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Champions League bigger than the World Cup...

24

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    OPENROAD wrote: »
    Personally CL or not, it makes no difference for me, what you describe with the country being united is how I feel about my club week in week out, which is why I'm a st holder. I'm very passionite about my club for a number of reasons,the players, the fans,the city.

    Can't see why people are getting upset.

    I'm certainly not upset. I would just put national pride before multinational pride in terms of which is bigger.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,415 ✭✭✭Racing Flat


    Because one is annual and one is every 4 years, we're not comparing like with like. While the WC is great, if it was on every year, watching Iran against Paraguay might get a bit tedious.

    What makes the WC such a great experience is that we are all supporting the same team. So we celebrate together, we comisserate together. If Liverpool beat Inter Milan half of us are delighted, half are peeved...If Liverpool were playing Man U in the CL final I don't think I could go out to watch it because it would be too much to bear if Man U won. Too much tension, fear of failure. That's not as bad when we're all on the same side.

    Remember 1990 after the matches everyone out on the streets celebrating together, because we're all in it together you feel part of it, part of one team. Like Con Houlihan said - 'I missed Italia 90 as I was in Italy'.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    I'm certainly not upset. I would just put national pride before multinational pride in terms of which is bigger.

    which is fair enough and I respect that, but not for me.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭estebancambias


    No, OpenRoad I respect your love for your club, but.....

    ....the players? Do you think hand on heart, Cesc really cares about Arsenal?

    Do you think if Willie was offered an extra 10k by AC Milan, he would stay with the Gunners out of pure love for the club?

    The fans? What do your share in common with them, that you can't with Irish fans?

    The City? Rome or Dublin would be a tough choice for me, I like both the cities, but even if I favoured Rome it wouldn't mean I care more about Roma winning the Champions League.

    Once again I'm just interested.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    No, OpenRoad I respect your love for your club, but.....

    ....the players? Do you think hand on heart, Cesc really cares about Arsenal?

    Do you think if Willie was offered an extra 10k by AC Milan, he would stay with the Gunners out of pure love for the club?

    The fans? What do your share in common with them, that you can't with Irish fans?

    The City? Rome or Dublin would be a tough choice for me, I like both the cities, but even if I favoured Rome it wouldn't mean I care more about Roma winning the Champions League.

    Have to say a very fair point regarding the players, of course Cesc will move on one day just like everyone eventually does. But some International players feel the same, if they really cared why take early retirement and play on for years with their clubs.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    OPENROAD wrote: »
    Have to say a very fair point regarding the players, of course Cesc will move on one day just like everyone eventually does. But some International players feel the same, if they really cared why take early retirement and play on for years with their clubs.

    Money. That's the way the game has gone.

    I support the national team as a whole, no matter who pulls on the green (or green and gold if it's Australia) jersey. I do the same for my club. It is a very fine line between the two though I will admit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,097 ✭✭✭✭Tusky


    PHB wrote: »
    The CL has better teams, better matches, better eeverything.
    What it doesn't have is that it's spread out over the year, not over a 4 week period. If the CL was at the end of every season, it'd be an amazing event.

    Very good point. The world cup is great because its a festival of football. There is constantly matches on and everyone is excited about it. If the Champions League was spread over 6 weeks it would be just as entertaining.

    Still, there is a certain magic in the World Cup that cant be replicated.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭estebancambias


    OPENROAD wrote: »
    Have to say a very fair point regarding the players, of course Cesc will move on one day just like everyone eventually does. But some International players feel the same, if they really cared why take early retirement and play on for years with their clubs.

    Yeah you're right. As you said before we can agree to disagree.;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    Yeah you're right. As you said before we can agree to disagree.;)

    Sounds good to me ;):)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭estebancambias


    I didn't know how to respond about your point about the players retiring early so I took the easy option. As you said playing for your country is not the be all and end all, especially not any more.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,044 ✭✭✭Sqaull20


    Champions league is getting kinda boring imo, it doesnt give me the same buzz as the World Cup, especially when we are in it...

    As much a I liked Arsenal beating Villareal a few years ago to get to the final, it couldnt compare to ous beating Italy/taking Spain the whole way.

    I can only imagine what it would have been like if we had met Zizou's France, Ronnie's Brazil, Beckhams England...

    The champions league doesnt have that and its getting boring...


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 10,259 ✭✭✭✭Melion


    The reason i would choose Liverpool is simple, i love watching Liverpool. All this bollox about emotional connection to Ireland really annoys me. I cant stand watching Ireland anymore, i went to every home game for 9-10 years but nowadays i cant even watch them on TV. Why would i care if we win the World Cup? It would be an excuse for the GAA and Rugby fans to throw on a 1990 or 94 world cup shirt and get píssed in the streets confessing their love for the team and how they have always loved football.

    At least if im watching a Liverpool game, i know the people im watching it feel the same as me about the team. They have been through the highs (2005 CL) and the lows (1990-??? in the league) just like i have. They've had to put up with the same grief ive got from United supporting mates for years on end. They arent just there to get drunk, sing a few songs, take a few days off work and then go on about their lives as if nothing happened. They are real fans.

    People are saying it would be great for everyone if we won the world cup because everyone would be there to celebrate, you think its a good thing. Id absolutely hate it. Even in 2002 you could see it, all the people who'd never seen a game in their lives running around with their brand new Ireland shirts just off the hanger trying to talk football with people and just embarassing themselves.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Melion wrote: »
    The reason i would choose Liverpool is simple, i love watching Liverpool. All this bollox about emotional connection to Ireland really annoys me. I cant stand watching Ireland anymore, i went to every home game for 9-10 years but nowadays i cant even watch them on TV. Why would i care if we win the World Cup? It would be an excuse for the GAA and Rugby fans to throw on a 1990 or 94 world cup shirt and get píssed in the streets confessing their love for the team and how they have always loved football.

    At least if im watching a Liverpool game, i know the people im watching it feel the same as me about the team. They have been through the highs (2005 CL) and the lows (1990-??? in the league) just like i have. They've had to put up with the same grief ive got from United supporting mates for years on end. They arent just there to get drunk, sing a few songs, take a few days off work and then go on about their lives as if nothing happened. They are real fans.

    People are saying it would be great for everyone if we won the world cup because everyone would be there to celebrate, you think its a good thing. Id absolutely hate it. Even in 2002 you could see it, all the people who'd never seen a game in their lives running around with their brand new Ireland shirts just off the hanger trying to talk football with people and just embarassing themselves.

    And the bandwagon jumping doesn't happen with club teams......say United in the 90s and now Chelsea?


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 10,259 ✭✭✭✭Melion


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    And the bandwagon jumping doesn't happen with club teams......say United in the 90s and now Chelsea?

    Its bad enough when its a few people wearing different tracksuits, imagine a full country of it. It would drive me mad.

    You could even see it a few years ago in the rugby when Ireland were doing well and down here when Munster started performing in europe. I wont comment too much because its not my place, but a friend of mine from Limerick has been going to see Munster for years and he is the same as me, hates the bandwagon jumpers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Melion wrote: »
    Its bad enough when its a few people wearing different tracksuits, imagine a full country of it. It would drive me mad.

    In the 90s it was a full country wearing United tracksuits and it did drive me mad but you get over it.
    Melion wrote: »
    You could even see it a few years ago in the rugby when Ireland were doing well and down here when Munster started performing in europe. I wont comment too much because its not my place, but a friend of mine from Limerick has been going to see Munster for years and he is the same as me, hates the bandwagon jumpers.

    To be fair though, how are people naturally attracted to something? Success, whether on a large or small scale. We can't all come from a background where our Dad had us in a certain team's jersey before we were even out of the womb.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,097 ✭✭✭✭Tusky


    Melion wrote: »
    People are saying it would be great for everyone if we won the world cup because everyone would be there to celebrate, you think its a good thing. Id absolutely hate it. Even in 2002 you could see it, all the people who'd never seen a game in their lives running around with their brand new Ireland shirts just off the hanger trying to talk football with people and just embarassing themselves.

    I dont understand this attitude. I have always watched and played a lot of football and its one of my biggest hobbies. I dont consider it to be an elitest sport though. So what if people that dont normally watch football get excited when Ireland do well. Why does that bother you ? There are always going to be different levels of supporters. Some go to every game, some go to an odd game, some watch every match, some watch the odd match & some only really take an interest when their country does well. The excitement is infectious and I dont see a problem with it. In fact, I like it.

    It kind of reminds me of the scenario when a band becomes really popular. You always get a bunch of annoying music snobs saying 'I liked them before they were big...I was there from the beginning man'. Twats.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 10,259 ✭✭✭✭Melion


    Tusky wrote: »
    I dont understand this attitude. I have always watched and played a lot of football and its one of my biggest hobbies. I dont consider it to be an elitest sport though. So what if people that dont normally watch football get excited when Ireland do well. Why does that bother you ? There are always going to be different levels of supporters. Some go to every game, some go to an odd game, some watch every match, some watch the odd match & some only really take an interest when their country does well. The excitement is infectious.

    It really doesnt bother me. In fact, I like it.

    Thats the bit that bothers me. Its just my opinion on this, i know people wont like it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,097 ✭✭✭✭Tusky


    Melion wrote: »
    Thats the bit that bothers me. Its just my opinion on this, i know people wont like it.

    Its an opinion that is shared by many, you are not alone. Some people just dont find football interesting enough to follow a team or watch it week in week out but get caught up in the excitement of the world cup. More dedicated football fans shouldn't look down on them.

    I'm the same with Rubgy. I watch all the big competitions but dont know much about it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,894 ✭✭✭Nunu


    Melion wrote: »
    The reason i would choose Liverpool is simple, i love watching Liverpool. All this bollox about emotional connection to Ireland really annoys me. I cant stand watching Ireland anymore, i went to every home game for 9-10 years but nowadays i cant even watch them on TV. Why would i care if we win the World Cup? It would be an excuse for the GAA and Rugby fans to throw on a 1990 or 94 world cup shirt and get píssed in the streets confessing their love for the team and how they have always loved football.

    At least if im watching a Liverpool game, i know the people im watching it feel the same as me about the team. They have been through the highs (2005 CL) and the lows (1990-??? in the league) just like i have. They've had to put up with the same grief ive got from United supporting mates for years on end. They arent just there to get drunk, sing a few songs, take a few days off work and then go on about their lives as if nothing happened. They are real fans.

    People are saying it would be great for everyone if we won the world cup because everyone would be there to celebrate, you think its a good thing. Id absolutely hate it. Even in 2002 you could see it, all the people who'd never seen a game in their lives running around with their brand new Ireland shirts just off the hanger trying to talk football with people and just embarassing themselves.

    Melion, it seems to me you are just supressing any joy to be had with following a successful Irish team just because you don't like the band wagoning that goes with it?
    Seriously, why get worked up about it?

    I'm actually finding it hard to believe all the posters who say they don't care if Ireland say won the World Cup. Originally I was going to say I don't believe you, but I've read all your arguments and it seems you honestly feel this way. I can't get my head around it - if you love football and you're Irish how could you not possibly get a buzz out of your country doing well?

    It's ridiculous reasoning it all out and being bitter about - 'the players don't care anymore, the fans are muppets' etc etc....just enjoy it for yourself.

    I'm a massive Utd fan, but I distinguish between that and Ireland. Following your country is wholly different and seperate. You shouldn't have to make a chioce....I actually always thought it was conditional with everyone, but I'm obviously wrong.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,953 ✭✭✭✭kryogen


    the arguement made about it is that the standard of play is better in the champions league and all the talent from around the globe is mixed together and because its on every year it gets more exposure, more discussion and is generally thought of as the pinnacle of the sport of football, the way the world cup once was

    the world cup is a totally different animal imo, it doesnt have the same quality of football i think, but it has a greater level of excitement to it that we irish fans dont get to experience very much, i remember how it felt in 94, i remember even better my excitement in 2002 even though it was tainted a little by "the incident"

    it brings whole countries together, national pride rises and i dont think the champions league will ever replace the feeling of your country being in the world cup

    apologies if its a bit rambly, tiredness is setting in


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    kryogen wrote: »
    the world cup is a totally different animal imo, it doesnt have the same quality of football i think, but it has a greater level of excitement to it that we irish fans dont get to experience very much, i remember how it felt in 94, i remember even better my excitement in 2002 even though it was tainted a little by "the incident"

    I agree. I mean how did the hell did Kilbane slice that wide? :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 25,953 ✭✭✭✭kryogen


    Xavi6 wrote: »
    I agree. I mean how did the hell did Kilbane slice that wide? :D



    lol yeah shocking wasnt it!!:D:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 17,122 ✭✭✭✭Nalz


    Nunu wrote: »
    Melion, it seems to me you are just supressing any joy to be had with following a successful Irish team just because you don't like the band wagoning that goes with it?
    Seriously, why get worked up about it?

    I'm actually finding it hard to believe all the posters who say they don't care if Ireland say won the World Cup. Originally I was going to say I don't believe you, but I've read all your arguments and it seems you honestly feel this way. I can't get my head around it - if you love football and you're Irish how could you not possibly get a buzz out of your country doing well?

    It's ridiculous reasoning it all out and being bitter about - 'the players don't care anymore, the fans are muppets' etc etc....just enjoy it for yourself.

    I'm a massive Utd fan, but I distinguish between that and Ireland. Following your country is wholly different and seperate. You shouldn't have to make a chioce....I actually always thought it was conditional with everyone, but I'm obviously wrong.

    Well said. Even from a non sporting perspective, the country would benefit from it vastly. If you love the sport so much, and the people out on that pitch are respesenting your country souly, shouldn't you be delighted that they won regardless of wheather or not there was bandwagon jumpers around?

    Im one of the biggest Man United fans around, and God forbid if Liverpool win the CL again (cas I won't be able to turn on my phone even though I dont dislike Liverpool) but I 100 times rather if Ireland won the World Cup. Everyone united in joy in this country for starters...Cotton jumbers, wooly jumpers and bandwagon jumpers alike.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 10,259 ✭✭✭✭Melion


    Jesus, people not allowed to have preferences on here anymore?

    I would take Liverpool winning the CL every single time over Ireland winning the World Cup, and as for the Premiership......


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,224 ✭✭✭✭SantryRed


    Teams can do bad in the league and still qualify for the Champions League. e.g. Liverpool
    Teams can do bad in qualifying for the World Cup and they most likely will not qualify.

    And with the World Cup being on every four years, it makes it better than the Champions League.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,097 ✭✭✭✭Tusky


    SantryRed wrote: »
    Teams can do bad in the league and still qualify for the Champions League. e.g. Liverpool
    Teams can do bad in qualifying for the World Cup and they most likely will not qualify.

    And with the World Cup being on every four years, it makes it better than the Champions League.

    3rd in the premier league isnt exactly bad to be fair. They are competing with top class opposition (Chelsea, United, Arsenal).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭shane86


    Melion wrote: »
    Jesus, people not allowed to have preferences on here anymore?

    I would take Liverpool winning the CL every single time over Ireland winning the World Cup, and as for the Premiership......

    You are allowed to have a preference, but dont be baffled if people cant get over why you would rather see a foreign team of players from all over Europe and beyond lift a domestic title in another country. If an Irishman told you they are a diehard fan of a team in the Lituhanian second division and their happiest ever moment in their life was when they saw them reach the finals of the division 2 league, would you think it was odd?

    An Ireland match simply has more in common with everyone here. They sing our anthem. They play in our colour. The stadium is full of tricolours. Does watching 11 men stand still while the formaility of getting the champions league anthem out of the way really get you as excited? Yes, there are bandwagon jumpers, but who cares really. Nearly every football fan under a certain age is a bandwagoner. Really: a 7 year old boy may say Man U is his fave team and its all he cares about, but how many 7 year olds will sit for 90 minutes to watch them play Derby? In fact a majority of fans of prem teams from my experience only bother watching

    Clashes between the big 4
    Local/regional Derbys.
    Grudge matches (Man U v Arsenal back in the Keane days)
    Latter stages of the CL


    Rugby seems to be the biggest bandwagoner sport in recent years. Is it just me or even 8 years ago did barely anyone watch it? Ever since they started playing it in croker the whole country has an opinion on it (just doesnt excite me personally tbh, Ive tried but it just cant beat the thrill of an Ireland win in a qualifier)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    Personally I think I'd prefer Ireland to win the World Cup more than United to win the CL, however I'd prefer United to win the Treble more than I'd prefer Ireland to win the World Cup.

    The CL isn't anywhere near as special as a world cup, but the treble is just as, if not more, special than the world cup.

    I'll always feel more attached to MUFC than I will to the Irish National Football team.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,692 ✭✭✭✭OPENROAD


    shane86 wrote: »
    An Ireland match simply has more in common with everyone here. They sing our anthem. They play in our colour. The stadium is full of tricolours.


    Don't get excited by any of that to be honest.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    They sing our anthem. They play in our colour. The stadium is full of tricolours.

    Last match I was at. There was not one person in the twenty people around me who knew the words.
    They play in our colour, so do other teams.
    The stadium is not full of tricolours at all, infact its full people who get annoyed at any sort of real singing, and who's biggest thrill in these games came from the kids starting the mexican wave in the corner.


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