UEFA EURO 2012

[Thelemonsong]

Meh. We worked out until we all puked and died in 97 degree Texas heat. They made us run sprints until we fell down and laps if we kissed up. We had to wear 10 lbs of gear while doing all that. Oh yeah and we had to smash one another too, over and over. And push those kissing sleds with a big fat coach standing on it yelling at you. Oh yeah, and do "build-up" weight exercises for 90 minutes every day. I gracefully acknowledged that soccer players are indeed quite athletic but now that you make me think about it, they're really just sprinters who can kick a ball around.

Easily the worst kissing physical experience I've ever had. We all knew that people who couldn't hack it joined -- soccer.

Don't make fun of those 300 pounders. Good chance they can outrun you.

So working out was tough? I'm not talking about what your former drill sergeant coach made you do to work out - I'm talking about actually playing the sport. I forgot you were only a special teamer though, so don't have a clue what playing an American Football game is like. I don't have a clue either, but I'll bet my left testicle I can out run any 300lb man. You don't seem to realise just how far a soccer player will run in a game compared to a football player - and there aren't any breaks!

Training for football would definately be a lot tougher than soccer though. Trying to remember exactly when to inject HGH and when to inject EPO must be tricky - and you have to put up with your balls shrinking! I'd definately rather skip all that and play a non-contact sport.

My wife's brother lives in Seattle and came down for the game wearing his Sounders scarf and security wouldn't let him sit in our section.

It's not a good thing. I don't understand why there is such an aggressive culture amongst soccer fans. I far prefer watching rugby/cricket live and sitting/standing with opposing fans, having civil conversations with them.

[Geandily]

Trying to say that "Athletes from X are more fit than athletes that play Z" is really, really stupid. It's like saying that a screwdriver is better than a hammer. "YEAH WELL BRO THE HAMMER IS LIKE SO GOOD AT HITTING NAILS, SCREWDRIVER COULDNT DO THAT COULD IT?"

They're different tools for different jobs. NFL players are, without a doubt, the best burst energy athletes in the world. Could an NFL safety run 90 minutes straight without rest? No. Could a soccer player stick with a wide receiver on a streak route? Obviously not. The point I'm trying to make is that there is no best athlete, they train their bodies to be as good as they can be for the particular sport that they're playing.
A soccer player's stamina would be wasted in a football game where breaks are allowed and his lack of burst power would make him useless during plays. It would be the same for an NFL player on a soccer pitch: He might be physically the best player for a few minutes, but very quickly the other player's stamina would wear him down and he would be worthless.

[Thelemonsong]

Trying to say that "Athletes from X are more fit than athletes that play Z" is really, really stupid. It's like saying that a screwdriver is better than a hammer.

All very true and obvious. If you read back a bit you'll see the point to our debate though - which started with Billy saying soccer sucks donkey balls for stopping after only 1 extra time and having a penalty shootout - and my response being that soccer players have to stop after extra time as 120 minutes of running is hard enough, let alone going on forever until someone scores. The fact soccer has no rolling substitutes and you're only allowed to sub 3 players all game was also included in my point.

Billy riposted with ignorance saying soccer players are just 'sprinters who kick a ball around' and his experience with both sports proves football requires a lot more fitness and is much harder work. He is probably trolling by now though.

*edit*

NFL players are, without a doubt, the best burst energy athletes in the world.

Usain Bolt?

[Üßøçñääðüæñãôþ]

A few sprinters made it into the NFL. Bob Hayes comes to mind.

Bolt would probably be better off in soccer though. Fewer fundamentals to learn, he's already ripped from sprinting, no getting hit. He'll be starting for Chelsea next year.

[Thelemonsong]

Bolt is 6'5 and the fastest man on the planet. San Francisco would sign him at WR in a heartbeat.

[Üßøçñääðüæñãôþ]

This was such an easy troll. During the World Cup that was hosted in the US I raged so many cab drivers by saying that the penalty kick finish illigitimized the entire sport. The inevitable knee-jerk response was to attack American football.

I will note for the record that there are indeed many soccer players who've had the stamina, strength and skill to make it into the NFL.


Jan Stenerud


Nick Mike-Mayer


Garo Yepremian tries quarterbacking in the Super Bowl!

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ... erm ... (no gol)."

No NFL players have made the crossover into soccer because they think it's kind of wimpy.


PS: Gnomie, check out Garo's new career: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/garo-yepremian/30/3a4/599

[Thelemonsong]

Chad Ochocinco had a trial with a yanky soccer team recently!

I think more NFL players would make the jump into soccer if they were capable of learning a whole new skill and getting fit. They would get paid around the same, not have to train as hard, not have to take steroids anymore and their career would last longer.

Better yet, they should all take up golf instead. Loads of money, a career that goes on forever, bugger all training required. The perfect pro sport!

[Dayse]

back on topic I can't believe Ronaldo didn't take a PK. I will unfortunately be watching the other semi recorded as well

[Thelemonsong]

Forza Italia. Italia Andare

We certainly game the Italians a tougher game than the Germans did.

[Dayse]

Yeah I'm very disappointed. Germans looked really flat most of the second half until stoppage time which was very exciting. Subs were horribly mismanaged. How can you pull Gomez and Podolski at half? How does Muller not go in until 70 minutes?

[Thelemonsong]

Germany just seemed reluctant to play more than 1 striker, instead making sure they always packed the midfield to guarantee more possession. But playing like that will always mean you won't score many goals.
Exactly the same as Spain, who haven't even played 1 striker for some of their games. I think it's a pretty lame way to play and am pleased Italy, a 4-4-2 team, have a chance of winning the title.

[Doublevision]

A few sprinters made it into the NFL.

http://www.apulanta.fi/matti/yu/alltime/1_Men.html

Darrell Green.

The dude was/is fast (ran a 4.43 40 on his 50th birthday). I've read before that he had a shot at training for the olympics in the 80s but chose NFL over it.

[Thelemonsong]

The dude was/is fast (ran a 4.43 40 on his 50th birthday). I've read before that he had a shot at training for the olympics in the 80s but chose NFL over it.

JUST LIKE FUTURE HALL OF FAMER RGIII!!!

[Chairman Kaga]

Nick Diaz is the most fit athlete.