Oh dear, yet another thing we have to disagree about CJ.

It's bad enough that I can only pick up SBS about 50% of the time. Now, for a quite while, [what is it, a month or more?] it will be full of socker, if I can get it, so all those great documentaries I like won't be available.

Great info about Japan> attraction, activities, areas...

http://seejapan-tours.com

I've just been watching the World Cup and those stupid horns drove me NUTS!

I have a few problems with football (soccer)

1. If that is the beautiful game then a few less nil all draws would help make it a better spectacle. Watch an Aussie Rules player after he has played a draw and he is gutted. Watch a soccer player and it's a good result. Pathetic!

2. I can't stand the way players act as if they have been tripped or been hurt!

"OUCH OUCH OUCH that boot of yours came within 15 feet of me and the wind from it really hurt!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6yLDq0iK4U

Are these real men who play this game?...lol

3. Because the match can too easily be decided by a poor decision due to acting and because of the low scoring of the game, I find the game infuriating.

Take Australia's eviction from the last world cup. Australia probably wouldn't have beaten Italy anyway, but come on that decision to give a penalty was pathetic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr2oTmQ0GwM

Was it in International Football's interest for Australia to have beaten Italy? Hmm?

So quickly in conclusion... I won't be watching it because I find it uninteresting OR until those horns are placed forcefully into a more suitable orifice...lol

Dear CJ,

I became interested in the World Cup
after watching Ricky Martin sing
"The Cup of Life!" (France 1998),
"Go go, go,
Ole, ole,ole!"

I even bought the single C/D
and played the song over and over
again. (Danced to it as well).
I wonder whatever happened to it?

Anyway, you're right, it is a great event,
where the rich and the poor get to compete.
The opening ceremony from South Africa
was superb - and as Suze said, the dancing
and the music was inspiring.

I probably won't be watching that much of it.
But - My husband is a big fan!

mikk, "Not to mention the regular occurrence and appalling theatrics of the players 'diving'."

It is women's soccer as well but nowhere near as prevalent as in the men's game:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1226592/VIDEO-SPECIAL-Ronaldo-Klinsmann-Gerrard-Owen-Gilardino--best-divers-football-history.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP5rEffhXfo

Then there is the incessant spitting on the pitch, especially by the English players. Don't they ever run out of saliva?

Going down, spitting and smooching, they must devote training days to those essential features of the round ball game.

CJ Morgan

Having been indoctrinated into Aussie Rules as a child I can only appreciate Soccer at a superficial level - the skills I acknowledge, the low scores drives me to tears and don't get me started on the Penalty Shootout.

That said, I wish for the success of South Africa for holding the World Cup, I can't think of any nation more in need of the moral boost ATM. Well, maybe I can but South Africa is a good start.

Much positive energy being beamed to South Africa.

Cheers