I think a good thing to ask is if they ever press charges."

by Bushka on Jun 11, 2010 5:11 PM CDT reply actions