OT: Soccer thread

[Preston]

American Football never actually stops for me though. I find anticipating the next playcall and noticing all the sudden defensive and offensive substitutions super interesting.

I do like the brevity of soccer tho. The continuous game flow is often beautiful

That's actually why I sometimes like watching people play chess. But I don't find one particularly more entertaining than the other!

It's just a different sports culture in the US is all. Only Americans seem to tolerate the fragmented action and are even entertained by it. It's a fascinating case study.

 

[trujaysfan]

I still haven't found a European club to support which is probably why I only have a casual interest.

I tend to just follow the canadians... which is easier with davies, david playing at high levels.

 

[Preston]

I still haven't found a European club to support which is probably why I only have a casual interest.

But as a neutral observer there isn't a better sport to watch. I try watching NHL playoffs every year and it's just painful garbage. If it wasn't for the leafs and my stupid loyalty I'd never give the sport a look.

I will say I like basketball though! A bit more free flowing and unsurprisingly has a bit more popularity globally.

 

[zeke]

As expected Verratti starts for Locatelli. Had to be done.

Acerbi plays for the injured Chiellini. Not my favorite choice. I wanted to see young Bastoni get a shot there.

 

[Deckie007]

But as a neutral observer there isn't a better sport to watch. I try watching NHL playoffs every year and it's just painful garbage. If it wasn't for the leafs and my stupid loyalty I'd never give the sport a look.

I will say I like basketball though! A bit more free flowing and unsurprisingly has a bit more popularity globally.

I haven't watched more than maybe a period combined of the NHL playoffs since the Leafs were eliminated. I've watched a bunch of NBA though. So much more enterataining and they actually officiate it properly. NHL is pretty much unwatchable if it's not the Leafs for me.

 

[CH1]

That's actually why I sometimes like watching people play chess. But I don't find one particularly more entertaining than the other!

It's just a different sports culture in the US is all. Only Americans seem to tolerate the fragmented action and are even entertained by it. It's a fascinating case study.

nfl is basically chess where the pieces are incredible athletes. Then thow in periodic moments of chaos where one side decides to flip the chessboard and scatter the pieces all over the floor. (interceptions and
fumbles returned for touchdowns)

 

[Habs4ever]

Mancini did hell of job with Italy. They didn't face the real challenge yet, lets evaluate them against stronger opponent.

 

[zeke]

Impressive win.

 

[Neurospasm]

I just hate the last minute or so in basketball because it becomes too fragmented for me as well.

 

[Habs4ever]

Denmark play very organize and inside the system game.

 

[Preston]

I haven't watched more than maybe a period combined of the NHL playoffs since the Leafs were eliminated. I've watched a bunch of NBA though. So much more enterataining and they actually officiate it properly. NHL is pretty much unwatchable if it's not the Leafs for me.

I'll never say a bad word about basketball. Not the perfect sport and it can get silly near the end of the game... But it checks off all the boxes for me.

 

[zeke]

Mancini did hell of job with Italy. They didn't face the real challenge yet, lets evaluate them against stronger opponent.

Thing is Austria is no better than Switzerland or Wales. Will have to wait one more game for a real test.

 

[Preston]

nfl is basically chess where the pieces are incredible athletes. Then thow in periodic moments of chaos where one side decides to flip the chessboard and scatter the pieces all over the floor. (interceptions and
fumbles returned for touchdowns)

Yeah thing is every sport has the chess factor. But for me, not every sport is as fragmented and relies on anticipation and drama as football. I just don't get it when there are other options out there. But I realize I'm in the minority (in North America).

 

[zeke]

Wales surprisingly quit after that 2nd.

 

[Habs4ever]

Thing is Austria is no better than Switzerland or Wales. Will have to wait one more game for a real test.

Yeah exactly.

 

[Preston]

They should have been playing against Denmark today if they did the right thing in their game against Wales.

 

[Neurospasm]

My method with picking a team to cheer for in soccer might be a bit different than others. In the big leagues I’ll typically have a top(decent chance at the title) team as well as a more feel good story team that I cheer on.

The problem if you choose a team middle or lower of the pack they basically have no chance to win in a lot of games which can be pretty disheartening as a fan.

 

[CH1]

Yeah thing is every sport has the chess factor. But for me, not every sport is as fragmented and relies on anticipation and drama as football. I just don't get it when there are other options out there. But I realize I'm in the minority (in North America).

I find the chess factor in hockey severely limited — not a lot of innovation and really no difference in systems between teams.

NFL benefits from the college game where so many coaches experiment with novel ways to move the ball downfield. Which forces defences to adjust. I’ve watched coach film study for hockey, basketball, soccer. NFL.... nothing comes close to the NFL when it comes to variance and precision. It’s actually overwhelming to the layman like myself. I’m not about to read an Offensive Co-ordinators playbook (I downloaded some and they are 400 pages long...no thanks)

 

[Preston]

My method with picking a team to cheer for in soccer might be a bit different than others. In the big leagues I’ll typically have a top(decent chance at the title) team as well as a more feel good story team that I cheer on.

The problem if you choose a team middle or lower of the pack they basically have no chance to win in a lot of games which can be pretty disheartening as a fan.

As a Lazio fan I got to witness both sides of this. The former owner of that team has a story that you can right a book about. But they went from being the largest spenders in the world (those teams in the late 90s were legendary on paper) to one of the cheapest as soon as the team was sold.

The late 90s were definitely more fun but it isn't bad having zero expectations and playing underdogs. The bad part is when they develop an elite player. You know he's getting sold eventually.

 

[Neurospasm]

As a Lazio fan I got to witness both sides of this. The former owner of that team has a story that you can right a book about. But they went from being the largest spenders in the world (those teams in the late 90s were legendary on paper) to one of the cheapest as soon as the team was sold.

The late 90s were definitely more fun but it isn't bad having zero expectations and playing underdogs. The bad part is when they develop an elite player. You know he's getting sold eventually.

At least teams like Ajax pump out tons of good youngsters and still contend each year. They’re an interesting team to follow aside from the eredevisie not being the highest level.