Curling semi-finals

**AckZel** · 22nd February 06, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

I thought you invented vodka....?

We blame Russians about that. But Molotov Cocktail comes close, even manufactured on Rajamäki spirits distillery during the war...

And Sauna of course... And swamp soccer... and...

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 22nd February 06, 08:11 PM

Swamp soccer???

**AckZel** · 22nd February 06, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by KiltedCodeWarrior

Swamp soccer???

**UmAnOnion** · 23rd February 06, 04:07 AM

Originally Posted by Ackwell

That looks like a typical rugby game here in NYC...

**Moosehead** · 23rd February 06, 06:05 AM

Colin, last thing I'll do is blame the refs. Simply put, the team sucked. Get rid of the NHL players from all teams, I say.

But, it was a good day: 4 new medals for the team, bringing us into a tie for 3rd in the overall. Not gonna complain at all.

**AckZel** · 23rd February 06, 06:21 AM

Finland team is full of NHL players, we don't want to get rid of them

**auld argonian** · 23rd February 06, 08:01 AM

I didn't see the Finland US hockey the other day but I just heard a report bout it on the radio (NPR). Sounds like the Finns just kept on scoring while the US tried to set a new precedent for bad sportsmanship (...and in hockey, no less...jeeez!). Didn't get the Finnish player's name but I hear that this dude left the ice sans a couple of teeth courtesy of some rather spectacular high-sticking from a US player.

They really have to keep professional athletes out of the Olympics - period. Sending NBA players to compete in basketball, for example, seems so petty, sad and dumb that it boggles the mind. It's remarkable what loopholes they come up with to circumvent the basic tenet of the Olympic Games...that it is for AMATEURS....NON-PROFESSIONALS...how difficult is it to grasp this concept?

Best

AA

**mddock58** · 23rd February 06, 08:12 AM

Problem has been that many countries subsidize (pay) their athletes - wouldn't that make them professionals?

I don't approve of "professional athletes" NHL, NBA, etc in the Olympics, I think we should not be so focused on WINNING GOLD, and more focused on the competition - interaction with the other athletes.

The Spirit of the Olympic Games has really changed over the last 30-40 years.

I enjoy watching the competition, and seeing outstanding athletes in events some think are boring, knowing the skills it must take to compete at that level.

**AckZel** · 23rd February 06, 08:13 AM

The player who lost his teeth was Teemu Selanne (Anaheim). He played game to the end. Sami Salo (Vancouver) quits the game after 2 periods because he hurt his shoulder. He will be replaced by Anssi Kukkonen (Oulun Kärpät) for the rest of the olympics.

I know about the amateur thing it would be crazy if players couldn't be profs... You have to go to 3rd division to find non-prof players anymore... Maybe US should pick "not so big stars" to the games.

And the truth is. Who want's to watch athletes no-one ever heard of? All our best athletes in Finland are professionals nowadays... Oh, one exception, the Curling Team! \o/

**A Dhuglas** · 23rd February 06, 01:27 PM

I don't think the Games would be harmed if the pros were tossed out. I think a more level playing field for everyone would benefit the games immensely. Let the up-and-comers have a world-wide stage from which to spring into the pros...instead of just one more venue for pros to display their increasingly bad habits.

The "no paid players" concept has always been a challenge but it isn't insurmountable. The old ideological battle aside, I believe one of the reasons the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" was such a big deal was that a bunch of college kids from the USA took on the Soviet Army team (the "amateurs" who ate, drank and lived hockey day-in/day-out, 24x7x365) and won.

To me, the joy of the Olympics comes from the aspect of sport that captures us all: on any given day, at any given moment, "something" can happen that nobody ever expected. The old "thrill of victory, agony of defeat" stuff.

My wife and I have watched a wide variety of sports from Torino so far and have witnessed a number of those unbelievable moments. From hockey (the Canadian women are unreal!) and curling to speed-skating and biathlon. The stories that grab us are about the amateur or semi-pro competitors: the mothers, fathers, etc. juggling a work/school/home life with training and competing for a shot at The Games. Those are the true role models and heroes to us.