2014 World Cup

[Syt]

John Oliver tears into FIFA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I

[Barrister]

Two Brazillians were at our house over the weekend, and will be in Canada for another couple of weeks (thus missing the start of the World Cup).

It's only two people, but I think it goes to the lack of enthusiasm that country is showing for hosting what is supposed to be one of sport's greatest events.

[Valmy]

Brazilians not excited about soccer?  Not sure how to compute that.

[Josephus]

Two Brazillians were at our house over the weekend, and will be in Canada for another couple of weeks (thus missing the start of the World Cup).

It's only two people, but I think it goes to the lack of enthusiasm that country is showing for hosting what is supposed to be one of sport's greatest events.

Two people do not a lack of enthusiasm show.

I think you underestimate. I mean there's always the one doctor out of 10 who doesnt' recommend Colgate...or the one scientist out of 1000 who doesn't believe in climate change. Freaks abound.

On Thursday afternoon every Brazilian with a TV set is going to be watching the world cup game.

[Barrister]

Two Brazillians were at our house over the weekend, and will be in Canada for another couple of weeks (thus missing the start of the World Cup).

It's only two people, but I think it goes to the lack of enthusiasm that country is showing for hosting what is supposed to be one of sport's greatest events.

Two people do not a lack of enthusiasm show.

I think you underestimate. I mean there's always the one doctor out of 10 who doesnt' recommend Colgate...or the one scientist out of 1000 who doesn't believe in climate change. Freaks abound.

On Thursday afternoon every Brazilian with a TV set is going to be watching the world cup game.

We'll see.  Even from news reports there's been a lot of mixed to negative reports coming out of Brazil about the World Cup.

Don't get me wrong - if Brazil wins the Cup there'll be parties in the streets.  But just hosting the games themselves is looking less and less impressive (and less and less worth the costs)...

[Sheilbh]

In fairness the same happened with the UK in 2012. The week before the Opening Ceremony everyone was down about the Olympics - remember Romney wondering about the enthusiasm. Then it started and

[Valmy]

I will always remember those opening Ceremonies.  Henry was born that afternoon and right after I saw him to the infant care room I walked out into the waiting room and they started.  I was so emotional when they started singing the hymn for each British nation I kept tearing up 

[Barrister]

In fairness the same happened with the UK in 2012. The week before the Opening Ceremony everyone was down about the Olympics - remember Romney wondering about the enthusiasm. Then it started and

The week before London 2012 the London underground wasn't paralyzed by strikes.

[alfred russel]

If Brazil can't pull off the World Cup in decent form, the Olympics have to be a bit concerned. At least Brazilians care about and do well in soccer.

[Sheilbh]

The week before London 2012 the London underground wasn't paralyzed by strikes.

No. But they nearly were. The deal to avert Tube strikes during the games was reached a couple of months before they started and the bus drivers only reached a deal a month before.

Edit: Actually there was a bus strike 3 days before the Opening Ceremonies and a deal was reached in the last 2 days.

[Valmy]

In fairness the same happened with the UK in 2012. The week before the Opening Ceremony everyone was down about the Olympics - remember Romney wondering about the enthusiasm. Then it started and

The week before London 2012 the London underground wasn't paralyzed by strikes.

This kind of hand wringing happens every time a country is hosting one of these big events.  Everybody is terrified they are going to look bad on the international stage after blowing a billion tax dollars on it.

[Barrister]

In fairness the same happened with the UK in 2012. The week before the Opening Ceremony everyone was down about the Olympics - remember Romney wondering about the enthusiasm. Then it started and

The week before London 2012 the London underground wasn't paralyzed by strikes.

This kind of hand wringing happens every time a country is hosting one of these big events.  Everybody is terrified they are going to look bad on the international stage after blowing a billion tax dollars on it.

"a" billion tax dollars?

Try 14 billion.

[Valmy]

"a" billion tax dollars?

Try 14 billion.

Point still stands.

[alfred russel]

Just once I want to see a World Cup or Olympics turn into a total disaster. We always get these predictions, and it has never happened (ignoring terrorist events).

[Sheilbh]

Montreal?

South Africa was pretty shit too.