2022 World Cup

[Westheim]

What I like about Messi - when he shoots a penalty, he shoots a penalty. He doesn't go to Dance Dance Revolution......

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Westheim

What I like about Messi - when he shoots a penalty, he shoots a penalty. He doesn't go to Dance Dance Revolution......

He demonstrated his greatness in setting up the third Argentinian goal. Amazing ball control under continual pressure.

[Amazin69]

Pretty much domination by the Argentines…but I still can't get over how Livakovic was called for that penalty.

I mean, I get it; in soccer, the man with the ball has that right of way and it's up to the defender to either get the ball or avoid contact. It just looks so weird to me, for the goalie to merely spread his legs, take two knees to the groin from an attacker who initiates the contact, and listen to the announcers being all "clearly a penalty, he cleared the man out."

I'm just too used to basketball, where that would be charging (and possibly a flagrant foul). I mean, in a sport where the average score is 1-0 (slight exaggeration, but only slight), they're going to give the offense every break they can, but when taking a broad stance is equated to flat-out tripping someone, it makes my brain hurt. JMO,

[Westheim]

(reluctantly roots for Morocco)

Brussels will burn down anyway, regardless of the result... (shrugs)

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Westheim

(reluctantly roots for Morocco)

Brussels will burn down anyway, regardless of the result... (shrugs)

(brings misfortune again)

...

(Brussels starts to flicker)

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Amazin69

Pretty much domination by the Argentines…but I still can't get over how Livakovic was called for that penalty.

I mean, I get it; in soccer, the man with the ball has that right of way and it's up to the defender to either get the ball or avoid contact. It just looks so weird to me, for the goalie to merely spread his legs, take two knees to the groin from an attacker who initiates the contact, and listen to the announcers being all "clearly a penalty, he cleared the man out."

I'm just too used to basketball, where that would be charging (and possibly a flagrant foul). I mean, in a sport where the average score is 1-0 (slight exaggeration, but only slight), they're going to give the offense every break they can, but when taking a broad stance is equated to flat-out tripping someone, it makes my brain hurt. JMO,

Think of it as a wide receiver going for the football. If a defensive back did what the goalie did, he's getting called for pass interference.

[andyhdz]

World Cup finals are like the Super Bowl in the 70s. In the end, it's always the best/strongest teams that make it.

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by andyhdz

World Cup finals are like the Super Bowl in the 70s. In the end, it's always the best/strongest teams that make it.

I can't fault the two remaining teams. Messi said that losing the first game kinda woke them up.

[monkeyman576]

Originally Posted by dsvitak

I can't fault the two remaining teams. Messi said that losing the first game kinda woke them up.

Yeah well, salary cap and more informed drafting is probably a good thing imo.

Edit I meant to respond to Andy

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

Yeah well, salary cap and more informed drafting is probably a good thing imo.

Edit I meant to respond to Andy

Salary cap has its pros and cons. They could remove some of those cons by making the cap more flexible, but that would cost the owners more money.

[Amazin69]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Think of it as a wide receiver going for the football. If a defensive back did what the goalie did, he's getting called for pass interference.

Interesting analogy, but he didn't step in Alvarez's path, he merely widened an existing stance. Not sure that's an offense, in any sport.

And the specific difference between the two forms of football is that the WR in your example is trying to get to the ball. Alvarez already had the ball. Surely it's incumbent on him not to run himself out of possession? Or at least it seems that it should be.

******************
I am fairly intrigued by the final, though. Two classic teams that I don't believe have met in a Final yet. (Argentina has played the Dutch, the Germans and Italy in past years, right?) And you have the Defending Champs v. Superstar Seeks Title storyline, which is pretty good.

A bit miffed to lose the rematch possibility, the underdog storylines and the "who needs Europe?" option, but this is still lots of fun. Perhaps not so much for those (Ragnar, Westheim) with a patriotic interest in a side that had legitimate hopes, but as an American, I always knew we'd be long gone by now.

(FOX is still running the ad spot where Christian Pulisic is talking to the psychiatrist about the "pressure". Hey, Wonderboy? The pressure is long gone. All you have to worry about is keeping your spot at Chelsea. I granted, the longer Ziyech stuck around, the more you had cause to worry, but that's over now. Relax.

And think about finding a new nickname. You'll be 28 when we host the Cup.)

[monkeyman576]

If argentina wins does Messi retire and go out like John Elway?

[Amazin69]

Actually, Elway went back and defended the title (the Broncos were the team that beat the Falcons after that infamous semi that Minnesota is still weeping about), and then retired.

But of course, that was just one year later. Messi might decide that four is a significant number.

Or he might simply retire from the national side. Given that his paycheck for whoever signs him (is the Miami rumor still in play?) is likely to be "a significant number", as well.

I mean, if 200,000,000 Euros/year can make Cristiano love Saudi Arabia (won't he be spectacularly bored? And I don't just mean by the level of play in the league…), anything is possible

[snarls200]

Originally Posted by Amazin69

Interesting analogy, but he didn't step in Alvarez's path, he merely widened an existing stance. Not sure that's an offense, in any sport.

And the specific difference between the two forms of football is that the WR in your example is trying to get to the ball. Alvarez already had the ball. Surely it's incumbent on him not to run himself out of possession? Or at least it seems that it should be.

******************
I am fairly intrigued by the final, though. Two classic teams that I don't believe have met in a Final yet. (Argentina has played the Dutch, the Germans and Italy in past years, right?) And you have the Defending Champs v. Superstar Seeks Title storyline, which is pretty good.

A bit miffed to lose the rematch possibility, the underdog storylines and the "who needs Europe?" option, but this is still lots of fun. Perhaps not so much for those (Ragnar, Westheim) with a patriotic interest in a side that had legitimate hopes, but as an American, I always knew we'd be long gone by now.

(FOX is still running the ad spot where Christian Pulisic is talking to the psychiatrist about the "pressure". Hey, Wonderboy? The pressure is long gone. All you have to worry about is keeping your spot at Chelsea. I granted, the longer Ziyech stuck around, the more you had cause to worry, but that's over now. Relax.

And think about finding a new nickname. You'll be 28 when we host the Cup.)

Netherlands, Uruguay, West Germany 2X and Germany were their previous final opponents

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Amazin69

Interesting analogy, but he didn't step in Alvarez's path, he merely widened an existing stance. Not sure that's an offense, in any sport.

And the specific difference between the two forms of football is that the WR in your example is trying to get to the ball. Alvarez already had the ball. Surely it's incumbent on him not to run himself out of possession? Or at least it seems that it should be.

******************
I am fairly intrigued by the final, though. Two classic teams that I don't believe have met in a Final yet. (Argentina has played the Dutch, the Germans and Italy in past years, right?) And you have the Defending Champs v. Superstar Seeks Title storyline, which is pretty good.

A bit miffed to lose the rematch possibility, the underdog storylines and the "who needs Europe?" option, but this is still lots of fun. Perhaps not so much for those (Ragnar, Westheim) with a patriotic interest in a side that had legitimate hopes, but as an American, I always knew we'd be long gone by now.

(FOX is still running the ad spot where Christian Pulisic is talking to the psychiatrist about the "pressure". Hey, Wonderboy? The pressure is long gone. All you have to worry about is keeping your spot at Chelsea. I granted, the longer Ziyech stuck around, the more you had cause to worry, but that's over now. Relax.

And think about finding a new nickname. You'll be 28 when we host the Cup.)

Soccer and football are two very different sports, obviously. But the comparison I made is very similar. Remember, the WRs team has possession of the ball. The situation is similar that in both cases the defender is impeding a player from getting to the ball. Without touching the ball. A cornerback could never widen his stance to stop a WR. It wouldn't even be debatable. Clear pass interference. Which is why it was clear to the commentators in the soccer match.

In American football when defending a pass, A lot of the emphasis is on whether or not the defender is going for the ball, not the player. Very similar to soccer.

Even though I am European, I am very partial to Argentina over France. As I am Spanish. But oddly enough I can't stand Brasil, and I like Germany a lot. Mainly due to my younger gambling days and watching West Germany play. They have given me many great memories, and much money.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

Even though I am European, I am very partial to Argentina over France. As I am Spanish. But oddly enough I can't stand Brasil, and I like Germany a lot. Mainly due to my younger gambling days and watching West Germany play. They have given me many great memories, and much money.

And Messi has grown on me. I like the way he comports himself.

[monkeyman576]

Messi best male athlete ever?

https://www.espn.com/sports/insider/...e-athlete-ever

My list(gender inclusive)

1. Babe Ruth(Baseball)
2. Michael Jordan(Basketball)
3. Lionel Messi(Soccer)
4. Michael Phelps(Swimming)
5. Wayne Gretzky(Hockey)
6. Jesse Owens(Track and Field)
7. Muhammad Ali(Boxing)
8. LeBron James(Basketball)
9. Serena Williams(Tennis)
10. Usain Bolt(Track and Field)

[pilight]

Serena Williams does not belong on a list of best male athletes

[Déjà Bru]

Not a bad list though. Substitute Roger Federer for Serena Williams.

[Déjà Bru]

According to this, put your money on France.

Tale of the tape: Analysing how Argentina and France match up for World Cup final, position by position

Goalkeeper: Lloris' steady presence vs. Martinez's swashbuckling style
WHO HAS THE EDGE: Argentina

Defence: France's consistency vs. Argentina's momentum
WHO HAS THE EDGE: France

Midfield: World Cup debutants on both sides, but one with more top-level experience
WHO HAS THE EDGE: France

Attack: Messi vs. Mbappe, but also brute force vs. varied scoring threats
WHO HAS THE EDGE: France

Managers: David (Argentina) vs. Goliath (France)
WHO HAS THE EDGE: France

Squad depth: France's dependence on backups vs. Argentina's narrow starting core
WHO HAS THE EDGE: France

Intangibles: storylines and the human spirit vs. analytics and stats
WHO HAS THE EDGE: Argentina

The final verdict: Will France or Argentina win the World Cup?

The head says France, every time. Experience, quality, youthful energy, a superstar in Kylian Mbappe and a coach who has been there and done it before.

If France can blank out the Messi factor and the feeling that they are playing against the whole of Argentina in the middle of Buenos Aires, they will retain the World Cup.

But if this is Messi's Last Dance for Argentina, then get ready for a celebratory tango on Sunday night.