Sports Otaku

[MarlinClock]

March Madness is on its way, and so I was wondering if there were any other sports fans here on Japanator.

I, myself, have a bit of a disinterest in this years Madness compared to others, I go to the U of I and they didn't make it in, and Notre Dame's already been knocked out. I still have a bracket out, so might as well stay tuned for the long hall.

I'm also a big hockey fan, sorta a rare breed in this day and age. My Blackhawks are looking great, Hawks just got another shutout for Antti Niemi tonight against the Kings and are looking to be a real contender for the Stanley Cup this year.

[Mandril]

I really like watching sports, but not ice hockey or football.
I'm more excited about the upcoming Soccer WC in South Africa, as well as the current cycling season/Giro 'd Italia/Tour de France/Vuelta...

[PBz0r]

Heehee. I feel bad for Cameroon, Japan and Denmark. Yes I'm getting my hopes up, but after all the drama of past tournaments, luck would have to be on our side for once, no? If not, we'll probably beat Spain in the quartersfinals in an unexpected turn of events and then get kicked out by the Germans in the semifinals for godknowswhy. I'm calling it.

We should probably create a sports topic for non-Americans somewhere around June.

[Mandril]

I'm not that optimistic. Getting through the group stage should be a piece of cake, but after that anything can happen. Regardless, it's going to be a very entertaining World Cup :)

[MarlinClock]

Even Americans watch the Cup. It is gonna start right around when the Stanley Cup playoffs should end, so I might watch it.

[scientific railgun]

The last boxing event of Paqiuao versus Clottey was the only sports event I watched so far recently.. The fight was a little bit boring..

[DickMcVengeance]

I went to Syracuse, so of course I'll be spending my time rooting for them. I've got a decent interest in men's NCAA, and a pretty good love of football. Certainly not to the point I'd consider myself a sports otaku or the like -- it's mostly a casual knowledge enough to get me through watercooler talk with friends.

[MarlinClock]

Sorry for the bump, but I'd like to just say

HAWKS WIN!!!!!!!!


That is all.

[Mandril]

I don't think I'll be watching alot of anime this summer. World Cup madness right now, followed by Tour de France madness in July.

I'm trying to watch every match, but matches like Algaria vs Slovenia are just pure torture.
Overall I'm slightly disappointed so far. Some matches are entertaining, but aside from Germany most sides haven't shown their strenghts yet. There's a big lack of goals on this WC imho.

[MarlinClock]

Too many ties. This is kinda why I don't like the sport, ties are just bad all around.

[PBz0r]

The worldcup only really starts in the round of 16... though honestly I don't remember a poule phase this boring in any worldcups I've followed in my lifetime. Germany is the only major team so far that's not underperforming. I'd at least expect Spain to do well tomorrow, but when even Brazil and the Netherlands aren't exciting to watch you need to adjust your expectations.

Portugal - Cote d'Ivoire was pretty entertaining for a 0-0 though. Had Drogba scored that would've made my day.

[Mandril]

Right when I start complaining the WC starts to get a bit more interesting.

North Korea was surpisingly decent; very entertaining to watch their defense.

Spain got pwned by Switzerland while Chili also grabbed 3 points. This means there's a decent chance that Spain will end up 2nd in their poule, which in turn means they will have to play against the winner of the group of death (most likely Brazil)

Uruguay - South Africa wasn't that much fun to watch, but it was practically the first game without those damned vuvuzelas (after the 2-0 that is)

[PBz0r]

Huh, Spain screwed up. I called it! Well, sort of, anyway.


Uruguay - South Africa wasn't that much fun to watch, but it was practically the first game without those damned vuvuzelas (after the 2-0 that is)

Haha I noticed that too. All of a sudden everyone was silent. You could even hear the players celebrate and clapping their hands. For 30 seconds, nothing African in that stadium moved.

Still would've liked to see S-A win though. And if my name was Luis Suarez I'd ask for some extra security measures in the hotel tonight.

[PBz0r]

So, I have a theory on all this WC madness going on right now, so hear me out.

What's going on? God is taking revenge on the richest countries in the world. Yup. Think about it. There's a reason this is the first worldcup in Africa. Which are the only major teams not screwing up so far? Argentina and Brazil. Seeing a pattern yet? Oh, and Holland, but we played Denmark so it didn't really matter what happened either way. The only thing my theory doesn't explain is why Switzerland beat Spain that way, but I suppose things like that can happen. Oh, and Greece still isn't in the same shit as Nigeria financially, but they're trying so don't be surprised if they reach the next round.

Yup, I think it's a pretty solid argument. Not sure if I'm still going to watch Holland - Cameroon after having figured this out.

[Mandril]

Today's World Cup matches were absolutely amazing. First I almost have a heart attack when Holland delivers an amazing comeback against Brazil, then I almost have a heart attack with the incredibly tense Uruguay vs Ghana finale. I'm not an Ajax fan, but Suarez deserves a medal of honor for his sacrifice here.

EDIT: On another note, I'll be attending the Tour de France prologue tomorrow. Yay.

[PBz0r]

Suarez deserves a statue to be erected in Montevideo. Too bad he won't play again this tournament.

[Mandril]

Hup holland hup!

[PBz0r]

Only 5 hours to go!

...till Paul the Octopus's prediction.

Because seriously people, this octopus has some divine powers at work. May his cephalopodness finally bestow the cup upon us.

[Mandril]

Only 5 hours to go!

...till Paul the Octopus's prediction.

Because seriously people, this octopus has some divine powers at work. May his cephalopodness finally bestow the cup upon us.The results are in. That good-for-nothing seacreature decided to betray his neighbours.

He had one wrong prediction during Euro 2008 as well though, so here's hoping.

[PBz0r]

He had one wrong prediction during Euro 2008 as well though, so here's hoping.

He did. He said Germany would win the final. So there's hope yet!

In all honesty though, back in 2008 Paul was only months old. He's had plenty of time to polish his skills.