World Cup 2010

[ORS]

Huge, huge, huge. They encroached making it a re-kick, and the keeper stops the second chance. Crazy stuff.

[italstallianion]

This game is f***** nuts.

[yankees228]

Really surprised by the amount of missed PKs so far this tournament.

[italstallianion]

And David Villa does it again for Spain. Seriously, the defense should put a bell on this guy or something.

[Spudboy]

Really surprised by the amount of missed PKs so far this tournament.

 

As well you should be y228.

 

Sometime within the last week, I saw a very interesting breakdown of the PK on television. Either ESPN or ABC. Sorry, I have no links.

 

They stated that many people assume that hitting a baseball is the most difficult task in organized sports. As it turns out, defending a PK is about twice as hard.

 

The report went into reaction times (broken down into milliseconds) and the physics of it all.

 

Ultimately, a goaltender has to "guess" where the ball will be kicked.

[italstallianion]

As well you should be y228.

 

Sometime within the last week, I saw a very interesting breakdown of the PK on television. Either ESPN or ABC. Sorry, I have no links.

 

They stated that many people assume that hitting a baseball is the most difficult task in organized sports. As it turns out, defending a PK is about twice as hard.

 

The report went into reaction times (broken down into milliseconds) and the physics of it all.

 

Ultimately, a goaltender has to "guess" where the ball will be kicked.

 

 

 

 

I saw the same thing, I think it was a Sports Science bit on ESPN. Basically, they calculated how much time it takes for the average penalty shot to reach the goal, and how quickly the brain can process the information and how quickly the brain can sent the signals to the right muscles to move and block the shot, and they deduced that it was physically impossible to block a penalty shot by waiting until you can see where it's going. (Assuming it's struck in one of the corners)

 

That said, the goalies must cheat a bit and guess where the striker is going to place the ball. They said that the MLB average was .258, while the % of saved penalty kicks is around 22%, meaning that blocking a penalty shot is more difficult than getting a hit in baseball.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Damn, what a game that was. I'm surprised both teams missed a PK. Spain would have had it until they rushed inside the box. David Villa's goal was close to missing though.

[Cocos Disciples]

Just bought a vuvuzela.

[Spudboy]

Just bought a vuvuzela.

 

Why?

[yrtb]

It makes it even more difficult to save a penalty kick because a lot of players pause briefly before kicking the ball and the goalie already starts leaning or moving so they just put it in the other side of the goal

 

And I predict a Netherlands - Germany final that the Dutch will win

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

It makes it even more difficult to save a penalty kick because a lot of players pause briefly before kicking the ball and the goalie already starts leaning or moving so they just put it in the other side of the goal

 

And I predict a Netherlands - Germany final that the Dutch will win

 

Yeah I'd say it would be Germany and Netherlands in the final. Idk about the Dutch winning though. After that brutal beating they gave Argentina I'm starting to think they have a chance at taking it all. Even thought he Dutch have been unbeaten in the last 24 games i believe. Should be a crazy match.

[msubulldogs21]

After that brutal beating they gave Argentina I'm starting to think they have a chance at taking it all.

 

Germany had a solid shot at winning the whole thing before the World Cup started. I don't know why anyone would be surprised here.

 

I think Germany will win it over Holland.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Actually I'm not surprised that they're almost in the final. I'm just shocked at the way the game came out. I mean you'd expect much more from a team that has the best player in the world. Before we even talk about Holland Germany has to get passed David Villa and Spain.

[BSN07]

Holland in the final bitches! One more to go! If they win I'm going to the parade in Amsterdam. Talk about your "once in a lifetime" opportunity's. It will be absolute mayhem.

 

Spain 1-0, happened while I was typing lol

[italstallianion]

This is exactly what I was rooting for, a Spain vs. Netherlands final. That way, there'd be a new champion. Whatever happens, an 8th country will have won the World Cup.

[BSN07]

This is exactly what I was rooting for' date=' a Spain vs. Netherlands final. That way, there'd be a new champion. Whatever happens, an 8th country will have won the World Cup.[/quote']

 

I know good stuff! I'll be outside of London this weekend at a baseball tournament. Will be watching the game from a buddies flat. If you see a bunch of drunk guys running around in orange, don't call the cops!

[italstallianion]

Only if you drop one of those tall blonde chicks with large sweatercows off at my flat.

[Palodios]

Nobody watching the world cup today? I'd prefer the Sox, but I was hoping for some commentary.

[msubulldogs21]

Nobody watching the world cup today? I'd prefer the Sox' date=' but I was hoping for some commentary.[/quote']

 

Been flipping back and forth. The Sox game doesn't have much left so we should be able to catch most of the 2nd half.

 

De Jong is incredibly lucky he didn't get a red for the karate kick to the stomach of the Spain player.

 

Rooting for Holland. I also think they're going to win.

[italstallianion]

There were a crap load of cards, but that was the biggest opportunity for a red card.

[MDF3530]

As a Liverpool fan, I did NOT like seeing Torres going down holding his groin.

[RedForLife]

Don't care that much, but wish the Netherlands would have won. I have a friend over there that visits Boston sometimes.

[Ride The Walrus]

Netherlands were really dirty in that final, it was like beautiful football vs violence. The Dutch knew they wouldn't be able to out-play them, so they just tried to stop them. :/

[daveymac]

Most Dutch people felt ashamed of the way they played. I couldn't:( believe what I was seeing.