tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post7183285509627218323..comments2024-03-19T03:05:57.184+00:00Comments on Macro Man: Euro 2008: A Glimpse at the Future of EuropeMacro Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12324967552369915949noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-91818374438970547322008-06-24T19:57:00.000+01:002008-06-24T19:57:00.000+01:00Bitr, you're right, and the diving is one of the t...Bitr, you're right, and the diving is one of the things that prevented me from paying attention to soccer before I moved to Europe. Sadly, "simulation" has worked its way into every part of the game; if Steven Gerrard were not playing for Liverpool, for example, I'm sure he could do a job for the GB Olympic Diving team.<BR/><BR/>Given the choice between watching footballers tumble like bowling pins or watching Bryan 'Copa' Habana racing down the wing for a try, I can see why you might favour the latter...Macro Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12324967552369915949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-61059069491879419332008-06-24T18:58:00.000+01:002008-06-24T18:58:00.000+01:00MM, just to add on the diving theme. Thats the sin...MM, just to add on the diving theme. Thats the single biggest reason why i stopped watching soccer in general unless something really big such as the Euro cup or so... i.e. this dreadful habit of acting is not reserved to Italians only... its disgusting really seeing even stars such as Ronaldo the other day falling after a challenge, wait till the ref looks his way and then suddenly starts the act of agony only to perform the equivalent of 100m dash in about 9.5 seconds in less than a minute after that incident. Hello! something doesnt add up here! how much longer this is gonna be tolerated??? Cheers, BitrAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-16546992235661159302008-06-24T11:20:00.000+01:002008-06-24T11:20:00.000+01:00Anaylisis can be based on Sweden's figures and fac...Anaylisis can be based on Sweden's figures and facts but it certainly can come across any European nation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-61066121365654031412008-06-24T07:45:00.000+01:002008-06-24T07:45:00.000+01:00Rebeleconomist,and the winnings they give to the L...Rebeleconomist,<BR/><BR/>and the winnings they give to the Landesbanks, Daimler and Siemens. Those institutions buy Wall Street products, US car companies and pay billions in fines for the few, stupid ways of corruption still not legalized in the US.<BR/><BR/>The money then is back in the US and the game can start again.......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-22278210451771779652008-06-23T17:15:00.000+01:002008-06-23T17:15:00.000+01:00Apt analogy MM. Written off as "old", the Germans...Apt analogy MM. Written off as "old", the Germans quietly live within their means, producing saleable goods and becoming increasingly competitive in a fixed exchange rate regime, while others indulge themselves, become uncompetitive and then demand that the constraints be eased. The English replace a competent leader with a fool who does something stupid to show how hard he is and are eliminated. Meanwhile, the Americans ignore the rest of the world and play their own games in competitions which they call "world series".<BR/><BR/>In short, globalisation is simple: countries pass goods, services and capital, and at the end, the Germans win.RebelEconomisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13241098878248190971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-86972888101688588722008-06-23T14:12:00.000+01:002008-06-23T14:12:00.000+01:00reg Turkey,2 nice Turks born in Germany play for t...reg Turkey,<BR/><BR/>2 nice Turks born in Germany play for the Turkish national team.<BR/><BR/>Germans vaguely tried to "integrate" turkish people, not understanding how much more difficult this would be compared to former "Gastarbeiter" from Portugal, Italy., Greece and Spain.<BR/>The result could be worse, but still is poor. Turks cluster and keep their way of doing things notwithstanding German legal and cultural rules.<BR/><BR/>Looking at demographics, the upside of full Turkish integration into EU is a peaceful "bicultural" society in Germany within 2-3 generations.<BR/><BR/>The downside is less peaceful.<BR/>Why should Germany run the risk considering it is substantial?<BR/>Macroman, as you won´t share in the downside from London, please cut the other side some some slack.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-32202481150491861472008-06-23T13:34:00.000+01:002008-06-23T13:34:00.000+01:00Yes, a lot of italian soccer player seems "hard" a...Yes, a lot of italian soccer player seems "hard" as their nice top-model-showgirl girlfriends.. what a sadness!!!At least we have "snarl" Gattuso to counterbalance them..<BR/>Italy results are a reflection of reality, not a precursor of things to come (rather they're better...)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-18884249729382123572008-06-23T12:46:00.000+01:002008-06-23T12:46:00.000+01:00Wonderful analogy MM! I too have been dismayed at ...Wonderful analogy MM! I too have been dismayed at the incessant diving of Italian sides of late and the constant complaints of Italian soccer officials and even Silvio when an official's call goes against them (as happens to every side). How did it come to this, after the class of Zoff, Baresi, Baggio, and Maldini? Is this not a precursor of things to come in terms of its sagging productivity, crumbling infrastructure, and bloated welfare state after a glorious past?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-75353528373240872602008-06-23T10:55:00.000+01:002008-06-23T10:55:00.000+01:00Why not extend the analogy?Italy played it 'busine...Why not extend the analogy?<BR/><BR/>Italy played it 'business as usual' - let Spain dominate the game and we'll play the counter attack, because they're in the end undisciplined and have no defense. Que sorpresa! Spain, looking ever so much like Russian hockey teams of the 70's, stuck to their plan and were otherworldly when it came to keeping Iker out of trouble. Hmm? <BR/><BR/>On the other hand, the preference displayed by the ref vis a vis a potential finalist against Germany was a little much. Especially the cheesy yellow given to Cazorla for disputing a call in the dying moments of OT2.<BR/><BR/>CBCharles Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00486529931043507880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-67194370179318447772008-06-23T10:50:00.000+01:002008-06-23T10:50:00.000+01:00Bengt, I can only assume that you're from Sweden.....Bengt, I can only assume that you're from Sweden....which, on the basis of this analysis, makes your nation more relevant to the future of Europe than, oh, the UK, which went oh-for-four in terms of qualifying for the tournament...Macro Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12324967552369915949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-24341734793838209222008-06-23T10:06:00.000+01:002008-06-23T10:06:00.000+01:00None of this is as important as the news in the te...None of this is as important as the news in the telegraph today.<BR/><BR/> Following on from Trichet kicking any euro doves in the teeth, then the stunning ONS release of UK retail sales last week we now wonder wether the same statisticians are responsible for the story which has just stunned a market that had been fully positioned the other way around. <BR/><BR/>I am shocked and stunned. <BR/> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2175496/Blue-Peter's-Valerie-Singleton-'I-had-a-fling-with-Peter-Purves'.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34323687.post-59584926810047106232008-06-23T10:04:00.000+01:002008-06-23T10:04:00.000+01:00Spooky, just like in politics/economy/whatever, my...Spooky, just like in politics/economy/whatever, my nation took part but were unable to influence the outcome. After winning the first game, raising hopes, we were crushed by the Russians. I hope that doesn't turn out to be a sign of things to come...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com