How close is Olympics to WC level of play ?

[Jwaksman]

CONCACAF sucks.



We already had the obligatory "CONCACAF sucks" post, so you didn't have to post this. Unless you really actually believe it, in which case I suggest you spend less time posting and more time watching soccer.

[GRBomber]

Then some of the best teams in the world are not even there, there is no England, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany all of whom are very strong teams at World Cups.

How many slots does Europe have and who took them? I'm not really following the Olympics

[Leopejo]

How many slots does Europe have and who took them? I'm not really following the Olympics
Four, which is ridiculously low.

They were assigned based on last year's U-21 European Championship results. The four semifinalists were Netherlands, England, Belgium and Serbia.
As England was not eligible to play in the Olympics (see the UK in London 2012 and Ferguson as head coach debate), 5.-6. placed Italy and Portugal had a playoff game won by Italy, which took the fourth spot.

[scotch17]

A) If it's 43.75% then you can say "nearly 50%" - but saying "50%" is factually incorrect. I'm sorry, but if you say something incorrect I'm going to point it out - don't bitch at me for correcting your own mistake.

You're not at the top of the gene pool I see. You might want to retrace your steps and see that "nearly 50%" is exactly what I did write. Thanks for playing.

B) Your statement was simply invalid regardless. I know that it is a de facto rule on BigSoccer that nobody is allowed to say something that confederations without somebody making a crack about how much everybody from CONCACAF sucks, but you can't possibly be trying to insist that CONCACAF should only be allowed one team in the olympics. Two is fine. The problem with quality comes from the fact that AFC and OFC get FIVE, despite having fewer top teams.

Already addressed it. Might want to reread for the 2nd time in a single post.

Please stop equating OFC as part of AFC. This shows you don't actually have an argument and are just trying to pad the numbers. AFC is not OFC. Have a good day.

[almango]

Four, which is ridiculously low.


Not really. Even with 4 (more than anyone else) Europe still sent a last placed team. Africa has a much better case for an increase, as do South America. In a 16 team tournament at this level 4 seems reasonable for UEFA. They should get more next time as hosts (thats why Asia had 4 teams this time, too much IMO).

I think a more reasonable balance of teams based on strength confederations and numbers of teams is

UEFA 4
Africa 4
Asia 2
North America 2
South America 2.5
Oceania 1
Host 0.5

NB host nation qualifies automaically. This spot is absorbed by the Confederation. The confederation receives a playoff against South AMerica in compensation. For London it would mean UEFA in effect gets 4.5 spots with one going to the host (if they enter).

[Leopejo]

Not really. Even with 4 (more than anyone else) Europe still sent a last placed team.
And 3 out of 4 made the quarterfinals. Which doesn't mean anything, but so doesn't Serbia's placing.

The issue is which criteria to use to decide team balance. I don't see Olympic success as a good criteria, but this may be argued.

Both WC criteria (history etc) and/or FIFA rankings would be a possibility, but they don't address the youth factor, exemplified by the success of African teams. On the other hand the only meaningful FIFA Youth competition is the U-20 WC, which is not significant either.

[Jwaksman]

You're not at the top of the gene pool I see. You might want to retrace your steps and see that "nearly 50%" is exactly what I did write. Thanks for playing.



Already addressed it. Might want to reread for the 2nd time in a single post.

Please stop equating OFC as part of AFC. This shows you don't actually have an argument and are just trying to pad the numbers. AFC is not OFC. Have a good day.


I don't quite understand why so many posters respond to being corrected with a slew of rude, obnoxious comments. Is this how you talk to people in real life? If so, you should be aware that you'll get more friends if you stop being such a jerk.

[tomwilhelm]

Let's not have this get personal, folks.

Thanks.

[Lusankya]

Not really. Even with 4 (more than anyone else) Europe still sent a last placed team.
That's because Serbia is NOT the 4th best team in Europe.
The qualification mode for U-tournaments is just ridiculous.

[almango]

That's because Serbia is NOT the 4th best team in Europe.
The qualification mode for U-tournaments is just ridiculous.

I'm not sure if you are talking about UEFA or in general but UEFA have a pretty good sytem for Olympic Qualification. They have a tournament where the best nations at that level compete against each other. England disturbed it a bit by pulling out but its still a pretty good system at getting the best teams there ie the ones that beat the other ones, rather than the ones who have more "history and prestige".

In any case my point wasn't that UEFA perform poorly, they perform quite well. Its that on overall performances there are two other confederations that deserve a boost in numbers before UEFA. One spot should immediately go from Asia to CAF. The full additional spot for a host should be reduced to a playoff against a South American nation.

[Maruti]

With Australia in the Asian confederation there is absolutely no reason Oceania should have an automatic qualification spot. Come on... New Zealand every 4 years???

[scotch17]

I don't quite understand why so many posters respond to being corrected with a slew of rude, obnoxious comments. Is this how you talk to people in real life? If so, you should be aware that you'll get more friends if you stop being such a jerk.

If you were actually correcting me, no. However if some random stranger walked into the middle of a conversation and pointed out errors that didn't exist and attempted to make 2 separate entities into 1... I would indeed treat them with the same disdain and openly laugh at their foolishness.
If you're going to "correct" somebody, make sure you were actually right in the first place mate.

[pablo85]

in holland we don't care about the under 23 team
if they win it's ok, if they lose that's their problem.

[Jwaksman]

If you were actually correcting me, no. However if some random stranger walked into the middle of a conversation and pointed out errors that didn't exist and attempted to make 2 separate entities into 1... I would indeed treat them with the same disdain and openly laugh at their foolishness.
If you're going to "correct" somebody, make sure you were actually right in the first place mate.


Your entire statement was wrong and stupid. I simply corrected you. Being unable to handle being proven wrong, you lashed out with name calling.

As a life principle, it's generally true that the person who resorts to "well you're a poopy pants" is the one who is losing the argument.

So, go laugh at yourself, if you really do get so much enjoyment out of ignorance.

[scotch17]

https://webspace.utexas.edu/warnerwt/picard-facepalm.jpg

[Jwaksman]

Well, I wasn't online yesterday, but my understanding is that scotch17 got a little warning for his behavior. Scotch, I hope you take the advice. You're new here, and you need to learn that namecalling and rude behavior at this thread's level are not acceptable. I hope you can learn how to post properly, so your stay on these message boards is not too short.

[scotch17]

This thread is hilarious. The only fact we've established is that you can't read, and when that's brought to light you throw a temper tantrum. :p

[DonJuego]

now back to your regularly scheduled topic .....

In my opinion Olympic soccer is not close to World Cup soccer in quality. Stuart Holden is not even a starter on the Houston Dynamo -- let alone the US national team. Yet he starts for the US U23 team.

I bet there are plenty of examples like this on every team.

The level of play is very good at the Olympics. But the difference between 21 year olds and 26 is just huge. In speed, maturity, strength and decision making. World Cup squads are much more tactically sophisticated and don't make near as many mistakes.

Just my $.02.

[Jwaksman]

This thread is hilarious. The only fact we've established is that you can't read, and when that's brought to light you throw a temper tantrum. :p



You are really pressing your luck. You made an incorrect statement, then got incredibly rude and immature when I dared to point it out. You have been warned: If this behavior continues, you are going to find yourself banned.

I gave you my warning, and it's up to you to take it. Unfortunately, you seem to have a bad combination of stupidity and stubborness, so I guess I won't have you to talk to for long. Oh well, I think I'll get over it:cool:

[scotch17]

You are really pressing your luck. You made an incorrect statement, then got incredibly rude and immature when I dared to point it out. You have been warned: If this behavior continues, you are going to find yourself banned.

I gave you my warning, and it's up to you to take it. Unfortunately, you seem to have a bad combination of stupidity and stubborness, so I guess I won't have you to talk to for long. Oh well, I think I'll get over it:cool:

What mistake is that exactly? That 7/16 isn't nearly 50% ?? Or that AFC and OFC aren't the same organization ??