What game???

The Crows sorted out the Magpies yesterday…... what else do we need to know?

Cedrict,

Just can’t help yourself!?

You miss out.

Just don’t blame the SBS or migrants.

Who watched the Aus v Japan game?

What a game!

Just finished watching Brazil and the Croats. I’ve seen better Brazil sides.

Croatia look sharp. They deserved a draw.

I just hope now that those nancy-boy refs stay out of the way and keep the cards in their pockets. Boy they shit me.

I reckon there should be some sort of post-match appeals process to look at some of the uneccessary and costly yellow cards handed out.

Go Aussies!!

Re the FIFA World Cup -  copy of a letter published in The Age this week:

Three Brownlow-like votes to Tracee Hutchison for her individual and challenging stance in Ah, Socceroos, schmocceroos [Insight, Sat 10 June 06].  At last, a journalist-with-own-column who’s dared to not jump on the FIFA World Cup bandwagon which, herd-like, the rest seem to reckon compulsory.
It’s not about the games, or their respective merits.
It’s that failing to do so is considered, as Hutchinson says, “a clearly defined crime of sports myopia”; she, and the rest of us, are being urged to join the WC hype solely “to embrace a world view”, that is, because lots of foreigners do so.
We used to call that 1950s attitude the “cultural cringe”, a term invented by contemporary Melbourne scholar and writer A A Phillips -  it looks as if it’s back again on the nation’s back pages.
Tracee, you may not have ever met him, nor attended the eminent private school he graced, but he’d be right proud of you. As am I.
PS: And Tracee, keep up the Yiddish.
Leonard Colquhoun, Invermay (Tas)

To all football fans:
“... I can safely say I am living the dream. Yes, I am a very lucky guy”

——- Original Message——-
From: John - Kingston - Tassie
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2006 8:25 AM
Subject:
      Aus 3 - 1 Japan: YYYYEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2006 15:47:28 +0200
From: Rich

Unbelievable! What a game!
We were absolutely dead and buried, I dunno what it looked like on TV,
but the game had slowed right down, the crowd were getting aggro that
the aussies were shit, and it looked like a pathetic loss to a rubbish
goal that shouldn’t have been given. And then Super Timmy Cahill
popped up for the equaliser - we went mental.
After that everyone was just hoping to hang-on for a 1-1 draw, and
Japan did look threatening for a few minutes, until Super Timmy
Cahill’s sensational strike from outside the box gave us the lead. In
off both posts - when the back of the net rippled we erupted once
more.
An ocean of yellow was transformed into a roaring, surging mass
of noise and joy.
I was punching the air, shaking my fists, jumping up
and down and yelling and shouting. The guy in front turned around and
we celebrated together, although on reflection it was fairly lame. The
noise was deafening and the sight of 20 000 aussies dressed in yellow
celebrating madly was unforgettable.
Then when Aloisi scored the 3rd, we went beserk again.
The guy in front and I were obviously thankful for the chance to improve on our
celebrations, and we made a much better fist of it this time. My mate
(John) and I hugged again, grins from ear to ear. I was hugging
strangers and snogging random chicks.* Relief and unrestrained joy
came out of every pair of lungs encased in a green and gold shirt. I
think in those few minutes yesterday I used up a year’s supply of
endorphins. My only regret is that I couldn’t be looking at the crowd
from elsewhere, it must’ve been an amazing sight.
Reckon Brazil must be shitting themselves now. If we can hit the
back of the net three times in 8 mins, just imagine what we can do in
the full 90 minutes. I predict a 17-2 victory for the Aussies (Brazil
have a couple of half-decent players, so they’re probably a chance to
sneak a consolation goal or two towards the end, when we are 11-0 up).
You heard it here first folks.
The stadium itself was fantastic, even though we had seats right up
the back we still had a spectacular view, and the singing of the
national anthem was spine-tingling stuff. Thankfully I didn’t hear a
single rendition of Aussie-Aussie-Aussie-Oi-Oi-Oi. In fact there were
quite a few chants that I hadn’t heard before. I have reproduced a few
of them here, so you at home can sing along too. They are quite
complicated, and are far in advance of what we have had before, but
maybe with several hours practice you might start to pick them up.

Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole
Aus-sie, Aus-sie!
(repeat)
*clap clap*
*clap-clap-clap*
*clap-clap-clap-clap*
Aus-sie!
(repeat)
Auuuuuusss-traaaaa-liiiiii-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa *clap clap clap clap*
La-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaa *clap clap clap clap*
La-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaa *clap clap clap clap*
La-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaa *clap clap clap clap*
(repeat)
to the tune of Go West:
Stand up for the Socceroos, stand up for the Socceroos, stand up for
the Socceroos, stand up for the Socceroos!
(repeat)

Suu-per, super Tim
Suu-per, super Tim
Suu-per, super Tim
Super Timmy Cahill
(repeat)
Guus, Guus, Guus, Guus
(repeat)
Dukes, Dukes, Dukes, Dukes
(repeat)
As you can see, there is a lot of variety, and I pride myelf in being
a good fan, and knowing the lyrics to all of them by heart.

In the lead-up to the match we were in Kaiserslautern (or The Slaut,
as I like to call it) for a few hours and we managed to meet up with
Tommy (a mate of mine with tickets to all the games as well). We also
managed to meet up with tens of thousands of other aussies wearing the
green and gold - yesterday Australia owned The Slaut. Everywhere you
went, every single corner of this town, every bar, every beer garden,
every street, every park, every Burger King, every everything, was
full of Aussies. The Slaut was gold, a splash of green and plenty of
blue Aussie flags. Fantastic. There were a few Japanese fans wandering
about in their dark blue kit, and the atmosphere between the fans
before kick-off was very jovial. Indeed after match it was still very
good as well, but I do wonder what would’ve happened if we’d lost 1-0.
cont…

Rich’s great time @ the 2006 Football World Championship in Stuttgart / Germany this week:
cont.

...The German fans are out in force as well, which is actually a first
for some time. Four years ago, even though they unepectedly made the
final of the World Cup, people were still somewhat afraid to show much
national pride - there were a few flags out, but there was still a
stigma attached to it, there was still a prevalent attitude that
anyone waving a German flag is a Nazi. Thankfully this world cup seems
to have galvanised the whole nation - not only is everyone delighted
to be hosting such an event, it seems that every German is now proud
to be a German, for the first time in 60 years. The 20 - 30 year olds
are leading the charge, people whose parents were born after the war,
and so are quite happy to be associated with Germany and national
pride. Black, red and yellow adorn people, cars and buildings equally.
Before the opening match the centre of Stuttgart was filled with
Germans in white shirts waving German flags. It was an amazing sight.
I watched the match in the local suburb where I am staying at a
friend’s place, which just happens to be the suburb where Juergen
Klinsmann grew up. When he first appeared on screen there was
rapturous applause. His Mum owns a bakery that we can see from my
mate’s kitchen window. Tourists keep dropping by to take photos. I
think I might join them in a minute.
The flight over was boring and long, but I talked to a few guys who
were going to the world cup. One bloke paid $300 for a ticket to Italy
Czech Republic, and the guy next to me on the 12 hr flight paid $900
for Oz v Brazil and $1600 for an England game. He asked me how much I
paid for my tickets, but I told him he didn’t want to know. He also
paid $12 000 for a month’s accommodation in Germany. I didn’t have the
heart to tell him I had arranged free accommodation for five weeks. It
was then that I began to have a sneaking suspicion that he didn’t earn
a living building a shed for his Dad.
And I heard of someone else paying US$24 000 for two tickets to all
semi-finals and one England game. Ridiculous.
Famous people watch:
Juergen Klinsmann’s Mum - I bought a couple of Tafelbroetchens from
her
Ray Martin - was being mobbed by a few fans after the match. I lobbed
a huge gorbie in his direction, but I didn’t get enough distance on
it, so it missed**

Wayne Goninon - okay so he’s not famous, but he was sitting a few rows
in front of me. I imagine he was quite suprised to see me considering
the last time I saw him was a few months ago, and he was talking about
how he had tickets to all the matches, and I was looking all sad and
depressed cos I didn’t have any.
The Socceroos’ goalie from 1974 (the last time we were at the world
cup) - he was sitting in the row in front. I’m not quite sure if he
qualifies as famous, but it makes the list look longer and more
impressive, so he makes the cut.
me - yep, I’m now famous. I went to watch the England game in an Irish
Pub, and Eurosport came in to do some interviews with some English
fans, so they interviewed my mates, and we got on the telly. Naturally
I have a tape of it and will be forcing all of you to watch it many
times over. Although now that I’m famous I will probably be ditching
all you non-famous insignificant scum, and I’ll be hanging out and
holidaying with my new-found fickle, snobbish and materialistic
friends.***

Well, thanks for reading this far. But, uhhhh, I’m afraid I have some
very bad news. I’m sorry to say it people, but you are probably going
to hate me after reading this next bit. I think I will have to go into
hiding for a few weeks when I get back, for fear of reprisal attacks.
Oh well. Read on.
I’ve done quite a few classic trips, and had some fantastic holidays -
Turkey, Tuscany, Croatia, Slovenia and Egypt are just a few that
spring to mind. But this one beats them all, and rather easily too.
Everything is perfect - especially the weather (it was shithouse
recently, but since I got here 30 degrees plus has been the norm.
Coincidence? No, I don’t think so either), and the atmosphere in
Stuttgart is superb - it is just one month long fancy dress party, and
the whole world is invited.Only five days in, and I this is already
the greatest trip ever. I can safely say I am living the dream. Yes, I
am a very lucky guy.
Phew, long email, sorry. Right, I’m off to town watch South Korea v Togo.
Should be an absolute belter.
* May not be true
** May also not be true
*** okay, okay, this is blatantly not true

Aw Leonard dont be like that. Whilst, I dont read the national newspapers, I cant say that I have felt under any real moral pressure to support the World cup (and the aussie campaign), just for the hell of it.

Nor am i too fussed by friends or associates that do not share my enthusiasm. Indeed, I a am a hopeless sports tragic, so hopeless that at the age of 39 I still havent grown up enough to retire my not so youthful bag of bones from the competitive arena. I have lived and loved sports since childhood and unfortunately for my dearest wife this will continue until they bury me.

I agree with Roy and HG whose mantra is “too much sport is never enough”.

I gave Tracey Hutchisons rather silly but good natured piece a read and whilst i empathise with her pain visa-vee Frank Farina, i think Tracy exaggerates and overdramatises her sense of alientation and the terrible way she has being otracised by those hysterical World cup trendy’s. It’s ok Tracy, Leonard, if you are not getting excited about the world cup. Really, it is. I guarantee my excitement for the cup will more than make up for the absence of yours.

Here is a contrary response (letter) to Hutchisons article (published alongside Leonards) from The Age this week:

“The sad, small world of soccer-grumps”

“WHAT in our psyche promotes anti-World Cup diatribes such as Tracee Hutchison’s (“Ah Socceroos, schmocceroos”, Opinion, 10/6)? A world game convert in my teens, I still follow the footy, but its free-flowing scoring means too many games are over by half-time. Its best athletes aren’t even household names in every Australian state, let alone beyond our shores.

The World Cup brings the joy of celebrating the diverse cultures that embrace this beautiful game. But don’t worry, Tracee, just pull down the shutters and wrap yourself in the cocoon of AFL, a provincial oddity the rest of the world knows not, nor cares for”.

Phil Hawkins, Glen Iris

p.s Argentina and Spain are my picks after the first week of games.
rick p

Ok, I am renowned for my sleepless hours and let me say that my basic dislike of sport (too much cheating, pretence, money and the missing soul of sport) would normally see me hitting the keyboard rather than watching the box, but curiosity had the better of me and I watched the second half of Australia versus Brazil the other night, hence this post.

It was a match that was played in the true spirit of the game and was played fairly and with enthusiasm and determination.

In short, I was well impressed. There were no miracle recoveries from non contact injuries, the game moved on with no time wasters and there were no stars, just teams that wanted to win.

There was even the odd smile from those who truly enjoyed themselves - from both teams.

There was obviously lots of skill and to see humans work so hard at this game was just lovely.

The sportsmanship between players was inspiring, so many nationalities, so much goodwill.

If soccer was always like this, it would indeed be “the beautiful game”.

Well I for one will be rising early on Friday to watch Australias final group game against Croatia. I must confess that I am already excited and nervous in anticipation of what will unfold.

It is also exciting to me that many other Australians as well as soccer fans all over the world will be doing the same.

There is no doubting that football brings joy around the globe. For me that is part of the romance and nobility of football. It is the world game. Along with athletics and to a lesser degree sports like cycling and swimming, it is a sport that is played in almost every country. Even in the year 2006 where vast sums of money are involved at the higher levels, the challenge and the purity of the round ball remains.

This world cup has been a good one thus far.

The latinos are playing to their potential. The Eurpoeans are having mixed fortunes as the French, Italians, English and Balkan countries underperform, whilst the Netherlands and Germany look to be real contenders for the big prize. I believe Australia will get through. My only fear is that we may underestimate Croatia after the glut of positive feed back the team has received after our fine performances against Japan and Brazil. You would think that Hiddink should have this under control though.

I believe Hiddink must play Kewell for the full game tonight and leave him to play down the left side. He has played the best football of his career in this position for both Leeds and Liverpool in the English Premier League. I also hope that Hiddink gives Tim Cahill another full game and maybe John Aloisi up front with the supremely skilled Mark Viduka.

It is Viduka’s time to stand up and score for us. He has played well thus far but cannot score. The Brazilians made him look a little slow, but hey….they are Brazil. The Aussies are looking very fit and coped well with high temperatures against Japan. So the weather should not be a factor. Which Croatia will turn up though? Will it be te talented Croatia that ran 3rd in France 98. For our sake, I hope not.
Enjoy!!
Rickp

You little beauty!!

History schmistory ....

Italy arrive just in time. We’ve had enough of this game in which the real stars, the ones who make the winners and break the losers, are called referees.

  Now we can watch Lleyton c’mon without any silly exotic distractions.

Topical letter from The Age of Wed 28 June 06:

The end is nigh

PEOPLE are free to choose their preferred form of entertainment, and if watching a game characterised primarily by feigning injury and pretending to be fouled is your thing, then good luck to you.

However, I have a tiny warning for all those pushing so hard for the McDonaldisation of Australian sport: there is a growing underground movement, meeting quietly around water coolers and in corridors across the nation. We still live in fear of retaliation from the dreaded yellowshirts demanding that we all show “passion” for the “world game”, and keep quiet when approached by a try-hard Euro-sophisticate who knows how to pronounce Guus Hiddink’s first name.

But the day is fast approaching when the winds of hype will die down, the bandwagon will run out of steam and we will be free to speak again with one voice: Soccer — it’s still boring, and it’s still for wimps!

Kurt Weideling, Hawthorn [Vic]

From the Age this week

http://www.theage.com.au/news/letters/a-celebration-of-all-thats-good-about-the-world/2006/06/25/1151174069858.html

Its Quarter final time. less sleep than ever. Woohoo