Link: Dutch speedskating coach: US football 'sucks'

[Boo Radley]

I think Hans Brinker has wandered up and down the back streets of Amsterdam for too long.

 

[edwd58]

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world in much the same way Wal-mart is the most popular department store in America, so that's not really saying much. And they both suck.

One nice thing about having an opinion, you're not required to know anything about the subject in order to speak on it. It's part of what makes America great!

 

[twofbyc]

What little American Football this guy has seen was problem during NFL Europe. To be true, I have to admit when I first saw American football I considered it "sissy football". As I gained knowledge of the sport, and understood why the players stopped to talk about it (the huddle) during the game and the rules of the game, I started to thoroughly enjoy the game. I have been an Alabama fan since 1980 when I moved to the south.

Have to admit, I also have have a deep passion for what ya'll call soccer but its official name is "Association Football" and was invented by the English. I get just as much out of a 'soccer' game featuring my favorite team, Manchester City (and any team that beats Man United or Chelsea), as I do watched the Crimson Tide roll over its opponents.

What I am really saying is that the Dutch skating coach is not so much a jerk as some of you might think, but he is coming from a foreign opposite perspective when viewing American Football. He watches Erdivisie, the European Cup and the World Cup later this year and in winter, when the canals are frozen, he probably speed skates to the games. He has very little exposure to the NFL or college game. Once I understood the rules and tactics, I love American Football and this guy doesn't. I'm sure I would enjoy ice hockey if I really understood the rules like my nephews do in Canada.

I have come to be able to tolerate hockey and I still don't understand all the rules, because there have been leagues form down here in the south. But I have yet to see a speed skating rink anywhere. Not into it, don't care about it...just like he doesn't care about football.
I had a lot of friends that worked in Holland back in the late 70's - early 80's, and the Dutch hate Americans. His comments were born out of an intense dislike, so, yeah, I still think he is a jerk.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

I don't enjoy watching people run around for 3 to 4 hours only to end in a 0-0 tie.

 

[dadleyblane5]

Why would we care what this moron thinks anyway?

 

[PacadermaTideUs]

Seriously? From a country that's famous for ice skating, tulips, windmills and dykes? Whatever Johan...

 

[Al A Bama]

I don't enjoy watching people run around for 3 to 4 hours only to end in a 0-0 tie.

I totally agree. Soccer has to be the most boring game to watch. Now, I do like to watch my grand kids play but they are so young, they don't know what they are doing. It may be fun to play, but I just can't see being a paying customer to watch something so boring. It's enough to make you get some zzzzzzzzzz's.

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

Medals so far: US 25, Netherlands, 22
Sports other than speed/short track skating those medals won in: US 7, Netherlands, 0

So, which country is overly focused on one sport?

 

[B1GTide]

Medals so far: US 25, Netherlands, 22
Sports other than speed/short track skating those medals won in: US 7, Netherlands, 0

So, which country is overly focused on one sport?

I am going off topic, but I didn't realize that all of their medals so far this year were in speed skating.

Still, that is pretty impressive given the size and population of the country.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I am going off topic, but I didn't realize that all of their medals so far this year were in speed skating.

Still, that is pretty impressive given the size and population of the country.

Just shows what can occur when you're willing to place all your eggs in one basket. Per capita, Norway probably has everyone beaten hands down - and they don't just specialize in one sport...

 

[colbysullivan]

Jillert Anema "US football sucks"

Me "Your last name is Anema"

I think it's safe to say I won that argument

 

[Capt. Jack]

One nice thing about having an opinion, you're not required to know anything about the subject in order to speak on it. It's part of what makes America great!

At which Wal-mart do you work?

 

[CrimsonPaul]

You have to excuse that guy, probably sleeps with his ice skates. I had to get involved with soccer to like it in fact I was a center ref of the first complete game I ever saw, LOL. I went on to do youth, high school, college and regional games, probably did 350+ games. Since I stopped I rarely watch a game but dern it kept me in shape! Anyway, you just about have to grow up playing or around a sport to really enjoy it.

 

[AgentAntiOrange]

In the context of competing internationally in sports with a small following and little money to go around, he is correct. We put virtually no money or emphasis into speed skating and that, obviously, hurts our competitive ability against nations that do emphasize sports like this. He's also right that our obsession with football does nothing to further our over all competitiveness in Olympic Sports.

The thing is....like it or not.....arrogance or not....we just don't especially care about the Olympics or speed skating. You can beat us in every single Olympic sport from now until the end of time and we may or may not cry about it in that moment....but once football starts again in the fall we won't care.

As to whats sucks or doesn't.....that's just subjective opinion and there can be no winner to that argument so it's a waste of time discussing it.

 

[B1GTide]

Just shows what can occur when you're willing to place all your eggs in one basket. Per capita, Norway probably has everyone beaten hands down - and they don't just specialize in one sport...

Yeah - pretty amazing for a country with only 5 million people.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Yeah - pretty amazing for a country with only 5 million people.

Physical fitness and healthy lifestyle are carried almost to a fetish there, although I could say the same for Swedes and even Danes, both of whom cut a much narrower swath in either the summer or winter games...

 

[CHATTBRIT]

I don't enjoy watching people run around for 3 to 4 hours only to end in a 0-0 tie.

FYI a soccer game has two 45 minute halves with 15 minute half time. If that adds up to 3-4 hours, then I think you must have gone to Auburn.

 

[G-VilleTider]

FYI a soccer game has two 45 minute halves with 15 minute half time. If that adds up to 3-4 hours, then I think you must have gone to Auburn.

Believe me, to a non soccer fan, a single 45 minute half easily feels like 3-4 hours.

 

[twofbyc]

Physical fitness and healthy lifestyle are carried almost to a fetish there, although I could say the same for Swedes and even Danes, both of whom cut a much narrower swath in either the summer or winter games...

They all usually cut a much narrower swath in the summer games. The top five finishers in the summer games don't much resemble the top five finishers in the winter games, except for US and Russia; and even Russia is not that great anymore in summer games. Germany, Australia, maybe, but no Norway, Sweden or Finland to speak of (outside of sculls)...I wonder why...:conf3:

 

[TIDE-HSV]

They all usually cut a much narrower swath in the summer games. The top five finishers in the summer games don't much resemble the top five finishers in the winter games, except for US, Russia and China; and even Russia is not that great anymore in summer games. Germany, Australia, maybe, but no Norway, Sweden or Finland to speak of (outside of sculls)...I wonder why...:conf3:

Also in summer sports like tennis, etc. However, there is the matter of those puzzling Swedish golfers... :conf3: