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They may have had a better result if they didn't play ronaldo, you can see the influence Nike has over the team, just shows how strong Brazil is, getting a result nursing Ronaldo!

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Never a truer word was spoken.. Nike are doing what they did before - insisting that Ronaldo McDonald plays in every game. Alternatively it could be another of the tournament sponsors: the one that sells Junk Food....Jim

Jim,
Don't get me wrong here because I am really getting into the soccer (football) but I think you would be amazed at what one college football (American football) team gets in TV money for one season. I don't remember exactly what NBC paid Notre Dame but it was out there. Huge dollars.

No one in the world is better at throwing money at sport than we Yanks are...

Shaun :-)

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And FIFA is probably only slightly less corrupt than the US state department :-)

The British have a minimalistic approach to commentary in the games, letting the match play out with little verbal interference...... quite enjoyable!

What don't you understand, and we'll help! It more like basketball except no hands!

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The British have a minimalistic approach to commentary in the games, letting the match play out with little verbal interference...... quite enjoyable!

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It's not a Brit thing. It's the same if you watch football in Europe. Even in a game as complex as rugby you won't get the verbal load you do with NFL, though you'll get a bit more commentary on the setpieces like scrums and lineouts.

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What don't you understand, and we'll help! It more like basketball except no hands!

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Basketball is highly orchestrated so there are multiple options to find an open man for a high percentage shot. You won't find most of what goes on in basketball in any rule book.

I cannot imagine soccer being any less complex. It's not so much the rules but the strategies. To an outsider soccer just look likes a some people standing around doing nothin and some people running around with no purpose trying to score... exactly like basketball, hockey, and US football to an outsider.

Of course there has to be plays and other techniques to better your chances. It can't be just kick the ball and hope someone gets it in. Sports is a lot more than brute strength and skill. It's also the ability to understand, adapt and execute a gameplan to exploit your strengths and your opponent's weaknesses. That is why I would like to watch a game with someone who knows the game.

Hey at least I'm trying!!!

Start looking at Portugal as a VERY serious contender...Jim

Of course it beggars the question as to why anyone would actually WANT to wear bright orange Lederhósen..Jim :-)

If you are a Dutch fan, you can't enter the stadium wearing a Holland hat or Holland Lederhósen.

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If you are a Dutch fan, you can't enter the stadium wearing a Holland hat or Holland Lederhósen.

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Happened at the last Swedish match too. Shorts and T-shirts were confiscated and some fans had to watch the match in their underwear! Apparently it was a guerrilla marketing move by a Swedish company which handed out branded clothing. Some fans are threatening to sue, but FIFA is apparently willing to settle just to protect the rights of the exclusive advertisers.

Did they tell the fans in advance they couldn't wear that stuff?

The latest (FIFA-Inspired) madness involves hats and Lederhósen. If you are a Dutch fan, you can't enter the stadium wearing a Holland hat or Holland Lederhósen. Why? As they are adverts for Heineken... As Heineken isn't an official 'Partner' Sponsor, the stewards and police were busy confiscating these items as the Dutch fans tried to get into the stadium last night.

Presumably Budweiser Lederhósen is permitted...

Of course it beggars the question as to why anyone would actually WANT to wear bright orange Lederhósen..Jim :-)

That's crazy. You can't wear logos of companies that are not sponsors???