Subject: Nasty goes to The Match
Posted by: nasty_liar
Date: Jan 15 18
This is my new blog about all things sports.
Warning to any North American readers expecting any of your sports to be featured. They will not. I do not watch Baseball, Basketball, Ice Hockey or American Football.
I am a huge sports fan though. The most important being football, or soccer to those in North America, in particular the team I have supported since I was a boy. Huddersfield Town.
Posted by: nasty_liar
Date: Jan 15 18
This is my new blog about all things sports.
Warning to any North American readers expecting any of your sports to be featured. They will not. I do not watch Baseball, Basketball, Ice Hockey or American Football.
I am a huge sports fan though. The most important being football, or soccer to those in North America, in particular the team I have supported since I was a boy. Huddersfield Town.
702 replies. On page 5 of 36 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
Blackdresss 
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I am paying rapt attention, Brian! As I've said, I find the entire sport fascinating, but it makes zero sense to me! If there is a clock, but not really, why show us the clock? It's very distracting because in a sport where that clock is life and death, you watch the clock. I did see "flopping" today, which is "embellishment" in hockey. You try like mad to roll around on the ice, and reach up a lot hoping for blood. If you find any part of you is bleeding, you make certain the Refs know it, too, and hope like mad they witnessed the offender. Unless you're Peter Forsberg, and you got hit so hard, you laid on the ice, face down, like a dead person with blood pooling from your head. The clock definitely stopped then, and I was at that game. You could have heard a pin drop. I didn't find out if he lived or died until I was on my way home from Denver, and tuned in to every sports channel on the radio, who were all talking about it. He lived, but it was ugly with a capital U. No embellishment there; that guy tried to kill him. So, the Referees or Refs, plural, decide when the match is over? And everyone making so much noise in the stands understands this? If you ever watch hockey on TV, they add those crowd noises for all of us watching at home. It drives me mad, because I know it's piped in for effect. Kind of like that clock on TV during soccer matches. At every live hockey game I've attended, to include Avalanche games, Avalanche playoff games, front row, and our llocal semi-pro team that was turning into the farm team for the Avs right when I moved away, you can hear a pin drop in that arena during play. Everyone is watching and no one is even whispering. You can hear the players on the ice yelling to each other, their skates, the snow they spray at each other and on the glass, the puck, their sticks, every single sound on that ice can be heard. What can't be heard are anyone in the stands. When the whistle blows, or someone scores, preferably on your team, then the crowd will speak to one another or stand up and cheer and sing or just clap along with the song. Otherwise, no talking. No sound at all. And they won't let you enter while play is on the ice if you have left and are now on the concourse. It's blacked out with black curtains so there will be zero glare on the ice to distract the players. You have to wait until play has been stopped, and then they let you in based on how many of you can get to your seats without disrupting the game for everyone else based on the time allotted, and that's a guess by security. Leave to buy hotdogs and popcorn and beer at your own risk of potentially spending 20 minutes on the concourse, behind blackout curtains, in a line, waiting to re-enter the arena as fast as you can when play has stopped. I was at a game once with an old friend, but a new member of our group who purchased season tickets together, and he kept asking me and my hockey-playing friend, John, questions throughout the game. I didn't even hear him. I watch hockey games with my elbows on my knees and my knuckles pressed into my cheeks, leaning forward, but certain to not block the view of anyone around me. (Hockey fans are the most courteous fans I have ever seen.) But when the whistle blew, we both turned to our friend, Brad, and said, "Did you say something?" We weren't being rude, we were being hockey fans who thought we may have heard him ask a question, but it truly didn't register. Hockey fans are very focused! I watch hockey on TV the same way. He caught on eventually, because we took him to dinner afterward, or lunch during the week, complete with one of my programs that always contains "Hockey 101" and taught him the game, complete with hockey etiquette. Baseball is another story. Baseball games are loud, people walk in front of you constantly, and you learn to purchase your seats strategically to avoid too much sun and too many people, to include vendors, blocking your view. But baseball is very family-oriented, so it's fun to have so many kids at games with their parents, and learning everything there is to know about "the hardest contact sport to play" based on how fast that little ball is coming at you, and then trying to hit it with a bat. It's been officially labeled "the most difficult team contact sport," and I have to agree. But thank you for explaining all this to me. I really do find it all fascinating, and I'm going to keep watching until it starts to make sense. I'll just ignore the HUGE clock from now on, and assume those fans have zero idea what is going on based on how hard they are partying and how much noise they are making. I don't think you can follow a sport, live or otherwise, and also get too rowdy. How old is the game of soccer, does anyone know? And if you aren't in the US, do you actually understand football? That's not an easy game. Baseball isn't easy, either. Hockey is really simple; it's just played on ice, making it FAST. And I swear, the best hockey players have also taken figure skating lessons. If you can't skate, and skate well, you won't be a great hockey player. Reply #81. Jun 18 18, 12:50 AM |
C30
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Blackdress........whilst football (soccer) in it's recognised form dates to 19th Century, it has been around a LOT longer than that:- History of Soccer www.historyofsoccer.info/ You can easily say that this popular game has been played for more than three thousand years. The nativity of modern-day soccer must be credited to Britain. It was also known as the association football, with Scotland and England being the co-founders of the systematic game of soccer. Btw Hockey is NOT always played on ice.......watch Olympics! There is a version that has been around, called "Field" Hockey (to differentiate between that and the better known ice version), played on grass, or a hard surface.........I played that game from age of 13, until 36. Reply #82. Jun 18 18, 2:12 AM |
| Blackdresss
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Thanks, C30! I had no clue this sport had been around this long. I do know there is field hockey; however, I don't watch it. I like the added dimension of ice, making it a very simple game amped up to, at one time, adding a little digitally-created puck with light tailings so you could follow it, on TV, even when it went out of your actual view near the boards or mixed up in the tangle of players' skates and sticks, or just players themselves. That wasn't very popular, and I hated it at first, too, but then I loved it because I learned how to follow that puck even when I "lost" it. Now, I can play hockey, because I learned to follow the puck, even when I couldn't see it. Hockey is easier than it looks, as long as you can skate well. That stick acts as a tripod. For a real sport, watch the Biathlon during the Winter Olympics. Cross-country skiing and then precision shooting with a rifle at a target, with the penalty of another lap if you miss one target. You don't have time to calm yourself or even catch your breath. You have to learn to take that shot between heartbeats. Now that's a sport. Reply #83. Jun 18 18, 5:46 AM |
| Blackdresss
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But now we have the added addition, and confusion of a tie. What happens when two teams tie? I've asked about this in greater detail in the No Drama Blog, I think. Somewhere. I know if I read enough about this, and watch enough of these matches, it will all come to me, if only via osmosis. Reply #84. Jun 19 18, 4:55 AM |
brm50diboll
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In the World Cup, teams may advance to the playoffs out of their groups using the point system. There are four teams in each group. Each team plays the other three teams in the group once, for a total of three games. If a team wins a game, it gets three points. If it ties, it gets one point. If it loses, it gets no points. So if a team wins all three of its group games, it will have 9 points. At the end of group play, the teams in each group are ranked from first to last by number of points they've earned. The top two teams in each group advance to the playoffs. If two teams tie in number of points earned, then tiebreakers are used to break the tie: Example: Say Team A wins all three of its games for 9 points. Team B loses to A, ties C and beats D for 4 points. Team C loses to A, ties B, and beats D for 4 points, and Team D loses all its games for 0 points. A will obviously go to the playoffs. But there is a tie breaker used to decide whether B or C advance. The first tie-breaker is head-to-head, but since B tied C, then you go to the second tie breaker, which is net point differential in games played. Explaining that is simple enough, but some people's heads explode when you ask them to consider math, so I will pass on it for now, but it is pretty good at breaking ties. Reply #85. Jun 19 18, 9:33 AM |
nasty_liar
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Reply #86. Jun 19 18, 1:46 PM |
| Blackdresss
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Oh My God! That Denmark v. Australia match was awesome! I've watched hours and hours and hours of futbol, including live (maybe?) matches, replays, highlights, team and player bios, and I have my subtitles turned on when I can't speaka da language. I pay for every Sports network I can, now that I can't attend live games anymore, and I have to watch my teams play everything. It all came together last night, or early this morning, when I watched Spain v. Iran, which I was assured would be a "blowout massacre." It wasn't. I have no idea why that Iran goal was overturned, though. I can't imagine cheering for Iran in any other venue, but I was because they showed incredible class while Spain seemed caught offguard completely and "cocky" wasn't flying in the face of a team that was outplaying them. Cocky never flies with me, and this seems to be a sport of incredible class. They all dress like they're going to a big runway show in Milan, and they're the models. It's a lot like hockey, without the ice. And now I only have about 2,748 questions, rather than the 18,384 questions I had before. But this match was SO exciting! Incredible skill on both sides, very obvious skill. Speed for miles, action, physicality, and the weirdest part of all, affable refs. In Baseball, if you look at an Ump sideways, he can and will eject you from the game, to include the coaches. Touch an Ump, and I think you may be strung up by your thumbs after you are ejected and fined many, many thousands of dollars and potentially not being allowed to play again until they get over it, if they ever do. Baseball Umpires drive me crazy. They act like they're the royalty on that field, and not the players. I don't get it, and I never will. Football Refs are a little more lenient, because football is a very physical sport, and they have to unsort piles of players sometimes just to figure out who has possession of the ball. But they will also toss you out, and fine you and your team thousands of dollars if you get too out of hand. Look what happened to Tom Brady and "Deflategate." In the end, he decided to take his penalty and fines and not contest it, but it was touch-and-go for a long time. Brady has a lot of class, so I'm glad he let that one go. Someone deflated those balls, and he was the last one to touch them and give them his approval before he handed them back. And everyone knows Brady likes underinflated balls. (Poor Gisele...) What I don't understand, and was really looking forward to in this last match, is why it ended in a tie? I thought a tie went into, what, three overtime sudden death periods, and then a shootout (kick off?) by five members of both teams to end the tie? And if the tie isn't then broken... I think I know how it's scored, but I'm tired, so that isn't my biggest question. I don't understand the little sign thingy the ref holds up that looks like a "Simon Says" toy. Does that indicate play is suspended while they... maybe trade out a player, or are reviewing a play? And why did this match end in a tie, but now Denmark doesn't advance? I was looking forward to watching this for a few more minutes/hours, and then, it was suddenly just over. Why was that Iran goal revoked? It seemed to have something to do with someone's hand being up in the air? And why do these really talented players, when they have possession of the ball, and that net is so close and that goal is in their grasp, overshoot it not just inches but several feet over the net? Is it "buck fever?" I don't get it. It looks like something I could do, so why do they overshoot so many times, and so dramatically? I am SO happy I hung in there, because I now LOVE Futbol! So what can I call it that won't offend anyone? "Soccer" seems to be the worst thing I can call it; I can't call it "Football" because that's what we play in the US. We don't play "gridiron." If I call it "Futbol," or even "Footie," will that not offend anyone? My biggest questions right now are, how can so many millions of people afford to attend these matches? They have to cost a fortune. And I do now believe that all those fans understand this game. They're too into it not to get it. I've seen and been exposed to drunken fans in stands before, and these fans are not that. They are just REALLY into their sport. My second question is, how in the world did the US not qualify for this? It's just flatout embarrassing. If I get the chance, and I think I will, I'm going to watch that Denmark v Australia match again in replay. Never did I think I would become a fan of this sport, but it's awesome! And are all the Refs former players? How many Refs are there? And do any of the players, to include the Refs, get to go to the sidelines for water, oxygen, or maybe some sodium? Their salt content has to drop significantly from all that running and sweating. It can't be good for them. And how do they not all have concussions from stopping a ball flying that fast with their heads? And do their shoes have cleats? I have to think they do, but no one is bleeding from getting cleated, so that makes no sense. See? My questions are smaller; I just have a whole new list of them. But you helped me tremendously by explaining all that you did, and now I can't stop watching! So, what can I call it that won't offend anyone, because I don't want to do that. And can I still ask questions in here as a new and rabid fan? Speaking of rabid fans... "Futbol Footie Fans" are the very definition of "fanatic." I've never seen fans like that in my life! I have two channels/networks I can rely on to watch these matches, so which ones coming up do I not want to miss? I think I have the option of watching anything new and live at my 6 a.m. and my 9 p.m., and I am doing both, although I was watching one before that match that just ended, and suddenly it said, in the middle of everything, "Do you want to delete this recording?" No other options. Just Yes or No. I had no clue it was a recording. I sure didn't record it. My DVR has a mind of its own, and may be as confused about all of this as I am. But look! I am a new rabid fan of a sport I have never understood, no matter how hard I tried! Well, I may not be rabid yet, because I don't completely understand it, but I'm a very excited new fan! I've found a sport I didn't really know existed other than being played here by 6-year-olds, escorted back and forth to many, many games by their Soccer Moms. That may be why the US didn't qualify for this. As competitive as we are in everything else, this kind of shocks me. We even recruited David Beckham to come play for the L.A. Galaxy, just to try to breathe life into a sport that is almost wholy overlooked here. I'm going to see what options I have coming up. I watched a match that I think may have been old, where the Ref holding up the lighted sign was doing his job, and everyone else on that field, to include the goalie, was at the opposite end of the field. The new guy came racing in, the ball was put into play, and he just cavalierly ran and kicked and bobbed and weaved his way to the net, with the goalie at the opposite end with every other player in that match. It was both awesome and shocking, but it has to be something everyone remembers, yes? I thought I was watching it live, but I have no clue who the teams were and now that I can see 6 matches lined up that I may or may not be able to watch until something "real" comes on, I realize it was probably a highlight, but what a highlight. Everyone, including that goalie, were caught with their pants down. Do you know the match I'm talking about, and how could that happen? Thank you so much for helping me figure this out! I'm good at recruiting. I'll bet I could wind up with a block party at my house to watch the rest of this! Reply #87. Jun 21 18, 8:35 AM |
| Blackdresss
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Wow... that was a long post. Sorry. I'm just really excited! It all finally came together -- most of it. Now, I can't get enough of it! Reply #88. Jun 21 18, 8:36 AM |
| nasty_liar
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Reply #89. Jun 22 18, 3:44 PM |
samak
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Sunday 15th July is going to be an amazing day - the Wimbledon Men’s Final and the World Cup final on the same day. Go Federer ! Reply #90. Jun 23 18, 12:12 AM |
| nasty_liar
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Reply #91. Jul 13 18, 3:30 PM |
terraorca
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DVR one and watch it later, and watch one live. Reply #92. Jul 13 18, 4:47 PM |
| nasty_liar
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Reply #93. Jul 13 18, 5:04 PM |
| samak
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That might be a disappointment if Anderson is still worn out after his epic match. Let's hope not. Reply #94. Jul 13 18, 5:20 PM |
| terraorca
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Anderson had an epic match before he played Isner, didn't seem to bother him as much as it did Isner. Reply #95. Jul 13 18, 6:09 PM |
| nasty_liar
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Reply #96. Jul 14 18, 4:03 AM |
| terraorca
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Here we go again, another epic 5th set. Let's have a show of hands, Who's in favor of a 5th set tiebreak? Other than the players. Reply #97. Jul 14 18, 8:19 AM |
nasty_liar
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Reply #98. Jul 14 18, 10:40 AM |
| terraorca
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My view: 1st Semi-final Server v Server 2nd Semi-Final Complete Player v Complete Player Final Tomorrow A.M. Anderson v Djokovic Server v Complete Playere Reply #99. Jul 14 18, 10:47 AM |
| nasty_liar
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Reply #100. Jul 14 18, 10:55 AM |
702 replies. On page 5 of 36 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
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