Tuesday 13 January 2009

Fantasia



I don't normally use this blog to whore the stuff I write on other sites, but this has got to be one of the three best articles ever written in the history of sports journalism, and I decided to link it because the author is me.

I am joking of course. Actually, no.

Anyway, link: Fantasia

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

My friend you are not exaggerating- that is one brilliant article. The importance of the different development of thinking in different nations, in football or anything, cannot be emphasized enough That is why the beautiful game is truly beautiful. Also why it will never be understood in America.

The Judge said...

Thanks bro. Surely there's similar beauty to be found in American sports though? (I'm thinking basketball).

On an unrelated note - if you're from the roma blog, pop down to check my entries for July 2008 "Me being sexist" and "Chronicle of a tragedy" to bring back some memories. ;)

JS

Anonymous said...

Basketball in America has evoled because athleticism can be the ole reason for domination. Sure some teams are more offensive then others but the fans appreciate big dunks and fancy dribbles- there is not much variation. Also because there is so much scoring, the development of different techniques to achieve the goals is somewhat limited. American sports have become very one dimensional IMO...

I found the article through the offside through a random link they had posted... ill check out your other stuff for sure and definitely looking forward to part 2 and beyond if you do it...

The Judge said...

haha the two entries on Roma are very different from the article on fantasia, you'll see what I mean. :D

Anonymous said...

Just read part 2... Loved it even though I am the biggest Zidane fan there is haha. The part discussing the German mentality and how it counters the Italians is great. And the importance of this tactic I would venture to say comes back to hurt the Azzuri when they lose to the minnows (South Korea) because these teams are so glad to be in the position that they will not react. It all comes down to philosophy...

Interestingly enough in America this tactic is widely accepted but not at the same level and with limits. Diving is frowned upon in all sports (though it happens way more then advertised here) but "trash talk" is endorsed as part of the game and any physical reaction to it is condemned...

I honestly wish there were articles like these for each and every nationality. Just another reason I absolutely unconditionally LOVE football.


PS- where are those Roma articles?

The Judge said...

Sheesh, sorry bro, I hadn't seen this comment - blogpost ought to have a function to notify you when new comments appear.

The old entries on Roma are here:

http://theonerantmachine.blogspot.com/2008/07/me-being-sexist-or-chronicle-of-tragedy.html

http://theonerantmachine.blogspot.com/2008/07/chronicle-of-tragedy-part-ii.html

As I said, they're pretty different stuff from what you've been reading on fi.co. But glad you liked those anyway.
Ta!
JS.