"Soccer was invented by European ladies to keep them busy while their husbands did the cooking."
Posted on 07/04/2010 5:36:27 AM PDT by mattstat
It’s nice to be right once in a while. This was that while: taking into account Romero’s performance, it was easy to guess that Argentina would never have a chance against Germany.
But can we work our statistical magic for the rest of the tournament, and answer such questions as: Is the World Cup getting harder to win? Is the game becoming more rambunctious? And what will be the likely outcome?
The first Cup was held in 1930: there were only 13 teams that participated, and over the course of 18 games, 80 goals were made. Only one man was sent off (two yellows or one red card) in all of the 18 matches. By 2006, there were 32 teams in the tournament, with 64 games: 147 goals were scores and 28 men were sent to the showers early to curse their fate.
Here’s a picture, through time, of the goals per game scored (note that there were Cups while the world was engaged in its global folly):
(Excerpt) Read more at wmbriggs.com ...
"Soccer was invented by European ladies to keep them busy while their husbands did the cooking."
What’s the difference between soccer and tennis?
In tennis, the ball will actually make contact with the net.
AND
VUVUZELAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111!!!!
I dozed off somewhere between world and cup. Anyway, I like mine black with a little sugar.
I predict 3 hours of sheer almost unrelenting boredom mixed with one or two minutes of interesting play.
Both suck.
AV
That said, the Germans seen to be the best team at the moment.
“World Cup Statistics and Predictions for the Final”
1. Someone will fall down pretending to be hurt.
2. There will be some ridiculous noise coming from the stands making the match unbearable to watch on tv with the mute button firmly mashed.
3. The final (finally) final will end 1 - 0.
4. There will be a riot of some kind.
I love it. Thank you Germany for finally silencing that punk Maradona.
The Italians won't be in the Final.
And they are by far the most entertaining team.
And they are by far the most entertaining team.
1. Someone will fall down pretending to be hurt.
The Italians won’t be in the Final.
It’s soccer. Someone will stand in the gap for them I am sure.
1. Someone will fall down pretending to be hurt.
— The teams who flop blatantly (are you listening, Argentina?) didn't make the semifinals. Furthermore, the refs are ignoring most of the playacting.
2. There will be some ridiculous noise coming from the stands making the match unbearable to watch on tv with the mute button firmly mashed.
Any more ridiculous than thundersticks? At least soccer fans get together to sing together.
3. The final (finally) final will end 1 - 0.
Not if Germany is in the finals.
4. There will be a riot of some kind.
Not if Germany is in the finals. The police won't issue a permit for a riot.
I’d love to see a Germany-Holland final, can Holland finally get revenge for ‘74?
2. There will be some ridiculous noise coming from the stands making the match unbearable to watch on tv with(out) the mute button firmly mashed.
....”At least soccer fans get together to sing together.”
What did you think I was referring to?
That's why I can't wait for the new EPL season to start, so I can finally hear the fans singing and chanting again.
'74 and '54, no?
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