Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler OT: Ronaldinho

Brazil puts out a lot of moderate footballers who are pushed to stratospheric greatness by the sheer will of Brazilian fans.

None of them are attractive:

Rivaldo & Ronaldo.
Lucio Marcos

Bren R.

THAT goal of Ronaldinho against Chelsea in the Champions League was astonishing!

I think Milan's players will need counselling after that final. First Deportivo last year and now this. They played like gods in the first half; it was like men vs toddlers actually. But then they panicked after Liverpool's first goal. Its really strange for an Italian team to give up a 1 goal lead, let alone three. Nevertheless, it was probably THE best final I have ever seen in a football competitiom.

Come to think of it, none of the teams I have ever supported in a Champions League final ever win. Leverkusen losing to Real Madrid, Valencia losing to Real and Bayern, Monaco losing to Porto. ... could make a lot of money out of this by betting against the team I'm supporting

For any US soccer fans, the UEFA Champions League is the most entertaining soccer tournament out there! Try to catch it next season if you can.

And try not to generalise about Brazilian footballers:

<img src="http://www.forzamilanonline.com/img/COVERFM/200401.JPG">

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And try not to generalise about Brazilian footballers

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Probably best you weren't standing anywhere near me for WC2002 at the final whistle. I cursed everyone from Pedro Cabral forward.

In club play, my blood runs Bayern red... in international play, I cheer for the DFB (Germany for the rest of you - Deutscher Fussball-Bund), the KNVB (Holland - Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond), TFF (Turkey - Turkiye Futbol Federasyonu), the FPF (Portugal - Federacao Portuguese de Futbol? something like that), the DBU (Denmark - Dansk Boldspil Union) and FFF (France - Federation Francaise de Football)

Bren R.

Oliver Kahn was immense at WC2002. He single-handedly carried Germany to the final. I think the problem with the modern German national team is that too many of the best Bundesliga players are foreigners. Hence, when it comes to picking the national team, they are lacking quality in certain departments. Since Bierhoff is gone they don't seem to have a good striker. In fact this is a problem with many of the European giants.

Actually I was definately supporting Bayern against Chelsea this year. Stefan Effanberg (sp?) is my fav Bayern player of recent times. I don't support any Premiership teams (mainly because the biased English commentators put me off).

When it comes to World Cups for me its:
South Africa all the way (until they get knocked out in the first round)
Then any of the African teams still remaining (Nigeria/Senegal)
Then finally any team thats playing attractive football ( Brazil/Argentina/Netherlands)

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I think the problem with the modern German national team is that too many of the best Bundesliga players are foreigners. Since Bierhoff is gone they don't seem to have a good striker.

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What do you mean?

There's Makaay - no wait, he's Dutch... Pizarro - er, he's Peruvian... Santa Cruz - no, he's Paraguayan... uh, lessee... Ebbe Sand - no, he's Danish... uh, Berbatov - no, he's Bulgarian... Franca? Nah, he's got to be Brazilian - he's only got one name.

*laughs* You're absolutely right, though...

FCB's keepers are both German...
Defenders from France, Brazil, Ghana, Kovac plays his international football for Croatia (despite being born in Germany), Argentina, and three Germans
They fair better in midfield with 6 Germans along with a Brazilian, a Bosnian, and Hargreaves (who was born a 16 hour drive west of me in Calgary, Canada but plays his international football for England).
And up front, besides Zickler, everyone else is an import (Iran, Netherlands, 2 Peruvians, and a Paraguayan)

It's a bit sad that the best aren't able to play for their home clubs but like every job, they have to go where the money is.

Bren R.

Well players from smaller countries dream about moving to the European leagues. Bigger clubs, strength of the Euro/Pound etc.

BrenR, you sound like a big fan. Will you be going to Germany for the 2006 WC?
I'm hoping to catch a few games here when it comes to South Africa in 2010. The ticket prices will of course be astronomic!

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BrenR, you sound like a big fan. Will you be going to Germany for the 2006 WC?

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I would LOVE to but I hate (underline this) travelling. Even considered getting a tranquilizer shot to be able to make the flight.

I've watched every game (or nearly every game - missed maybe 3 or 4 the first year I actively watched) of the World Cup since Italy in '90. Euro Cup is a bit harder to find all the games televised here but I watch as many of those as possible too. And any CONCACAF games I can catch.

Bren R.

Forza Inter!! Big fan of Internazinale Milan for clubs. Watch them next year!!!

As for the national championships, I used to like most the Italian league, however, the last couple of years, EPL (english premier league) has become really spectacular. They are definitely the best football (soccer) league in the world right now.

Here in USA. You can watch English Premiear League (at least four games a week) and German Bundesliga (one game a week) on Fox Soccer Channel. Italian League (3-4 games a week) and Spanish League (3 games a week) on GolTV (which broadcasts both in English and Spanish channels). GolTV is available on both satellite providers (dish and Directv) as well as in a few cable operators in selected areas. Fox Soccer Channel is available everywhere, but most likely part of some sports package. If you guys are really soccer fans, you should really check the national leagues (especially the English Premier League). Great soccer, and almost all year round with games every Sat and Sun. And of course, the Champions League, available exclusively on ESPN2 in USA. However, ESPN is silly enough to broadcast only one game of Champions League, either on Tue or Wed, not one in each. Totally insane!! I guess they have more viewers for Poker or some other funny "sport" here.

Anyway, I am quite happy I can watch my game here in USA. I was afraid I would miss a lot when I first arrived from Europe three years ago, but look at me now, I got everything I can watch in USA, and not bad.

As for the Euro 2004, I watched it on Pay per View. I paid around USD 160 for all games.

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I would LOVE to but I hate (underline this) travelling. Even considered getting a tranquilizer shot to be able to make the flight.

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well it worked for B.A. on the A-Team...and he's about as ornery as you!