The world cup of the most popular sport in the world is taking place this summer in South Africa. Los ojos del mundo van a estar en la Copa el Mundo! Be forewarned: this post rambles a little!
When I was a kid in the town where I lived, girls were not allowed to play soccer. It was strange; we could play volleyball and basketball, we competed in bike races (some were pretty long, all around the southern perimeter of the island of Cozumel) and track meets. When our middle school basketball team got second national place, everyone was elated. When we beat the guys' basketball team, it really did not bother anyone. Still, we were told that girls did not play soccer. I am five years older than my sister - and when she came around, they did have a girls' soccer team. She played for a while and loved it.
Soccer is the most popular sport in Latin America, along with the world. Baseball (beisbol) is played quite a bit in the Caribbean and is rumored to be Fidel Castro's favorite sport, but it comes nowhere near to soccer.
Futbol is played as a 90 minute game: 45 minutes of play, a 15 minute break, and another 45 minutes of play. If the game must have a winner, if it cannot end in a tie, two 15 minute periods are added, with no break. If the teams are still tied, go to a penalty shoot-out (players try to kick the ball in between the goal posts while being blocked by opponents - there is no running around or intercepting the ball - just kick and block if possible). 10 players and a goal keeper are on the field at any given time. If you want to know more about the rules, you can check out: http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/soccer-rules.html. WileyPlus also has a video on soccer in chapter 4.
The World Cup is celebrated every 4 years with teams from 32 countries from all over the world. According to FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football), the cumulative TV audience of the matches, up to 2006, has been 26.29 billion people since they were first televised in 1954 (WOW!).
Rambling here again: I am concerned about the cup being held in South Africa: this is not a worry about terrorism or crime, but a health concern. In 2007, an estimated 25% of the population was HIV+. When a big international sports event is held somewhere - this applies to the Olympics as well - prostitution goes up. You have young athletes who want to celebrate victory or get consolation for losses, tons of fans and visitors and sex trade has an uptick in the region. I hope there is enough health info to avoid tragedies.
OK, on to my questions. You need to answer both of these for extra credit for the quiz on chapter 4, or for credit for the cultural assignment. Note: Brazil is NOT a Spanish-speaking country; they speak Portuguese.
1.- Why do you think soccer is so popular worldwide?
2.- Answer only one part of a question here, to leave options for your classmates.
a) What Spanish-speaking countries are competing in the World Cup now?
b) Choose one Spanish-speaking country that has played, tell us who they played and what the final score was.
c) Which countries played the opening game? What was the final score?
d) Which Spanish-speaking countries have already played?
e) Choose one Spanish-speaking country and tell us when they are slated to play the rest of the games that are already set up.
f) Make a prediction: which Spanish-speaking country will get the furthest in the World Cup? How far will they go? Tell us why and how you made this decision.
Football has been the favorite sporting event of the world for many years now. Although it is impossible to figure out when the phenomenon started, football has been played competitively as early as the 18th century.
ReplyDeleteThe world's fascination with the sport may have to do with it's simplicity. Children have the ability to kick a ball from a very early age, and the concept of soccer itself is incredibly simple. You do not need any fancy equipment to play the game, just a ball and a few friends.
In my opinion, I believe Spain has the best chance out of all the Spanish speaking countries to go all the way. Although they had a surprising loss versus Switzerland, Spain is ranked #2 worldwide, and has many big name players. Sergio Ramos, Xavi Alonzo and many others are big name Spanish powerhouses. Mexico is also playing quite well, with a huge win over powerhouse France.
1 - Other sports, such as American football (which happens to be my favorite sport) have a slew of rules for simple progression down the field to score against the opponent. These kinds are similar in the light of their rules and concepts being harder for novices to understand and grasp at first. However, hockey, by the way, seems to be a variation to soccer, as players try to get the puck into the opponent's goal.
ReplyDeleteNow don't get me wrong: people are absolutely passionate for all sorts of sports, which is the hard-core-sports-fan's MO. However, on a worldwide perspective, simplicity and health are key. Severe football and hockey injuries (the two of the more popular but grueling, contact/competition sports, I believe) can jeopardize an athlete's sports career and even an athlete’s life.
These are the reason(s) I believe that globally, the unwritten concept is that "the WORLD'S favorite sport is soccer"!
(Just remember that whatever sport you're playing, when things get rough, you are bound to get hurt and it could get bad. I am simply just outlining the riskier ones, in my humble opinion.)
2b – Argentina, with their main man in Lionel Messi ( #10), has had back to back wins in the first round of the FIFA World Cup: a 1-0 shutout against Nigeria (who probably face elimination) and a 4-1 rout against defensive-minded North Korea. They are one of the many Spanish teams, and even just teams in general, that could go a long way.
- AJ (Spanish 101)
There are many reasons to why so many people love soccer. The most obvious reason is everyone has their own opinions and people like different things. i also think that this is popular because it is an intense sport which makes it fun to watch especially the world cup.
ReplyDeleteSome of the spanish speaking teams that are taking part in the world cup are Mexico, Chile, Spain, and Honduras.
Angelo C (Spn101)
I think Soccer is such a popular sport world wide, because its a way for countries to show their patriotisim. In soccer you play teams from other countries, and you show immense support for your countries team. It's an easy game to follow, and fans truly show their colors when their teams are up to play!
ReplyDeleteOn June 16th 2010, Honduras played against Chile, but lost 0:1
-Michelle V.
Similar to what many who have already posted have stated; soccer is a sport that costs next to nothing to play. The rules are simple, so they are easy to keep official. Pick up games can be done anywhere between two towns or nationality's because the universal rules have diffused so throughly.
ReplyDelete-Chris S
Brazil has triumphed over North Korea 2-1, the supreme leader is disappointed.
Soccer is so popular world wide for many reasons. One being the simplicity of the game. Also people of all classes can afford the game. It is played more for fun then actually being athletic. Its more of a wanting to do sport then having the skill you have to have passion for the sport .
ReplyDeleteOne spanish speaking country that played was honduras against another spanish speaking country chile the final score was 0-1
Nadine C
South Africa played Mexico as the opening game i did not notice that some one had already answered the same as me up top with honduras vs. chile
ReplyDeletenadine c
Soccer is very popular because it is intense and physically demanding. It is pretty easy to understand and it does not involve as rowdy of crowds as football, hockey and baseball sometimes do. Soccer is more about having talent, than having the most money and buying the best equipment. Also its pretty easy to play at any age whether you are just passing a ball around or competitively playing.
ReplyDeleteThe host team, South Africa, tied 1-1 with Mexico on June 11 as the opening game.
- Kim Lamiroult
I would have to assume soccer is so big world wide is because it is a very fun game to play at any position, it involves a lot of team communication and stamina, not something that everyone can poses. The game also is not very complicated but can be very competitive.
ReplyDelete2. (B)
Spain had just played Protugal on 6/29/10 and had won 1-0 to advance in the tournament.
Fun Fact:
If Spain so happens to win the whole tournament they will be the first team to win after losing the first game they played in the tournament.
Spencer B.
Soccer has been around for a while now and is slowly making its way to the U.S. Even though almost every other country made it their national sport soccer in the U.S didn’t really get too big until quite recently. But this game has so much history and the players work so hard that you can’t help but to pick a side even though you don’t know whose playing. Once you watch a game or two the intensity starts to build, even though there is usually only one or 2 goals a game it still keeps you watching. There are many Spanish speaking countries that are competing in the world cup such as Argentina, Belize, Chile, Honduras, and many more. Mexico was doing quite well this year until they got knocked out by Argentina there rival Spanish speaking country in a 3-1 win. They tied against South Africa 1-1, lost against France 0-2, lost against Hungary 0-1, lost against Uruguay 0-1, and then finally lost against Argentina 3-1.
ReplyDeleteLeo S. (sp101)
1.- Why do you think soccer is so popular worldwide?
ReplyDeleteThe worldwide popularity of soccer is undoubted and I believe it is due to it's natural simplicity. To enjoy either playing or watching the game of soccer takes very little time as grasping the basic rules is relatively straightforward compared to many other sports around the world. To play the sport there is no need to purchase expensive gear and equipment. All that is needed is a persons feet and a round shaped object. Soccer is also an extremely quick game making it exciting and exhilarating.
f) Make a prediction: which Spanish-speaking country will get the furthest in the World Cup? How far will they go? Tell us why and how you made this decision.
I believe the Spanish-speaking country that will go the furthest in the World Cup will be Spain. I believe they can win the World Cup because they have an extreme discipline, possessing only one yellow card this entire World Cup. They also have a talented group of players and team chemistry. Some of Spain's skillful players are Andres INIESTA, David VILLA, Fernando TORRES, XAVI and goalkeeper Iker CASILLAS.
Liam (sp101)
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world because it is accessible. Soccer is a sport that can be played anywhere, all you need is a ball no other equipment is required. It is also very universal because the rules do not differ and everybody in the world plays by the same rules.
ReplyDeleteOne of the many Spanish speaking countries that has played in this World Cup is Chile. Chile played four matches before getting eliminated by Brazil in the Round of 16. They played against Honduras and won; 1-0, against Switzerland they were victorious; 1-0, the had their first defeat against Spain loosing 2-1 and their final match was against Brazil loosing 3-0 and being eliminated in the process.
-Chris Hopkins
While I feel as though I am repeating many of peoples previous ideas, soccer is so popular worldwide because of its simpliciy. All you need is markers to create two goals and a round object to use as a ball. While there is poverty throughout the world that makes it impossible for people to afford athetic equipment soccer seems to find itself exempt from this problem. Since little to no equipment is needed the game can be played by anyone no matter ther financial status. Soccer is also a sport that can be played anywhere. Sports like hocky for example need a rink to be played but with soccer as long as you have an open field you can play.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Spain will get the farthest in the world cup. They should make it to the finals and have a good shot at winning the whole tournament. They are one of the deepest and most talented teams in the tournament and many of their players come from Spanish powers Barcelona and Real Madrid so even when they are not playing on the national team they are still gaining expierience playing together.
-Andrew W
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world because of how easy it is to play. All that is need is a ball, a field, two nets, and some players. Everyone can take part and enjoy soccer. I feel Spain will go the furthest in the world cup because they have some of the most talented players on the planet and their country has a deep tradition of greatness in soccer.
ReplyDelete- John Carroll
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world because it is so easy to play. All that is need is a ball, a field, 2 nets, and some players. I believe Spain will go the furthest in the world cup because of their deep soccer tradition and all of the talent on their team. They are a very hard team to beat.
ReplyDelete- John Carroll