Women's World Cup

[Alidar Jarok]

I didn't see any thread discussing it. Yesterday had an amazing game. US vs. Brazil started with a fluke goal, then Brazil tied it. There was a penalty kick save that had to be waived off and redone. Then Brazil scored in extra time and the US came back to tie it again with an amazing shot and win in penalty kicks.

Honestly, I don't think the Men's World Cup had a game as exciting as that. Plus, on the day before, the France and England game was really good too (I didn't get to see Japan-Germany, I heard it was a big upset, though). Anyone else watching, at least casually?

 

[DeeEss57]

I am.

Yesterday's USA/Brazil game was an incredible display of American doggedness. And, despite the best efforts of the official to help Brazil win, the US staged a miraculous return from the dead. It was probably the best soccer game I've ever seen. And it was poetic justice that the tying goal for the US came in injury time, after a Brazilian player stayed down for four minutes trying to kill time.

The Japan/Germany game was really good, too. Japan's defense stifled Germany all game long and the Germans showed no urgency until it was far too late. An incredible upset from an upstart team against the reigning world champion.


DES

 

[SPCTRE]

I am.

Yesterday's USA/Brazil game was an incredible display of American doggedness. And, despite the best efforts of the official to help Brazil win, the US staged a miraculous return from the dead. It was probably the best soccer game I've ever seen. And it was poetic justice that the tying goal for the US came in injury time, after a Brazilian player stayed down for four minutes trying to kill time.

The Japan/Germany game was really good, too. Japan's defense stifled Germany all game long and the Germans showed no urgency until it was far too late. An incredible upset from an upstart team against the reigning world champion.


DES

Agreed on both points.

In general the current championship shows how far the national teams and women's football/soccer have come as a whole, on an international level (that is, beyond traditionally strong nations such as the US, Germany, Brazil and Sweden).

It's not like in past tournaments, when the Top 5 national teams would duke it out amongst themselves, there is a good dozen teams now playing some pretty modern, fast-paced football - all of them very much capable of beating the old guard as it were.

The current World Cup is also the first one in Europe to make full use of the existing soccer infrastructure in terms of stadiums because of the comparatively huge response by live audiences. Also, there has never been a women's World Cup before with live broadcasts for all games on German television.

Long story short: Even though our girls got kicked out by Japan on Saturday, I'm having a blast.

 

[Levir]

I really enjoy watching the World Cup. There have been a lot of unexpected outcomes, the Germany-Japan game for example, and the games are generally exciting. No one is throwing themselves to the ground at every single touch, either, which is often the case when it come to men's games, sadly.

And as a Swede, I am of course excited that Sweden has went this far

 

[chineserapper05]

i was watching the game. i went nuts when the US tied it in the 122nd minute. and the majority of the stadium were against brazil and their antics by the end.

 

[Neroon]

Too bad Hope Solo is a goalie. Otherwise, maybe she'd get to shoot first......

 

[SPCTRE]

Sveeeeerige!!!

 

[SPCTRE]

Hate to say it, but yet another impressive performance by Japan. Well-deserved win!

Too bad they've now back-to-back kicked out both of "my" national teams, but still: This is me, tipping my hat!

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

Too bad Hope Solo is a goalie. Otherwise, maybe she'd get to shoot first......

You're better than that, aren't you?

Nevermind.

 

[SmoothieX]

USA! USA! USA!

I watched Wambach and Morgan score on my lunch break.

Can't wait for Sunday. Hopefully Japan gets bombed on Sunday.

 

[chineserapper05]

Hopefully Japan gets bombed on Sunday

oh wait.. you mean in soccer

 

[Skywalker]

That'd be quite a story if Japan ends up winning this thing, though.

 

[SmoothieX]

Quite a crappy story from where I'm sitting, which is in the US.

I really wish I caught that Brazil game on Sunday, I woulda had a heart attack several times over. I was hiking and miles from the nearest tube.

 

[Skywalker]

I'm in the US, too, but I still think it'd be a nice story.

 

[SmoothieX]

Pinko commie bastard!

 

[SmoothieX]

I am curious to see what the general feeling about the Women's World Cup is outside the US. ESPN is playing it up since they have the broadcast rights, but otherwise it's pretty quiet.

Is there a lot of buzz about the final around the world or is it similarly subdued? I'm a casual soccer fan at best, but have been watching more over the past year or so and am really pulling for the US women to win. I don't think the sport will ever become as popular here as our established sports, but I would have expected more hype over our team making the finals.

Also, can someone explain the concept of a 'friendly' to me? Some MLS team played a European team last night, in the middle of the season. It's something you don't see in our sports leagues here. I can't imagine the Dodgers just playing a random 3 game series with some team in the Dominican league on a Tuesday in August.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

It's essentially an exhibition game in the middle of the season. I suppose it gives you good practice and an opportunity to play what's probably a very good club (since it's often against Premier League teams). But it does seem kinda pointless and just a risk for causing injury.

 

[chineserapper05]

well, japan just beat england in the pk...

 

[SmoothieX]

Well this sucks a sweaty one...

 

[rhubarbodendron]

Congratulations to Japan for winning the championship (YAY!!!) [1:1 after the regular playing time, finally 3:2 after the penalty shots]

And congrats to the Americans on winning the silver medal (hey, come on, being second in the whole world is damned good!!) and especially on having a player as Ms Wambach who was the first to congratulate the Japanese team.