Football good, rugby bad
Mon Jun 29 08:59AM
There has been something refreshing about the lack of hysteria surrounding the summer's two international tournaments.
The Confederations Cup and European U21 Championship have been played with the kind of level-headedness Early Doors feared was no longer possible.
Of course every team has wanted to win, but they have played under moderate pressure and without the histrionics that routinely accompany the bigger competitions.
You suspect that if Ivory Coast had been involved in the Confed Cup, Didier Drogba might have described their exit as 'a darned shame' rather than 'a f***ing disgrace'.
As a consequence, the quality of entertainment has been superb in both competitions.
From the moment Brazil's crazy 4-3 win over Egypt set the tournament properly in motion, the Confederations Cup has been a delight, producing goals in abundance and some genuine surprises.
It might owe something to the relative lack of pressure the teams are playing under, or it might be that their heads are already on a sunbed in the Maldives. Whatever the reason, it has been great fun. Shame about those bloody horns, though.
Last night's final was an appropriate end, with the USA threatening to follow up their win against Spain with another shock, before Brazil's quality eventually told.
Lucio's winner allowed him to show off a t-shirt telling the world that he loves Jesus (why does he only ever do that when he wins something? Did he have a separate t-shirt in case Brazil lost, saying 'Jesus let me down'?).
British people are uncomfortable with public displays of religious faith, but they are ever more common in sport.
Egypt marked each of their goals with a quick prayer, while Pakistan did the same when they won the World Twenty20 cricket.
However, they were upstaged by former skipper Wasim Akram, now in the commentary box.
Despite having no involvement whatsoever in the team's achievement, Wasim chose to dedicate the country's success to 'the brave army of Pakistan' which, while controversial, had the happy side-effect of reducing Nasser Hussain to silence.
England play the U21 final tonight against Germany, a fact that has not escaped the attention of the tabloids.
The Daily Mirror asks with supreme tenuousness: "It's England v Germany in a major final, Labour are clinging on to power and our captain is a West Ham star. Sound familiar?"
Wasn't it also quite warm on the day England won the World Cup? And we were also driving on the left that year. It must be fate...
The Sun, meanwhile, points out that Germany have chosen to wear their red change strip in an attempt to "crank up the mind games".
ED suspects that Britain's middle-aged newspaper men are slightly more obsessed with 1966 than a team of Germans who were born in the late 80s.
England's progress aside, it has still been an excellent tournament.
Early Doors is legitimately infatuated with Sweden striker Marcus Berg, the tournament's top scorer and a player with intelligence, physical presence and a wonderful array of finishes.
His partnership with Ola Toivonen yielded 10 goals in four games and has a touch of Rebrov-Shevchenko about it - Toivonen the deep-lying schemer and Berg the ruthless assassin.
If Early Doors were a team like Everton, it would do everything in its power to sign the pair of them.
Luckily for Everton, ED has no input into their recruitment policy, because if it did, it would be breaking rule one of transfers - never sign a player based on his performance at an international tournament, let alone two. ED calls it 'Poborsky's law'.
And in this case, it might be especially pertinent. Just because you look the part against a bunch of young shavers from Belarus, it doesn't mean you're going to do the business in a midweek trip to Stamford Bridge.
- - -
'Football is a game for gentlemen played by thugs; rugby is a game for thugs played by gentlemen.'
The next time anyone makes that sort of pat, condescending and arrogant remark, ED is going to go Schalk Burger on their ass and rip both their eyes off their stalks.
Footballers are frequently criticised for their behaviour on the pitch, and often with justification.
A common refrain is 'why can't they be more like rugby players?' Basically because they call the referee 'Sir' and clap each other on and off the pitch.
But Burger's premeditated and blatant gouge on Luke Fitzgerald during Saturday's South Africa-Lions game showed just how much mutual respect really exists behind the cosmetic niceties.
Even the supposedly exemplary way players deal with the ref is exaggerated. Eurosport-Yahoo!'s very own Neil Back served a six-month ban in 1996 after pushing over referee Steve Lander following Leicester's defeat to Bath in the Pilkington Cup final.
Players might address him like he is a schoolmaster, but only usually to deny things of which they are clearly guilty.
Forwards in particular spend much of their time pushing the boundaries of legality and trying to deceive the ref. But because they aren't diving or feigning injury, nobody seems to mind that particular brand of cheating.
Throw in Matt Stevens's positive cocaine test and worrying tales of more widespread recreational drug use, and you have a sport that does not exactly live up to the Corinthian image some people would like to give it.
Footballers are vilified, often because they are young, poorly-educated, rich and frequently obnoxious. They are easy targets for envy.
Of course conduct in the game could be improved, but if football is looking for an example to follow, it should steer clear of rugby.
- - -
QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND: Joan Laporta on Manchester City's bid to sign Samuel Eto'o:
"Eto'o has a stratospheric
offer from City, which would convert him into the best paid player in the world.
It's starting to become clear that
he has this monster offer. He wants to stay but an offer like this is very
difficult to refuse. If Eto'o
accepts this stratospheric offer we will have to bring in someone." So you're saying it's
good.
FOREIGN VIEW: German rag Bild list has 20 reasons why the Nationalmannschaft will win tonight.
Included in these is: 'Because it is time for revenge!' Not for 1966, mind you. For 1982, when England beat Germany in the Euro U21 final.
Also featuring: 'Because our youngsters have been on apple juice for 18 days. They are 90 minutes away from going to a Swedish nightclub.'
COMING UP: England v Germany in the Euro U21 final - follow our live coverage from 19:45 UK time. Plus there is a stellar line-up at Wimbledon, including Andy Murray and Roger Federer.
ooooo you messed my hair, ah ref he nearly made contact with me,F*ck you ref I'm a c list celeb, justin fashinu, my girlfriends seen more c*ck than a mexican @#$% fighter, ooo my nails, pony tail, alice band,put your tounge in my mouth I just scored, pass the coke,but plug, 15 yr old girl, its not rape cause theres 4 of us and we're famous. Quarter final time to choke, a street full of holiday makers lets wreck it, the nasty policeman hit me, it wasn't a bung it was a donation, hong kong betting rings, could do this all day how can you make comparison, football a sport played by ponces supported by fat mindless thugs that can only fight in a pack. What happened in SA happens all the time in rugby its part of the game you don't hear the players complaining, they take it and got on with it (well the occasional England player will have a whine), the ref is treated with respect and his word is law, none of the temper tantrums seen at pretty much every kiss balling ground in the country.
From jnstev545 on Mon Jun 29 12:12PMAnd ffs stop taking the piss out of people's religions... people who grew up in poorer countries never really had anything but faith to hold on to, not to mention 99% of countries' infrastructures are built on religious principles.
Brits have always been raised with a sense of entitlement, and think themselves and their way best despite living in an absolute cocoon. Try telling someone who has no running water that Jesus is a farce, when the only thing you complain about is whether the water is hot enough in the mornings.
I'm as atheist as one gets, but grow up and respect other people for once.
From wa.irvine on Mon Jun 29 12:14PM#58 according to this weeks New Scientist it all ends when with Human induced mass extinction which will culminate in with an extinction of plant life in 500 million years followed by by a loss of oxygen from earth 15 million years later which will leave the earth sterile in about 1 billion years.
According to last years (21st Feb 2008) calculations by the University of Sussex the earth gets torched and vapourised by an ever expanding sun in about 7.6 billion years, UNLESS the Earths orbit can be altered (considerably less likely than England winning a World Cup with todays technology)
From arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 12:16PM#60 building a team 400 million squid of debt looks like building a team on brittle sandstone to me, whatever the correct metaphor 'rock' is not one of them
From arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 12:19PM. People seem to hold religious opinions in such high regard above everything else, which makes it a taboo subject. Or at least the concept of arguing an opinion based on religion is rendered futile.
Comparison.. Try expressing an opinion on health, peadophiles, or education with a parent. If you disagree with them, prepare to hear, 'You wouldn't understand because you don't have kids of your own'. Because emptying nappies is evidently a necessary qualification in order to read the available information and form an opinion. You get stonewalled. Just like when arguing with someone's opinion based on religious fervour.
ANYWAY BACK TO THE BLOG
'Because our youngsters have been on apple juice for 18 days. They are 90 minutes away from going to a Swedish nightclub.'Methinks if Pearcey dangles this carrot under their noses, the England lads will be equally motivated to dangle something of their own later in said nightclub.
And for the record: The shirt should've been about Michael Jackson. And they could've moonwalked or done the Thriller dance to celebrate the winner. Now THAT'S television.
From mwstraight on Mon Jun 29 12:20PM#64 those 99 % of countries with infrastructures based on religions would be a lot better off if there infrastructure was based on science, science (unfettered by corruption) can lead you to sources of fresh water and the means of extracting it far faster than mumbo jumbo ever will
From arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 12:26PM64-I agree completely. I completely respect people's right to worship whoever they want, whether jesus, allah, Vishnu, Baal lord of fire, the flying spaghetti monster. Whichever. There's no need to attack someone's belief system.
If someone believes the earth is flat... you can convince them otherwise. If someone believes that god told them the earth is flat.. you might as well give up and go home. Doesn't matter anyway, so save the energy, live and let live.
Eto'o to City then eh?
From mwstraight on Mon Jun 29 12:28PM#67 It's a bit late for Pearcey to be dangling his carrot in front of anyone, the games to night 18 mins of carrot dangling is not going to match 18 days of carrot dangling the Germans have behind them, as with all things the Germans are far better prepared as usual
From arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 12:31PM# 57 - "...this is an English blog therefore could minorities remember that and not come on here and start preaching. In our country we practise tolerance for others even when they are badly wrong."
This is the most hypocritical, contradictory, bigoted, racist post I've seen here in a while.
If this is a proper opinion, it's part of the reason we english are hated around the world.
If it comes from confusion, stop reading the Daily Mail and grow up before sharing your thoughts in future.
If it's a joke, it's sick and unfunny.
From purple_hatstand on Mon Jun 29 12:32PMI thought this was a wind up at first. I'm still assuming the author of the piece is on some type of work training from school? Let us consider the following facts comparing the two games.
Fans: Football fans have to be segregated for their own protection from each other. The vast majority of fans at with NO respect for the opposition, the minority look to cause physical harm to others. In rugby fans are not segregated and their is almost never trouble before, at or after games.
2. The child who wrote the article mentioned Backys ban. That's right he served a long ban , players that 'tip' or eye gauge also get long bans. What on earth would would a footballer do to get a long ban?
3. The author mentioned Matt Stevens drug problems. Interesting in that the Premier league refuse to follow a drug testing of it's players - I'll leave the readers to draw their own conclusions why this may be the case.From ad_rogers on Mon Jun 29 12:32PM65-Lucky we scored another so it didn't matter Arti!!
From andy_lycett on Mon Jun 29 12:34PMThe horns are purely south african and you gotta respect that its is their culture n get used to it... We never complain about what europeans do..... The vuvuzela's are here to stay....
From honestraymond2003 on Mon Jun 29 12:36PMAnother biased article from a football biased website. I play both sports, and although Burger's gouge is disgraceful, and he should have been banned for far longer, on the whole, this is an isolated incident from a game that is played with outstanding ethics. Rugby is a very phsical game, but the odd punch is thrown, but this is forgotten as no-one complains and after the match, both teams have a drink together in the bar, something i have never experienced in football. Of course rugby players push the boundaries of legality in playing, but this happens in every sport where it is possible. That aside, why football cannot adopt rugby's policy of respect to the officials and each other is beyond me.
From pauldreynolds1983 on Mon Jun 29 12:36PM66-The point is Uniteds success and Liverpools historic success are/were built up over many years thus encouraging better players to come to those teams (pre stratosphere), my point was short term success can be bought but longevity is earned.
From andy_lycett on Mon Jun 29 12:39PM70- Touche, the Germans are better prepared, The England lads probably did an Egypt and got battered after their win in the semis (Egypt in confederations cup allegedly visited some ladies after their shock win over Italy, explaining their 0-3 to the USA).
I don't know about Pearce, but he seems to have mellowed with time, become a bit introspective and 'thinky'. I prefered Psycho. That's the man that would've stopped the rut against Sweden, scared the **** out of them.
A question still bugs me: Why apple juice? It's rubbish!
From mwstraight on Mon Jun 29 12:39PMShame abt the bloody horns? Shame about f,@#ing YOU
From ollaejoe on Mon Jun 29 12:41PMOf course if England do mange to fluke a win tonight, like they did in 1966. it will all be down to Hammer Mark Noble but without Joe Hart and Fraizer Campbell it is hard to see where the England goals are going to come from to even make it a draw and if it gets to penalties it will be a walk over for Germany, apple juice or no apple juice
From arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 12:41PM#76 you should be manager of Man City
#77 never under estimate the power of pure German apple juice apple juice contains various mineral nutrients, including boron, which may promote healthy bones. Apple juice has a significant concentration of polyphenols that may protect from diseases associated with ageing due to the antioxidant effects. Research from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) suggests that apple juice increases acetylcholine in the brain, resulting in increased memory. Mice given apple juice have shown to be less likely to suffer from alzheimer's disease than mice not given apple juice.
Sounds to me like Pearcey should have been dangling cartons of appple juice rather than his carrot
From arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 12:49PMFATBAL GUD, RAGBAY BOD, CRACKAT TARRABOL.
From donneybye on Mon Jun 29 12:51PMAh yes the old let's slag off Rugby for a one of situation - perhaps you should go and watch a proper game at grass roots - where despite the odd fight the atmosphere is one of unity and watching a SPORT - a player may come off with a broken nose but will buy a drink to the person that "hit" him...watch young kids from the age of 5 who are being taught about fair play when playing tag rugby...see how they are taught how to respect each other and also their coaches.
Yes rugby players do call the ref "sir" and why not? - did you also know that only the captain on the pitch is allowed to ask the ref questions?
But the main difference between football and rugby seems to be the level of abuse shown by the fans - kids as young as 8 doing the "@#$%" sign with his dad as the players walk of the pitch.
Football players are paid a LOT more than rugby players ever have been or will be. Yes Football could learn a lot from Rugby and Cricket for that matter - or even most US sports..
From quoling on Mon Jun 29 12:54PMGUD OFTARNAN BYES. WASH OPP YE CROZAY PAPUL?
From donneybye on Mon Jun 29 12:54PM#81 Well at Least Britain wins World Cups in Rugerby and Ladies Cricket
From arttidesco on Mon Jun 29 12:54PMAny idea where I can get a PS3 or another console of my choice for just £5?
From damienhadley on Mon Jun 29 12:58PMstupid point about rugby generally don't like rugby players but the conduct is way better than in soccer, you mention saying sir to ref while tryin to get away with somethin, how bout utd players forcin a ref to backtrack while shoutin at him(remember the pic of roy keane?)
cocaine use, adrien mutu, rios missed test....
how many rugby players have been involved in late night brawls and arrested
lee bowyer, joey barton(nuff said)
and prob the most important of all the consistency of the punishments no matter who you play for or offence, think citing rule is very good tooFrom whyteaidan on Mon Jun 29 12:58PM85-Yes. Never Never land, somewhere in Hollywood, California. Say you were sent by the God of Shamon
From andy_lycett on Mon Jun 29 01:02PMtransient sand based victory = PRICELESS!!
From fbf.forever on Mon Jun 29 01:02PMA SEA THEY HOV BONNED BARGARS. THA FAST FUD ANDASTARY AS KAPAT. WHYD THEY DO AT. AS BSE BECK?
From donneybye on Mon Jun 29 01:03PM6...i see you are anti-rugby. why dont you come over to my hometown where we can 'discuss' your shortcomings intellectually and i can treat you to some HOSPITAL-ity??...Its all well and good expressing your uninformed ignorant opinions on the internet but real men experess them face to face...i'm waiting...
From mead726 on Mon Jun 29 01:04PMI have way more respect for Rugby league players than the oafs that play 'union' what a joke - athletes my a.rse,overgrown drunken school boys = fact!
From fbf.forever on Mon Jun 29 01:08PM91-Fact?? But Rugby League was for the boys that couldn't grasp the rules of the proper game Al!! Also I resent being called overgrown!!
From andy_lycett on Mon Jun 29 01:22PM
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