Quote Originally Posted by unclejohn View Post
I BELIEVE THAT WE JUST LOST!

But it was a lot of fun. The best part for me was hanging out at the bar down the block. They had all the games on, and most of them on a theater sized big screen. It was fun cheering along with people I had never met. I can certainly see how the World Cup can be a national unifier. So I will watch the rest of the tournament, then it is back into my shell for another four years, or at least until qualifying starts again. But I did learn a lot and gained an appreciation for the game.
As much fun and drama as the World Cup and international competitions provide, I think football in best enjoyed at the club level. Much more cohesiveness and fluid play, and just as much drama with the rivalries and the excitement when the have-nots beat the haves. If you have the time, it is well worth it to invest it watching the EPL/La Liga/top European leagues and Champions League action. The EPL is especially easy to follow with NBC Sports's phenomenal coverage of it, plus it has easily the best depth and competitiveness top to bottom of any European league.