Women's World Cup

[The Hitch]

Isn´t soccer wonderful? Japan wins a meaningless event, but is happy and can forget a real tragedy ("Fukushima").... bread and circuses

I would definitely not call it meaningless, at all. This was also one of the most exciting soccer (football) matches I've seen. Well, at least until the very end, which was ruined by stupid rules. .

Nor would most sport fans, but you gotta understand, Foxy LOATHES futbol.

I wouldnt call it meaningless either, but in this case Foxy has a point.

It should not under any circumstances overshadow the earthquake disaster, which it wont because its the womens game, but had the Japanese men won the world cup it probably would.

 

[Archibald]

i seem to remember hearing about a world cup many years ago that had a replay and they almost had a riot in the stadium.

a replay is a good idea, but for the customers who paid for a final game and get no result it is a bit tough to take.

you are right about fifa, too.

should be fine if they have it pencilled in and people are aware of the second (possible) final date.
pre-sell with the possibility of a refund, or tickets on-sale from full time [after original extra time], with those current ticket holders getting priority booking(?)...
Easy to work out and sort to make it win-win for those involved.

 

[fatandfast]

I was at a small backyard event w 15 or 20 people. Place went wild when the US scored in extra time. Place went quiet when the Japan squad tied it. The placed emptied in minutes when the US shanked itself out of the game

 

[Granville57]

Isn´t soccer wonderful? Japan wins a meaningless event, but is happy and can forget a real tragedy ("Fukushima").... bread and circuses

Not sure what you're basing this on.

Where has it been suggested that this win would cause ANYONE to "forget" the recent tragedies in Japan? On the contrary, this win provided a much needed burst of inspiration to the country, and if anything, it refocused some attention back to the tragedy and prompted calls for further support and aid.

The disasters from the tsunami and Fuksushima were very much on everyone's minds throughout the tournament. Sports has a long history of providing comfort and encourgement to people in time of distress.

The New York Yankees won home games in the World Series, in dramatic fashion, only weeks after 9/11. To millions of people, that is still looked upon as a psychological turning point in dealing with the aftermath of that horrible event. It was uplifting, to say the least.

For many Japanese, yesterday's victory will likely have a similar effect.
http://newyork.ibtimes.com/articles/182219/20110718/women-s-world-cup-final-japan-win-america-sasaki-sawa-maruyama-fukushima.htm

Karina Maruyama, a substitute on the team who came off the bench to score an extra-time winner against Germany, used to work for Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO), the operator of the nuclear plant crippled by the march 11 earthquake and tsunami, reports Reuters. Maruyama actually lived in Fukushima as she worked at the Fukushima plant from 2005-2009 and played at its soccer team.

I somehow doubt that she "forgot" about what had taken place.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I would definitely not call it meaningless, at all. This was also one of the most exciting soccer (football) matches I've seen. Well, at least until the very end, which was ruined by stupid rules.

Not to sound like a bitter American, in the end the team that wanted it more won it. But to end not only a match, but an entire World Cup on penalty kicks is just a downright stupid rule. It's the stupidest rule I can think of in any sport.

Imagine the baseball World Series. 7th game, tied 2-2 after nine innings. They play one more inning and it's still a tie. So they decide to determine the winner with a home run hitting contest.

Wait, it's the Superbowl. After a grueling four quarters, they play one OT, and the game is still tied. Instead of continuing to play, or playing with some sort of rule alteration. They decide to have the outcome determined by a punt, pass and kick competition.

7th game, NBA finals. After OT the game is tied 110-110. Instead of continuing to play, they have a free throw shooting contest to determine who wins.

The NHL used to have way too many shootouts. Now they limit them as fans hated them. They still do. So rules were implemented limiting players on the ice, and substitutions to speed up the game in OT. Sometimes down to 3 on 3. In the playoffs, there is no shootout. They play until someone wins.

You are right all here. But the "world" and germany is different than the USA. They actually love this shoot-outs and hate any kind of Sudden death (that´s why Fifa abandoned that rule). Even tough i am born in germany i can´t tell you why. Maybe lottery is more fascinating over here.

The NFL-OT-Rule isn´t perfect, but waayyy better than a kick/run/pass competition. I mean that would be ridiculous. No doubt about it.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

On the contrary, this win provided a much needed burst of inspiration to the country, and if anything, it refocused some attention back to the tragedy and prompted calls for further support and aid.


The New York Yankees won home games in the World Series, in dramatic fashion, only weeks after 9/11. To millions of people, that is still looked upon as a psychological turning point in dealing with the aftermath of that horrible event. It was uplifting, to say the least.

That´s what i mean. Big sport events are used for something they are not built for in the beginning (FIFA: "Soccer brings the world together" blablabla). They are simply there to make someone rich. No more, no less.

I don´t wanna spin something, but for me that´s all BS. Patriots winning in 2001 in the eve of 9/11. Same goes for that WS. Or Japan winning the WC.

Yes the TdF is meaningless too. But they don´t stand for uniting something. It´s just a bike race. And that´s good so.

 

[jobiwan]

That´s what i mean. Big sport events are used for something they are not built for in the beginning (FIFA: "Soccer brings the world together" blablabla). They are simply there to make someone rich. No more, no less.

I don´t wanna spin something, but for me that´s all BS. Patriots winning in 2001 in the eve of 9/11. Same goes for that WS. Or Japan winning the WC.

Yes the TdF is meaningless too. But they don´t stand for uniting something. It´s just a bike race. And that´s good so.

Why are you trying to deny the Japanese the inspiration that their soccer team have given their country? It's given them something to feel good about for a change, but you'd rather them go back to feeling bad simply because FIFA made a profit.

I'm sorry the corruption in FIFA has made you feel that way, but I believe we should allow the Japanese to get hope from wherever they can get it, in this case, the World Cup.

 

[Archibald]

You are right all here. But the "world" and germany is different than the USA. They actually love this shoot-outs and hate any kind of Sudden death (that´s why Fifa abandoned that rule). Even tough i am born in germany i can´t tell you why. Maybe lottery is more fascinating over here.

I was told by a Brit that the sudden death thing did in the heads of players involved as well as those watching. He was telling me it was something to do with pent up emotion suddenly being ended. According to him this was why the golden goal idea was abandoned. Not being European, I couldn't quite follow his logic.

Why are you trying to deny the Japanese the inspiration that their soccer team have given their country? It's given them something to feel good about for a change, but you'd rather them go back to feeling bad simply because FIFA made a profit.

I'm sorry the corruption in FIFA has made you feel that way, but I believe we should allow the Japanese to get hope from wherever they can get it, in this case, the World Cup.

exactly. A good morale booster for the country and it's people. They deserve some good news after all that's happened. I'm happy for them.

 

[Swabian Lass]

I was told by a Brit that the sudden death thing did in the heads of players involved as well as those watching. He was telling me it was something to do with pent up emotion suddenly being ended. According to him this was why the golden goal idea was abandoned. Not being European, I couldn't quite follow his logic.

I understand it but I can't explain. It's something to do with.... lack of satisfaction and the sudden drop after a high. That's not exactly right, but I can't think of a better way to explain it.

 

[Archibald]

I understand it but I can't explain. It's something to do with.... lack of satisfaction and the sudden drop after a high. That's not exactly right, but I can't think of a better way to explain it.

that's pretty much what this guy was saying.
I just couldn't distinguish the difference between that and the final whistle of extra time - both are an end to the game. Unless it's a double disappointment - the deflation of going a goal down at the same time as the game being over and having lost?

 

[Swabian Lass]

that's pretty much what this guy was saying.
I just couldn't distinguish the difference between that and the final whistle of extra time - both are an end to the game. Unless it's a double disappointment - the deflation of going a goal down at the same time as the game being over and having lost?

I think that's partly it. Also maybe the sense of anti-climax, after so long, it's over. Anyway, I don't think you'll ever get rid of penalty shoot-outs.

Great for the Japanese. I hope it helps to take their minds off other things for a bit.