Is soccer really basketball?
The title is a bit misleading, I know. But it's not about popularity, but instead height. And I'm kicking myself because I meant to bring back the program from the professional game I saw, but I didn't so instead of having a nice little list of players and their heights, I just have to recall from memory and ignore the specifics.And the memory is this: since when was being six feet tall or taller a prerequisite for playing the professional game? These two teams, with 18+ guys on each roster (the program being printed well ahead of time had players not on the game-day roster included), there were only two people who were under six feet in height - and their of them by more than an inch.
Short entry, I know - but it seems apropos. I used to think soccer was great because anyone could play it, and anyone could "make it". You could work on improving your skill, your running, and your strategy and as long as you had the speed and skill you could have your shot. Apparently not. Maybe I've just been deluding myself all these years, Tino Lettieri "The Roman Pony" (his nickname when I saw him in the NASL) was six feet tall when he played in the 1970s and 80s. I always assumed he was short, but six-feet is awfully big for a pony.
There once was this 5’4” soccer player by the name of Maradona…
anon - 18 August '09 - 13:59
Oh, I agree I have no scientific basis on this other than what I’ve seen in the local professional ranks. But have things changed, at least in this country? I hope I’m wrong.The Ref - 31 August '09 - 16:52