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That's a lot of really good players out of the WC unfortunately. Don't forget Montolivo too, and both Suarez and Ronaldo are both injured to different degrees.
I love pineapple stu's sense of understatement. Germany "upped the pace a bit" and scored 5 goals in 20 minutes. I wish we had that change of pace.
I know our diaspora reaches far and wide across the globe and the granny rule has served us well over the years, but can we really be claiming Muller? :pQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Of the Tipperary Mullers. You don't know them?
(Oops! Good spot. :o)
The Cameroon squad have refused to board their flight to Brazil due to a dispute over potential bonuses: http://asia.eurosport.com/football/w...29/story.shtml
I hope John is on the phone to Sepp.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
"Can we be the African team? He asked me this. Really!"
Well, this ought to get everyone in the mood...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I
Isn't the Amazon Arena being given to the local side? Nacional or something like that? I have no idea if they can fill it, but its not a case of the stadium becoming an unused derelict right?
The changed drink laws is interesting, but I assume Brazil was aware of this requirement before they bid right? That bit of FIFA vilification strikes me as a bit odd, no one forced Brazil to host the tournament after all.
Isn't there a ban on public drinking in Qatar? Qatar certainly would have more stringent laws relating to the sale and consumption of alcohol than Brazil would anyway. Will such laws also be subject to amendment or will FIFA approach that one a little more sensitively? Just like gay football fans will have to "refrain from sexual activity" whilst visiting... That is, assuming Qatar can hold on to the rights to host the competition in 2022.
I think the general issue is that the people who decided to host the World Cup may have been doing it as a bit of an ego trip or a career advancement thing, and that many of the ordinary people don't want the World Cup in Brazil at all. So arguably the World Cup has been forced on the general public. Of course, that's the FIFA idea of the World Cup with zero rate tax laws for its profits and other rather suitable laws written in; I'm sure the Brazilians would love an "old-style" World Cup.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter
I suppose. I just think, in that case, the vitriol should be aimed at the acquiescing Brazilian officials/government, rather than FIFA (purely in response to the video linked above, I know Brazilians are protesting their government primarily).
In regards Qatar, I remember reading somewhere that they were willing to set up something like "Alcohol Safe Zones" where fans could go and drink, though there was little elaboration on what that would actually entail.
There's a case for it, not doubt.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter
But FIFA are the ones writing the rules, so I guess it makes sense to go after them first.
I watched HARDtalk with Romario (now a socialist politician, of course) and Luis Fernandes (Brazil's deputy sports minister) the other week to gain a greater insight into the situation and debate within Brazil at the minute. They respectively offer the two contrasting positions fairly concisely during their separate interviews. Might be worth a watch for a more serious overview in contrast to John Oliver's comedy snippet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xsp2ePQ9wY
Nacional will indeed assume control of the Amazon Arena, but, of course, there is the cloudy issue of its sustainability after the tournament. The obvious concern is: will or can it be put to ample enough use or will it be of sufficient enough benefit the local community to have justified such exorbitant expenditure? Nacional play in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D, which is the fourth tier of Brazilian football, and I understand their average attendance is under 2,000. From what I can recall, however, the optimistic Luis Fernandes does argue in the above interview that the stadium, as well as hosting league football games, will be utilised as a general events arena and conference centre after the World Cup. How realistic his confidence is in the stadium becoming a thriving venue remains to be seen.
That sounds like Limerick FC taking over Thomond as its primary resident.
Par for the course with recent tournaments. Euro 2004 (Portugal), Euro 2008 (Austria and Switzerland), 2010 World Cup (South Africa), Euro 2012 (Poland and Ukraine). None of them needed the stadia that were built. Just some examples -
Switzerland - Young Boys Bern - capacity 32000; average crowd about 16000
Austria - Pasching - capacity 32000; Jorg Haider had to move a club from a different city in to make the ground economical; that club went bust three years later
Portugal - Braga - capacity 30000; average crowd 10000. Worse is Beira Mar - capacity 30000, average crowd 700
Poland - Lech Poznan - capacity 40000; average 12000
Some of the grounds are only used for occasional big league matches, which makes them even more worthless.
Sounds like the GAA spirit is alive and kicking in FIFA.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Ooooooooooooooooh. Saucer of milk for Chuck.
Want to read the worst and possibly least informative and innacurate piece on the world Cup?
Of course you do.http://m.sportsbreak.com/soccer/worl...utm_medium=cpc
I have honestly never read an American write about the World Cup without mentioning the Super Bowl at some point.
That is staggeringly bad. The 2002 World Cup was in South Korea apparently (Japan having vanished)
LOL at Holland finishing a painful second last time too. Having watched the match, I think it's fair to say it was Spain who finished a painful first.