On the Eve of the new Season...

[godsshoeshine]

haha, sorry about that

[vansmack]

This is long, but funny
 
 http://football365.com/story/0,17033,13297_3701301,00.html
 
 http://football365.com/story/0,17033,13297_3705608,00.html
 
 http://football365.com/story/0,17033,13297_3709851,00.html
 
 http://football365.com/story/0,17033,13297_3713770,00.html

[vansmack]

So I'm not actually watching the Semifinal right now (meetings) and will not be checking back with this thread until after I do....
 
 But before I forget...I was listening to World Soccer Daily this morning and the guest, who is also a Fox analyst, said he told his boss how much he loves watching the Euro in HD.  
 
 His boss replied that there was no way FSC would have HD Soccer next year.
 
   :confused:

[vansmack]

He gets a lot of the soccer players wrong, but this would have been a good time....
 
 http://www.stopmikelupica.com/2008/06/steve_nash_baron_davis_and_jas.php
 
 Says my buddy...
 
 "This might have been the coolest spur of the moment on the streets of NYC things that I've done since I've been here.  Even if it was like 5 deep and I had to stand on my tiptoes the whole time......Pretty damn cool."

[Frank Gallagher]

So I hope all the neutrals like myself will be behind Spain....I couldn't take it if the friggin krauts won.

[vansmack]

Well, normally in neutral matches where I don't have a preference, I employ the "Where were you in WWII?" corollary.
 
 For example, yesterday I was nearly alone in cheering for Russia.  When asked why I was rooting for the Commies, I replied, "where were they in WWII?"
 
 Now I'm not saying the Soviet's were saints, especially in the Baltics up through 1942, but even Hitler didn't think enough of them and their allegiance and by the time the Germans invaded Russia, the Soviet's were firmly in the Allies camp.  Couldn't say the same for Spain.
 
 Now, when it comes to two Axis powers, I usually root for broken legs (I even vowed to boycott a Germany/Italy final).  Spain, being the weakest of the Axis powers, and driven more by Franco than the Spanish people at the time, get a small reprieve.
 
 Therefore, I'm pulling for Spain tomorrow, somewhat begrudgingly.
 
 That being said, I think the krauts win 3-2.

[Frank Gallagher]

I agree with your way of thinking but come to the same conclusion from a much simpler logic.
 
 There were no spanish bombs that landed on me granny's house!!

[Barcelona]

Originally posted by vansmack:
  Well, normally in neutral matches where I don't have a preference, I employ the "Where were you in WWII?" corollary.
 
 For example, yesterday I was nearly alone in cheering for Russia.  When asked why I was rooting for the Commies, I replied, "where were they in WWII?"
 
 Now I'm not saying the Soviet's were saints, especially in the Baltics up through 1942, but even Hitler didn't think enough of them and their allegiance and by the time the Germans invaded Russia, the Soviet's were firmly in the Allies camp.  Couldn't say the same for Spain.
 
 Now, when it comes to two Axis powers, I usually root for broken legs (I even vowed to boycott a Germany/Italy final).  Spain, being the weakest of the Axis powers, and driven more by Franco than the Spanish people at the time, get a small reprieve.
 
 Therefore, I'm pulling for Spain tomorrow, somewhat begrudgingly.
 
 That being said, I think the krauts win 3-2.

Can we apply this logic to the next world cup when the USA plays but change from WWII to the Irak invasion or to the involvement of the USA in latin america from the 50s to the 80s?

[Frank Gallagher]

No need to..everyone hates the yanks anyway.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by 47 YEAR OLD VIRGIN:
  No need to..everyone hates the yanks anyway.

Exactly.  I would be shocked if anyone outside of the States roots for the Americans.  And not because of foreign policy - mostly because their brand of football is shit.
 
 Nonetheless, you can employ whatever theory you'd like to choose how NOT to root for the US.

[godsshoeshine]

Originally posted by 47 YEAR OLD VIRGIN:
   

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
   

Originally posted by 47 YEAR OLD VIRGIN:
  What a  great week it's been for old mank!!!          
 
 
     <img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44687000/jpg/_44687321_munstertrophybody.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
 
 Munster became kings of Europe for a second time as a ferociously committed display saw them edge past Toulouse in the Heineken Cup final in Cardiff.
 
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7408444.stm  

so people will likely still be happy about this in 4 weeks or so in the province? [/b]

I would think so...in Munster they still talk about the day they beat the All Blacks like it was yesterday....only it happened in 1978 [/b]

ok, the answer here was a resounding YES. i saw more munster rugby flags in west cork than ireland flags. i think i'm going to have to watch some matches next season. might have to check out the gaas as well. hurling and football are both pretty crazy
 
 i usually root for whatever side looks more awesome singing their national anthem. i was too jet lagged to root hard yesterday, and i gave spain a break due to the 30 or so spain supporters running through the streets of dublin at 2 am after beating italy, all wearing their red tops. that was awesome

[sweetcell]

Originally posted by vansmack:
  Well, normally in neutral matches where I don't have a preference, I employ the "Where were you in WWII?" corollary.

Originally posted by 47 YEAR OLD VIRGIN:
  I agree with your way of thinking but come to the same conclusion from a much simpler logic.
 
 There were no spanish bombs that landed on me granny's house!!

seriously?  that kind of thinking seems... antiquated.  i guess you need some mechanism to choose a side.  personally, if i don't have a horse in the race, i don't worry too much about rooting for a team and instead hope/cheer for a good game.  i will admit that being surrounded by fans might sway my cheering, positively or negatively depending on their behavior.
 
   

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
 i usually root for whatever side looks more awesome singing their national anthem. i was too jet lagged to root hard yesterday, and i gave spain a break due to the 30 or so spain supporters running through the streets of dublin at 2 am after beating italy, all wearing their red tops. that was awesome

uh, i'm assuming that's the jetlag still talking?  either that, or spain was playing a second match yesterday that was completely overshadowed by spain vs. germany... or maybe you're talking another sport?

[godsshoeshine]

they played italy last sunday

[Frank Gallagher]

Well, the better team clearly won. Germany didn't even show up, although I missed the first 10 minutes which were all kraut from what the commentators were saying....Besides I hate both Lehman and Ballack, typical arrogant German BRATwursts, so congratulations to Spain.
 
 I also must admit to being able to enjoy watching a tournament and not have to suffer watching my own country going out on a penalty shoot-out.

[vansmack]

Boring, uninspired 90 minutes, but congrats to Spain, who clearly deserved to win.  I too am thankful it didn't go to PK's.