Misao said the other day, as it first hit 90 degrees, "Put in the air conditioner!"
With the heat and humidity and the promise of rain, a promise that goes unfilled more than not, much of our time is spent in our air conditioned upstairs. The chance of rain puts the Wednesday Night Race in question. Do I really want to race in these conditions anyway? And the World Cup is on TV soon. The TV and computer both being upstairs.
I first started following soccer, just a tiny bit, when I was overseas working with a man from Cameroon. In 1990 Cameroon did so well in the World Cup that they gave Africa another spot. Yes at that time Africa, positions allotted by Continent, had only one spot at the World Cup. Africa now having six spots and South America, that I believe then had two spots, also has more spots. Could it be that soccer has grown in popularity because Europe decided to share the ball?
Then there is the scoring. Most non soccer nations complain that there is not enough scoring. Yes, there is plenty of athletic ability, prowess and talent to enjoy but if it is all meaningless, doesn't lead to a score, it is just frustration on tilt. Is it any wonder that riots are the typical after party to most big matches?
Then I'm listening to one game and the announcer comments that a player going up for a header was pushed aside in the air. He said 'if they called all those they would have twenty free kicks a game.' .... !? And we get to the real problem with soccer. The politics.
Is it any wonder that the soccer nations are prone to dictatorships (or monarchies)? Here you have referees that are constantly questioned as to where the penalty they called, a penalty that often nullifies a goal, was. And, as in my previous example, it appears they are not calling penalties that could greatly increase the scoring opportunities.
And no instant replay? Even for seeing if the ball cleared the goal or not? Does anything say backward more than that in this modern age?
And the clock thing. They just decide according to how they feel when the game will end. On the upside you could say it is a good thing that a press for the goal isn't halted by a tick of the clock. That a final play should be allowed to play out. I could think of arguments to support that idea... but why waste my time.
And lets really get to the heart of the soccer conspiracy. It was a brawl over a soccer match that the Archduke ran into that led to the wars of the last century.
Less than two hours to the final. GO GERMANY!!!
Who are they playing?
2 comments:
Go figure.
No network coverage of the World Cup. I guess I'm going to the gym this afternoon.
So I left for the gym with some light rain falling and the sun shining. Arriving I found they had the World Cup on TV. Catching the game just after the start of the second half.
Walking my laps I caught more of the game than not from multiple TVs. I noticed storm clouds gathering and lighting flashing wildly in the distance.
Spain scored and a few moments later a downpour began outside. With just a few plus minutes left the gym lost their satellite signal. Some minutes later the power went out and I knew all was lost for Germany.
Getting home I discovered that it was not the final. ...ugh. One more to go. I'll probably watch.
And those comments on the Archduke were extreme highly speculative speculation intended not to be taken too seriously. But I think someone should still look into it.
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