Futbol

[Vrede too]

When polite countries play competitive sports : Canada 0 - 0 New Zealand.

Canada still leads its group thanks to its surely accidental goal scored on China.

[Vrede too]

USA 0 - 0 Sweden.

Looked like a full stadium in Winnipeg.

[Vrede too]

... Japan #3 (?!) ...

Only team to have won both its games so far, though Brasil & France still have a shot.

[Vrede too]

Canada wins its group! . . . after tying 2 games and scoring just 1 more goal than its opponents in 3 games. Too bad about New Zealand and that China edged out Holland.

Can we trade rstrong for a Canuck that cares?

Germany has a +14 goal differential, ut-oh. Axis partner Japan advances after just 2 games, as does Brasil.

[O Really]

So - is Hope Solo getting a pass on her domestic misbehaviour because:
(a) she's female
(b) it's soccer, f'rpetes sake
(c) she's Hope effin' Solo, f'rpetes sake
(d) her misbehaviour didn't rise to the level of that of certain famous NFL agressors.

IMNVHO, a,b,and c may likely apply, but I don't think what she was reported to have done should cost her her job or get her suspended. First, she was fighting with her sister and nephew. Nobody has said that their fighting was new, only time ever, unexpected, shocking, yada. Second, the nephew is supposedly 6'4" and 240, and finally and most significant, apparently nobody got noticeably injured. Sounds more like a Palinesque scuffle than violence worthy of severe penalty.

[Vrede too]

I haven't followed it as closely as you. Thanks, the little I knew gave me a bad taste in my mouth, but it's somewhat less so now.

As for (b), I suppose different sports progress at different rates due to their internal cultures and the numbers of newsmaking events.

"6'4" and 240" - Goalies are badasses.

[O Really]

"6'4" and 240" - Goalies are badasses.

Yeah, and apparently she was criticizing him for his pussiness and wimpiness.

[O Really]

I haven't followed it as closely as you. Thanks, the little I knew gave me a bad taste in my mouth, but it's somewhat less so now.

As for (b), I suppose different sports progress at different rates due to their internal cultures and the numbers of newsmaking events.

"6'4" and 240" - Goalies are badasses.

Badasses, indeed...

"...the police account of how Solo told one officer if he took off the handcuffs she would kick his ass, and she called him the "b-word." How she suggested her jailers were having sex with each other and called one a 14-year-old boy.

Those words came after a brawl at her half sister Teresa Obert's house. After trading insults, Solo and Obert's 6-foot-8, 270-pound son allegedly got into it. After the nephew subdued her, he allegedly let her up and Solo grabbed his hair, banged his head into the cement and punched him the face. Solo allegedly struck her half sister as she tried to break up the brawl. The nephew, 17 at the time, allegedly hit Solo over the head with a broom handle and pointed an unloaded BB gun at her."

[Vrede too]

It's nasty . . . so why am I laughing?

[O Really]

It's nasty . . . so why am I laughing?

Why not? In the overall scheme of things, it's no big deal. I'm as much opposed to "domestic violence" as anyone but unfortunately the definition has grown to include some pretty minor altercations that not too long ago would have ended with a round of beers and a "fuck, that broom stick hurt!" Look further at the Kurt Busch issue. Even if you take what "she said" as totally accurate, there wasn't really any harm done. Then it turns out maybe what "he said" might have been closer to the truth. Not to defend people resorting to violence to settle their issues, but there probably should be a bit higher line to start suspending them from their jobs, trashing them all over TV, and equating them to, for example, Rice's video.

[Vrede too]

It's like a special guest star episode of Jerry Springer.

[GoCubsGo]

It's nasty . . . so why am I laughing?

Why not? In the overall scheme of things, it's no big deal. I'm as much opposed to "domestic violence" as anyone but unfortunately the definition has grown to include some pretty minor altercations that not too long ago would have ended with a round of beers and a "fuck, that broom stick hurt!" Look further at the Kurt Busch issue. Even if you take what "she said" as totally accurate, there wasn't really any harm done. Then it turns out maybe what "he said" might have been closer to the truth. Not to defend people resorting to violence to settle their issues, but there probably should be a bit higher line to start suspending them from their jobs, trashing them all over TV, and equating them to, for example, Rice's video.

You know, heavy alcohol use was involved, I'm guessing there wasn't a gun handy. Otherwise, this probably wouldn't be funny ending.

[O Really]

No story that starts with "we wuz all sittin' around drinkin'" ever has a happy ending.

[Vrede too]

:-0?> Lots of mine have . . . but not all of them.

[Vrede too]

O Canada! 3 goals in 4 games, but has only allowed 1. Quarterfinals.

Go Australia, too.

[Vrede too]

Ironic quarterfinals matchups:

Germany v. France
China v. USA
Australia v. Japan
England v. Canada

Also interesting that 4 of them - China, Australia, Canada, Japan - along with the USA sort of, have little weight in the men's game, that 2 of these are guaranteed to make it to the semis, and that no Latin America team advanced.

I'm rooting for USA, Australia, Canada, and somewhat for France because Germany is the gorilla in the room.

[Vrede too]

So close, Germany beat France 5-4 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie. They are vulnerable.

[Vrede too]

So, US v. Germany Tuesday night, ut-oh.

[Vrede too]

England 2, Canada 1
Japan 1, Australia 0

England vs. Japan, sigh. I guess I'm rooting for England & USA to win, but not with much enthusiasm.

Based on rankings, the most likely final is Germany vs. Japan, another ironic match-up.

[Vrede too]

Good game, nice 2nd goal, surprisingly physical, Lloyd is a star! Found myself really rooting for the US, thanks in no small part to O Really making me feel better about Solo and team policy.

Saturday, beers downtown, athletic women, World Cup Champs, hotdogs, fireworks. USA, USA, USA!