:eek: :eek: OUCH! :eek: :eek:

Pads still don't mask players getting blindsided while catching a pass over the middle, etc. I never came close to getting hurt while playing soccer in school. The again, if players don't wear cups, then they are pretty dumb:)

I have played football....its not as much padding as you think. And i'm sorry but when you have a 325 pound defensive end that runs a 4.9 40 that lays into you with the upmost hatred......don't give me any crap about soccer players getting spiked in the shin. Or how about a 6'4 linebacker that is as strong as a tank blindsiding you over the middle in mid-air. Same difference.

I think this is more of a European thing than a soccer vs football thing. Witness guys like Vlade Divac (known flopper) in the NBA. Some sports analysts have said that the flopping is part of the entertainment for European sports fans.

The guys I know who play soccer are pretty tough - I'm not saying their tougher than American football players, but they're no pushovers.

I wasn't really trying to compare the two, just referencing the liklihood of injuries, etc.

What's a flopper?

Someone who dramtaically "flops" to the ground everytime anyone gets near them - trying to draw fouls.

And I'm not saying football players don't get beat all the the time - I love "Jacked up" like the next girl! :p - I'm just saying there is more padding. And football is played as a contact sport. Soccer isn't supposed to be about hitting each other.

And the issues in soccer are usually only about the legs/knees/ankles. So when they are down, they often have to get carted off because the issue is with the joints used for walking.

man. That England vs Sweden game was sick.

I've been on the Sweden bandwagon for a while now, and if England and their hooligans decide to step it up and tear up some cities, I might hop on their as well.

i also hate those stupid gay ass Jose + 10 commercials.

I have no idea who those soccer guys are, except for that Beckham guy. And I don't understand a stinkin word they are saying. And the kids are not cute.

Hey Adidas. Your commercial sucks ass. Translate the words if you are gonna advertise in this country you bunch of douchebags

hehehehe....the benefits of having one of the national broadcasters broadcasting the games live (no commercials at all) and Commentators that have actually played and excelled in the game. :)

Watch out for the Aussies guys. ;)

Were the Aussies a surprise or what?! I think they shook Brasil up pretty well! I was also psyched to know a couple of the commentators. JP Dellacamera used to work here - he is one of Broadcasting's classiest acts ever!

As for floppers, look at it this way: you're playing 45 minutes straight, no breaks for anything - unless someone goes down. Frankly, I think one or two are almost needed, just to give everyone a second's rest! It's not like they don't make the time up at the end of the game.

I've already warned everyone at work that I will not be available during tomorrow's game.

GO USA!! GO ITALY!!

Italy, today, anyhow!

Yes.... we did give everyone a surprise, didn't we? Except against Croatia we'll hopefully be a lot more lucky in the goal department. Either way though, I think that we've made our presence felt so far this world cup. :D

I agree that JP is an absolutely fantastic commentator, though I prefer Simon Hill, Les Murray and Fozzie who are doing the majority of the Australian commentary this time around.

Today's games are gonna be pretty hot:

Ghana
Italy
USA


I think I'm gonna have to watch all 3 games despite the fact that I have 12 cases to read before 6pm. Go WORLD CUP!!!

Well the US got pretty screwed, espcecially with the penalty kick that got awarded to ghana on pretty much a touch foul.