World Cup 2002

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Thu May 30, 2002 4:40 pm

Less than 13 h to go, and it seems I am lucky. I had an important meeting with my prof tomorrow afternoon, but we had the meeting today instead, because he is not going to be at the lab tomorrow (I wonder why). So I can probably work at home and watch the game

According to a poll carried out by Swedish newspaper, over 15% plan to take sickness leave to watch the WC, another 15% plan to take vacation to watch. About 12% plan to watch at work! It's amazing - and 70 000 people have answered the poll!

Dottie · Post by **Dottie** » Thu May 30, 2002 4:45 pm

Originally posted by Yshania

Cool! Well I will be thinking of you, CE, Dottie and Astafas on Sunday - whichever way the game turns

lol, Actually I would be quite happy to see sweden loose. Easier to tease some friends of mine that way.

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Thu May 30, 2002 6:27 pm

Originally posted by Moleman
STUDY, young man, you can play games later! (but you can't watch world cup later, so there you perhaps need to make some compromise... )

I should probably get some studing too, since i like to study at night and the WC is at the morning it can work,if i'm able to get a few hours of sleep even better

.

@CE, i'm sure that anyone that likes/loves football with find a way to watch WC either at work or not.

There was a nice tv program before a couple of hours and it shown every final from 70, including the ten top goals of the history of WC. Indeed football has changed greatly over the years.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Thu May 30, 2002 6:31 pm

@Dottie: I don't care either who will win, I'm just looking forward to a good match. It'd be interesting to see both of the teams, especially the younger players.

@Demis: Oh no, you can't give away your comp to a neighbour...you must give the game to a neightbour

Listen to Moleman, he is wise

Re: France v Senegal, yes it's almost an internal affair, as Molar points out. On top of everyting else, French star Viera, playing in Arsenal, was born in Dakkar in Senegal and moved to France as a 7-year old.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Thu May 30, 2002 6:43 pm

Originally posted by Demis
@CE, i'm sure that anyone that likes/loves football with find a way to watch WC either at work or not.

In many countries, it seems like employers will allow people to watch the important games also at office hours - they can work in that time later.

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Thu May 30, 2002 7:11 pm

Originally posted by C Elegans
Oh no, you can't give away your comp to a neighbour...you must give the game to a neightbour Listen to Moleman, he is wise

I will give the game to the neighbour if i will not pass the lessons that i have to pass.

In many countries, it seems like employers will allow people to watch the important games also at office hours - they can work in that time later.

I know that several employers do that at least here at Greece and it is a wise thing to do unless they want a "riot" in their hands.

You perform better when you are happy (most of the times)

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Thu May 30, 2002 7:26 pm

France vs. Senegal: I hope France loses.

I don't like that team. I still am in shock that they won the World and Euro Cup.

O well the game is being televised here at 7:30 AM!!! I may record it or something, or I'll get some teacher to let us watch it, not that will happen.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Thu May 30, 2002 7:31 pm

Originally posted by Demis
I will give the game to the neighbour if i will not pass the lessons that i have to pass.

Good! How far away you have to distance yourself from tempting stimuli is very individual - I would say my former class mate was quite extreme.

I know that several employers do that at least here at Greece and it is a wise thing to do unless they want a "riot" in their hands. You perform better when you are happy (most of the times)

Exactly. And it's also known from research that you need less sleep when you are happy. You also need less sleep during summer because of the light, so actually, the timing is not so bad for you!

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Thu May 30, 2002 7:34 pm

Originally posted by ThorinOakensfield
France vs. Senegal: I hope France loses. I don't like that team. I still am in shock that they won the World and Euro Cup.

I also cheer for Senegal, although I believe they need a miracle to win. Miracles can happen in sports though - just look as Sweden's infamous loose against Belarus in the Olympic ice hockey tournament.

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Thu May 30, 2002 8:05 pm

Originally posted by C Elegans

Exactly. And it's also known from research that you need less sleep when you are happy. You also need less sleep during summer because of the light, so actually, the timing is not so bad for you!

Great!

i might perform well at multitasking after all

As for WC i afraid i don't know who to cheer this time, Netherlands didn't make it, my once favourite Germany it not the mighty team it used to be, Brasil is doubtful and Greece even if it would pass to the final face, it would most likely dissapoint me once again (can't forget what happened to us last time

). I guess i should be happy watching some good football

.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Thu May 30, 2002 8:25 pm

Originally posted by Demis
Great! i might perform well at multitasking after all

I think you will!

Since I was totally cut off from modern society during the last WC, I have no idea what happened to Greece. I only know France and Brazil played a lousy final - Brazil looked like sleepwalkers, and the game was utterly boring.

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Thu May 30, 2002 8:38 pm

Originally posted by C Elegans

I think you will!

Since I was totally cut off from modern society during the last WC, I have no idea what happened to Greece. I only know France and Brazil played a lousy final - Brazil looked like sleepwalkers, and the game was utterly boring.

It was actually at USA' 94 WC, first time Greece took place in the final face. Result: 3 matches - 3 losses 0 goal (own) 10 against and a whole nation dissapointed, we didn't even cheer a goal

.
At least Greek football is progressing fine now, oh well better luck next time.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Thu May 30, 2002 8:57 pm

Aha, -94, then I saw about half of the WC, only the latter part though since I was travelling around.

I certainly hope for a better result for Greece next time, at least one goal is something to celebrate

Time to catch some sleep - I got rid of the meeting so I may watch the opening game, but I still have a lot of other work to do. Next time we post here, we have a WC game to discuss

Good night!

Demis · Post by **Demis** » Thu May 30, 2002 9:03 pm

Originally posted by C Elegans
Time to catch some sleep - I got rid of the meeting so I may watch the opening game, but I still have a lot of other work to do. Next time we post here, we have a WC game to discuss Good night!

We will be having WC games to discuss for a whole month!

Goodnight & pleasant dreams @CE

Moleman · Post by **Moleman** » Fri May 31, 2002 12:13 am

-yawn- Good morning sweethearts.

At my workplace me and at least three of my colleagues have planned summer vacation so that we see the last two weeks of the WC...

@CE: about Vieira born in Senegal - that was new bit of information for me, and makes it even more interesting. Thanks!

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Fri May 31, 2002 3:05 am

Originally posted by C Elegans
Since I was totally cut off from modern society during the last WC, I have no idea what happened to Greece. I only know France and Brazil played a lousy final - Brazil looked like sleepwalkers, and the game was utterly boring.

Not as boring as the WC 90.

However only a few hours to go, and I get to watch it prime time too.

Now if only Zizou can make a quick comeback...

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Fri May 31, 2002 7:17 am

OK, spoiler and my comments in black below, I'll make the text white later, but now you have to mark the text to read it.

EDIT: Now most people should know the result, so:

What a surprise! A sensational 1-0 victory to Senegal! France dominated the game in terms on control over the ball and 10 corners v Senegals 0, but they actually managed surprisingly little. At moments, France demonstrated why are reigning World and European champions, but in all - the French seemed a little slow at times, and their defence did some major mistakes. Both Le
Senegal on the other hand played well and surprisingly organised - I heard they play a very offensive and "happy football", but in this game the most used counterattacks and had a very good defense as well as a midfield that could turn the game around very fast. The goaltender also played very good.

Congratulations to Senegal, what a marvellous start to their first world cup appearance!

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Fri May 31, 2002 7:36 am

Hi, C Elegans. Just saying hello. Nothing important follows.

So was France just expecting Senegal to roll over and go away because they were playing the defending world champions? Is this complacency? Can they bounce back and make it out of the first round?

Does this make Senegal this year's "surprising third world country that comes out of nowhere and gets to the semi-finals"?

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Fri May 31, 2002 7:55 am

Hi HLD

My comment follows:

Senegal is not coming so "out of the blue" as one might think, they did go to final in African Nations cup, and lost to Cameroon only with penalties after a full time. African football is however still viewed as inferior to European and South American football, mainly because of all the finacial, organisational and political problems the African teams often face - after Kameroons surprise success in the WC 1990, the team fell into a slump because of the situation in their country, at a point they players didn't even have money to buy football shoes.
Most of the Senegalese team however, actually play in the French league - sort of natural for the best players since Senegal was a colony to France until 1960. However, the best French players do not play in the French league, the French league is not as good as the Spanish, Italian or English leauge where they French players normally play. This match should have been a stroll in the park for France, but no - the sensation was a fact. I'm however sure that France will bounce back from this initial shock, they are a really strong team and they will get their best players Zidane back (he's injured but will probably play in 1-2 games)
I really hope Senegal will go on from this group, and it's a pity that African football is so seriously hampered by finacial and political problems. Otherwise I think we could have seen an African team as World Champions already.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Fri May 31, 2002 8:00 am

Don't you feel like T'Lainya and Witch King blacking out the "spoiler" text? My next comments are related to the World Cup in general, so I'm going to switch back to the white text.

Is it true that many of the people playing in the World Cup, regardless of their national affiliation, play in the major European professional leagues in the same way that the hockey players who compete in the Olympics play in the NHL?

Soccer is not big over here, but before the MLS got started, the majority of the US team played in British, Italian and German leagues. Is that also the case with African and Asian players who play for teams with less noteriaty like Senegal and Cameroon?