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

[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.

[margo49]

There is this one-liner: Rugby is a game for louts played by gentlemen, while soccer is a game for gentlemen played by louts

[Trek420]

margo49 "There is this one-liner: Rugby is a game for louts played by gentlemen, while soccer is a game for gentlemen played by louts"

in the States there's the joke:
Basketball is the game of the urban poor
Football (American football) is the game of the working class
Baseball is the game of the middle class
Tennis is the game of middle management
Golf is the game of executive and upper management
all of which proves....
the more money you make, the smaller your balls are

[massbikebabe]

Trek...

LOVED THAT POST!!! ROFLMAO!!!!



Anyway, I have been following the world cup because even the other free radical estrogen in this house is hooked!!!

By virtue of the fact that I grew up in an irish house and spent some time across the pond, I have to agree Rugby is the "REAL" football.


karen

[uk elephant]

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.

Of course there are many varieties of Rugby. I still haven't figured out what the difference is, but it appears to me that some are more rough/violent than others. So far I have heard of Aussie Rules, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Rugby Sevens....any I've missed?

And I agree, American Football players wouldn't stand a chance in a Rugby game. Fast paced, violent and with minimal protection. Just a bit of tape to keep the ears from being torn off.

And someone mentioned the Irish and their Rugby. Have you seen Hurling? Now there's another violent sport. Wooden ball and big wooden sticks with metal bands. And there are apparently no rules against hitting your oponent across the back with the stick.

[DirtDiva]

Touch rugby. Not generally violent, but very fast.

[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