h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've just worked out why all the flagpoles are flying the national flag. It was very windy today so the flags were flapping pretty loudly. There seems to be some football going on. My husband is watching a football match. I couldn't read without my glasses but I guess Germany is playing. And people are letting off fireworks.

I think I'll watch a DVD on my laptop.

With you there.

I'm in the back bar, as far away from the television as I can get, as I always am when that daft game is being played.

I understand that it is called 'The Beautiful Game', and yet the London Olympic committee are having a major problem trying to sell tickets for the . Sums it up really...



MMF

Problem with the Olympics football is that although the Olympics permits professional players, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association (English: International Federation of Association Football)) wouldn't permit players who have played in an international to compete. They don't want the Olympics to rival the World Cup.

In a word, they won't play ball.

The current compromise permitted by FIFA is that "since 1992 male Olympic football competitors must be under 23 years old, with three over-23 players allowed per squad. The new format allows teams from around the world to compete equally, and African countries have taken particular advantage of this, with Nigeria and Cameroon winning in 1996 and 2000 respectively.

Because of the unusual format, several of the historically strongest footballing countries have unimpressive Olympic records."

Thanks to Wiki. I didn't know that either.

I do watch some matches during championships. I watched Germany play (and win) last night, and I'm currently watching Ireland play - and lose.

Thee you go. You win some, we lose some.