Sunday 29 June 2014

The Wee Cup, 2014.

You may have noted that there's a bit of a sporting tournament going on in Brazil.  The World Cup is a celebration of what's been called, "the beautiful game".  I might call it, "football."  You you might call it, "soccer."

Folks who aren't that much into football or soccer, find themselves watching this spectacle with a mildly curious fascination.  I suppose it's somewhat like people who don't really follow baseball will watch the World Series. 


Living in Britain has given me full appreciation of just how much football means to them.  Football could be considered bordering on a tribal obsession.  It even seems to be to the point of irrational hatred for a certain team.  For instance, if you were to meet a Liverpool fan and told them you supported Manchester United, this can cause a heated debate as to which team is better.  I'm very careful in my discussions about football.


Football has all sorts of strange terms to describe the game.  Here are a few things I have noted from listening to football commentary.  The goalie is commanding in the box and the opposition are having trouble penetrating his box due to the fact that the sweeper is dribbling the ball off the line.  From there, the sweeper dummies his opponent and back heels the ball to the goalie who lobs it out to the attacking midfielder who nutmegs the other team's right back and makes a slide rule pass to the striker who thinks of taking a chip shot but decides to dink the goalie who ends up letting in a howler.  The referee disallows the goal because the winger was in an offside position.


Yes indeed, I've heard the commentators talk about man-to man marking and zonal marking.  They talk about yellow cards and red cards.  Heck, they even mention free kicks, bicycle kicks and scissor kicks.  So I sit there very confused listening to all this weird and puzzling football terminology.  Here are a couple of often used observations made by the commentators. "They played them off the park!" Oh really?  So they played them off the park, proceeded to go down the back streets outside the stadium with the eventual outcome, a rip-roaring time and a sing-along with a group of wandering minstrels at The White Lion pub. "They're scoring goals for fun!"  What?!  Like they would be scoring goals for sadness. 

It seems like just about everybody is caught up in World Cup 'fever'.  The wee folks even wanted to have their own football event, The Wee Cup, 2014.  One of the wee folks had heard that there was someone called a "sweeper'"on the football field and took the meaning quite literally. You may note that in the top photograph. 

 Penny, our beautiful Jack Russell, fancied a go at football, the beautiful game.  Of course, she would call it 'pawsball'.   Maybe she can get one of her doggy friends to play in goal and let in a howler.

131 comments:

  1. I'm all for seeing Penny play a game of Pawsball!
    I'm not a soccer fan, but I have been watching the games. It's like the Olympics. I wouldn't watch downhill skiing all the time, but once every four years is cool.

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    Replies
    1. Hey Alex,

      Penny wonders if you would play in goal.

      Exactly. When something sporting wise seems to be important to a lot of folks you get caught up in the frenzy. During the Olympics, I start watching sports I would never usually watch. Rhythmic gymnastics, perhaps!

      Gary

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  2. Yay for Penny ! I bet Pawsball is as cool if not cooler than Soccer.

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    1. Hi Munir,

      Pawsball played in the snow is definitely cooler than soccer :)

      Gary

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  3. Penny would totally rock the Pawsball cup!
    I haven't heard the term 'nutmeg' before!!
    I rarely watch soccer outside of the World Cup - but during the Cup it's so much fun! :)

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    Replies
    1. Hey Jemi,

      Penny is going to be the star of the Pawsball Cup! :)
      Nutmeg is a funny word for football. Brazil nuts, I could understand.
      World cup fever, eh!

      Gary :)

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  4. Penny's "not so excited" expression mirror's mine whenever I have to watch any ball game.

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    1. Hi Arleen,

      Penny was having a great time. You don't have to watch any ball game. You can read my posts instead! I'm kidding.

      Gary :)

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  5. I don't understand the rules or the terms. But I'd totally watch Penny play!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Diane,

      I don't understand all those writer acronyms :) Penny would love you to watch her play! :)

      Delete
  6. You're mentioning terms here that I'm sure are important, but I haven't a clue what they are. Not exactly a big sports fan here! However...Pawsball sounds like the perfect sport - or should we say purrfect? Or pawfect? At any rate, Go Team Penny!!

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    1. Hey Kim,

      I haven't a clue what they mean either :) I know you're not much of a sports fan. So no mention of the Chicago Black Hawks. Pawsball pawfection pawhaps.

      Team Penny is cheering for CindyLu to play on her team. Yay! :)

      Gary :)

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  7. I'm sure Penny would be quite good at Pawsball!

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    1. Hi Sherry,

      Penny is the captain of the Pawsball team! :)

      Gary :)

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  8. Penny just might win Pawsball and have a ball, hmm redundant there? Oh well, what the hell.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hi Pat in the Hatt,

      Having a ball with Pawsball
      The thrill of it all
      What the hello
      Don't you know.

      Gary :)

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  9. Quite awesome...and this sound interesting...

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hey May,

      Great comment! Thanks for sharing!

      Gary :)

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  10. I'm not a fan of soccer, or futbol as how some countries write it, but I have watched some of it. I didn't like the biting incident that happened. After that, I didn't watch, especially after hearing the FIFA decision over the biter. Goodluck to the U.S. team.

    Sonnia

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    1. Hi Sonnia,

      Ah yes, Mr. Suarez. The man has some serious issues. I know he got a four month football related ban. Not good enough. Good luck to Belgium! :)

      Gary :)

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  11. I don't care who plays or who wins. Pawsball would have to be an improvement. And much better behaved too.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sue,

      Okay. Pawsball is the pawfect solution.

      Gary :)

      Delete
  12. "...bordering on a tribal obsession..." Ohmygosh, yes! That's how people get with certain sports. For Canadians, it's hockey. Hockey season is our national obsession. And people get pretty heated up when it's the playoffs. I'd rather watch Penny play pawsball. It would probably be more entertaining.

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    1. Hi Martha,

      Being Canadian and coming from Vancouver, I know all too well what you mean. Ever noticed that some folks only watch hockey during the playoffs, eh? :) Hockey Night in Canada!

      Pawsball is the way forward :)

      Gary :)

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  13. In my opinion, all soccer players should be given skates, sticks and helmets and sent to the nearest (artificial) ice rink. Now THAT would be worth watching!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Debra,

      Well, it already happened, eh. George Gillett and Tom Hicks, both involved in hockey, once owned Liverpool football club. It was surreal watching soccer players on skates.

      Gary :)

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    2. Hi Happy Whisk,

      Yes, Debra was funny. And me being from Canada, eh. Knows all about it! :)

      Gary :)

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    3. She is a funny girl, for sure.

      Delete
    4. And so are you, The Happy Whisk, a nice BLEND of humour, or "humor."

      Delete
  14. When dogs play the 'beautiful? game' it is known as slobber ball. I'll bet Penny would be really good at it.

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    1. Hi Delores,

      Yes it's certainly slobber ball. Penny is very good at "dribbling" the ball! :)

      Gary :)

      Delete
  15. I think you nailed it with "tribal obsession", Gary! I still can't get used to calling it "soccer" this side of the pond. The Brits called it "football" long before the Americans hijacked the name!

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    1. Hi Ian,

      Oh yeah, that tribal obsession can be rather worrying. I recall being at work meeting and was wearing a t-shirt that had "Chelsea" displayed on it. This one guy, a Manchester United supporter, started yelling and screaming at me. Now what about that Canadian "Football" League!

      Gary :)

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  16. I expect my ol' man would understand it all, he used to be a keen football player many years ago. Doesn't watch it nowadays though. Now I would love to see a game of Pawsball sounds like fun.

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    1. Hi Jo,

      I'm sure your husband understands all that weird football terminology. Pawsball is full of barking mad players :)

      Gary :)

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  17. Dear Sir Gazza,

    I enjoyed that, yes I did. Thanks for the smiles because I do not hear many of those quaint-isms this side of the pond :)

    Have a great rest of the EngUland-free World Cup :)

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    1. Dear Sir Mazza,

      I reckon that brought back memories for y'all :)

      Thank heavens England is out of the World Cup! Yay Belgium! Oops :)

      Gary :)

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  18. Not much of a footie fan myself although I have taken a peek at what's been going on in the cup final, partly because it always seems to be on when I wander into the living room in the evening! Think I much rather watch the wee folk or Penny play though!

    Love the new header photo, Gary. Very serene and calming.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Suzanne,

      There's no escaping footie these days. I wonder if you dare grab the remote control and see what else is on! :) Penny, the wee folks and Pawsball. What a game!

      Delighted you like the new header photo. Thank you, Suzanne.

      Gary :)

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  19. Hello Gary,

    Is there a football game going on somewhere?!

    Unfortunately, even without a television and even without ever glancing at a sports page, we cannot pretend that we do not know about what is happening in Brazil. It seems to us as if the World Cup could really be about world domination..........make football not war.....but, on occasions, it seems that war and football look to be very much alike.

    Penny looks to be playing a rather gentler game and, for our own part, we should prefer a round of Tiddlywinks instead of all this footie nonsense. Can there be an Alternative World Cup next time? Penny could be Team Captain!

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    1. Hello Jane and Lance,

      Evidently there is.

      Good analogy. Some of the inane tribal aspects does make it comparable to some sort of war. It would be nice if sports was one of the factors to bring a better understanding of the diversity in our world.

      Full contact Tiddlywinks can be a bit of an eye-opener. It's been years since I partook in that game. I could of be a pro at that game. The Pawsball Wee Cup, pawhaps, um, perhaps!

      Gary :)

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  20. The football has been great, the commentators are annoying - especially on one of the channels. The term that annoys me is: the striker is asking the question...

    For the record, no one is asking questions, they are kicking a ball, which may or may not be saved by the keeper! Enjoy the next couple of football weeks :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Annalisa,

      The football has been almost exciting. The commentators are starting to commentate like Americans! HELP.

      I love you going literal. The striker is asking questions of the goalie, apparently. Ah yes, I might watch some of the football event! :) I can now officially say, yay Belgium!

      Gary :)

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  21. What? What? A World Cup? When? Where?

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    1. Hi River,

      Australia. Right now!

      Gary :)

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  22. I am having a ball (LOL!) with this World Cup at the moment! Totally open and who knows who'll win?!! But I think pawsball should be global event too! :-) Take care
    x

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    1. Hi Old Kitty,

      I bet the ball is actually a ball of string! :) The team that wins the seventh game they play in is going to be the winner. Pawsball has a place for a cat or two :)

      Gary :)
      x

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  23. Hi Gary and Penny - yes I'd come for a walk and play pawsball with you .. but that thing over the equator .. can be missed out - every four years is too often!!!! But then we have overdose throughout the year anyway ... I'm a killjoy!!

    But I do enjoy yellow softer smaller balls whacked with a racquet for 2 weeks .. now that's entertaining ... and is only for 2 weeks every year .. not 50 weeks of the year ..

    Cheers and enjoy the lovely summer days - though perhaps you've had downpours - we could do with some rain here ... but I'm enjoying the sun .. just need a Penny to play ball with ..... Hilary

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    Replies
    1. Hi Hilary,

      Pawsball could always use more pawticipants, sorry, participants. You are right, every four years is too often. Same with the winter and summer Olympics, then.

      Ah yes, the game where the umpire shouts, "new balls, please!"

      Very little rain here either. Twas a nice, sunny day. Hope you find a Penny to play ball with.

      Gary :)

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  24. Replies
    1. Hi The Happy Whisk,

      Thank you and Penny loves the picture of you! :)

      Gary :)

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  25. The Wee Cup might just take off and become a world-wide thing. Being in the US, I haven't had a lot of exposure to how beloved soccer is in Europe. But now that my fiancee is German, and I will be living there, I am trying to learn as much about it as I can :)

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    1. Hi Keith,

      The Wee Cup will take over from the World Cup. Soccer has gone big time in the USA right now. Well up until they got knocked out by Belgium. Soldier Field in Chicago was packed out to watch the game on the big screen. You will be amazed at how passionate football fans are in Europe. Ah Germany versus France. See what happens in that one.

      Gary :)

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  26. 'nutmegs' - hahahaha. Great post, well said that man, and I hope Penny scores some fine goals! :)

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    1. Hi Michelle,

      I once got nutmegged. Ouch! Goal post, perhaps :) Penny will score plenty of goals as the goalie dog lets in a howler or three.

      Gary :)

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  27. You know you've got a successful game on your hands when the wee folk join in. What team spirit. What dedication. Then Penny, too.

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    1. Hi Lee,

      Indeed you do. Although the game on your hands is against the rules, I've been told. Penny and Pawsball. Rah Rah Rah! :)

      Gary :)

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  28. I have tried so, so hard to like soccer over the years. I liked my high school team but only b/c I had a crush on all the players. Even in my Anglophile phase, I couldn't sit through a single game. I'll be glad when the world cup is over. I'll take North American football any day. NFL, CFL and college.

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    Replies
    1. Hi JoJo,

      Soccer can be quite boring. Although, you sort of enjoyed it for different reasons when you were in high school :) The North American Soccer League was pretty exciting with some crazy rules. The CFL, ah yes, darn it, the Lions lost to the Eskimos!

      Gary :)

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  29. Do you suppose Penny would like to play pawsball with my cats, Marbles and Shasta? They love pawsball. Though, Shasta has known to be a poor loser. Which, in turn, confuses Marbles when she wraps herself around his neck and chews on his ears. He manages to shake her off, then sit and watch while she tries to dislodge the furballs form her teeth. Okay, maybe Penny shouldn't ask them to join the team.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Joylene,

      Of course Penny would play Pawsball with Marbles and Shasta. It hasta be Shasta! Marbles and Shasta could be good distraction techniques to fool the opawsition. Captain Penny says okay!

      HAPPY CANADA DAY, EH!!!

      Gary :)

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    2. Yay. I told them. I'm a wee bit disappointment in their lack of enthusiasm though. I'll have a talking with them.

      Delete
    3. Joylene, part two,

      Glad you did that. Pawhaps Penny could give them a team talk in the dressing room!

      Thanks for the follow up comment, Joylene.

      Gary :)

      Delete
  30. Hi Gary.
    I used to call it football (or futbol!) and now I call it soccer due to my geographical location...
    Now Argentina is playing against Switzerland! I'm getting nervous. woohooo!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Julia,

      Of course, futbol! You are fluent in the various names for the game. You can relax now and brief a sigh of relief that Switzerland missed that last chance opportunity :)

      Gary :)

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  31. Now if Penny and her friends were playing, I'd watch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Christine,

      Pawsball, coming to a TV network near you. Yep and starring Penny :)

      Gary :)

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  32. Not a soccer fan, but the terminology is funny. Penny would let in a howler.... hahahaha. Well, of course she would.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Robin,

      The terminology is really quite weird. Especially when somebody tries to dink the goalie. Innuendos galore with that one! A howler, indeed! :)

      Gary :)

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  33. I wasn't even sure what language you were speaking there for a bit! It sounded very Harry Potterish to me, lol! (now Quidditch- there's one sport I would love to play. Just waiting on those flying broomsticks to be invented...) My husband is a sports guy, and so I do end up watching some sporting events on TV. But as for the Fifa World Cup, about the only thing I know about it is Google is still showcasing who's playing who in their artwork. =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Leandra,

      More like Harry Pothead :) The wee folks use their very own sweeper system. I bet you end up glancing at the World Series, the Super Bowl and probably not the Grey Cup. Googles "Grey Cup."

      Gary :)

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  34. Penny will make a great footballer.

    I don't watch sports. Wherever I go, the TV is on this game. Others are watching, but I don't get it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Medeia,

      A great footballer and a pawesome pawsballer :)

      You could write a book about others watching sport on TV but you don't get it! You are welcome for the idea :)

      Gary :)

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  35. I haven't watched a single minute of it. Actually, my first thought when I read this was, "Is that still going on?" LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stephanie,

      What's still going on? LOL

      Gary :)

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  36. I was never a soccer watcher...remember I played for 15yrs??/ remember that comment mister??? lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tammy,

      You played for 15 years! That has got to be the longest game, eva!

      I remember everything. I also realised, for the first time, eva, you have commented on my blog first! :)

      See ya, Tam-bare.

      Gary :)

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  37. Awe, Fiona would get squished in pawsball but it's still a cute idea. Maybe they need a nerf-style ball. I kind of enjoy watching the cute guys but maybe I'm weird. In American football they cover-up every inch and all you see are giant appliances tackling each other. No fun for me. Plus the rules of soccer look amazingly similar to hockey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Eve,

      Fiona would be just fine. They use a soft squishy ball in Pawsball. It's also covered in slobber. You like guys running around in shorts. Bet you just lurve basketball. The game a bunch of big dudes run around in their underwear :) In the Canadian Football League they play in the nude. The rules of field hockey? Nah, you probably mean ice hockey. He shoots! He scores!

      Gary :)

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  38. So far I have not seen any matches played. . . .in fact I dont know who is still in it. . . . . . . . I do know England sort of did not do well. . . . they need Beckham.

    On the Head Mr G

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mr. R.,

      Never good to play with matches. Was England in the World Cup? Beckham is setting up a MLS team in Miami.

      I shall head the ball over the goalie.

      Gary :)

      Delete
  39. I havent been watching but Skip asked me to convey his willingness to play on Penny's team! He cant seem to stop wagging his tail at the thought of it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Zoe,

      Skip is most welcome to join in for a game of Pawsball. The wagging tail might stop the ball from going into the goal :)

      Gary :)

      Delete
  40. How cute. I bet if you got together some of the neighborhood dogs, they would have a blast with the soccer ball.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lady Lilith,

      They would dribble with and all over the soccer ball :)

      Gary :)

      Delete
  41. I think I might find pawsball more fascinating than football/soccer. Oddly enough, soccer was the sport I most wanted to play in high school, but couldn't for medical reasons. It does seem to be the rage the world over though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jeff,

      You can be honorary captain of the pawsball team. I bet you'd have been a big star in the North American Soccer League if could of been okay to play soccer. Soccer is the biggest sport in the rest of the world outside of North America.

      Gary :)

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  42. I'm usually no big football fan (that's what we call it in Germany in direct translation, too - Fußball), but I do watch the World and the European Cup when I get a chance. It is funny to read all the English terms in a football commentary, I've never heard them before :) And I love the idea of pawsball - Penny, may I play with you? I'm sure it'll be so much fun! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Beate,

      Ah yes, Fußball in the German Bundesliga :) I do watch the World Cup and the Champion's League, also. That stuff about the English football commentators is amazingly true. Penny would be flattered to have you join in for a game of pawsball. You could be the star German player on the team!

      Gary :)

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  43. I love the wee folk with the broom! Brilliant. :) And Penny deserves to have someone play pawsball with her.
    This obsession is one of many reasons why I don't watch TV. I'm blessedly unaware of sports events now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi River Fairchild,

      The wee folks have been brushing up on their skills. Penny is forming a pawsball team right now. Okay, after she has yet another nap.

      Indeed, why watch TV when you can read my blog instead, I state modestly :)

      Gary :)

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  44. I would find Penny's game a lot more interesting than the World Cup. I just couldn't get in to it. Now, come September, scratch that, August, when I get to see my New York Giants play football, I'm all about that!!

    Run, Penny, run! She shoots, she scores!! Gooooaaalll!!!

    Elsie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elsie,

      Penny's pawsball pawsibilities. Never mind the NFL! Football, as in that type of football, started in late June. Yay, the Canadian Football League! :)

      Penny is now combining pawball and ice hockey. Cool :)

      Gary :)

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  45. And here's me thinking that a wee cup was something to keep a urine specimen in!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Bazza,

      And here's you thinking. Finally and trust you to come up with that one. Talk about taking the piss!

      Gary :)

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  46. I'm all for pawsball. Bring it on! I know there's something about Football going on in the world, but I have no idea what it is. I mean, I don't even know what's on TV--since we haven't had cable for 10+ years. What I do know? Cheese is delicious and now I'm craving some. Off to the kitchen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Crystal,

      Pawsball, coming to a location near you. Evidently, teams from all over the world are playing a bunch of soccer games. Who needs cable TV when you sit there eagerly waiting for my next blog posting. LOL Did you know they often substitute a big ball of Gouda cheese in the pawsball game.

      Gary :)

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  47. I hope Penny finds some pooches to play with. I'd pay to watch that match. I can imagine though that the other dogs may be intimidated by Penny considering her extraordinay talents.
    Love the wee folks as always.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Julie Flanders,

      Penny is pawrusing paw pawsball pooches. It will be on pay per view. Penny's dribbling skills are no match for the other dogs :)

      The wee folks are your friends.

      Gary :)

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  48. Penny would look pretty in a pawsball uniform! I'd be willing to bring Kibbles 'n' Bits to her games. I'd also enjoy seeing the wee folks sweep the field, and scoop the poop. Of course, Penny would only use the pawder room.

    Julie

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    Replies
    1. Hi Julie,

      The pawsball uniforms are getting made. Sideline treats would be greatly appreciated. Although, the dogs might end up running off the field of play. The wee folks are a versatile bunch. Sweeping away the poop into a scoop. "Pawder" room! Love it!

      Gary :)

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  49. I turned on TV the other day to see an ‘aerial’ shot of one of the games. There were graphics on the screen where several of the player’s feet were circled with lines radiating out from one player to the next. Now that, I thought, is taking things a bit too far! Let’s have lots more pics of Penny playing Pawsball and a lot less of football say I!
    Have a happy day. Barbara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Barbara,

      Gotta' love those overhead shots. Those weren't graphics. It was all real :) I'm sure Penny would be willing to show off her pawsball skills in further photos. She's such a superstar.

      And a happy day to you, my kind friend.

      Gary :)

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  50. It was real? So that’s where I’ve been going wrong!! : )
    I wondered how long it would take for someone to spot the pipe-smoking wee boy on my post – very unpc, but amusing.
    Have a great day, see you in a couple of weeks. Barbara. Big hug for Penny.

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    1. Hey Barbara,

      Thanks for returning. Yay, that increases my visitor total :) Of course it was real. The players, however, are pretend.

      I read your reply comment to my comment on your site. Oh yeah, how very un pc, but what the hell! I'm sure I saw a pipe-smoking caterpillar somewhere.

      Enjoy your well deserved break, Barbara. I shall hug Penny for you :)

      Gary

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  51. Thank you so much, Gary, I have been absent from the internet for sometime, understandably, but after he had the pace maker fitted, and the operation, my husband is making a steady recovering. Much love, Carole x

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    1. Hi Carole,

      Dear lady, bless you. Your personal life and the concerns over your beloved husband make it totally understandable you're not on the internet that much as of late. Here's to the ongoing recovery of your husband.

      A peaceful weekend to you both.

      Hugs,

      Gary x

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  52. I think I'd enjoy soccer a lot more if it weren’t for the rioting asshat fans and players with their God complex and inflated egos. Nevertheless, I hope France beats Germany tomorrow. Allez les Bleus! :)

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    1. Hi Elise,

      Thankfully, the hooligan aspect of soccer is not as bad as it used to be. There is most certainly a number of ego tripping players and some that like to bite. I wonder who you would cheer for if the USA was still in the World Cup and were playing France today. Aha! :)

      Gary :)

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  53. I don't even pretend to know all the rules, but it's fun to watch sometimes. Hugs to Penny :)

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    1. Hi Carol,

      I pretend to know all the rules. Soccer can be fun when they actually score goals. Penny thanks you for the hugs.

      Gary :)

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  54. I watched a bit of soccer here and there it sure had everyone crazy..lol...your doggie is cute...

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    1. Hi Truedessa,

      I'm crazy without even watching soccer! :) Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar thanks you very much.

      Gary :)

      Delete
  55. I don't follow Football, but San Antonio has a team named the Scorpions.
    I guess they would do in a pinch.

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    Replies
    1. Hey David,

      I don't follow football, either. Penny leads the way with pawsball. San Antonio also has the Spurs. That might spur you on to go slam dunk a basketball! :)

      Gary :)

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  56. Does anyone but Americans refer to it as 'soccer'? Surprisingly, I'm not being a wiseguy. I'm just curious.

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    1. Yup, Canadians do too.

      Delete
    2. Hi Al,

      I thought you would of realised as Jo mentions, that Canadians also refer to the game as "soccer." Do you remember the North American Soccer League? There was a team named the Vancouver Whitecaps.

      Gary:))

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  57. I've had the chance to watch a few teams meet up and fight the good foot game. I haven't been able to fully understand everything they say, especially when tossing out various terms like mentioned in your post :-) But it is a lot more fun to watch than I realized.

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    1. Hi Angela,

      The game can be fun. Although an innuendo or two can happen when the commentator notes that a player tried to um, dink the goalie :)

      Happy weekend to you.

      Gary :)

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  58. Soccer is a sore point with me. It has no redeeming features. How can people watch a game that can end 0 - 0, and often does. It's just people running around for 90 min and never scoring or scoring once. Pitiful. And if one player gets near another, one will flop to the ground and cry and wail, trying to get a penalty on the other team. What the heck is that? There's no crying in sports - unless you win and are grateful, or unless you are really hurt. But pretending to be hurt? That's disgusting. Soccer fans are insane. I love US football. No matter what team you like, if you discover someone is a fan of another team, you grouse a bit and laugh it off. In soccer, fans beat or kill other fans, players, and referees. It is a sick, sick sport in every way. It's down there along with dog-fighting - and I'm sure Penny will back me up on how revolting that is...

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    1. Hi Lexa,

      Wow, you do realise that this was a light-hearted satirical posting. Of course I know about the more unsavoury side of soccer. Yes, "diving", as it's called is blatant cheating.

      Please, you have to remember, if you are going along these lines, there is the Canadian version of the game you love. So, I will tell you that the Canadian version is much more exciting to watch. And none of that "fair catch" crap like they have in the NFL.

      To compare soccer to dog-fighting is a bit extreme. If anything you would find that a number of soccer teams are very family oriented these days. The days of hooliganism that plagued Europe are mostly gone. MLS aka Major League Soccer embraces the family outing aspect.

      Thank you, Lexa.

      Gary :)

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    2. I didn't mean to upset you with my rant. It wasn't anti-you or your post, just my true feelings about the "sport," which is twice as annoying to me since I live in a country that adores it. As for hooliganism, I think it's still here. I feel sorry for the family of the referee killed by a man during a match in Detroit 2 days ago. And the families of the player and ref killed in Brazil, the fan killed in Arruda Stadium (Brazil), plus the 15 fans killed in Congo, all in May, and the fan killed in Sweden in March. Two years ago, 74 were killed in Egypt. There are killings like that all over the world.

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    3. Hey Lexa,

      I wasn't upset. Just a little surprised about your rant that rather different from the ambience trying to be created within my posting. I totally respect what you said. There are still factions within football who are not actually fans of the game. They have an agenda and they use football as their vehicle for their evil that impacts on the majority. In Egypt, I do not that the fanatical angle is sadly more prominent than it should ever be.

      Have a peaceful Sunday, Lexa.

      Gary :)

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  59. This was simply laugh out loud funny! Thanks! I haven't heard half of these terms and I love watching soccer... I want everyone to read this!

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    1. Hi Lisa,

      I'm really glad you liked this. Thank for backtracking to this goal post, um, post :) Some of the terms used in soccer are truly weird. You are very kind, Lisa.

      A lovely week ahead to you.

      Gary :)

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  60. By the way, I just had to post this on the dreaded FB to share with my friends. Hope that's okay? I know SO many folks who follow soccer and they will LOVE this!

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    1. Aha, Lisa, the dreaded "Farcebook!" I'm flattered you would share my post on FB. Thank you and no problem. I often share posts on Farcebook! Including yours, if you don't mind.

      Thank you, Lisa.

      Gary :)

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  61. This post is excellent! First off I love the Wee folk picture and the fact that one is sweeping. :) Penny looks adorable- I hope she enjoys soccer/football if she finds someone to play with.

    I have always thought it was great to support a team or a player, but have never understood the anger this can bring out in people when they realize they like different teams.

    Thanks for making m e smile. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. Hi Jess,

      That's very kind of you to say. The wee folks thank you, Penny thanks you and I thank you. The sweeper is such an important player in pawsball. Penny loves playing pawsball! :)

      Good natured rivalry would make a lot more sense. It really is this tribal obsession of supporting a certain team. The positive aspects of sport to bring folks together, rather than apart, would be such a great ideal.

      Smiling back at you, dear Jess :)

      Gary :)

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I do try to comment back to each commenter individually. However, I might have to shorten my replies or give a group thank you. That way, I can spend more time commenting on your blogs. Thank you and peace, my friend.