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The Beautiful Game

I think co-blogger James has fallen asleep at the wheel, so to speak, so I'm going to create this post that I'll periodically update with my thoughts on the World Cup.

So far, not even 1/3 of the way through the opening round-robin of play, a few things stand out. 

1.  Ball is just fine.  No controversy here.  Move it along.

2.  Ah yes.  The Italians (and to a lesser extent the Argentinians and Portuguese).  These teams offer such dramatic performances, you'd think it was a production of Puccini's Turandot at La Scala.  (Translation:  These teams are up to their old tricks of diving at the slightest hint of contact.  Or as the witty British ESPN announcer said, "even if there's a puff of wind").  Thankfully, SLATE will be awarding "Dive of the Day" throughout the WC. 

And if you're not a soccer fan and wonder how players can get away with this, the answer is referees.  There is only one ref for the entire pitch, though he does have two assistants.  But in general, given the speed of the game it is difficult to catch the dives in real time.  The solution?  Ex post facto video review by FIFA and game bans.  It's unsportsmanlike conduct and has no place in the game. 

And in case you have doubts about where I stand on the matter, the following poster hangs in my office.  

3.  Knock on wood, but so far the teams have demonstrated sportsmanship and the referees have not screwed anything up too terribly. 

4.  Raise your hand if you predicted the Brazil v. N. Korea outcome?  Yeah I thought so. 

Full post as published by Nuts & Boalts on June 15, 2010 (boomark / email).