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

[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.

[crazycanuck]

Roadraven...

[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.

[Jones]

Once, when I was channel surfing, I saw the All Blacks doing their pre-game Maori war dance and I must say I have had quite a fondness for Rugby every since.

[crazycanuck]

Ummm it's called the HAKA...It's not meant to be a "war dance"-it's symply a sybmol of challenge to the other team...

Roadraven & other kiwis could tell ya...

c

[Trekhawk]

www.piccom.org/dancesoflife/newzealand2.html

Check out this site for info on the Haka.