June 30, 2013

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle:

A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.

posted by huddle to general at 06:00 AM - 14 comments

I hope the "Brazuca" ball in next year's World Cup either closely matches or is the same as the ball in use in this Confederations Cup, because it seems to be one that talented players can actually get on target from dead ball situations.

Diamante scored one and had another free kick set up Italy's first and Cavani hit a beauty as well. Pirlo had one earlier in the tournament and the Brazilians have looked dangerous with it.

After a number of tournaments where the Adidas ball was designed to move a lot in the air (on its way into the crowd/lower atmosphere/nearest ocean), they may have actually designed one that moves just enough.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 01:53 PM on June 30, 2013

NFL arrests database. Not sure if this has already been linked here.

Mr. Biz, free kicks have been awesome in this tournament.

posted by yerfatma at 02:05 PM on June 30, 2013

Uruguay struggled with the dead ball in the penalty shoot out.

I still hate the short run up for penalties.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 02:48 PM on June 30, 2013

The NHL Draft is going on right now.

posted by NoMich at 03:31 PM on June 30, 2013

I still hate the short run up for penalties

Is there an argument for it? The one Italian player who missed did the same. Also, what does Diego Forlan have against corner kicks? Seemed like he finds them a hassle, at least in the second half/ OT today where he would just chip it to a teammate a foot away.

posted by yerfatma at 03:49 PM on June 30, 2013

The NHL Draft is going on right now.

Son of Popeye and Son of Pumpkin Head taken in the first dozen picks. Sounds like a couple of comic-based movie franchises.

posted by holden at 04:27 PM on June 30, 2013

Is there an argument for it?

I guess they look cool when they go in? Same as the Panenka.

But you look a bit of an arse when they're underpowered, poorly disguised and saved.

Same as a Panenka.

I liked Aquilani's penalty. One of those where you could have told the keeper where it was going and he wouldn't have saved it.

posted by Mr Bismarck at 04:28 PM on June 30, 2013

I love that some of the major international tournaments have third place games. Often seem to be more exciting than the main event. Obviously the pressure is lower, and as a result the games tend to be more open.

posted by holden at 04:34 PM on June 30, 2013

Often seem to be more exciting than the main event

Is that true or is it that Uruguay makes for good 3rd place games?

posted by yerfatma at 04:42 PM on June 30, 2013

The Vancouver Canucks finally traded their goaltender. No, not that one, the other one.

posted by grum@work at 05:10 PM on June 30, 2013

Is that true or is it that Uruguay makes for good 3rd place games?

2002 WC Consolation Game -- Turkey 3 - South Korea 2.
2002 WC Final -- Brazil 2 - Germany 0

2006 WC Consolation Game -- Germany 3 - Portugal 1
2006 WC Final -- Italy 1 - France 1 (Italy wins on PKs)

2010 WC Consolation Game -- Germany 3 - Uruguay 2
2010 WC Final -- Spain 1 - Netherlands 0

posted by holden at 05:58 PM on June 30, 2013

posted by yerfatma at 07:37 PM on June 30, 2013

That's it, I'm done! Jim Rutherford has lost it and needs to be put out to pasture now.

posted by NoMich at 07:43 PM on June 30, 2013

I don't know why I subject myself to comments sections on internet posts about draft picks. It must the the masochistic side of me that keeps me rooting for the Lions...

Present company excluded, of course...

posted by MeatSaber at 07:58 PM on June 30, 2013

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