bill lambeer

The Boring Game Meets the Thumb Suckers

Submitted by wojo on Mon, 2006-06-26 18:27.

This was one of those days that epitomized why Americans don't care about soccer. No surprise, another day, another bad call that cost the "little guys" (Socceroos) their world cup dreams. The bad refereeing is old news. With ten games to go, this world cup has already smashed the record for most red and yellow cards in the tournament's history. However, the story -- or non-story -- today was that over 215 mins. of scoreless soccer was played. The only balls that "bulged the old onion bag" were those kicked from the penalty spot. I was trying to be a good worker so I can take a break tomorrow and watch France v Spain, but I was bored by osmosis even with the TV on in the other room.

Switzerland epitomized "The Boring Game" with the dubious distinction of becoming the first team to get knocked out of the tournament without ever giving up a goal (final penalty kicks don't count), and the first team not to score even one penalty during the penalty kick phase of overtime.

True, this type of dull play may be what drives the interest and ratings down, but my beef is still with the dives players take (especially those Italians). Today marked the second time I heard an announcer -- Marcello Balboa today -- discuss the "strategy" of taking a dive to get card against your opponent, or to earn a penalty kick. Italian striker, Fabio Grosso, made a nice move to avoid the initial challenge, but instead of going to goal and possibly scoring (was a tough angle) he went all Greg Louganis. I mean I haven't seen flopping like that since the old Bill Lambeer Detroit Pistons.