[soccer_maniac]

This is a World Cup discussion thread, not a "which sport is better" discussion thread. If the subject isn't of interest, please stay away.

Yes, this applies to the cowardly keyword trolls as well.

[soccer_maniac]

Wolrd Cup Ping!

[timsbella]

Hard to believe things are still so unsettled. A surprise win by Ghana? Who saw that coming?

Another great week ahead!

[Prodigal Son]

Will be interesting to see if Spain maintains their impressive form. If so, they will be strong contenders. I think Switzerland should do ok against Togo.

I was really shocked that France let the victory slip away from them yesterday (although they did score a second goal that wasn't counted). If they had played the entire match with the same urgency with which they played after S. Korea equalised then they would've won.

As it is, that might be the last time anyone ever sees Z. Zidane play. It's a shame because he was a really classy guy and an extraordinary player. It's really even doubly sad because he got a yellow card for no apparent reason- the ref just imagined the foul (much the same as he didn't see the second goal France scored).

Having said all that- South Korea are a really gutsy and motivated side. I find myself continually wanting to count them out because they are really newcomers to the World Cup stage but they keep impressing me. I could see them making it to the quarters or even semis again.

I was totally impressed with their fans yesterday. They sang the entire match through- they were even singing Beethoven's 9th (the Ode to Joy). I found that especially nice to watch the match with that being sung in the background.

The World Cup is the greatest sporting event on Earth for a good reason.

[DoctorMichael]

8:55 a.m. | ESPN2 | Dortmund -- SUI : TOG --

11:55 a.m. | ESPN2 | Hamburg -- KSA : UKR --

2:55 p.m. | ESPN2 | Stuttgart -- ESP : TUN --

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[Betis70]

Soccer is boring and my favorite (boring) sport is better. Just kidding. ;)

I am really looking forward to the Spain/Tunisia match, just to see if the Spaniards can continue with their sterling play. But this has to be one of the most ho-hum days in terms of quality matchups.

[soccer_maniac]

I see the keyword trolls are back :(

[rb22982]

Italy-U.S. Gets High Overnight TV Rating It's Best for World Cup Match Since 1998 Final

AP

NEW YORK (June 18) - The ratings for the 1-1 tie between the United States and Italy on Saturday got the highest overnight rating for a World Cup game on ABC since the 1998 championship game.

The game, which began at 3 p.m. EDT, got a 5.2 rating, the highest since the '98 final between Brazil and France got a 7.0.

The 2002 World Cup was held in South Korea and Japan, meaning most of the games were on in the middle of the night or in the very early morning.

The rating is the percentage of all homes with TVs, whether or not they are in use.

Story

[stillonaroll]

OK, here’s my rant: offsides.

There are many exciting plays whistled dead because of the offsides call. Often, the replay shows that the call was incorrect, and a goal or near-goal is nullified.

It seems clear that it is very difficult for the referee’s assistant to make the call properly, as he has to look in two places at once—at the ball being passed, and simultaneously at the players nearest the goal line.

They could do it like this: the referee’s assistant, if he sees what he thinks is an offside play, raises his flag but does not blow his whistle. Play would continue. If a goal is scored, look at the replay.

Alternatively, there was the rule from the old U.S. league from the 70’s, that no offsides would be called within 25 yards of the goal.

Comments?