Soccer/Football Thread

[Valjavertjinn]

Hello, all. I saw that all of the soccer/football threads were closed, so I decided to start a new one. And I'm talking about the Brittish football here, what we call soccer in the US. 🙂

I play soccer on a team that has won two games in two years. We really suck, but we have a ton of fun and are friends. I play, and love playing, Left Defense.

Professional Soccer is awesome, and my favorite players are Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe. During the Women's World Cup, I was rooting for the USA, but I wouldn't have minded if the French or Brittish Teams won.

The closest team to where I live is the Chicago Fire, so I root for them, too.

Soccer is great. What do you guys like about this sport?

 

[Washburne]

Big footbal fan here. Not as obsessed as in my younger years (Yes I belong to the older group here) but the interest is sure there.

I played myself for 9 years. Which is 9 more years than the doctors gave me but at 15 I had to stop. We were decent enough, won our league a few times and a couple of tournaments but not really something to brag about.

My all time favourite team is Liverpool even though I'm swedish. I got favourite teams in a lot of countries though since it made it easier to be interested. "My" swedish team is Malmö FF. One of the better teams in sweden through history but this season has been a disappointment. We're in the Euro league but have been pretty awful and made lots of mistakes. A learning experience.

Womens football is sadly often overlooked so I'm happy to see you mention it. Natural for you I guess but most females I talk football with talk mens football. This weekend my favourite womens team won the national league for the second straight year. Very close this year, with many teams in the running. As it should be.

Favorite women player now is Lota Schelin, before her Hanna Ljungberg.

I'm not the biggest fan of Wikipedia but sometimes it's handy.

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotta_Schelin"]Lotta Schelin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanna_Ljungberg"]Hanna Ljungberg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Favourite male players are Marco van Basten and the Laudrup brothers.

 

[Valjavertjinn]

My team is playing in a tournament this weekend! (Man, we are going to get CREAMED...) But I'm bringing cheese balls to eat between games! YES! :soccer: :soccer: :soccer: (I think that these smilies are supposed to be soccer balls...)

 

[WillowHallow]

In england, we call it football, and i think we are stubborn over this. I mean come on, why do americans call rugby with loads of padding football? Are their feet touching the ball? It just makes no sense why america has to be different on that fact.

 

[caitaintdead]

I love me my football. I play for a womens team and I really enjoy it.... Most of the time. Winter has just finished in Perth though so the season is over with for the year. In the offseason this year I will be playing 5-aside indoor, and also 5-aside outdoor futsal. Should be fun and I'm really hoping it's a little more laid back!

I support Everton as my family are from Liverpool. It may not be your Chelsea or Man U, but they're a real team, with real players, and real supporters that are actually from Liverpool. I love the passion that you find in Everton supporters.

Don't want to offend anyone, but I'm going to say it anyway - I would hate to support one of the big 4. They're an embarrassment to football and I feel sorry for people that actually support them because they're from the area and grew up with them.

 

[Ianigsy]

I lose track of who the big teams are meant to be these days. I can remember when there was a Big Five which included Tottenham and Everton but Chelsea and Man City were decidedly middling, and I think that Liverpool's place among the big clubs in the last twenty years has been as much down to the size of their international fan base as actual results.

I grew up in a Liverpool-supporting family but follow Tranmere Rovers as I was born in Birkenhead. Some memorable games over the course of twenty years and the last League Cup final played at the old Wembley but I think some new investment and leadership will be required if we're to improve on League One football.

 

[WillowHallow]

I usually just follow the championship and premiership. I'm a devoted West Ham fan, all my family are.

 

[patriot1123]

I love soccer. (I understand that it should be called football, and I agree, but that feels like an affectation to me since I'm American and everyone I know calls it soccer.) I played for fifteen years. I was a goalkeeper. Even got to attend tryouts for the national team, though I had no prayer of making it. 🙂 I only quit because I wasn't making the saves I had been able to make before. I miss it, a lot. I liked indoor better because there was a lot more action for me as a GK in indoor soccer.

 

[Washburne]

Not a single post on the result of the Manchester derby? Could possible been different if United won...

I support Everton as my family are from Liverpool. It may not be your Chelsea or Man U, but they're a real team, with real players, and real supporters that are actually from Liverpool. I love the passion that you find in Everton supporters.

I know swedish Everton fans. Heck, I could have been one. It was between Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham. So are Everton fans outside Liverpool, that don't have family from the city, also real supporters or do that only go for the local ones?

I do get the point of "real" supporters. I'd never call myself hard core fan or the biggest fan there is because it'd be far from the truth. So if people want to call me fake I let them. There's bigger and better fans. I'm aware. I just don't care. I've been a fan of the lots of clubs in many sports through relegation and trophies and everything in between. Never changing. Since I can't hate on fake fans I turn my dislike to people that change teams whenever they feel like it. Very few, if any, got a good reason.

The more successful a club is the chances of attracting people outside the local area increases. Don't really see how that affect the standard of the local fans. The general fan, sure. Get big in Asia and the average fan might be asian. So what? It's when it affects the supporters at games it gets sad. Which happen of course. Not saying anything else. The germans seem to have the hang of it. Not the most popular teams worldwide but cheap tickets = more local fans - and most often very crowded.

So while I might be a "fake" fan of Liverpool when it comes to Sil:s IF I'm as real as you can get. Played for the club for 9 years and watched a lot of first team games. That the team plays in the lower series doesn't matter. Not as long as I'm a real fan. 😉 You better pray for being born in the right city, that the/your team is successful enough to be interesting but not so successful that it attracts fans worldwide.

Most famous player from the club:

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arne_Selmosson"]Arne Selmosson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

" He played at the 1958 FIFA World Cup. He is the only person who scored for both Lazio and Roma in Derby della Capitale." Take that! 😀

- I would hate to support one of the big 4.

Considering what's been happening in the past few years, which are the big 4 exactly?

 

[Thamior]

Yup, football is awesome. Personally I'm a Barcelona fan, but I honestly like any team with an abundance of Argentinian players, since that's where I was born. Barca, Man City and Inter Milan all clearly make the cut. As far as British football - which seems to be everyone's preference here - I'm excited to see Manchester City doing well, and especially Aguero playing at his full potential.

 

[Lurconis]

Huge fan played as a child but switched to basketball around age 10.

Chelsea is my number 1 team and has been for years. How does a kid from central texas become a chelsea fan? In 1995 at the age of 11 I saw my first pro match on tv it was chelsea vs arsenal and as I knew nothing of either team I decided to root for the team in blue because it was my fave color. Not the best reason for picking a team but not the worst.

I also support river plate but only because of family and rarely get to see any argentinian matches

 

[sk]

I'm not much of fan these days but I do keep an extra eye on AIK in Sweden and on Liverpool.

Liverpool is an old favorite from the 80's with Ian Rush, Peter Beardsley and those guys.
You know, when Tipsextra was the thing to watch on Saturdays. Washburne probably knows what I'm talking about anyway... 😉

Can't say that I know much about Liverpool of today, but I still like it when they do well out of old habit.

/SK

 

[Kean]

I love me my football. I play for a womens team and I really enjoy it.... Most of the time. Winter has just finished in Perth though so the season is over with for the year. In the offseason this year I will be playing 5-aside indoor, and also 5-aside outdoor futsal. Should be fun and I'm really hoping it's a little more laid back!

What position do you play, Cait?

I support Everton as my family are from Liverpool. It may not be your Chelsea or Man U, but they're a real team, with real players, and real supporters that are actually from Liverpool. I love the passion that you find in Everton supporters.

Don't want to offend anyone, but I'm going to say it anyway - I would hate to support one of the big 4. They're an embarrassment to football and I feel sorry for people that actually support them because they're from the area and grew up with them.

I'd be interested to hear how United or Liverpool couldn't be regarded as real teams? Their records and footballing histories are immense. The game has gone to the dogs, but those clubs and their genuine fans, whether from Manchester, Liverpool or not, are the real deal. You don't have to be from the home city of the club you follow to be a genuine football person.

My family and I have followed United all our lives. Not because they were the team du jour but because of the way they played and the spirit of the club and the calibre of player that they nurtured.

Back to the original question of the thread, yes, I love football. I come from a massive footballing family and it something that has been ingrained us since we were babies. I've supported Man United since forever and Roy Keane is my favourite player, in my opinion, he was the greatest midfielder of his generation. I don't even know if this generation has anyone to compare.

 

[caitaintdead]

What position do you play, Cait?

Central Defence. I have a good kick on me so at first they put me up front but my gnarly nature is much better suited to tackling and defending for sure. I absolutely love it, but it sucks putting your body on the line so often. I seem to be permanently covered in not so sexy bruises and scrapes!

I'd be interested to hear how United or Liverpool couldn't be regarded as real teams?

Never said they weren't real teams!
I was more getting at the point that (in Australia at least) when you say that you support Manchester United or Chelsea the response you are likely to get is a roll of the eyes, obvious disinterest and a change of subject. When I say I support Everton people are interested in why I support them. i just think it would be hard to be permanently trying to prove to people that you support them for a reason other than money.

It's like if a young pretty blonde girl marries an old man with money. A lot of them are gold diggers, but I'm positive some of these girls really are in love with the men and not just the money.

My birth uncle is from London and him and all his family support Chelsea, always have! He often says that it's embarrassing to try and explain that he is a real fan and doesn't just follow them for the win.

 

[patriot1123]

Central Defence. I have a good kick on me so at first they put me up front but my gnarly nature is much better suited to tackling and defending for sure. I absolutely love it, but it sucks putting your body on the line so often. I seem to be permanently covered in not so sexy bruises and scrapes!

I know bruises aren't sexy, but as a GK, having a ball-shaped bruise on my thigh meant that I had made a good save, so I LOVED my bruises. 🙂

I play tennis now, and when people hit the ball right at me and apologize, I always respond that it's okay because I used to TRY to get hit by the ball. That's what a GK likes best.

 

[caitaintdead]

Valjavertjinn agrees: I think that bruises make people look tough. I'm proud of my battle wounds.

You would definitely like my legs then! After indoor last week I had a bruise that took up most of my leg. I almost didn't wear my sexy mini dress and heels but in the end I figured that no one would tease me because I looked tough as nails!

 

[Washburne]

I take a girl with bruises (from something they love doing) over someone that are afraid of breaking a nail every day of the week until the day I die.

I decided to root for the team in blue because it was my fave color. Not the best reason for picking a team but not the worst.

I think more people do that than you might think. Doubt many are fond of admitting it. I really don't remember if it had any inpact what so ever but the team I played for were red and white. And my favourite teams are Liverpool, Milan and Real Madrid. Even if I like to think it's Played the most attracting football = Liverpool, Marco van Basten = Milan, Hugo Sanchez = Real Madrid. Since my swedish team play in blue I think (or is it hope?) it's just a coincidence.

 

[Kean]

Central Defence. I have a good kick on me so at first they put me up front but my gnarly nature is much better suited to tackling and defending for sure. I absolutely love it, but it sucks putting your body on the line so often. I seem to be permanently covered in not so sexy bruises and scrapes!

Centre back can be a bitch all right. I haven't played in years but when I did I was either a centre back or keeper. I take a handy free kick too 😉 😛

I was more getting at the point that (in Australia at least) when you say that you support Manchester United or Chelsea the response you are likely to get is a roll of the eyes, obvious disinterest and a change of subject. When I say I support Everton people are interested in why I support them. i just think it would be hard to be permanently trying to prove to people that you support them for a reason other than money.

I suppose that is a fair enough point. In my experience you can tell within 30 seconds whether a person is a genuine football fan or just a glory seeking hanger-on. If someone speaks to me and can't tell that I am real fan, well then, I doubt I want to be talking to them.

I just suppose I don't really see the presumption of others of being a fake fan as anything to dissuade being a fan.

 

[Washburne]

The draw for the 2012 Euros are done.

England, France, Sweden & Ukraine. I like this group. Not an easy one but honestly that's how I prefer it. We won't be favourites and if the latest internationals is anything to go by we won't stand a chance. Still I'm a little optimistic.


Republic of Ireland, Spain, Italy & Croatia. A very interesting group. Spain favourites of course but far from an easy one. Ireland don't have much to lose and can surprise people. Outside of Ireland of course. 😉

Netherlands, Denmark, Germany & Portugal. To me the group of death although I'm certain many others will take the one above before this.

Poland, Greece, Russia & Czech republic. From an outside view possible the least interesting group. Doesn't mean it'll be boring.



Liverpool beating Chelsea away two times in matte of weeks is also something to mention. 😉

 

[dan k]

Group A is awful. Poland vs Greece the worst opening game to a tournament ever. Group B should be fantastic. Holland vs Germany have a great rivalry, Portugal vs Denmark have had some interesting battles recently whilst Portugal vs Holland has history too.

Group C will also be good to watch. Italy have given Spain troubles before whilst Ireland are well drilled with Trapattoni as their manager. Croatia also have a lot of talent.

Group D is well balanced. Ukraine are the hosts and possess good technical ability. Sweden beat Holland in qualifying to qualify whilst France are improving under Laurent Blanc. As an England fan we avoided the Group of Death which was Group B but we still have a tough task.