Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

To: heye2monn
In soccer, no individual stands out unless he scores a goal (hardly ever).

Now, now - be fair! Part of that is down to you not appreciating what's happening on the pitch unless it's the bit when a ball gets punted between the posts. Plenty of people have similar attitudes to American Football.

That said, there are a lot of really REALLY boring soccer matches, and they're the ones where the divas are on the pitch, for example taking it easy because they only need a nil-nil draw to win on aggregate and they've got a more important game two days later.

I've never been a fan of premiership soccer for that reason but every now and again a team starts playing from the heart, as they should be doing, and that's when the game comes alive. The minnow leagues are generally like that all the time but you see that spirit in the African teams, and the Brazilians. Places where the game's still played for the sake of the game and the respect of your compatriots, not for fame and fortune.

48 posted on 02/28/2011 3:34:08 PM PST by MalPearce
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies ]


To: MalPearce

What I mean by “no individual stands out” is that any flash of brilliance is quickly forgotten as all eyes follow the moving ball. No time to celebrate anything or any person.

No time for any spectators to pause and look at each other, and say, wow, what a play! Or what happened, I missed it, could you tell me what happened?

Instead everybody keeps looking at the soccer ball. The ball is supposedly exciting to watch, but rarely does it culminate in a goal, so the thrill soon wanes.

Soccer has little build-up for suspense, as players get ready for a goal-line stand, free throw with five seconds left, or full-count with bases loaded. The only sustained suspense in soccer comes with the rare penalty kick.


50 posted on 03/01/2011 4:23:02 PM PST by heye2monn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson