Going to have a soft spot for the Greeks and Georgio Samaras in particular in this one after reading this feel good story.
The backdrop. A young Irish Celtic Fan with Down's Syndrome who formed a special relationship with Georgio whilst he was there and the team. Here, Neil Lennon (manager) gives him his championship medal and Georgio takes him on the victory lap.
So anyways after the kid posted a good luck message online it went viral in Greece with a facebook petition for the Greek FA to fly the kid to Brazil for today's game. Samaras stepped in and they sent out the offer.
Quote:
The striker confirmed the news when speaking to reporters, saying: “This boy gives me so much strength, it’s incredible. There are no words. I feel his love so much. This love I feel, is also felt by many people in Greece. There’s a Facebook page for him to come to Brazil.
“This morning, in a talk I had with the head of the EPO, we said we will arrange his tickets to come and watch the match with Costa Rica. We will talk with the boy’s father, we’ll tell him about everything and we’ll see.”
Unfortunately the kid was going already on vacation and couldn't accept. Nonetheless a magnificent heartwarming gesture from the Greeks and Samaras in particular.
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but if defenders have to deliberately knock down players in order for fouls to be called they're going to deliberately knock down players.
and players won't have any legs left.
It's not about deliberately or even accidentally knocking down players. Robben was not knocked down at all, he chose to go down when he noticed Marquez doing something that might turn into a foul if he runs into that and goes down.
This is one of those moments that requires a shoutout to guys like Miroslav Klose. 15 World Cup goals and not a single one scored by diving. (Unless we're talking about diving headers, which he has scored a few )
Here he actually goes to tell the ref that he scored with a handball. Would have otherwise been the opening goal of the game.
Guys like Robben can score all the pretty goals they want and win all the trophies they want, I'll never give them an inch of respect or consider them great athletes.
Last edited by Itse; 06-29-2014 at 01:29 PM.
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Wow, I take it back, that does not look like a legit penalty to me. There was contact but he barely touched his toes, and I don't think enough to bring him down. That should have been a booking on Robben.
But Robben cant lift his foot and then get the ball, hes being impeded. Dont get me wrong, that was an audition worthy of a Shakespearean actor, but the foul was legit.
I point it back to some poor coaching, sure that was mostly Marquez's fault, but the Mexicans were well and truly out of gas and thats when mistakes happen in 38+ degree heat.
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I also think it's important to remember that no matter the flop, it was pretty clear Netherland was going to take it. Just an ugly way to decide what seemed inevitable.
Which actually kind of makes what Robben did even more annoying. They did not need that flop. They had 35-40 minutes to put the ball in.
I also think it's important to remember that no matter the flop, it was pretty clear Netherland was going to take it. Just an ugly way to decide what seemed inevitable.
Which actually kind of makes what Robben did even more annoying. They did not need that flop. They had 35-40 minutes to put the ball in.
I'd love to blame it on desperation from the heat, but Robben is a serial offender.
The Dutch do have a problem though, they looked woefully unprepared and didnt really come alive until after they were down.
I dont mean to discredit the Mexicans because I thought they put in a hell of a 65 minutes, but if Holland do that against a powerhouse team the Netherlands will be crushed.
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This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
It's not about deliberately or even accidentally knocking down players. Robben was not knocked down at all, he chose to go down when he noticed Marquez doing something that might turn into a foul if he runs into that and goes down.
This is one of those moments that requires a shoutout to guys like Miroslav Klose. 15 World Cup goals and not a single one scored by diving. (Unless we're talking about diving headers, which he has scored a few )
Here he actually goes to tell the ref that he scored with a handball. Would have otherwise been the opening goal of the game.
Guys like Robben can score all the pretty goals they want and win all the trophies they want, I'll never give them an inch of respect or consider them great athletes.
I also recall an incident where Fat Ronaldo deliberately skied a penalty he was awarded when he actually just tripped over his own feet.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
As always with the FIFA feed, enjoy the sobering commentary (Dave Woods? edit Gary Bloom) in these types of snoozers, criticizing the Greeks for going offsides everytime, and calling the game "destined for penalties, but here's hoping there's something to watch in the 2nd half".
Don't know if they mentioned that stat in another feed, but in the 11 times Greece has started the second half with a scoreless tie under this coach, they have never let in a goal.
As always with the FIFA feed, enjoy the sobering commentary (Dave Woods? edit Gary Bloom) in these types of snoozers, criticizing the Greeks for going offsides everytime, and calling the game "destined for penalties, but here's hoping there's something to watch in the 2nd half".
It's annoying sometimes. Watch the game light up now.
That 1st half was no worse than the holland-mexico first half. English commentators always denegrate small teams.
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It's annoying sometimes. Watch the game light up now.
That 1st half was no worse than the holland-mexico first half. English commentators always denegrate small teams.
I think it's great. No need to sugar coat blatant tactics to defend at all costs or games that are dull to the neutral supporters (listen to all the whistles when Greece was playing it around their own half just before the goal).
NED/MEX had the heat to contend with and there were attempts at attacks with the ball at feet, that weren't just pumping the ball long. Not denegrating small teams, denegrating dull tactics and lack of any sort of intensity or creativity.
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