World Cup stuff

[vitomins]

RM's state is for a variety of reasons but it doesn't change the reality that winning does not guarantee job security

So playing beautifully and losing does??

 

[FCBarca]

So playing beautifully and losing does??

What you described is a common logical fallacy, actually...Just because something may be true, doesn't mean you can extrapolate that to apply to other conditions

It's not even about simply playing beautifully but sportsmanship and attempting to play the game...Putting it another way, when you get together with your mates to have a kick about, winning is often times given a high degree of importance but do you get together only to stand around preventing the other side from playing?...Do you merely hope you get a crack at a goal here or there?...Or perhaps, you want to give it your best, play well and beat a good opposition?

As I've said before, there is more to playing a sport/game than just winning, IMHO

 

[vitomins]

What you described is a common logical fallacy, actually...Just because something may be true, doesn't mean you can extrapolate that to apply to other conditions

It's not even about simply playing beautifully but sportsmanship and attempting to play the game...Putting it another way, when you get together with your mates to have a kick about, winning is often times given a high degree of importance but do you get together only to stand around preventing the other side from playing?...Do you merely hope you get a crack at a goal here or there?...Or perhaps, you want to give it your best, play well and beat a good opposition?

As I've said before, there is more to playing a sport/game than just winning, IMHO

You sound like my U-8 recreational coach. You would be a great manager of youth football under the age of 10.

 

[FCBarca]

You sound like my U-8 recreational coach. You would be a great manager of youth football under the age of 10.

Sounds like your U-8 manager failed, however, in instilling the concepts of sportsmanship...You're not alone, I'm sure...There's a culture of sports fans and players out there that believe winning is all that matters

There are many measurements and aspects to success in a sporting sense, winning is merely one of them

I cannot presume to speak for all fans of sports but I do recognize that there is more to success than just winning.

There is, I believe, an obligation to the fans as well as the players themselves to give their all and provide sporting entertainment...Does the play bring smiles and joy to both the fans and the players who play?...Does that play reflect positively on the club?...Does it inspire other fans and players to that sort of play?

Winning, is not the only barometer for success

 

[Stefan]

Again, it's that point I'd be most curious about...I think a lot more fans out there care about the way the game is played & more than just winning than you have predicted

Some managers get fired, despite winning (Capello) but failing to do more than just win

Real and Barca are most likely exception. Most football fans want their side to win. They are not concerned how that is done as long as the team stays within the rules.

I agree with Vito your mentality may work for youth managers but for the vast majority of the managers/teams the end result is what matters above anything else.

 

[thorn]

hmm..i think we should change the point system in football then..

 

[thorn]

this might sound funny but i have a feeling that Italy will go far in this competition while spain might underachieve.Italians know how to grind out the result out of a football while some others like...ok better leave that part

 

[FCBarca]

this might sound funny but i have a feeling that Italy will go far in this competition while spain might underachieve.Italians know how to grind out the result out of a football while some others like...ok better leave that part

Real strong hater sentiment building but everyone's free to make their own predictions...There is, however, little debate that the most consistent and dominating NT in the last 2 years has been none other than...La Furia Roja

 

[thorn]

There is, however, little debate that the most consistent and dominating NT in the last 2 years has been none other than...La Furia Roja

yes your right.but all remember what happened to france and argentina in 2002 WC,and even for the last world cup Brazil came as the strongest with the favorite tag.but lets see what happens

 

[Handoyo]

Hey, Barcelona are probably also the best club side in the world in this past 2 seasons but all it takes is a very good performance by our own club to knock them out.

In a knockout system, it's unlikely even for the best team to win.

 

[Suneet]

Its a lottery

 

[blackmore]

"Barely a day after South Africa's security forces put on a display of their might in Johannesburg, an alleged plan for a terror attack at the World Cup has made headlines.

Iraqi authorities arrested Azzam Saleh Misfar al-Qahtani because they had evidence to suggest he was planning a terrorist act in the country during the footballing showpiece.
Despite their show of strength to deal with possible high risk situations, South African authorities have not been in contact with their Iraqi counterparts on the matter.

Police spokesperson Vish Naidoo said: "We still haven't been informed by the Iraqi authorities." Naidoo also gave no indication that the police would attempt to contact officials in the Middle Eastern country for assistance.
The vagueness of detail emerging from all sides had led the Institute of Security Studies, (ISS), a pan-African policy research institute based in Pretoria, to doubt the reliability of the allegation. Anneli Botha, a senior researcher from the ISS said: "If it was a credible threat one could expect some sort of information sharing."

However, Botha was quick to warn that South Africa must remain on guard, particularly against terror attacks as the World Cup draws closer. "In the mind of the terrorist it is an opportunity for them to create awareness for themselves and raise a profile. They would certainly target the World Cup as it is the biggest sporting event in the world."
FIFA has issued statements saying it is aware of potential threats and has isolated certain events, teams and matches as being vulnerable to attacks. The match between England and the United States, which will be played in Rustenburg on June 12, is one such game that has been placed on high alert.

Meanwhile, South Africa's substantial Muslim community distanced themselves from fanaticism and al-Qaeda in general, saying they are patriotic to the country and support the tournament wholeheartedly.
Ighsan Hendricks, president of the country's Muslim Judicial Council told the Daily News: "We will not allow anyone, be it al-Qaeda, a Palestinian, an Iraqi, a Pakistani, or even a Boer, to destroy the peaceful existence in which we have been living with our fellow South Africans."

There has only been one significant link between al-Qaeda and South Africa in the past. That was in 2007, when a Johannesburg-based dentist and his cousin were on the verge of being put on a United Nations list of terror suspects because of allegedly recruiting and facilitating the travel of South Africans who wanted to join al-Qaeda. The pair threatened legal action if they were listed and nothing further was heard of the matter.
South Africa has not been on the radar for terror attacks until recently, because the eyes of the world will turn to the southern tip of the continent for the World Cup. South African police have said they are equipped to deal with anything that comes their way.

They flexed their muscle in Sandton, a suburb north of Johannesburg, on Monday performing an anti-hijacking simulation, dealing with thunder grenades and the Special Operation Unit rappelled off the roof of a prominent media house to show their skills. National police commissioner General Bheki Cele has also announced that almost 200,000 more police officers would be deployed for the duration of the tournament."

Firdose Moonda

 

[Alex de Large]

Busquets and Valdes called up.
Fuck Spain!

 

[Pajo]

And Pedro is not... I see Pedro as great player, while Biscuits, well... CRAP!

 

[Besnik]

And Pedro is not... I see Pedro as great player, while Biscuits, well... CRAP!

I agree with this. Pedro is a great player and I think he deserves to be called-up, while Busquts is crap and over-rated.

 

[Alex de Large]

Pedro is in guys

 

[FCBarca]

Pedro is in guys

So is Valdes, very happy for both but, in particular, Valdes...He'll likely never see a minute of play but in a WC where Spain could win it all, he certainly deserves to be a part of the best from Spain, IMHO

More importantly, that squad is full of competitive winners now

 

[rockball]

More importantly, that squad is full of competitive whiners now

Corrected.

 

[Intermilano90]

Check out this video. If Qatar are chosen to host the 2022 WC then it's gonna become the best WC ever. Just check out their proposed stadiums.

[youtube]d-z2jtUS9-Y[/youtube]

 

[Bob Sacamano]

The best stadiums don't guarentee it will be the best WC...

Germany had great stadiums four years ago but in the case of attractivity that WC sucked.