#was booing every time the Netherlands like...had the ball

[icypiece]

Here’s hoping Morocco win tomorrow, so that they can win the whole thing, and that Croatia can get semi-avenged by winning the bronze over France, at least.

[borisbubbles]

ESC2021 Preshow: 20. Estonia

Uku Suviste - “The lucky one”

Semi 2, #02

Going through the motions of 2021′s shitty NF season, it was a given that the critical mass of the “2020 returnees” competing the selections in these would win them hands down. 

So given how much i DISLIKED the offensively boring abomination “What love is”, and how PAINFULLY inevitable Uku’s victory in a decent Eesti Laul (um spoiler for NF corner?) seemed to be, It’s actually a shock I ended up liking Uku? But I do, lol and I’m not apologizing, sorry boos. 

In fact, I was rooting for Uku to win EL as soon as I saw his performance in the semi. “The lucky one”, which suffered from Aggressive Autotune + Forgettable Melody (we need a name for this. I propose Roxen Syndrome?), is legit good live and harps back to the (admittedly better) “Pretty Little Liar”, and that’s good enough for me. 

Of course, I am aware of the obvious ~*SOULLESS HIMBOT FROM THE DREAM FACTORY*~ label attached to this this entry (written by Uku and something called “Sharon Vaughn” are we certain this person isn’t just Kontopoulos in drag?), don’t worry. I rank him twentieth, not seventh. 

Fortunately, Uku is a mandroid from the SAME sweatshop that gave us Lucie Jones a few years back - in other words omfg he’s barely functional. 😍 Droning robot turned incompetent DRAMA KING <333333 The amount of EFFORT that needs to be thrown in to keep a ~pretence of competence~ is the most tangible in the backing vocals, which trail Uku’s like a shadow and STILL his voicecracks come through at key intervals <3

😍😍😍😍😍

The pathos of Uku throwing in high votes he cannot sing and then his voice breaking over the strain each time, gets me, okay? He doesn’t need a crystal ball to show me, baby it’s clear that you don’t know him :SOB:.  So dramatic, so inept, so unintetionally comedic, so Uku <3 

In other news, this lockdown had better end soon because with each passing day I feel like I’m turning further into a cat lady. 

ps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYXNeYXUmEQ&loop=0  😍😍😍

NF Corner - Eesti Laul 2021

Finally a decent Eesti Laul, lol. I wish I could say it was good, but it had one of the weirdest semi split’s I’ve ever seen. EL’s first Semi was without exaggeration the WORST show in the entire season, and the second was a contender for the BEST one across all NFs???? I suppose EXTREME Evil and EXTREME Good balance each other out in blistering adequacy? 

Anyway, I’ll now proceed to ignore Koit and Egert and Karl Killing and Hans and all the other bad (non-Linna/non-Kéa) entries from semi 1, and proceed to an NF Corner composed ENTIRELY of semi 2 songs :-)

Jüri Pootsmann - “Magus Melanhoolia”

It was between Sissi and Jüri for the Token Superfinalist Contender slot on this list, and Jüri is infinitely more notable. Sorry, Sis ur time (to win Eesti Laul?) will come once you figure out to write good music :(

Anyway, what can I even say about Jüri because lmfao what a baffling entry. Registered BARITONE JÜRI POOTSMANN coming back with a an experimental lounge jazz song that is song almost entirely in falsetto. 😍 The camera angles <3 the fact that this already INCREDEBLY short song includes 10 seconds of Jüri standing on the stage looking bored <3 what a fucking baffling entry, I have no opinions, only exclamations of surprise. 

REDEL - “Tarttu”

I HAAAATED “Tarttu” on first listen. 😂😂😂😂 but seriously though, this is downright epic. The UNPLUGGED Meiekündimees MADNESS of it all, now condenced into a equally nonsensical song that is basically like “X is a wooden town but NONE OF THEM ARE AS WOODEN TOWNY AS TARTTU. *incoherent kazoo noises*” 😍😍😍 Once got the chorus stuck in my head at the zoo as I was watching the penguins getting fed and it was one of the most bizarre synesthesic experiences I’ve ever had lmfao <3

Gram-of-Fun - “Lost in a dance”

If you’re wondering what the sort of music I listen to Eurovision is like - this is it. INCREDIBLY good and addictive and EMOTIONALLY tangible 80s New Wave is my fucking jam, can we have entries like this in EVERY selection from here on out? WELL DONE Kristel... on composing this wonderful song, less so on the Kazka-esque vocals that caused it to tragically NQ in the semi. 🙄 Still, BRING THEM BACK (and restrict Kristel to a songwriter only role, plz.)

Gram-of-Fun were my fave, but because they NQ’d somebody else had to fill their shoes in the finale. I’ll now reveal who it was

Kadri Voorand - “Energy”

IT WAS HARD DECIDING BETWEEN SUURED TÜDRÜKUD AND KADRI THOUGH. But given that Charlotte Perelli is guaranteed to appear in Sweden’s NF corner (um is she? :counts on fingers: Clara, Evas, Dotter... ehh sure I’m committed now I guess), it would be best NOT to post Dagmar & Kaire as they fucking clown her lol <3 But their song WAS pretty antiquated schlager...

Kadri otoh... absolutely breaks all records for me by delivering a unicorn: an entertaining stripped-down piano ballad. For the most part because she has incredible emotional delivery that serves personality on a fucking pyrotechnical level, like onn-stop “Loudmouthed Oaf Energy” in the form of a introspective jazz ballad <3 Can you imagine Estonia actually picking this? They could have come left-handside. 

But will Uku do well? :o

Predicted Journey - Estonia

He won’t come top 10, if that’s what you mean by “well”.😂 If you mean “qualify for the Grand Final” then... potentially? Semi 2 is less of a crapshoot than the first semifinal however. At this stage, it’s pretty much “okay, so these twelve acts can qualify... but which ten will?”.

Fortunately for Uku, he is one of aforementionned twelve possible qualifiers. (the others are: san marino, czech rep, greece, moldova, iceland, serbia, albania, bulgaria, finland, switzerland and denmark). UNfortunately for Uku, he’s one of the candidates for the two NQ slots inside that group of twelve.

The problem with Estonia is that their entry is a televote-friendly ballad, stuck in a really televote-UNfriendly slot (#02), in a semi where the jury vote will very likely put them outside the top 10. If we add in a dark stage and Uku’s shaky vocals, they don’t look particularly secure. 

However, I also think Estonia can qualify relatively easily because “televote-friendly ballad” is a unique niche inside that semi; the other ballads (Switzerland is NOT a ballad), won’t be getting many votes and Uku’s appeal as a handsome man with a dramatic song will make him stand out in spite of his spot in the running order, as LONG AS his vocal delivery (or that of the prerecorded backing vocals) remains adequate enough. If not, he’ll be swiftly forgotten and NQ.

Another thing that can cause Uku to qualify is if at least two others of the twelve underwhelm (my money for that would be on Albania, Denmark, San Marino and/or Czech Rep), making Uku the lucky one as he’ll ascend in the ensuing powercreep.

At any rate, it’s really difficult to gauge how well Uku would do since I haven’t really thought about the other BL qualifiers’ odds enough. His televote should be strong enough to avoid bottom 3, I think, and I think it’s safe to say he won’t come top five. Between those values, pffffew, who can possibly tell? I’m not burning my fingers on that. 

Projected placements > Qualifier Tier: Borderline > Semifinal: 6th-14th (out of 17) > Grand Final: 17th-22nd (out of 26)

THE RANKING

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. ESTONIA - Uku Suviste - “The lucky one” 21. FINLAND - Blind Channel - “Dark side” 22. AZERBAIJAN - Efendi - “Mata Hari” 23. the NETHERLANDS - Jeangu Macrooy - “Birth of a new age” 24. CZECH REPUBLIC - Benny Christo - “Omaga” 25. DENMARK - Fyr og Flamme - “Øve os på hinanden” 26. SLOVENIA - Ana Soklič - “Amen” 27. SWITZERLAND - Gjon’s Tears - “Tout l’Univers” 28. ROMANIA - Roxen - “Amnesia” 29. SERBIA - Huricane - “Loco loco” 30. POLAND - Rafał - “The ride” 31. ISRAEL - Eden Alene - “Set me free” 32. GEORGIA - Tornike Kipiani - “You” 33. PORTUGAL - The Black Mamba - “Love is on my side” 34. SPAIN - Blas Cantó - “Voy a quedarme” 35. NORWAY - Tix - “Fallen Angel” 36. CYPRUS - Elena Tsagrinou - “El Diablo” 37. AUSTRIA - Vincent Bueno - “Amen” 38. NORTH MACEDONIA - Vasil - “Here I stand” 39. GERMANY - Jendrik - “I don’t feel hate”

[mexico86hq]

Italia 90: 30 years on

The passion and enthusiasm elicited by Italia 90 is perhaps something of an enigma to football fans who sat through the games of that summer now 30 years ago.

I remember it fondly. As an 11-year-old I was so excited about it starting that I took the day off school on June 8, 1990 – international football clearly made my stomach flutter in those days! I collected the stickers, bought the pre-event preview magazines and watched every single minute of the football avidly from Argentina’s defeat to Cameroon in the opener to their loss against West Germany a month later.

But if, 30 years on, I want to stream a game from the past, can I honestly say any of the matches appeal? I’m English so I’d say England’s knock-out matches against Belgium, Cameroon and West Germany were enthralling. I’d also add West Germany’s game against Holland and the semi between Italy and Argentina. All five of those games had a dramatic quality – a caginess and tension, even if only the England-Cameroon game actually produced more than three goals. I’d say that caginess – the drama, and potential for rare moments of excitement that one had to appreciate when they occurred as they were so scarce – epitomised Italia 90.

If I had been in my 20s or 30s – and not just a kid who loved football and not much else - would I have written off the tournament and done something else that summer? Maybe so. Italia 90 was perhaps football at its nadir; not many goals, a lack of exciting teams and expansive football, a lot of theatrical diving. The backpass rule, changes to refereeing and the introduction of three points for a win at the 1994 World Cup prove that FIFA knew football couldn’t afford another Italia 90.

Let’s consider some of the football on show. Rather than the cliched ‘group of death’, Group F could perhaps be considered the Group Where Football Died. Six games produced five draws and just seven goals. England and the Netherlands looked devoid of energy, ideas and flair. Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, plagued by injuries in recent seasons, looked like shadows of the players who had illuminated Euro 88 just two years before.

There were just 2.21 goals per game – a record low for the World Cup, and well down on the 2.6 and 2.7 at the last two tournaments (2014 and 2018). While the big guns often cancelled each other out, there was a real lack of wallopings too ! UAE conceded nine goals in two games against West Germany and Yugoslavia, while the USA lost 5-1 to the Czechs and Cameroon lost 4-0 against the USSR – although the latter came when the Africans were already assured of progressing to the knockout stages from Group B.

A rather uninspiring Brazil started well against Sweden but then struggled past Costa Rica and Scotland before being eliminated by the bad boys of the tournament, Argentina. Diego Maradona was booed wherever he went. He snarled and puffed his chest out in response, but his frustration must have surely been as much directed at his own dwindling powers as the punters. His one moment of magic – other than his ball-juggling ahead of kick-off against Cameroon – came as he released Claudio Caniggia for his winner against Brazil.

Caniggia counts as a positive for Italia 90; his blonde hair flowing as he cut through another defence. Sometimes he rode challenges, sometimes he was lucky not to be crippled. England’s Paul Gascoigne was another, while Cameroon’s Roger Milla – at the other end of the age scale – was fabulous, perhaps as skilful and influential as any player at the tournament.

Salvatore Schillachi, of course, caught the imagination. Unknown beyond Italy before the tournament, he didn’t just take his chance; this real-life Rocky figure grabbed it, gave it the eyes, chucked it to his feet and smashed it past Pat Bonner. While Gianluca Vialli, Andrea Carnevale and Roberto Mancini drew blanks, he was the Golden Boot winner. He was ably assisted by Roberto Baggio, who became a global star at 23 years old just weeks after joining Juventus from Fiorentina for a world record £8m. Italy’s goalkeeper Walter Zenga and defenders such as Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini should not be ignored – not until Caniggia’s goal in the 67th minute of the semi-final did they concede. That 517 minutes of blanks is a credit to them, but perhaps illustrates the defensive focus that dogged the event and others at this time.

One cannot detract from the West German team’s victory. Andreas Brehme was the ultimate attacking full-back, while Jurgen Klinsmann established himself on the world stage with some fabulous energetic performances in attack. Lothar Matthaus was without doubt the player of the tournament, driving his team forward with those fabulous runs from midfield and inspiring his teammates with his force of character.

Of course, it wasn’t just about the actual football. The tournament was played out in 12 memorable stadiums, unlike anything seen in England’s First Division at the time; those turrets at the San Siro, those huge stands in Turin, that weird concrete spaceship thing in Bari. The Pavarotti anthem, Nessun Dorma, became synonymous with the events on the field and only added to the sense that what we were witnessing was epic, if rather devoid of thrills and spills – perhaps like a night at the opera might be for us philistines.

Over the coming weeks Mexico86HQ will be reliving the summer of 1990, just as we did with the Mexico 86 FIFA World Cup four years ago. As we cover each match there will be video, archive newspapers, quizzes and lots more to jog the memory. It will be great to share the month with you!

[gadgetsrevv]

Germany are in trouble on road to Euro 2020. PLUS — Neymar returns to action, Samuel Eto’o retires

It’s the international break but that doesn’t mean there’s a break in the Monday Musings! Gab Marcotti is here to recap the big stories around soccer.

Jump to: Germany in trouble? | Good week for the Dutch | Punishments for Lukaku abuse? | Neymar returns to action | Kane’s England quest | VAR helps unbeaten Italy | A vital win for Portugal | Praise for retiring Eto’o

Germany in trouble?

Germany’s trip to Northern Ireland on Monday loomed large after Friday’s defeat to the Netherlands but the 2-0 win, only sealed in second-half injury time, will have calmed things behind the scenes for Die Mannschaft fans and critics alike though the European giants are far from where they need to be.

– Replay: Stream Germany 2-4 Netherlands on ESPN+ (U.S. only) – Replay: Stream N. Ireland 0-2 Germany on ESPN+ (U.S. only) – Harding: Germany stuck by Jogi Low. Will it cost them?

It’s not an issue of talent. Loew’s new-look Germany, with its 3-4-3 “transition” (read: defend-and-counter) has plenty of it. The issue though is that when you’re set up to play without the ball — lest we forget, that’s a major departure from the past — it can be extremely frustrating against teams who are also happy to sit and defend. News flash: that’s what Northern Ireland, Belarus and Estonia, the other sides in the group, are likely to do.

Germany got a big result vs. Northern Ireland to make their path to Euro 2020 a little less stressful though they have some serious structural issues to address. Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images

Only the top two qualify directly and getting there via the playoffs is far from straightforward given that Germany were relegated from their Nations League group, which is the main criteria to establish who get a second crack at Euro 2020. That’s why Loew said three points against Northern Ireland is a must and while they succeeded, his new approach has plenty worried.

It’s not the way most of these players play for the club sides. The set-up not only doesn’t have room for the veterans he dumped, but it also didn’t feature Kai Havertz, possibly Germany’s brightest attacking prospect. Most of all, having reinvented the national side tactically some 15 years ago as the brains behind Jurgen Klinsmann’s operation, he’s now doing a 180-degree turn in the aircraft carrier that is Die Mannschaft.

Few coaches can manage even one massive U-turn in their career. Trying two of them may be a little too far.

Meanwhile, the Dutch are looking good

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1:56

After the Netherlands’ 4-2 win in Germany, Steve Nicol says the Dutch are a “real centre-forward” away from competing with France as Europe’s best.

As for the Dutch, the combination of Ajax’s run to the Champions League semifinal, the concurrent emergence of Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek and Frenkie de Jong, as well as the Nations League final, has stoked plenty of enthusiasm after missing out on consecutive major tournaments, something that had not happened in three decades.

They’re nicely stacked in some areas of the pitch (central defence and midfield) and less so in others. Ryan Babel, at this stage of his career, and Quincy Promes can only take you so far. But if Donyell Malen lives up to the hype and becomes a viable foil for Memphis Depay, they could get very good, very quickly.

Where’s the punishment for abusing Lukaku?

We still don’t whether and how Cagliari or the supporters who racially abused Romelu Lukaku will be punished. You can thank a well-intentioned, but diabolically convoluted, system of sporting justice for that.

Late last week, the Italian FA’s sporting judge said he was delaying a decision on bringing charges in order to “acquire more evidence” from stewards and law enforcement. That’s because the abuse — while clearly audible to TV viewers, those in that section of the stand and, obviously, Lukaku himself — was not heard in the main stand. It doesn’t mean there won’t be punishment necessarily, just that a different procedure is required. You just hope it will make sense.

Meanwhile, Inter’s Curva Nord Ultras group wrote a letter to Lukaku explaining that racially abusing players of color during matches is about unsettling them and putting them off their game, nothing more. Oh, and that those who behave that way wouldn’t do it outside a stadium, because they’re not really racist.

It’s nothing we haven’t heard before. Football’s job isn’t, and can’t be, to punish people who are racist: that would require mind-readers. It’s to stop and punish racist behaviour, whether it’s monkey chants or discrimination or whatever, to ensure that players and fans of color can go to a football match without this deeply offensive behaviour.

As for Inter, they chose not to react and distance themselves from the Curva Nord’s statement. Why? Because this fan group doesn’t represent the majority of Inter supporters or even the majority of Inter Ultras: they estimate it’s made up of a few hundred people. And they don’t want to legitimize them or give them air time.

I get the argument, but the horse has bolted here. On a local level, folks can understand it. On a global level, media reports have made it seem as if the Curva Nord speaks for all Ultras, all Inter fans or even the club itself, which is deeply damaging to the club and the vast majority of their supporters. More to the point, it isn’t addressing the actual issue at hand.

Neymar’s positive return to action

Neymar stepped on the pitch after three months on the sidelines against Colombia on Friday: he hadn’t played since picking up that injury against Qatar before the Copa America, and in some ways it looked as if he’d never been away. I said “some ways” because there was a fair amount of rust in the first half and even some boos from the crowd.

But he came to life after the break, scored a goal and showed plenty of fire and motivation. Which, given his injury layoff and the nerve-wracking final days of the transfer window was certainly not something to be taken for granted. It finished 2-2, but Neymar’s return was the most encouraging bit, both for Tite’s Brazil and for Paris Saint-Germain.

Kane certain to break England’s goal record

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1:42

ESPN FC’s Paul Mariner explains why he feels Gareth Southgate’s young core of players will have a great chance at winning Euro 2020.

England rolled past Bulgaria with a straightforward 4-0 win at Wembley, with Harry Kane grabbing a hat trick. The path to Euro 2020 looks downhill from here, which means Gareth Southgate has the luxury of time to work on improving and fixing areas that are sub-optimal, particularly the midfield, where (Harry Winks aside) there isn’t much in the way of creativity.

Speaking of Kane, he’s up to 25 international goals, having leap-frogged the likes of Geoff Hurst and Stan Mortensen. Barring injury or sudden decline, he could challenge the all-time mark of 53 held by Wayne Rooney. Kane turned 26 in July, at the same age Rooney had 28 goals to his name. But, of course, Rooney scored his last international goal at the age of 30. And you’d expect Kane to go on well beyond that.

Italy stay perfect in qualifying thanks to VAR

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0:56

ESPN FC’s Gab Marcotti discusses Italy’s controversial win over Finland and commends their attacking style of play under Roberto Mancini.

Italy made it six wins out of six over the international break, with away victories over Armenia (3-1) and Finland (2-1). The six victories on the bounce mean that Roberto Mancini is one win away from equaling the all-time record of consecutive wins for an Azzurri boss set by the legendary Vittorio Pozzo, who coached the side to the 1934 and 1938 World Cup.

But the Finland game also offered yet another compelling pro-VAR argument, since Italy’s winner came on a penalty awarded for this handball that was anything but punishable. Contrary to what many seem to insist, not every ball striking an arm in the penalty area is a penalty. Referees still have discretion and this was not a penalty.

Of course, there is no VAR in Euro qualifying. And there is also the very real prospect of Finland missing out on the Euros, which would be their first-ever major international tournament, by a single point. You can argue about execution and implementation as long as you like, but this is why VAR was introduced.

A vital win for Portugal

Having been held to a draw in their opening two games (at home, no less) it was critical that Portugal not slip up away to Serbia at the weekend. The reigning European (and Nations League) champions are assured of a playoff spot, but nobody wants to go through that. Away to Serbia, they raced to a 2-0 lead, had Serbia bring it back to 2-3 and then struck late for a 4-2 win that restores a bit of natural order.

Cristiano Ronaldo got on the scoresheet for his 89th international goal. At 34, he has an outside chance of catching Ali Daei, the all-time leading international scorer who has 109 and a much better shot at reaching 100 international goals. Funnily enough, despite those who depict him as a narcissist obsessed with his his own records, he’d likely be closer to the goal if he hadn’t taken an eight-month break from the national team to help him settle in after his move to Juventus a year ago.

Eto’o retires as a legend

You can’t sum up Samuel Eto’o in numbers, although they’re impressive enough to rattle off. Twenty-two years as a professional, 13 clubs, six countries, four league titles, three Champions League crowns, two Africa Cup of Nations and the 2000 Olympic Gold medal with Cameroon.

Last week, he brought to a close an incredible career, one from which he squeezed every ounce of adrenaline. You can choose your own highlight from two decades at the top. Football-wise, three things stand out, each of which in its own way helps define him — although only in part.

Eto’o successfully straddled both the Ronaldinho and the Lionel Messi eras at Barcelona, ultimately leaving in that ill-fated swap with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He arrived at Inter to play up front with Diego Milito and then, after Jose Mourinho signed Wesley Sneijder, selflessly transformed himself into a humble up-and-down winger, doing the running not just for Milito, but Sneijder too, and playing a key part in the historic Treble.

And he became the world’s highest-paid player by moving to Anzhi Makhachkala in war-torn Dagestan at the age of 31, a transfer which shocked the world and pulverised records.

More than most superstars, he embraced and relished the blue-collar role when called upon to serve others, whether Ronaldinho, Messi or Sneijder. He knew when to ride his ego and when to put it aside. Folks may differ on whether or not he was the greatest player ever from Africa, but he’s easily in my personal top three, alongside Eusebio (who played for Portugal but was born in Mozambique and was older than Eto’o when he moved to Europe) and Jay Jay Okocha.

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[torentialtribute]

USA star Megan Rapinoe backs boos for FIFA president Gianni Infantino

American star Megan Rapinoe scored a 2-0 win over Megan Rapinoe in a 2-0 win over Megan Rapinoe Holland in the World Cup Final

Ze spoke very well about the fight for equality in the next phase

Gianni Infantino was booed before presenting the trophy the pitch

Rapinoe said: & # 39 Public shame doesn't hurt anyone, good. I'm down with the angry & # 39; Ian Herbert For Mailonline

09 BST, July 7, 2019 | [Verenigde Staten] Captain and World Cup star Megan Rapinoe said it was bad FIFA President Gianni Infantino was loudly booed before presenting the World Cup trophy because he & # 39; embarrassed & # 39; could be in the fight for sexual equality in sport. Boot and Golden Ball prizes, said the players had done enough to justify switching to equal pay and that a bit of public shame would never hurt anyone, not well. She insisted: "I don't feel like doing the boo."

Rapinoe said that her iconic feast at the corner flag – it was resumed after her penalty kick, which sent the US en route to the Netherlands – was dedicated to all women who played in this tournament, leaving the profile of women's sport has changed

Megan Rapinoe (left) said she was & # 39; down with the boo for Gianni Infantino (center) & # 39;

<img id = "i-54814d80709659b7" src = "https://ift.tt/2NFo5yl. jpg "height =" 423 "width =" 634 "alt =" Megan (Left) said she was & # 39; down with & # 39; with Angry for Gianni Infantino (center) "

Megan Rapinoe (left) said she & # 39; down with & # 39; was & # 39; the boo for Gianni Infantino (center)

& # 39; I am generally free of the cuff and that is why I often change (my celebrations) & # 39 ;, she said. & # 39; This just seems good in the moment to have me and what I stand for with a big grin on my face. For all the female players who have played this, it is iconic of what we are experiencing, but we still place this product on the pitch. It seemed to work in the moment.

A number of the American team – who have now won back-to-back World Cups – have filed a lawsuit for sexual discrimination,

Rapinoe said: & I think everyone is ready for this conversation to continue to the next step. Yada yada

I don't know what to do,

<img id = "i-2b299eec69aa6706" src = "https://ift.tt/2CqCUN8 07/07/21 / 15746292-0-image-a-4_1562530055819.jpg "height =" 423 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-2b299eec69aa6706" src = "https: //i.dailymail .co.uk / 1s / 2019/07/07/21 / 15746292-0-image-a-4_1562530055819.jpg "height =" 423 "width =" 634 "alt =" Rapinoe demanded the Golden Shoe and was a constant threat for opposition opposition "

& # 39; Everyone did it. & # 39;

& # 39; Everyone is ready. fans are ready, players are ready. In many ways I think sponsors are done with that. Let's go to the next point. What is the next step? How do we support women's federations and women's programs around the world? What can we do to to support the competitions around the world?

& # 39; What can we do to improve the league's? r support the whole world? We have shown players, every player at this World Cup, the most incredible show you could ever ask for.

& # 39; We can do nothing more to impress, to be better ambassadors, to do more, to play better or to do something. It is time to move on to the next step.

<img id = "i-abda52449afa15be" src = "https://ift.tt/32bOO8P -19_1562530211791.jpg "height =" 410 "width =" 634 "alt =" She dedicated her iconic party to all the women who played in this tournament "class =" blkBorder img-share

She dedicated her iconic celebration to all women who played in this tournament "iconic celebration to all women who played in this tournament

American coach Jill Ellis said about Rapinoe: & # 39; Megan was built for this moments – built to be a spokesperson for these moments. She speaks well, speaks from her heart. We need people in the game, to be honest, to name tings as they are. I think the bigger the spotlight the more she shines, I think the spotlight can burn people, but Megan shows what she is. & # 39;

Ellis is likely to be given the option to extend her tenure as an American coach, three years after being critically criticized for the poor 2016 Olympics in Rio of Rio.

She said: & # 39; I can't even think about that now. It's just about enjoying this moment. I don't think about what's in front of me. "

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VIOLENCE, RACISM AND ULTRAS IN SPORTS.

VIOLENCE, RACISM AND ULTRAS IN SPORTS.

INTRODUCTION

In this blog we will deal with the concepts of violence, racism, ultras and the influence of the media. Going deeper we will make a summary of the history of violence in sport and some examples that have taken place in the last two centuries. Regarding the ultras, we will talk about where they come from, what reasons they like, general characteristics of these groups and some examples of their actions. On the other hand we will deal in a global way with the term of racism in different points of view, where it arises and we will mention some of the anti-racist initiatives. The last point is to talk about the communication of the media and if it really is good for the sport or if it further encourages this type of behavior. To finish the blog, there will be some personal conclusions.

MAIN PART

-VIOLENCE:

If we make a historical summary of the appearance of sport in favor of the historians of the time in ancient Greece, the physical-competitive exercises were more violent than anywhere (Durán, 1996). My professor Durán also talks about the existence of an Olympic combat sport ('' The pancracio '') in which it is okay to kick, punch, bite, torture, etc ... While in Rome, violence does not just occur among the gladiators but also among the spectators, some articles that can cause the death of about 30,000 people. Already in the Renaissance, the first ball games allowed the degree of violence that at present was defined as brutal (Dunning, Murphy and Williams, 1981). At present, violence is not only prohibited, but it is also socially unacceptable in sports, however, it continues to occur. (Gómez, 2007) Examples of violence in sport that ended in a tragic way: One of the cases that have been dropped by frustration is that of Frederic Rouquier, a follower of english football attacked by members of the Boixos Nois, ultra club of Barcelona football club. If we talk about group violence, the most tragic event according to Gómez (2003) was on May 29, 1985, in which 39 followers of Juventus of Turin died and 600 were wounded by the followers of Liverpool at the Heysel stadium in Belgium. However, this has not been the worst of events of this kind, and is neither the first nor the last. Not all the facts are referred to the world of football, to put another example and another sport, at the end of 2002, an ice hockey game that was played in the United States among youth teams ended when the referee ejected one of the players after making a dangerous entry. After this event, the father of the player jumped on the court and started beating the referee to death.

    -ULTRAS:

The term "ultras" defines the radical fans who, in the Italian way, are "the" maximum ", the" extreme "[...] are the maximum in animation». (Supporters and Supporters, 5, 1996: 3) These groups are the most recognisable in relation to the violence in sports, focusing on football they are known as "hooligans". They are characterized by locating themselves in one of the stadiums backgrounds and producing songs, choreographies or "tifos", etc ... that is, rituals to encourage their team but also include violent rituals. Most of this group is male, if we talk about percentages, some articles suggest that it would be around 80% male and only 20% are women. Ages are very variable, ranging between 18 and 45 years. These people are moved by the racism and political ideology of each group, the main consequence as Gómez (2007) says is the violence that is directed towards ethnic minority groups. This collective appears around the 1950s and 1960s. It used to be seen as a way to stay in a group for the reason of following a football team, to show an intense patriotism that directed its anger towards immigrant groups, rivals, police or press. There are many people who have been attacked by these groups. As an example, in England, in the time elapsed between 1960 and 1965, violent incidents that were related to sport were doubled compared to the previous 25 years and the retransmission of television parties is understood as one of the possible causes. In the decade of the 70s, hooliganism appears as a movement of strongly cohesive and organized groups and also begins to spread throughout the rest of Europe.

-RACISM:

According to the Royal Academy of Language, racism is an ideology that defends the superiority of one race over the others and the need to keep it isolated or separated from the rest within a community or a country. Racism is an element that has spread to more than one country, although it is true that in some it has had a greater impact than in others, such as South Africa with the "apartheid" that occurred. In England the first racist chants were heard in the 70-80s, while in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands this phenomenon reached a peak during the 80-90s, Spain and Belgium have had racism as a more  recent phenomenon . The differences in the stages of development of racism in these countries could be related to economic differences, with the general levels of immigration and the transfers/signings of players of color and belonging to different ethnic groups in professional football. (Gómez, 2007) The xenophobic groups infiltrated inside the fans of the football team, as "intolerance towards others, the different, the weak"; Attacking an amateur for using the wrong color is similar to aggression against an immigrant because of the color of their skin; lack of empathy, inability to understand the suffering of others "(Durán, 1996). According to Gómez (2007) there are several ways to represent racism. One of them simply consists of booing those black athletes or other minorities when they are in possession of the ball when it comes to a team sport. This also relies on disparaging chants by the fans. For example, when Rijkaard and Gullit (Dutch colored soccer players) played in Milan, they were treated awfully and booed every time they played away games in rival stadiums. On the other hand we must also mention the anti-racist initiatives: From the point of view of national governments, we find few initiatives in relationship to the prevention of racism in football, and most of them focused on repressive actions and measures through the police and judicial systems. Regarding European intervention projects and programs, there are differences between European countries having focused most of them on the prevention of racism in football more than in preventing racism through football (Durán, 2005). As a common point, we find the use of emblematic soccer players to communicate messages about tolerance or holding matches and tournaments with the motto of the prevention. An example of this is the advertisements promoted by the UEFA Champions League promoting respect and the fight against racism using players such as Lionel Messi, Mario Ballotelli, Carlos Tevez, etc ... In most of the initiatives we can find that all of them try to make clear that no sports entity tolerates racism, they do not give tickets to fans that are related to this type of ideology, work hand in hand with police, clubs, local authorities, fans, etc ... to reduce or eliminate any act.

- THE INFLUENCE OF THE MEDIA.

I will begin by saying that the beginning of racism coincides in the 50s with the appearance of sporting events (soccer) on television We will not deny the advantage that society has for being able to see from their homes  turning them into a spectacle and a mass sport. However, television also allows the viewer to see violent behavior and that this can be extended to those who watch the games from public places, for such basic principles in psychology as imitation and / or modeling. (Gómez, 2007) As for sport as a spectacle, it is undoubtedly the "sport king" in practically all of Europe is football. Durán (1996) states that in Europe soccer is being produced (as a spectacle sport) something similar to what happens in North America with other sports such as football, hockey, basketball or baseball. Bryant and Zillman (1983) state that the media in most cases are an enemy of fair play because they exploit violence in sports, mainly because in many cases the media repeatedly exhibit violent acts committed in different sports in the past likr in documentries that make them money and business. For example, if a violent event has been recorded, it is broadcast again and again and it is given more importance than another or more serious ones but of which there are no images. There is also the possibility of using the media as a channel to prevent or reduce violence in sports. In the 2004 European Football Championship held in Portugal we can find a clear example, the Spanish team carried out an advertising campaign for Spanish fans to defend their team and that there were no differences depending on the team they are followers of. This is directly related to the common in-group identity model, this model is based on the effect of belonging to a higher order category (in this case selection), allowing identification with the lower level category (the team from which they are followers). (Gómez, 2007)

CONCLUSION

To begin with, in my opinion I believe that stereotypes like the idea all people of color have a genetic advantage because of their dominance in a type of muscle fibers is one of the many reasons that prevent the development of true equality and help to develop racism. Racism should be eradicated completely but it is a long-term process since we have to change the mentality of many millions of people since in this world we all are, whatever our color of skin, facial features, etc ... The ultras from my personal point of view have their positive point in the sport since they are passionate and loving of their team and are the ones that most encourage their team both in difficult situations and when they are losing as well as when they are at their best. But on the other hand, we must not forget the most important thing: they are extremist groups that only conceive their team and do not understand others, this is shown in the songs to people of color as well as in violent acts against the fans of another team. To conclude, I believe that it is true that the media are responsible for the continuous repetition of an act of violence in football showing it over and over and nulling the idea of violence to some groups. Ultras and media still give many more positive things to the sport than negative ones so in general they are beneficial to sport.

 REFERENCES

-Durán, J. (1996) Sport, violence and education, Madrid: Revista de psicología del deporte.

-Durán, J and Pardo, R. (2008) Racism in the Spanish professional football (1st and 2nd division). Seasons 2004-05 and 2005-06). Vol. 4, no. 12, Madrid : International Journal of Sport Science

-Gómez, A. (2007) Violence in sport. An analysis from Social Psychology, Journal of Social Psychology, 22: 1, 63-87: International Journal of Social Psychology https://doi.org/10.1174/021347407779697539

-Adán, T. , Ultras Soccer cultures. P. 87-100. Salamanca: University of Salamanca.

-Armstrong, G and Harris, R. (1990) Football hooligans: theory and evidence P. 427-44

-Collins, R (2008). Violence: a micro-sociological theory

-Coackley, J Sports in Society: Issues and Controversies, 11th ed., McGraw-Hill Education: New York, 2014; 720 pp.

-Durán, J (2006) Football and racism: a scientific and social problem.

[worldcup-news-blog]

Italy Fail To Qualify For World Cup For First Time Since 1958

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Italy Fail To Qualify For World Cup For First Time Since 1958

#Ashes #ChampionsLeague

Italy will miss the World Cup for the first time since 1958, an astounding development in an autumn full of qualifying failures. The Netherlands, United States, Ghana and now Italy, a four-time champion and a pillar of soccer for almost a century, all will be absent from the 2018 tournament. Amid boos and whistles Monday in Milan, the Italians were ousted by Sweden, which repelled a second-half deluge for a 0-0 draw in the second leg of a two-game playoff to secure a 1-0 aggregate victory in the World Cup qualifier.

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, with San Siro stadium begging and pleading for a goal to force an extra 30 minutes, Alessandro Florenzi kissed the ball repeatedly as he prepared to take a corner kick. Sweden stood firm. The referee’s whistle sounded.

Yes, Italy – the soccer country of class and grace, of revered goalkeepers and a defensive system known as catenaccio, or “the chain,” of the iconic Serie A league, of Baggio and Maldini, Del Piero and Buffon, of those gorgeous blue jerseys – will not journey to Russia next summer for the 32-team tournament.

“I’m not sorry for myself but all of Italian football,” said goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, 39, who was seeking to play in a sixth World Cup. “There is certainly a future for Italian football, as we have pride, ability, determination and after bad tumbles, we always find a way to get back on our feet.”

Only Brazil (20) and Germany (16) have appeared in more World Cups than Italy (14). The last time the Italians failed, a Brazilian teenager named Pele was preparing for his first World Cup and Brazil, the greatest success the sport has ever seen, had yet to win its first global title.

The 2018 tournament will instead include tiny newcomers Iceland and Panama.

Sweden, which qualified for the first time since 2006, became the 29th team to punch a ticket to Russia. The last three slots will be decided this week: Ireland or Denmark on Tuesday, Australia or Honduras on Wednesday, and Peru or New Zealand on Wednesday.

Since winning the 2006 World Cup in Berlin, Italy has faltered on the global stage. In both 2010 and 2014, the Azzurri failed to escape the tournament’s group stage. Seven years ago in South Africa, they managed just two points in a weak quartet and finished behind New Zealand. Four years later in Brazil, the favored Italians and English gave way to Costa Rica and Uruguay.

The 2018 qualifying campaign went about as expected with Italy finishing second behind Spain in Europe’s Group G. A home draw with the Spaniards and 3-0 defeat in Madrid all but relegated Italy to the playoffs.

The Italians were favored to get past Sweden, but a 1-0 away defeat Friday put them under immense pressure in the return leg. Questionable officiating cost opportunities for both teams to crack the deadlock and, as the match wore on, Sweden slipped deeper and deeper into a defensive bunker and wasted precious seconds at every opportunity.

Within an hour of the match ending, Coach Gian Piero Ventura resigned.

Italy isn’t only notable team to miss this World Cup.

The Netherlands, who lost to Spain in the 2010 final and finished third in 2014, didn’t even advance to the European qualifying playoffs after yielding to France and Sweden in Group A.

Chile, the Copa America champion in 2015 and ’16, finished sixth in a continental race that issued four automatic berths and one pass to a playoff. The United States lost at lowly Trinidad and Tobago on the last day of CONCACAF qualifying to finish fifth among six teams and fail to qualify for the first time since 1986.

Ghana had become an African power, reaching the round of 16 in 2006 and quarterfinals in 2010, but despite favored status in a mild four-team group, the Black Stars were third behind Egypt and Uganda. (The Egyptians advanced for the first time since 1990.)

Back in September, Carlo Tavecchio, president of the Italian soccer association, said that “not qualifying would be an apocalypse.”

These aren’t end times for Italian soccer – or calcio, as they call it there – but for days, weeks and months on end, it’s going to feel like it.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)