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The World's Most Beloved Sport - The History of Soccer

...volves a "pitch", or the field, designated by the selection of four trees, the cherry, maple, pine and willow. Many great houses in Japan would grow trees to have a permanent pitch, or field, established.

Kemari was normally played with two to twelve players. Established in roughly 1004 B.C., it vies for position of the oldest game with China's Tsu Chu. In fact, China's Tsu Chu players and Japan's Kemari players were the first to have an "International" game of their versions of Soccer, which is dated to have occurred in roughly 50 B.C., although a definite date of 611 A.D. is known. Regardless, this game stands with China as a sister sport to Soccer, while it never affected the modern version of the game.

Egyptian Soccer History

While not much is known about Egyptian Soccer, or other ball games, it is thought there was a version of a type of ball game played by young women during the age of Baqet III. On his tomb, images of this sport were depicted, although no one is certain how the game was played or whether or not it truly affected the outcome of modern soccer. Recordings of this game date as far back as 2500 B.C., although not much more is known asides the fact that it was played with a ball. The lack of information on the sport and how it was played has eliminated it from runnings as the first evidence of a game similar to soccer.

Greek/Roman Soccer History

Perhaps the closest relative to modern soccer are the games that were formed by the Greeks during the prime of their culture. They had numerous varieties of football style games, some of which required hands, some of which forbade hands. In the end, after the Roman conquering of Greece, the game Harpastum is what modern soccer would be based from. This game, probably a modified version of the Greek's "Harpaston", which translates roughly to handball. While grossly misnamed, this game is what is considered to be one of the precursors to modern soccer.

british Soccer History

In Britain during the 8th century, soccer was created, not as a recreational sport, but as a war game. One of the stories of the original roots of the sport comes from when a Danish Prince was beheaded, and his head was used as a ball and was...more

fifa World Cup 2006 England Glory - 1966 / 2006

...ountry with the once largest of empires has, at one time or another, trounced on or been instrumental in shaping the modern world as we know it. It seems logical that someone would want to get their own back by beating the national football team.

Many of the England naysayers believe that the England team lacks the personality and passion to bring home the cup. Although a personality is great for the cameras, the one ingredient that is surely more important is playing the game of football and scoring goals, and with the current England line up we have the best chance since 1966. Roll on World Cup 2006

Championship Betting Review

...f half-time.

Leeds were held to a draw at Leicester, despite the home side playing 79 minutes with just 10 men. Iain Hume put the Foxes in front after five minutes before Patrick McCarthy was sent off for a foul on Rob Hulse, which led to Robbie Blake equalising from the resulting penalty.

With Preston north End not playing, Cardiff made up ground and are now just three points away from a play-off place. The 4/5 Bluebirds beat Hull 1-0 thanks to Cameron Jeromes goal after 22 minutes...more

Mike Holmgren owes Bill Cowher and NFL Fans an Apology

...rger TD that was subjected to review, even though the ball obviously grazed the goal line, the Willie Parker run that caught Seattle in the all-out blitz that gave Parker clear sailing once he cleared the line, the end-a-round from Randle El to Ward for the kill shot. All Bill Cowher calls, all at the perfect time, and all very very effective against an absolutey bewildered Seahawks defense.

I hope this piece winds up, somehow, in front of Mike Holmgren because I have something to say to him: "Mike, Mr. Holmgren, Coach, you lost the game not because of bad officiating, you lost the game because you are not as good of a Coach as Bill Cowher. He took you to school, so try to learn a few things from him instead of throwing a tantrum and disrespecting one of the greatest coaches in league history. I can only hope that one day someone shows you total disrespect at a time when you should be congratulated for a job well done. You lost. live with it."

My congratulations go out to the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, but more than that, I want to extend my respect and admiration for a true class act, Coach Bill Cowher, a native of Pittsburgh, which has gotta make this all the more sweeter. Although I don't play football, or any sport for that matter, you will always be my head coach.<...more

posted by 73833 @ 10:01 AM