12/21/24
April 06, 2016
The Fall: It's ostensibly about diving, but that's like saying Moby Dick is about the whale. A great read about how football has changed and is still changing.
As someone who has never cared for "scoccer" (but did enjoy a arena game I saw once) I never understood how these players got away with their flops. After reading the story I understand why they do it but still don't like it. As an American I think replay and punishment could stop the flopping but my friend from Greece who goes absolutely insane when watching just says it's part of the game. Good story, glad I read it.
posted by ic23b at 01:46 AM on April 07, 2016
Soccer is one of the most free flowing games in the world and replay could change it drastically. I dislike diving myself but do see it as part of the game. I wouldn't mind if blatant dives were punished after the fact. Marcel's shenanigans in yesterdays Real Madrid-Wolfsburg match were ridiculous.
posted by Ricardo at 02:09 PM on April 07, 2016
It was good to read about "Porra, falta, caralho".
Which is the lineal descendant of a wrenching lament that I have occasionally voiced and gestured toward the television during international matches when the men flop about.
Taken from a Puccini opera and sung by the principal soprano:
"Sola, Perduta, Abbandonata"
To make the moment truly telling, one must temporarily set aside the spicy wings and clutch one's heart with a sense of purpose.