Off Topic:World Cup Qualifiers

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 27 Mar 2005, 15:04

josh fg wrote:
Freiheit wrote:
josh fg wrote:I was glad to see England play well as a team although the result was to be expected. I do hate seeing Israel win though.. why are they in the europian quallifying group.
Because the Asians (arabs) dont want them. I wonder why Kasakhstan is in the Europe group.
Have you ever looked at a map of the area if so you wouldn't call the asian (being in africa and all)

Who are in Africa? Israel? Kasakhstan?

Neither are. Israel is next to Africa but not in it.

And Israel didn't win either.

And why hate seeing Israel win? I don't want to get political here but many Jews were based in Europe until the horrific events of WWII which is why they were given a new home and I guess why they are still counted as European.

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 27 Mar 2005, 15:09

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:
Matchfixer wrote:
Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote: But why should these privileged motherfuckers be showcased on national telly?
Because some people like the boat race and these priveleged motherfuckers are talented athletes.
A lot more people like fishing but I don't see that getting loads of hype on national terrestrial TV.

Talented athletes certainly, but why should they be on telly just because they are in an Oxbridge sports team?

Why don't they show Loughborough uni hockey team, for example?

I laughed at your fishing comment. True I guess but isn't that like watching paint dry (Still better than rowing I can hear you saying). Better if doing than watching...

And I also agree with you Loughborough Uni example. Hadn't thought of it like that. I guess the history of the event and the interest keep it on television. And it is only on for about an hour or so once a year if you include pre and post race analysis. Not that offensive is it?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 27 Mar 2005, 18:12

I quite like watching the boat race, don't know why really - tradition. The thing that p's me off about it, is that these guys are in the university primarily because of their rowing ability and are on some scholarship. It would be nice to see non-elite athletes in the boat race who didn't earn so athletic scholarship and where just some of the most educated youngsters in this country who did rowing as a sideline.

ABA Boxing · Post by **ABA Boxing** » 27 Mar 2005, 20:34

I heard the Irish were happy after the England game. They thought after scoring 2 goals it was a draw!

states · Post by **states** » 27 Mar 2005, 20:58

In fairness, the boat race is a massive thing for those involved. It's not a University contest, it's the equivalent of a major international race these days. And they all train accordingly, so I don't think your average undergraduate could find the time to fit hours of intensive training in around studying as well. Obviously, some do. (The grand total of 2 this year, I believe), and I know Pinsent was a student rather than ringer when he rowed. The point is, it's not some contest like the BUSA hockey finals, it's a major part of that sports calender. The international viewing figures are pretty damn high I heard.

That said, I still hate the thing. In fact, I'm no fan of the whole Oxbridge thing. The Varsity match, for example, is just as much of a sham as the boat race. And, off on a tangent, why are Oxford and Cambridge allowed to enter all their individual colleges in University Challenge, eh? Everyone else only gets the one shot. Elitest shite, I tell you.

Note: I didn't go to Oxford or Cambridge, strangely enough........

liamlion · Post by **liamlion** » 28 Mar 2005, 06:47

Matchfixer wrote:
josh fg wrote:
Freiheit wrote: Because the Asians (arabs) dont want them. I wonder why Kasakhstan is in the Europe group.
Have you ever looked at a map of the area if so you wouldn't call the asian (being in africa and all)
Who are in Africa? Israel? Kasakhstan?

Neither are. Israel is next to Africa but not in it.

And Israel didn't win either.

And why hate seeing Israel win? I don't want to get political here but many Jews were based in Europe until the horrific events of WWII which is why they were given a new home and I guess why they are still counted as European.

Israel is in the continent of Asia. Fact.

Matchfixer · Post by **Matchfixer** » 28 Mar 2005, 17:15

liamlion wrote:
Matchfixer wrote:
josh fg wrote:I was glad to see England play well as a team although the result was to be expected. I do hate seeing Israel win though.. why are they in the europian quallifying group....
Have you ever looked at a map of the area if so you wouldn't call the asian (being in africa and all)
Who are in Africa? Israel? Kasakhstan?

Neither are. Israel is next to Africa but not in it.

And Israel didn't win either.

And why hate seeing Israel win? I don't want to get political here but many Jews were based in Europe until the horrific events of WWII which is why they were given a new home and I guess why they are still counted as European.
Israel is in the continent of Asia. Fact.

Yes (Did I say otherwise?)