Football (that's soccer for ya Americans..) world cup

[alpinerabbit]

I can't stand the commercialization. Yes I watch a bit, all games are on every night and boyfriend watches - but I could not care less who wins.

I just read that a worker in a sweatshop gets 30 cents (Swiss) for each shirt she makes. They are sold for 100 CHF i stores. Yuck.

Wonder where my bike clothes are made.

[crazycanuck]

I agree...I don't care who wins..can we please just get it over with???

I do notice where bike clothing is made...I am paying attention...

c

[Trek420]

Is there a womens world cup?

Yes I notice where things are made. I've been known to buy stuff just 'cause it's made in USA, or Canada, or Italy (woops, that was the bike, need that ) or... people everywhere need jobs, I'd just like assurance that they were paid fairly and had fair working conditions.

So I'm sitting here at work with my to-go mug of Fair Trade Coffee from Ethiopia with organic soymilk

[salsabike]

Yes, there is a Women's World Cup. Chris and I went to the Rose Bowl in '99 to see the US team play the final against China--a fabulous game with great teams.

Sure, there's commercialization, and all kinds of other imperfections. That's true for the Tour de France, and any event that generates money, especially sporting events. But when they play, it is often still a remarkably beautiful game. I'd just as soon appreciate the good along with trying to do something about the bad.

Maybe the Socceroos will do it--you never know. Upsets happen. Don't think anyone expected France to do what they did in 98.

Rugby is THE thing in Wales too--even more than football. We had a long discussion with our hosts in Usk about why there is so much fan violence in football but so little in rugby. The theory was two fold: a) in rugby the violence happens on the field; b) they score more so fans are less frustrated. They said the atmosphere at rugby matches was totally different, much more family friendly, than at football matches, so if we go again in rugby season they'll take us to a game.

[crazycanuck]

Salsa..the 2007 Rugby world cup is in France next year...If you can get tickets, def go & see either the All Blacks, The springbok (SA) or the wallabies (aust) play...

If you have sattelite TV..you may be able to see the replay of today's NZ-Ireland game..

Or if you want a really cool adventure...just travel to either Aust or NZ & go to a few games...

Right..about where things are made..May i suggest the book "how to end poverty" by jeffrey sachs..

I've just hijacked a thread on football/soccer...thread drift is like that some days.

c

[Bron]

Yes, Rugby is soooooo much better than football. Besides which, Wales didn´t qualify for the football world cup, so I have nobody to cheer for.
I will admit though, the atmosphere is Munich has been pretty good so far, but I´m getting a bit fed up of footballs everywhere.

Bron

[alpinerabbit]

I checked - most of my gear is Nalini, some Giordana, all made in Italy. PI is made in USA; my bike (Look) is french and my campy is italian, so I think worker's rights wise I'm sort of ok.

[RoadRaven]

*whispers in rebellious tones*
Rugby of course is the only game of the football family... everything else is just folks running about on a field.

[susiej]

I will admit though, the atmosphere is Munich has been pretty good so far, but I´m getting a bit fed up of footballs everywhere.

Which is why I can stand watching it. It's every four years and most of America doesn't know it exists. Plus 45 minutes of play without commercial interruptions.

The year my son was born, the local team was in the Super Bowl. I REALLY wanted to deliver during the game to avoid all the nonsense. Most of the OBs in my practice are women, so I hoped there would be little chance of the doc being distracted. As it was, the little guy showed up a few days before that. At least our team lost, and I didn't spend our first night at home with crazed fans honking outside my front door.

[kelownagirl]

Is there a womens world cup?

I was wondering if there is a Womens Tour de France? (or the equivalent...)

barb

[margo49]

Anything with a camera panning across
row of champions (male or female)
listening to national anthems
gets my vote

A friend of mine's Mother said "Why don't they give each of them a ball; then they wouldn't all have to chase after just the one?" Which is another reason rugby is better - there is a point to the ball (yeah, yeah funny-punny)

[uk elephant]

Here in the UK of course there is no escaping the World Cup. And BF watches all the games he can, so I end up watching some too. As much as I try avoiding it, I'm getting almost into football. Watched a bit of the Ghana - Check Republic game, which the Checks were meant to win easily. Ghana won of course, and what made it almost fun to watch was that the Ghana players seemed to really have fun. Big smiles all around.

Later last night we went to the pub where Italian (and French and Spanish) friends were watching Italy play USA. That was a game turned ugly! Three players sent off and frequently players stretchered off.

And in England's group, me and BF are of course cheering for Trinidad and Tobago. Go Soca Warriors! They are another team the really seem to play for the game, not for fame and sponsorship deals. And to them a draw against Sweden was celebrated as a win.

And on the topic of Rugby, BF tells me the reason it seems more civilised off the pitch is that is more of a middle class sport. The teams tend to be made up of people with higher degrees (doctors, professors, lawyers etc), rather than the working class football (soccer). It may be more violent on the pitch than football (in general), but they don't let it spill over off the pitch.

[RoadRaven]

And on the topic of Rugby, BF tells me the reason it seems more civilised off the pitch is that is more of a middle class sport. The teams tend to be made up of people with higher degrees (doctors, professors, lawyers etc), rather than the working class football (soccer). It may be more violent on the pitch than football (in general), but they don't let it spill over off the pitch.

LOL... not in NZ... historically the All Blacks have been farmers, dock workers etc... its only since the sport turned professional (I still think that was a defining moment in the motivation of players - it no longer to wear the black jersey... its how much money can I make and I think thats sad...).

Historically (pre-professional/paid) alot of financial sacrifice has been made in order to have the honour of wearing the black jersey.

[RoadRaven]

I was wondering if there is a Womens Tour de France? (or the equivalent...)

barb

Yes... there is... I have been googling for 15 minutes now... usually google is my friend... but not tonight... I have tried so many combinations... I even found a link to women's events sponsered by TE!!!

I found out that Barbara Heeb of Switzerland was the 1996 women's world champion and a second-place finisher in the 1997 women's Tour de France. (unfortunately her website is in Swiss)

I found that elite Aussie cyclist, Oenone has a link to TE on her website

There is also a women's giro, world cup and so on and so on... there must be a site with a list of these links??? Someone???

[kelownagirl]

Yes... there is... I have been googling for 15 minutes now... usually google is my friend... but not tonight... I have tried so many combinations... I even found a link to women's events sponsered by TE!!!

I found out that Barbara Heeb of Switzerland was the 1996 women's world champion and a second-place finisher in the 1997 women's Tour de France. (unfortunately her website is in Swiss)

I found that elite Aussie cyclist, Oenone has a link to TE on her website

There is also a women's giro, world cup and so on and so on... there must be a site with a list of these links??? Someone???

Is this it? When I typed in Tour Cycliste Féminin I got the French site. I can read some French but it's too much work...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grande_Boucle

barb