Not a futbol buff by any
I'm not a huge fan either.
But I love sports and Ronaldo is one helluva player.
The physical gap between
The physical gap between Ronaldo and the rest of the players on the pitch is just ridiculous. At the highest level of play, he still has the ability to make other guys look silly. He and Messi are in another world and its not really that close.
I don't understand......
I don't understand...... Skywalker is fighting against the Rebels? When did he turn?
whoops - fixed that.
whoops - fixed that.
ATTN NBA Dads and Siblings: Have brothers / sons on the hoops come-up?
Michigan = NBA Family U
Is Spain's national anthem
Is Spain's national anthem the only one worldwide without lyrics?
If you watch the fans, they're all singing "lo-lo-lo."
Kosovo's also has no lyrics.
Kosovo's also has no lyrics. They couldn't write any that wouldn't have potentially offended one ethnic side or the other, so they decided to simply not.
I can see how "Kosovo has
I can see how "Kosovo has number one potassium, all other countries have inferior potassium" would've infuriated both Serbia and Albania.
"We've beaten Michigan the last four years. So where's the threat?"
- Mark Dantonio
Blogging the Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com/<
Any analogy in which Ronaldo
Any analogy in which Ronaldo is the good guy is an inaccurate analogy.
Lies.
Ronaldo is the man! I'm still pulling for Germany to win it all, though.
Well, if you also think the
Well, if you also think the Germans are the Good Guys, then that explains it ;)
I watch quite a bit of the World Cup every 4 years...
and I watched a couple matches of this Euro thing over at the Irish themed place on Main. I can't deny soccer is entertaining. Every time I think I might actually become a fan, though, one of these clowns fakes a broken femur and gets carted off resulting in a penalty shot to tie the game. Instead of getting an update from the hospital, we are then treated to femur's gallant, rye-smiled return to the pitch. Ronaldo is not only a great perpetrator of fake injuries, he's also the vainest human alive. May he contract untreatable acne.
We're gonna play with toughness, we're gonna be responsible and we're gonna play with toughness. This is Michigan.
Well, I haven't recall a flop
Well, I haven't recall a flop that has significantly affected Euro 2012 so maybe the time has come at last.....
Watch closer. He is
Watch closer. He is constantly flopping and crying like and entitled little bitch. He deserves all of the ample hate he receives. No, it may not be a deciding factor in the tournament - but it's sure good enough reason to hate him.
The post I responded to was
The post I responded to was very generic and didn't refer to any player specifically and just said he's about to start following soccer until "one of these clowns" flops. I am indifferent about Ronaldo and have no opinion on his flopping as I don't follow La Liga closely. But my point about no flops significantly affecting Euro 2012 stands.
No offense to you or anyone else who appreciates soccer....
but it's not so much the "flopping" part that gets me. It's the writhing around in unspeakable pain, the stretchers, and the little cans of cold spray. For all the talk of the beauty of soccer(and it can be very pretty even to my untrained eye), an instance or two of world class athletes trying to remember which knee to grab as they hit the ground spoils the whole thing for me (whether it effects the outcome or not. I've made similar complaints to soccer fans adn a common retort is something akin to "we need better refs" or "not the players fault if the refs suck". Refs can be blamed for a lot, but they can't be blamed for this. Soccer could stop this if it wanted. It would require fines and suspensions, but they could make it go away. I can only conclude that the centers of the soccer world find the behavior acceptable and part of the game.
We're gonna play with toughness, we're gonna be responsible and we're gonna play with toughness. This is Michigan.
A big part of it is the
A big part of it is the American perspective. "Toughness" (ie. staying on your feet when fouled) is the ultimate physical attribute in the US.
In Europe and South America, diving is seen as strategic and even "cunning." (except when the opponents do it) While it is frowned upon over seas, it's not as frowned upon as it is in the US.
Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!
I agree 100%
For the record though, I'm gonna take the American route and place emphasis on toughness and bravery over cunning and strategy for my son.
We're gonna play with toughness, we're gonna be responsible and we're gonna play with toughness. This is Michigan.
While I agree that it can be
While I agree that it can be annoying.....you'd have to change an entire culture of soccer worldwide to suit your fancy. As was stated above, we're one of a few countries that doesn't appreciate it. It's hard to criticize players for mirroring the the players they grew up watching and how they were taught.
Not really that hard for me
Not really that hard for me and the main reason I don't "fancy" soccer.
"Do not disturb my circles."
There are many reasons to
There are many reasons to hate Ronaldo. I don't think he flops significantly more than other players... and not nearly as much as Sergio Biscuits or anyone from Italy...ever.
Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!
Very interesting from
Very interesting from Portugal so far. They're really pressing Spain high up the field, trying to choke off the midfield. It's denying the ball to Xavi and Iniesta so far, but Spain's already come close to springing something on each wing. Spain's actually been forced into a couple long balls.
There's what Portugal's
There's what Portugal's trying for. Midfield turnover from high press given quickly to Ronaldo who almost picks Nani out with the cross.
Because if there's one
Because if there's one parallel between C Ronaldo and Luke Skywalker, it is humility......
Ronaldo: "fans boo me because I'm good looking, rich, and great."
Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!
Portugal is controlling this
Portugal is controlling this match so far. Huge credit to the Portugal midfield for defending aggressively and keeping the ball.
This has the feeling of an instant classic.
Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!
Portugal are doing a great
Portugal are doing a great job not allowing Spain time on the ball. That's a dangerous way to play against a team that can pass as quickly as Spain, though.
It is a novelty to see Spain
It is a novelty to see Spain counterattack... They are just so damn talented that I could easily see them scoring a goal or two on one of these counters.
Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!
For once, a team is playing
For once, a team is playing as if they aren't afraid of Spain. This isn't the same level of talent that won the WC two years ago. Still dangerous of course, but Portugal is talented enough to win this match.
I don't think Portugal's
I don't think Portugal's strategy of trying to kick the ball into Spain's net is quite working; they probably need to re-assess at the half. However, Spain's gameplan of not letting Portugal get the ball in their net was a brilliant tactical move by their coach so far. Kudos to him.
Spain's back four has looked
Spain's back four has looked pretty sloppy to me. A few too many turnovers. But at the same time, they haven't let Portugal take advantage of them. Don't foresee a goal in this first half, but it should be a very entertaining second half.
With as sloppy as they've
With as sloppy as they've looked and the way Ronaldo and Nani are running at them, 50 minutes is going to be a long time for Sergio Ramos to play with a yellow.
I am surprised Spain isn't
I am surprised Spain isn't critisized more regarding their center backs. With all their possession-related talent, Pique and Ramos (a fullback playing out of position) are inconsistant at best at marking and taking away runs. Could be a factor in this game or especially against a team like Germany.
Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!
Would Puyol be starting if he
Would Puyol be starting if he were healthy?
Yes.
Puyol would go where Ramos is and Ramos would move to the outside to his normal position.
I would assume so. If for no
I would assume so. If for no other reason than his hair.
Not too sure. I actually
Not too sure. I actually like Ramos at CB. He actually played CB several times for Real Madrid throughout the season. I think his defense is underrated compared to his other skills.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
I really don't understand why
I really don't understand why Daniel Negredo gets the start over Fabregas, Torres, and Fernando Llorente.
Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!
Yeah, he hasn't added much.
Yeah, he hasn't added much. I'd expect him to be subbed off at 60 unless something happens in the next few minutes.
EDIT: and by 60 I meant 53.
I don't understand that sub.
I don't understand that sub. Portugal's surrendering the wings to contest all the passes through the middle, so del Bosque puts in Fabregas and further congests the center of the field.
Me too. I always like having
Me too. I always like having a striker. I say put in Torres or Llorente. I don't understand not giving Llorete a chance. You never know what he can produce if you don't give him a shot. I would have given him the start over Negredo today.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
If Llorente really so
If Llorente really so fatigued that he can't even play him as a sub, why was he brought?
Xabi Alonso tries to beat the keeper from his own half. He might have had him if the shot had been on target.
Xabi Alonso is prone to
Xabi Alonso is prone to getting flying kicks in major tournaments.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
Spain are really not looking
Spain are really not looking dangerous at the moment. They've got 5 guys who all want to play within 10 yards of each other.
All they want to do is pass
All they want to do is pass and play with the ball at their feet. It seems like none of them want to make the run to get behind the defense.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
It's amazing. They'll have
It's amazing. They'll have the ball 40 yards out and won't have anyone lined up to challenge the Portugal back 4.
Alright, I've never heard
Alright, I've never heard this explained: why are soccer teams referred to as a plural entity? As far as I know, no other sport does that (you wouldn't say "Michigan are playing well today," or "Detroit are looking really bad," for instance).
It's a British English thing,
It's a British English thing, I believe.
You would in England.
Teams, in whatever sport, are plural in England, and both these announcers are English.
You hear the same thing in
You hear the same thing in hockey.
"[T]here were a lot of people predicting glorious heights for Rich; mostly the same people who are predicting doom and gloom [for Hoke]. Excuse me if I doubt their prognostication skills." -- M-Wolverine
i enjoy the company of women,
i enjoy the company of women, but i would sleep with mr. ronaldo if propositioned. he is dreamy.
I bleed Blue & Gray and Maize & Blue
Not a futbol buff by any means butI'm taking "Portgual" though. That Ronaldo, he's so dreamy.