MetaFilter posts tagged with worldcup

The Hand of God, Part Deux

lovermont — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:49:12 -0800

The world of soccer has been rocked by a French player's game-defining handball in the much-anticipated qualifier match between France and Ireland. Thierry Henry has admitted to the offense, but said ultimately it is the duty of the linesman to make the call. His action and subsequent admission have drawn strong reactions, including attempts to vandalize his Wikipedia page. This sort of thing isn't new to the World Cup; in fact, Henry's move has been dubbed "Le Hand of God” by British tabloid The Sun, and “Hand of Gaul” by The Australian, both in reference to Argentinean player Maradona's “Hand of God” goal in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and England. Is it time to introduce video replay? Tournament organizer Danny Jordaan says videos wouldn't end these kinds of mistakes. There are others who disagree. In an added layer of controversy, last month, Ireland's goalkeeper Shay Given had voiced his displeasure with FIFA's decision regarding seeding the playoffs; Republic of Ireland assistant manager Liam Brady speculates that seeding decision may have influenced the linesman, something he expressed concern about going in. Despite all the hoopla, FIFA insists there will be no rematch. See Le Hand of Gaul here.

The Economist: The World in 2010

goodnewsfortheinsane — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:09:43 -0800

In 2010, Obama will have a miserable year, NATO may lose in Afghanistan, the UK gets a regime change, China needs to chill, India's factories will overtake its farms, Europe risks becoming an irrelevant museum, the stimulus will need an exit strategy, the G20 will see a challenge from the "G2", African football will unite Korea, conflict over natural resources will grow, Sarkozy will be unloved and unrivalled, the kids will come together to solve the world's problems (because their elders are unable), technology will grow ever more ubiquitous, we'll all charge our phones via USB, MBAs will be uncool, the Space Shuttle will be put to rest, and Somalia will be the worst country in the world. And so the Tens begin.

The Economist: The World in 2010. Previously: 2009, 2008, 2007. How did we do last time around? Guest contributions: President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso lines up Europe's priorities President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev argues for dialogue and cooperation President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed wants his island nation to remain above water President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would like for Islam and the West to live in harmony President of South Africa Jacob Zuma says Africa should rise to the occasion Director-General of the World Health Organisation Margaret Chan predicts the development of the flu pandemic Managing director of the International Monetary Fund Dominique Strauss-Kahn explains how to prevent another crisis CEO of Yahoo! Carol Bartz believes business leaders should tap into the information flood Chairman of HSBC Stephen Green argues that the financial sector should welcome emerging economies CEO of Fiat Group and Chrysler Group Sergio Marchionne thinks greener cars require bolder action CEO/CTO of SpaceX Elon Musk says the private sector should handle space travel

Danish Dynamite

reenum — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:20:20 -0800

The Guardian recently published a beautiful article about Danish Dynamite, the '80s Danish national soccer (football) squad. Rob Smyth and Lars Eriksen write about how the success and failure of the national team highlighted national traits that Denmark has. The writing about the matches is among the most inspired I have ever read. In addition to the film, a documentary about the team has also been made.

World Cup 2010: Little guys play too

salishsea — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:21:17 -0800

What`s great about the World Cup of football is that everyone gets a chance to qualify, against all odds. This week was a fascinating week of World Cup qualifying matches around the world. But while the world's attention was focused on Portugal and Argentina and France and Cameroon and England, among others, a small victory was won in a dusty forgotten corner of UEFA Group Seven. On Wednesday the Faroe Islands recorded their first cWorld Cup win , a 2-1 victory over Lithuania. The Faroes are a devoted squad, and although this was their first FIFA sanctioned World Cup win, they have had other extradordinary victories, including the 7-1 drubbing of Aland in the 1989 Island Games final. It was Bergur Magnussen`s greatest moment, scoring six second half goals for his side.

North Korea's Soccer Hero

Chinese Jet Pilot — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:46:49 -0800

70 year old Pak Doo-Ik will lead North Korea's prestigious Olympic torch bearers to Beijing this summer. In the 1966 World Cup at Middlesborough, Pak scored the goal that lead his team to a stunning 1-0 upset win over Italy (video). Pak Doo-Ik and the team returned home as heroes, but ultimately fell under the suspicion of North Korean leadership. The team underwent "mental re-education" and were exiled, Pak Doo-Ik spending ten years as a forest laborer. Dear Leader Kim Jong-il later allowed Pak to coach North Korea's national soccer team, and a fascinating 2002 BBC documentary brought Pak Doo Ik back to the international stage.

Ready or Not

hydatius — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 05:09:36 -0800

Ready or Not. "South Africa is a great place to have a party, and people are incredibly generous of spirit. What we should be doing is trying to make the World Cup experience uniquely African: where the bus comes 10 minutes late but nobody gives a toss because they are having such a good time. Instead, the organisers seem to want to try to run the World Cup as efficiently as the Germans did. What a load of bull. The Germans could invade Poland in three days. We could not invade Swaziland in three months." Article in today's Observer about preparations in South Africa for the soccer World Cup in 2010.

Cricket!!!

scodger — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 02:33:54 -0800

The 2007 cricket world cup has just started , meet the mascot, take place in the official fantasy league, follow the beebs coverage and watch the live scorecard updates. New to cricket? - read up on the history and learn the rules

street soccer and we are homeless, homeless

kliuless — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 20:42:56 -0800

The Homeless World Cup: "Yes, there is a World Cup for homeless people, made possible with help from corporate sponsors such as Nike, Adidas, Coca-Cola and Bank of America."

ZIDANE ZIDANE ZIDANE

jcruelty — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 14:18:35 -0800

NES Zidane A fairly accurate recreation of the World Cup final. Also, ze headbutt explained.

C'mon, you knew it was going to happen...

Cyrano — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 12:59:03 -0800

The World Cup! This is your spoiler-free post... Don't be a dick. Don't post a FPP revealing who won!!!

Tor! Goal! Rete!

keepoutofreach — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 10:24:26 -0800

Two goals worth a million words. In Arabic, English, Chinese, Portuguese and yes, German. Italy's 2 goals against Germany, from 8 different commentators, one of them being Diego Maradona. Heavy YouTube usage unfortunately, although the post links to the leading Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera.

The World Cup declaired a "colonial crusader scheme" by a Islamist group in the UK:

naxosaxur — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 12:14:32 -0800

Keep your balls in check: The Saved Sect Website calls for Muslims to stop supporting The World Cup, as "[...]soccer plants the seeds of nationalism, and is therefore part of a 'colonial crusader scheme' to divide Muslims and cause them to stray from the vision of a unified Islamic identity."

Top 5 World Cup Goals

charmston — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 10:52:27 -0800

A collection of YouTube videos documenting the top 5 goals of the World Cup to this point. I mostly agree with the list; to me, it just doesn't get any better than Maxi Rodriguez's overtime goal vs. Mexico. Vintage World Cup excitement.

Move over Muller.

bardic — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 10:35:43 -0800

Brazilian striker Ronaldo is now "the most prolific scorer in World Cup history." Controversy surrounded him, literally, regarding his weight in the run-up to 2006 (not to mention a bit of competition from an heir apparent named Ronaldinho). But today is Ronaldo's day, and Brasilia's as well as they try to repeat 2002 and add a sixth star to their jerseys. (The list, updated to include Muller in 2nd, Juste Fontaine in 3rd, and fellow countryman Pele in 4th.)

Goner

The Jesse Helms — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 11:12:27 -0800

United States collapses as Ghana is "sick with happiness." World Cup, we hardly knew you.

A history of World Cup websites

ascullion — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 08:47:12 -0800

A history of the online World Cup. Do you remember the first ever official FIFA world cup website? How much we've grown...

TVU

thirteenkiller — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 10:05:55 -0800

If you can't get World Cup on regular cable because maybe you haven't got cable, you can try watching with this software. Schedule of American World Cup TV broadcasts here.

espectaculares!

CunningLinguist — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 07:06:05 -0800

Jugadas Espectaculares WorldCupfilter: clipshow of some staggeringly fancy footwork. Even non-fans should love this. (youtube)

Football is war.

goodnewsfortheinsane — Sat, 03 Jun 2006 09:36:43 -0800

Please, do mention the war. Really, it's hard not to. After all, in a sense football is war, as the General famously joked. Sometimes it's peace. Same goes for that other football, by the way.

Germany 2006: The ones to watch?

nthdegx — Sun, 16 Apr 2006 03:26:20 -0800

Screw Nike adverts. It's what they can do on the pitch that counts. Poetry without the bells and whistles. Some of the young names to look out for in this Summer's football World Cup in Germany: Manuel Fernandes (Portugal), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Cristi ano Ron aldo (Portugal), Way ne Ro oney (England).

Dear Girls ...

Surfurrus — Sat, 15 Apr 2006 00:24:22 -0800

Futbol ! - As the World Cup fever heats up ... the Swiss heat up their campaign for the futbol widows' ... "Alternative Programme" (d/l the commercial ... purrrrrrrrrr)

Und, natürlich, ein Elfmetertor in der letzten Minute

goodnewsfortheinsane — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 07:33:21 -0800

And you thought football itself was the universal language. The London chapter of the Goethe Institute jumps on the opportunity and offers a £35 crash course in German for the World Cup. Start out with these handy play scenario charts (pdf). Or, take the easy route and turn to AskMen for guidance.

Well you started it ...

DirtyCreature — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 00:01:35 -0800

Hors d'oeuvres vich must be obeyed at all times vithout qvestion!

WC 2006

dov3 — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 13:44:01 -0800

Jun 2006 is too far away! How did you like the drawing? What are the tough and easy groups? Let's the WC madness begin.

Gooaaalll!

edgeways — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 14:12:35 -0800

Changes in Football (Soccer). Including a ball with microchip technology that will allow the ref to instantly know if the ball crosses the goal line. Avoiding all manner of problems, from the clear goal in the January Spurs vs. Man United game, to the situations of too bloody close to tell, such as Geoff Hurst's goal in the 1966 World Cup final. The under-17 world cup will test the ball in Sept.
Oh, and offside laws, carding dangerous tackles and substitutions in friendlies have been tweaked.