World Cup 2022

[Primo Carnera]

First I'll clarify a couple of things:

1. I'm not making a "stock opinion" based on anything. It is a personal preference. But I'll remember to check with you first before I state what I like and don't like.
   
   No need to check with me mate, you like whatever you want.
   
2. I AM an American. I realize many people make that mistake. By virtue of being from this side of the world, I am technically an American. Remember... there's North America, South America, Central America, etc. Furthermore... Puerto Ricans are by law American citizens. My passport is a U.S. passport. I hope this helps.
   
   Thanks for that , it helps a lot, I did have my suspicions.
   
   
3. I gave Morocco their props for yesterday's game against France. Yet I stand my opinion that their victory against Spain was extremely boring (I realize I didn't run my opinion by you first). Granted... I think Spain contributed just as much as Morocco to the boringness of the match.

Yep, well you had no choice but to give them props, because they proved your opinion of them wrong. Now there’s a mini back track by apportioning a bit of “blame” with Spain as well for this so-called boring game.
Like I said, you can like or dislike whatever you want, but maybe it was boring because there are aspects that you don’t know what to look for and therefore don’t appreciate.


I happen to have Italian ancestry... so I love the country... and I'll root for their team against most other European opponents. At one point they had a reputation for excessive flopping, which I didn't like.


I’m not sure what “Excessive Flopping” is, but if you mean Diving, I think your South American Cousins started that off, and ironically England , who have always berated countries like Italy for diving, have joined the “flopping” party to the extent that it probably cost them some crucial decisions against France.
Basically, they all FLOP!

Finally... you don't have to come from a "soccer" power country in order to know the sport enough to have intelligent discussions. In addition... tastes are just that. Tastes. And they're personal in nature.

[/QUOTE]

In response to your First sentence, maybe you do in order to totally understand. And in response to you second sentence , absolutely.

[TitoFan]

First I'll clarify a couple of things:

1. I'm not making a "stock opinion" based on anything. It is a personal preference. But I'll remember to check with you first before I state what I like and don't like.
   
   No need to check with me mate, you like whatever you want.
   
2. I AM an American. I realize many people make that mistake. By virtue of being from this side of the world, I am technically an American. Remember... there's North America, South America, Central America, etc. Furthermore... Puerto Ricans are by law American citizens. My passport is a U.S. passport. I hope this helps.
   
   Thanks for that , it helps a lot, I did have my suspicions.
   
   
3. I gave Morocco their props for yesterday's game against France. Yet I stand my opinion that their victory against Spain was extremely boring (I realize I didn't run my opinion by you first). Granted... I think Spain contributed just as much as Morocco to the boringness of the match.

Yep, well you had no choice but to give them props, (#1) because they proved your opinion of them wrong. Now there’s a mini back track by apportioning a bit of “blame” with Spain as well for this so-called boring game.
Like I said, you can like or dislike whatever you want, (#2) but maybe it was boring because there are aspects that you don’t know what to look for and therefore don’t appreciate.


I happen to have Italian ancestry... so I love the country... and I'll root for their team against most other European opponents. At one point they had a reputation for excessive flopping, which I didn't like.


I’m not sure what “Excessive Flopping” is, but if you mean Diving, I think your South American Cousins started that off, and ironically England , who have always berated countries like Italy for diving, have joined the “flopping” party to the extent that it probably cost them some crucial decisions against France.
Basically, they all FLOP!

Finally... you don't have to come from a "soccer" power country in order to know the sport enough to have intelligent discussions. In addition... tastes are just that. Tastes. And they're personal in nature.

(#3) In response to your First sentence, maybe you do in order to totally understand. And in response to you second sentence , absolutely.[/QUOTE]



#1. With all due respect, "boring" is not an opinion that can be proved wrong. It is an OPINION. A subjective assessment based on a person's likes and dislikes. What maybe Morocco DID prove is that they needed to go out of their comfort zone if they wanted to keep up with France. Especially given the fact that France scored first and very early.

#2. And maybe it was boring because I found it boring. Your supposition that I "don't know what to look for and therefore don't appreciate" is iffy, at best. If I take the darker view, it would seem a bit patronizing... but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and presume that it wasn't meant to be patronizing.

#3. No. You don't. Because if you truly believe that you HAVE to be from a soccer global power country in order to "totally understand" enough to have intelligent discussions... then I have no choice but to totally disagree with you. Furthermore... some of these assertions you've made sound almost TIC-like in nature.



You're a veteran poster. One with strong opinions and definitely not shy in expressing them. You also don't mince words. But you tend to broad-brush a lot... and have some deep-rooted misconceptions.

Misconceptions I'm only too happy to help dispel.

[Primo Carnera]

Wow! “TIC-like” ! That cuts to the core!! I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder and we like what we like.
But some appreciate the gritty workmanlike nuances in order to make it look beautiful . And the intelligence of formations in order to nullify your opponents strengths. It’s similar to Boxing in that sense.
And my point about having experienced it from supporting a “footballing power” is that unless you’ve lived that in your soul, you will never understand the reaction from absolutely all angles.
Whether you believe or not, we are all fed a way we should believe by media and nowadays also social media. And you only truly appreciate it when you have lived that in your soul.
Arrogant? Patronising? Could well be. But that’s sometimes what needs to be done for people to understand the inner soul of the game.

[Primo Carnera]

just re-read the above and realised there's a bit of an over use of the word "Soul!"

[Mark TKO]

Shock horror etc FIFA are rethinking the format for 2026 as realised the current group format actually works !

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63998821

[Primo Carnera]

Shock horror etc FIFA are rethinking the format for 2026 as realised the current group format actually works !

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63998821

Nailed that one.exactly what you said.

Did you notice they’re going to have a 32 team World club cup as well? So how do they fit that in the calendar?
Cue renewed talks about a European League.

[Mark TKO]

Shock horror etc FIFA are rethinking the format for 2026 as realised the current group format actually works !

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63998821

Nailed that one.exactly what you said.

Did you notice they’re going to have a 32 team World club cup as well? So how do they fit that in the calendar?
Cue renewed talks about a European League.

I didn’t but just read now. Madness. Can’t see the leagues agreeing to this. Much disruption lies ahead you feel…..

[TitoFan]

just re-read the above and realised there's a bit of an over use of the word "Soul!"

Three times, to be exact. It just means you put your soul into your response.

You're passionate. You come from a traditional football power... it's understandable. I have similar discussions over here when discussing the NFL.

It's all good.

Still happy it's Argentina-France in the Final, and Croatia-Morocco fighting over 3rd place.