Sunday, July 11, 2010

WHEN IN DOUBT, SELECT THE COUNTRY WHICH INVENTED A DISTINCTIVE METHOD OF ROPE JUMPING? Spain. The Netherlands. Obviously a lot of history. Who ya got?

Related: the ten best pictures of Mick Jagger at the World Cup.

22 comments:

  1. I haven't thought about the Peace of Westphalia in a long time, and I never would have guessed that soccer would be the thing to remind me. 

    Great moments in European history aside, I'm rooting for Netherlands because that psychic octopus needs to be knocked down a few pegs.

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  2. Meghan10:36 AM

    We're pro-Spain here, mainly because we honeymooned there.  Interesting to note, the honeymoon site (Barcelona) beats the bachelor party site (Amsterdam).  

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  3. Carmichael Harold10:51 AM

    I very much want the Dutch to win, though I think the psychic octopus is likely to be right again.  Spain are very, very hard to break down and get meaningful possession again, and the Dutch are likely to have at least one red card, as van Bommel is a dirty player and the English ref is a known hard ass.

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  4. The Tallest Man on Earth sings "King of Spain" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y-jsHj7KfE

    Musical Youth sing "Pass the Dutchie" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFtLONl4cNc

    point to Spain

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  5. Buckethead plays Sketches of Spain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFZnAO7_Mzw

    not Rickie Lee Jones singing "Woody and Dutch on the Slow Train to Peking" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2EUGDz564U

    point to Netherlands

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  6. Anonymous11:34 AM

    Viva Espana!! We are headed out to the big outdoor screening in Barcelona. I'm expecting madness, but hoping the kids will hang in there for at least the first half. Las Ramblas was awash in red and yellow jerseys and flags this afternoon.

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  7. Guest was me.

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  8. Benner12:21 PM

    The history aspects lead me to root for Holland -- we owe so much of our Democratic institutions to the Dutch Republic.  And in soccer terms, if it weren't for the Dutch influence on Barcelona F.C., no world cup finals for Spain.  That said, Spain was the first foreign country I ever visited, and it has a place in my heart.  

    On the topic of soccer, however, we must address the Philadelphia UNION's continued end-of-half stinkbombs.  That San Jose game was heartbreaking.  This homestand is the time to gain some points, but dropping 3 at home is not the way to do it.  Fortunately, the Phillies were able to break up the perfect game in the 9th(!) and J-Roll was able to pull out a win.  Sad for Doc that he could pitch 9 scoreless innings and get a big fat no decision.  

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  9. Benner12:26 PM

    There are also songs called "King of Spain" by Galaxie 500 and Moxy Fruvous.  And "Amsterdam" by Peter, Bjorn, and John.  Musically, a push.   (strange:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh7y4seq8Zs&feature=related)

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  10. The Pathetic Earthling1:10 PM

    I've watched rather a lot of the World Cup -- I enjoy soccer -- but I must say that while I live 45 miles from San Jose, I was unaware we had an MLS franchise again.  

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  11. Go Roja!!!

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  12. ChrisH4:44 PM

    Were at 100+ minutes of scoreless soccer right now.  So I'm mad at both teams for giving the soccer haters more ammo; but my Dutch grandmother and I say "Hopp Oranje"

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  13. Eric J.7:43 PM

    I would really hate to see the 10 worst pictures of Mick Jagger at the World Cup.

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  14. This, of course (even though the game ended 1-0) justifies busting out my favorite Dan Rydell quote on soccer--"We've got the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and because we've got soccer highlights, the sheer pointlessness of a 0-0 tie!"

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  15. I will say that as we walked through Times Square after seeing "Promises, Promises" this afternoon (post on that may be coming), the Spain fans had taken over the steps at TKTS and were continuing to chant and wave the flag, with a bunch of disspirited orange-shirted people wandering around as well.

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  16. Jenn.1:07 AM

    The Dutch orange uniforms were heinous.  And I'm not just saying that as someone who despises some notably orange-associated teams.

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  17. isaac_spaceman1:26 AM

    I love the Dutch unis.  I've actually been looking for a well-built shirt just like their jerseys, minus the numbers and the crest, for riding my bike.  I also loved Robben, who was wicked fast and so great with his feet, and wondered every time they called his name (which has, uh, interesting connotations in South Africa) whether the South Africans root for or against the Dutch. 

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  18. Joseph J. Finn10:15 AM

    The orange is fine; I was just thrown by the 1982 computer fonts used for the numbers on their kits.

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  19. <p>How sad for Lionel Messi that he had to watch his team, Barcelona, win the World Cup without him.
    </p>

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  20. isaac_spaceman6:43 PM

    Come on, that's not exactly fair.  You have to agree that Casillas and Sergio Ramos, maybe also Xabi (all Real Madrid), had something to do with it.  So Messi has company with Kaka and Christiano Ronaldo. 

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  21. I do agree.  This was more commentary on Argentina's crappy campaign than Spain's Barça brand of beautiful football.  I am Argentine by birth, and Spanish by way of 10 years in Madrid, and would have loved a Spain v. Argentina match in the Semis.  But I am Real Madrid all the way, and so much of the Azulgrana was hard to swallow.

    Although, it did turn out okay.  Also, I have an Iker Casillas shirt on my wish list.

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  22. isaac_spaceman7:30 PM

    If I were not happily married, I might have an Iker Casillas girlfriend on my wish list. 

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