The World of Football/Soccer.

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by bababui

What it does do is stoke the fire under an already intense rivalry. It really doesnt get any better. It matches Brazil v Argentina as the best rivalry in football.

Not sure about that, they tried to build it up in the press "England v Germany in a final and the captain of England plays for West Ham, ring any bells ?" But I don't think it worked to be honest, most people who I've spoken to haven't even mentioned the game.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

Not sure about that, they tried to build it up in the press "England v Germany in a final and the captain of England plays for West Ham, ring any bells ?" But I don't think it worked to be honest, most people who I've spoken to haven't even mentioned the game.

Had England won it might have been different.

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by bababui

Had England won it might have been different.

Dunno bout that only reason I watched it was because i caught a glimpse of the Finland game and realised Cattermole of Wigan was playing, if he hadn't been playing I wouldn't have watched any of the games. Most people in England are just zombies and all they think of is the Prem and full England team.

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

So your ok with say Lukas Podolski as an example who was born in Poland of Polish parents playing for Germany ?

Podolski spent 2 years in Poland vs 22 in Germany. Nationality wise he is about as German as I am.
Hell I lived 9 years in the US. He might even be more German than I am.

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by bababui

What it does do is stoke the fire under an already intense rivalry. It really doesnt get any better. It matches Brazil v Argentina as the best rivalry in football.

Here in Germany we don't really consider England a rival. The Netherlands is our biggest rival by far with Poland and probably second and Switzerland and Austria friendly rivalries.

Since 1966 Germany has won 12 games to Englands 5 and have drawn 3 times.
In order for it to be a rivalry it actually has to be competetive and England don't provide that very often.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

Here in Germany we don't really consider England a rival. The Netherlands is our biggest rival by far with Poland and probably second and Switzerland and Austria friendly rivalries.

Since 1966 Germany has won 12 games to Englands 5 and have drawn 3 times.
In order for it to be a rivalry it actually has to be competetive and England don't provide that very often.

England defeated you in the World Cup and gave you maybe the biggest drubbing in your history, 5-0. You are in denial.

I love the two of you because you are passionate and not in any way phony like so many others in here..including myself from time to time. You guys help make footie the worlds best and most passionate sport.

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

Here in Germany we don't really consider England a rival. The Netherlands is our biggest rival by far with Poland and probably second and Switzerland and Austria friendly rivalries.

Since 1966 Germany has won 12 games to Englands 5 and have drawn 3 times.
In order for it to be a rivalry it actually has to be competetive and England don't provide that very often.

And remind me when was the last time a German team of any sort tasted victory above the beer drinking age ?

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by bababui

England defeated you in the World Cup and gave you maybe the biggest drubbing in your history, 5-0. You are in denial.

I love the two of you because you are passionate and not in any way phony like so many others in here..including myself from time to time. You guys help make footie the worlds best and most passionate sport.

It's why alot of people don't understand and never will understand football.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

It's why alot of people don't understand and never will understand football.

They understand..but they dont want to understand. It scares them.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

It's why alot of people don't understand and never will understand football.

If England were ever so fortunate to play Ireland in the World Cup. who would you root for? Ireland was magnificent in USA 1994.

[LFC1892]

I try to understand! Does that count?

[Tommysixfingers]

Originally Posted by LFC1892

I try to understand!

Dont' worry, you are in good company.

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by bababui

England defeated you in the World Cup and gave you maybe the biggest drubbing in your history, 5-0. You are in denial.

I love the two of you because you are passionate and not in any way phony like so many others in here..including myself from time to time. You guys help make footie the worlds best and most passionate sport.

Ummm bui
Germany have won two World Cups and three European championship since England last won anything of mention.
That is not even to mention the second and third place showings.
Like I said, for it to be a rivalry both sides have to be somewhere near one another in level of accomplishment.
England and Germany are on two totaly and comepletly different levels.

[Tommysixfingers]

First of all: The English national team is a mystery. Their lackluster efforts in big games never ceases to amaze me.

Granted, Germany is the better team 9/10 (this applies to most countries btw) and they have the result to prove it. Still, there is no denying that the rivalry is there. Maybe not as strong as Germany-Holland or England-Scotland but it is there.

[Skipaway]

Well, the England-Germany rivalry is probably more important for England fans, but not very meaningful for Germany fans.

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by Skipaway

Well, the England-Germany rivalry is probably more important for England fans, but not very meaningful for Germany fans.

Yes I think Skip has nailed it exactly. Most of my English friends see Germany as one of their biggest rivals while most German football fans see that there is a rivalry but to them it is mostly just a rivalry between two historical powerful nations.
Meanwhile the rivalry with the Netherlands is one of seething hatred and the one with France is close to that.
And the Poles have made so much of the rivalry with us that we are beginging to see it as well.

[Tommysixfingers]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

And the Poles have made so much of the rivalry with us that we are beginging to see it as well.

You mean that little thing with Benhakker holding Ballack's and Loew's severed heads in his hands. Now that was pure class from the Polish media

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by Tommysixfingers

You mean that little thing with Benhakker holding Ballack's and Loew's severed heads in his hands. Now that was pure class from the Polish media

Yeah that would be one instance
Back in the early part of this decade the Polish media also made some comments about some of the players wives and daughters to the effect of calling them whores.
That did not go over too well.

[Tony M]

I thought the rivalries that England 'have' with other footballing nations are generally based on the fact that we have whooped their ass on a battlefield recently - hence why Scotland, Germany and Argentina are seen as rivals*

* I'm fully aware Culloden was almost 300 years ago, but that's the last battle thought on British soil.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

Ummm bui
Germany have won two World Cups and three European championship since England last won anything of mention.
That is not even to mention the second and third place showings.
Like I said, for it to be a rivalry both sides have to be somewhere near one another in level of accomplishment.
England and Germany are on two totaly and comepletly different levels.

LOL Rudel. What have the Dutch, Austrians, Swiss or Poles ever done at the international level? 0 World Cups amongst them. None of em have humiliated Germany on the pitch.