Olympic soccer has started

[Rainger99]

I don’t follow soccer (too boring-they usually run back and forth for 90 or 120 minutes and then go to a penalty kick) but the first Olympic soccer game today was rather exciting.

[Two Bills]

Rugby Sevens is much more exciting.
Who will stop Fiji?

[blueash]

I don’t follow soccer (too boring-they usually run back and forth for 90 or 120 minutes and then go to a penalty kick) but the first Olympic soccer game today was rather exciting.

Wow, just wow. After Argentina tied the game in the 16th minute of an extra 15 minutes of added time, and a brief moment of resumed play, the field was covered with bottles etc thrown from the stands. The security team was ordered to clear the stands and the teams sent to the locker rooms as game apparently over.

Then VAR (video review) looked at the goal and declared it offsides and the score reverted to 2-1. 2 hours after the game "ended" the teams were ordered back to the field to play five minutes additional and Argentina did not get an equalizer.

[Rainger99]

Wow, just wow. After Argentina tied the game in the 16th minute of an extra 15 minutes of added time, and a brief moment of resumed play, the field was covered with bottles etc thrown from the stands. The security team was ordered to clear the stands and the teams sent to the locker rooms as game apparently over.

Then VAR (video review) looked at the goal and declared it offsides and the score reverted to 2-1. 2 hours after the game "ended" the teams were ordered back to the field to play five minutes additional and Argentina did not get an equalizer.

I turned it off after the game was marked final at 2-2! I was unaware that Morocco won!

[Stu from NYC]

Wow, just wow. After Argentina tied the game in the 16th minute of an extra 15 minutes of added time, and a brief moment of resumed play, the field was covered with bottles etc thrown from the stands. The security team was ordered to clear the stands and the teams sent to the locker rooms as game apparently over.

Then VAR (video review) looked at the goal and declared it offsides and the score reverted to 2-1. 2 hours after the game "ended" the teams were ordered back to the field to play five minutes additional and Argentina did not get an equalizer.

Wish their was a way to ban the bottle throwers for life

[Rainger99]

Rugby Sevens is much more exciting.
Who will stop Fiji?

Watching the first rugby game of my life! Fast game with lots of action!

Wish I knew the rules. And it would be nice if the announcers explained what was happening!

Are games only 14 minutes long?? Can’t imagine paying to see a team play if the game is 14 minutes!

[Two Bills]

Watching the first rugby game of my life! Fast game with lots of action!

Wish I knew the rules. And it would be nice if the announcers explained what was happening!

Are games only 14 minutes long?? Can’t imagine paying to see a team play if the game is 14 minutes!


Two flat out seven minute halves, with most teams playing 2-3 games a session.
As you say, fast and furious.
Fiji, and of course New Zealand are super good at this form of rugby.
It's a game for the fast men of rugby, still BIG guys, but the massive chaps are too slow for this game.

PS. A normal rugby match is 15 players aside and 2 x40 minute halves.
Unlike NFL no resting, oxygen, massages, counselling or warm blankets after every play, full on 40 minutes.

[Ignatz]

As you say, fast and furious.
Fiji, and of course New Zealand are super good at this form of rugby.
It's a game for the fast men of rugby, still BIG guys, but the massive chaps are too slow for this game.

PS. A normal rugby match is 15 players aside and 2 x40 minute halves.
Unlike NFL no resting, oxygen, massages, counselling or warm blankets after every play, full on 40 minutes.

I think rugby spoiled my interest in football. Rugby is fast, tough, and safe.

Our daughter played club rugby in college and we went to several matches (mainly to support her team, but also concerned about her safety as she is not a BIG person).

Those ladies really had the sport down to a science and they played so well. It really made them a close-knit family on campus as well.

[sdeikenberry]

I don’t follow soccer (too boring-they usually run back and forth for 90 or 120 minutes and then go to a penalty kick) but the first Olympic soccer game today was rather exciting.

Sounds like you don't really understand how soccer is played. Just like american football, soccer has a lot of strategy and teamwork. True, the score is usually low because it's a defensive game. If you take the time to understand how the different player's role is executed, it makes the game a lot more interesting. FYI, that's why you mostly see the whole field when watching on TV...you need to see where all the players are to understand how the ball is mover around. Hope this helps...

[ThirdOfFive]

Sounds like you don't really understand how soccer is played. Just like american football, soccer has a lot of strategy and teamwork. True, the score is usually low because it's a defensive game. If you take the time to understand how the different player's role is executed, it makes the game a lot more interesting. FYI, that's why you mostly see the whole field when watching on TV...you need to see where all the players are to understand how the ball is mover around. Hope this helps...
Never much liked soccer. Oh, I know there are specific skills involved but you can say the same for curling. Both, IMO, are on the far side of boring.

The riots that seem to follow most "matches" are entertaining though.

[Caymus]

The only good thing about soccer it that one announcer that yells "Goooooal!"

[maistocars]

Man, Fiji looked good. Where the heck did they learn Rugby?

[Stu from NYC]

Sounds like you don't really understand how soccer is played. Just like american football, soccer has a lot of strategy and teamwork. True, the score is usually low because it's a defensive game. If you take the time to understand how the different player's role is executed, it makes the game a lot more interesting. FYI, that's why you mostly see the whole field when watching on TV...you need to see where all the players are to understand how the ball is mover around. Hope this helps...

Have some understanding of the strategy but would like more scoring. Too often teams seem to play for a tie

[Two Bills]

Man, Fiji looked good. Where the heck did they learn Rugby?

They are defending champions. At Sevens, they are always hard to beat.
Rugby is the national sport of Fiji, like New Zealand.
Fijians and Samoans play for professional rugby clubs in many parts of the world.
They are big, fast and hard as nails.

[Rainger99]

Sounds like you don't really understand how soccer is played.

I totally agree with that. I have never played the game so I really do not appreciate how it is played and all of the strategy.

That being said, I am always amazed that when a soccer team is down and time is running out, they seem to be playing for the perfect shot and usually don't even get a shot off - or if they do, the shot is over the net - not even close. If you are at least trying to score, you might get a rebound or a lucky bounce.

Sort of like in basketball - if you are down by 5 points with 30 seconds to go, you have to put the ball in the air. It might go in or you might get a lucky rebound. Sort of like pulling the goalie in hockey.

[Taltarzac725]

Trinity Rodman. Now that US women's soccer player's name sounds familiar.

[markcooper]

Or helmets and shoulder pads

[Harold.wiser]

Wish I could watch but I have an entire wall of paint to watch dry.

[Cliff Fr]

I don’t follow soccer (too boring-they usually run back and forth for 90 or 120 minutes and then go to a penalty kick) but the first Olympic soccer game today was rather exciting.

After seeing clips of the opening ceremony I decided not to watch the Olympics