- 05:58 PM
- 11/21/09
Drood, Canada's a great place to be for watching the world cup! Every game is on basic cable (either TSN or Sportsnet), sometimes twice, and even The Score has jumped on the bandwagon (although you have to put up with their idiot 'reporters'). I'm thoroughly looking forward to the World Cup, and kinda wishing I was unemployed like last time.... And hockey's over soon...
posted by sauril at 05:21 PM on June 06
I used to ref when I was a teenager. It was an easy way to make some spare cash, and while I never reffed at that high a level, the sprinting towards the center on a score was something that we were taught... Now the clenched fist thing, that explains a lot.
posted by sauril at 10:27 AM on May 30
And don't forget the conspiracy theory! Alex Ferguson just fired ManU's doctor. No FA member will be there for the scan, and Ferguson doesn't want Rooney to go. Crazy stuff...
posted by sauril at 01:17 PM on May 25
holden, all of us at the pub were saying exactly the same thing. What a waste of time...
posted by sauril at 10:04 AM on May 18
The foul was outside the box, so no penalty, but a clear red card. I too was disappointed he didn't play advantage. It would have been nice to see some more 11 on 11 with Arsenal attacking and Barca coming back on the break. And that foul that led to Arsenal's goal was a blatant dive - he didn't even get touched... fun game to watch as a neutral, though.
posted by sauril at 05:50 PM on May 17
Someone above mentioned Scott Parker. He's got 'glandular fever', which as I understand is the same as Mononucleosis. He isn't going to be playing for a while...
posted by sauril at 11:26 AM on May 09
That's life as a Spur's fan, I guess.... It might not be that bad for them, though. If they entered the CL qualifier with no points in Europe (as Everton did this year), they could have been drawn against a Spanish or Italian 3rd or 4th team for the qualifiers, and then miss out on Europe alltogether except for 2 games. Now, they get the UEFA cup, will hopefully have a good run, gain some experience and points, and have a run at it again next year...
posted by sauril at 12:46 PM on May 08
I'm fired up for it already...and have a bit of conundrum. If England come 2nd in their group, then I will be getting married the day they play. I have a feeling that half my family would be late...
posted by sauril at 11:04 AM on March 29
Ha! Looks like it, doesn't it. I remember going to the Forum when I was a little kid and seeing them smoke on the BENCH!
posted by sauril at 11:02 AM on March 29
Robbie Fowler.... Danny Murphy is just confusing. Because Spurs need another central midfielder.
posted by sauril at 01:10 PM on February 01
Radio 5 says that Barca offered 37m. Holy Crap that's a lot of money. Personally, I'm sad to see him go, but for that kind of cash...
posted by sauril at 03:52 PM on July 05
He put in a transfer request.... He's leaving. http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1521825,00.html
posted by sauril at 10:33 AM on July 05
And in other, older but similar news, my old hometown Southend has been promoted to League One (fka Division Three) for the first time in almost forever! Wohoo!
posted by sauril at 04:33 PM on May 31
worldcup: Charlton and Palace are also both London teams.
posted by sauril at 03:31 PM on May 31
What and incredible game! My girlfriend was all ready to leave the pub at halftime, and she decided to stay just long enough to finish her pint. By the time it was done, it was 3-2. Mian definitely had the better chances and more of the game, but Liverpool still wins. Wow.
posted by sauril at 06:42 PM on May 25
I was just about to post this. I've heard that Glazer is up to £300m in hock because of this deal. If he gets 75% of the shares, it means that he can then transfer that debt to the club and de-list it from the stock market. I see 2 ways that this can go. 1. He's a successful sports franchise owner and businessman. He'll find a way to expand the United brand into the US and all debt will be paid off easily. He keeps buying good players and United challenge for the top spot for the next long while 2. He sells players to finance the debt. United miss out on CL revenue and pull a Leeds. As much as I don't like ManYoo, I would hate for them to be sold off as parts as an aging billionaire's plaything. All in all, it's weird, I don't really see what he's getting out of it.
posted by sauril at 02:58 PM on May 12
I really have to see if I can weasel a 2 hour lunch Wednesday to see this game...
posted by sauril at 01:52 PM on April 25
That's most definitely not true, blarp, as I remember Giggs getting at the beginning of last year. I don't know what happened to Beckham, he used to be a skilled attacking footballer, but I think he started to believe the hype, and generally plays for the foul and free kick now. As for Real, I'm happy to see them lose. I always hate the "buy all the talent" teams.
posted by sauril at 12:19 PM on March 17
One thing I don't understand about football refs in Europe is the fact that they are amateurs. If your wage bill is hundreds of thousands of dollars a week, surely you can afford to pay the refs a decent salary so they can concentrate on that, and not feeding their family.
posted by sauril at 10:37 AM on March 02
whoops. I just realized that it's ronaldo7.footballclips.net. which is currently down.
posted by sauril at 12:50 PM on February 16
this is a cool site, and I think I posted about it in a lockerroom thread a while ago. ronaldo7.soccerclips.net has premiership highlights, but has been down for a while.
posted by sauril at 12:48 PM on February 16
Brum just signed Pandiani on loan. That's quite the coup...
posted by sauril at 10:45 AM on February 01
what Dr John said... I've already given up. fuck'em all. Even when they do come back, they're not going to solve the all-clutch all-the-time issue that has crept up.
posted by sauril at 12:38 PM on December 20
That's what I figured Bill... right now I haver a 20 year old tv and peasant-vision (aka rabbit ears) and I'm fine with it. FSW is only on digital cable and would cost me ~$90/month plus set up. forget that.
posted by sauril at 05:33 PM on November 27
If they're not just on digital cable here (like FSW is) then this could get me to actually spring for cable.
posted by sauril at 04:05 PM on November 27
Strachan was out last year, it was Sturrock who left this year... It sounds like a bit of clash between Redknapp and the chairman I think.
posted by sauril at 04:28 PM on November 24
I still think that what is needed is an independent, trusted, 3rd party to do an audit. The players don't trust the owners' numbers, and until that happens, there's no way a deal can be done.
posted by sauril at 10:14 AM on November 12
then it's Sportsnet. holy cow.
posted by sauril at 05:17 PM on November 08
Speaking of commercials, I don't know if it's the FSW feed we get or Sportsnet itself, but they're starting to include commercials in the live Premiership games. Probably adding 30 seconds of tape delay.
posted by sauril at 03:35 PM on November 08
SF, I grew up and still live in Canada. Montreal for the first little while and Calgary now, if you want to get specific. While I agree with you and your friend about watching soccer, a lot of other people here don't see it that way. They think "boring, only 1 goal all game" and miss the fact that the game could be tied up or won in injury time a la France vs England. My theory above, which I'm not really sold into, came in part from a discussion with an old co-worker who loved watching (CFL) football. After talking to him for a while, it became apparent that it was as much about the hanging out with friends as the actural game, even if he didn't say as much. The stoppages encourage talking, stats-crunching and other non-essential-to-the sport activities that are essential to actually watching it. I know that there are a lot of people who love american football and baseball, but for me it doesn't really catch me anymore. Hockey can be an almost perfect game (see last Olympics) but the NHL is killing it. I love watching soccer, but I just don't think it's going to catch on in the North American market.
posted by sauril at 09:01 PM on November 06
I disagree. I've been reading this article in one form or another for 25 years now. It wasn't true in the 70's and I still don't see it happening now. My current theory is that baseball, football and basketball all have stoppages in play where you can talk about the game, your week, go get a beer, whatever. This makes it less of an investment to watch, and makes it more social tv.
posted by sauril at 10:28 PM on November 05
I'm a sorta-fan. I'm Canadian, but my dad's English. I remember watching Ian Rush when I was a kid, when Liverpool used to win everything. Then when I got back into watching English soccer, I ofter hung around with my friend who's a Newcastle fan. So I sorta-cheered for them. Now I live with a girl who's a rabid Liverpool fan, so we watch their games, and for some reason, I'm cheering for them. Weird evolution, I know. And yes, I know that I'm being wishy washy, but cheering for the Shrimpers really isn't easy.
posted by sauril at 12:46 PM on November 04
>There was a strange fucking talent sucking void that sucked the talent out of anyone that came to Liverpool while Houllier was there...< Yep. people were talking about how good BISCAN was yesterday fer crying out loud. And Traore's turned into a pretty good player too.
posted by sauril at 11:40 AM on November 04
I think winning 1-0 away to Deportivo La coruna is a pretty solid result. Especially with 50m lbs of talent on the sideline. By all reports I've read, if the cross wasn't own-goaled, it would have been a tap in for Baros.
posted by sauril at 10:23 AM on November 04
Well, that's it. 1-0 Liverpool. Looks like they'll make it through. One win in the next two games needed.
posted by sauril at 03:54 PM on November 03
whoops, yeah. 12:30 here. So Biscan is in. Alonso on the bench. Kewell up with Baros.
posted by sauril at 02:32 PM on November 03
SF: Apparantly Cygan just plonked a header into his own net to tie up the CL game against Panathanaikos... After watching Josemi play 2 games, I'd much rather see Carragher than him anywhere near the pitch.
posted by sauril at 04:08 PM on November 02
I like that too, and his finish on his goal on Saturday was excellent. I don't know what happened to Kewell, either. He just seems short of confidence and off form. He's trying, so maybe a few games will get him going again. Josemi still sucks, though.
posted by sauril at 12:26 PM on November 02
He is starting to look better. My big complaint about him, though, is that when he goes on a run, his head is always down, and he'll try to beat 3 people instead of laying the ball off. He's getting better, though. Flo-Po's still injured too, so I imagine that Garcia or Kewell will be playing behind Baros for the near future. Kewell looked dangerous against Blackburn.
posted by sauril at 11:15 AM on November 02
Sorry I took so long to come back to this thread. From what I remember seeing, I thought that it was a foul, but definitely not deliberate. Their legs got tangled, and they both went down. It's something that happens 20 times a game, and no one is the worse for wear. Tugay's near-castration of Baros, on the other hand...
posted by sauril at 10:36 AM on November 02
I watched this game on Saturday, and felt sick after watching this happen.
posted by sauril at 02:43 PM on November 01
I went to the pub where we normally watch sunday morning Premier league, and they had it on a 2 hour tape delay, because of ppv rules. And my father, who gets FSW, didn't see it because he wouldn't pay. So here in Canada at least, it was ppv. And it wasn't that great of a game. I came out of it feeling cheated, with the winning goal on a cheap dive.
posted by sauril at 11:33 AM on October 27
The Premier League are incredibly short sighted when it comes to things like this. Having the United / Arsenal game ppv is a perfect example. Instead of reaching out to new fans and increasing the value of the tv rights, they go for the quick buck.
posted by sauril at 04:59 PM on October 26
I did some dryland training (sprint training for ultimate frisbee) with an alternate member of the canadian ski team, and I was absolutely amazed at the strength, power and agility he posessed. He was a great coach, and every once in a while someone would say "that's impossible" or something, he'd demonstrate it easily. Once he lunge-walked the whole track (about 800m).
posted by sauril at 02:44 PM on October 19
Devers didn't fall, either, she pulled a muscle....
posted by sauril at 04:06 PM on October 08
I have always played prime numbers. I started out as 3, moved to 5 one year, and then shifted between 3 and 17 depending on my position within the team. (The more established players usually got first pick) Now I'm always 17, except when I'm 19. I only noticed the prime thing about 2 years ago. And no I'm not a prime player by any stretch...
posted by sauril at 12:33 PM on October 08
I took Astronomy 101 as an elective in third year. Which really isn't that much of a creampuff course until you realize that I have a physics degree.
posted by sauril at 02:54 PM on September 24
Was a hell of a game. I watched the regular first three periods at home, and then tried to scoot off to a bbq I was late for (where they were watching the game), but got caught behind an accident. At least I heard it on the radio. That game was so much better than the dirgefest of trapping that was Finland - USA. I felt sorry for the USers, but was happy to see Kipper and Niemenan get through. Tomorrow should be good.
posted by sauril at 11:43 AM on September 13
I'm of two minds about this. On one hand, MU's problems are not at forward. With Smith playing the way he is, Saha, and RVN back soon, they have a strong forward line as it is. The issue with them is really in midfield right now, with Keane and Giggs fading, and no one to really take over the right side. On the other, they just bought the best young English player to come along is ages. That's never a bad idea. Newcastle never had a chance, and making a bid was a mistake by whoever did it.
posted by sauril at 04:43 PM on August 31
I miss him. Watching him pitch for the expos as a kid made me ask some very awkward questions as a kid.
posted by sauril at 10:28 AM on August 20
My girlfriend's a Liverpool fan, so I've seen quite a few games... What you guys need most is a centre back with more pace than Hechoz and Hyypia. Henchoz can't even make the Swiss team for crying out loud! I remember Yakubu roasting them time and time again last season, on speed alone. I'm starting to become a bit of a mild fan myself, and while I don't see Owen's departure as a crisis, it does leave them with not one premiership proven striker. and while Cisse and Baros have talent to spare, they've scored maybe 10 goals between them.
posted by sauril at 11:45 AM on August 13
Calgary's the best hockey town? Maybe during the playoff run, but with a small season ticket base and apathy when they're not in the playoffs, I wouldn't say so. And I live there.
posted by sauril at 02:37 PM on August 04
There was no interference with the goalie whatsoever on that goal. It was perfectly legitimate. As far as I can tell, Terry got a foul for standing still. That ref was absolutely horrendous. Great game to watch, too bad about the end result
posted by sauril at 05:18 PM on June 24
[nelson] HA HA [/nelson] There was no conspiracy. Anyone who saw Isaksson's saves on Rommedahl and Graveson (??I think) when it was 2-1 could see that the Danes were going for the win. Italy have only themselves to blame, not being able to score against an ordinary Danish defense, and getting only 1 against Sweden. Maybe if they had put as much energy into the game as they do into whining about conspiracy theories, then they would have done a bit better.
posted by sauril at 06:11 PM on June 22
that is SO COOL! Now if only they could put the video on their site...
posted by sauril at 04:47 PM on June 15
dng. Southend fan? I used to live there. My dad still follows them. And yes, the Championship is dumb.
posted by sauril at 03:22 PM on June 10
heh. I don't know how I missed that gspm. I found myself actually angry last game. I rarely get that emotionally involved in games, (somewhat emotionally involved, or else where would the fun be) but I was yelling at the tv, and was in a bad mood for hours after the game, simply due to the damn refs. And camcanuck, you're dead on. You expect local rags to be partisan (see Francis, Eric), but national reporters should be better. Eric Duhatchek from the Globe is worth a read, though. I can't wait for this series to be over so I can get my life back (mostly kidding)
posted by sauril at 03:15 PM on June 03
After the refereeing in the last game, I'm not surprised he said that. Although I think it's more gamesmanship than anything else, getting his team to feel like underdogs again, which is when they play their best. Also, the "conspiracy to hurt the other team" is as bullshit a call as "the league wants us to lose". the hit on Fedotenko was legal, he got his arm caught on the boards and he was unlucky to be in the position he was. It's a play that happens dozens of times a game. And Kubina, well, it was an overzealous hit that was called a penalty, but it wasn't an elbow to the head (stillman on nillson) or a hit from behind into the boards (forget who on niemenan about 20 seconds later). Both those plays were way more vicious. Iginla also got hit from behind into the boards causing the rush up the ice that lead to the two penalties last game - no call. Oh, and all this about the Lightning having to play without two players. Boo hoo. The Flames have been missing two top 4 defencemen (Lydman and Gauthier) and two top-two line playeres (Reinprecht and McCammond) for the whole freaking playoffs. Not to mention Lombardi being sidelined by the vicious elbow from Hatcher. Ok rant over, I just needed to vent...
posted by sauril at 09:44 AM on June 03
RoboStick pulls hair to score goal
Brazil? You should have seen Argentina this morning... I was at the pub yesterday watching the game, and it was agonizing...