World Cup football/soccer

[Fedya]

Since a lot of go players also have an interest in Asian culture, this story might be interesting:

For the fan who has everything (else)

A department store in central Tokyo has put a gold soccer ball on display to help build excitement for the FIFA World Cup now on in Brazil.

The 3-kg ball was put on display starting Thursday to draw attention to a gold campaign at Takashimaya Co.’s Nihonbashi store in Chuo Ward. Measuring 22 cm in diameter, it is priced at ¥42.88 million.

¥42.88 million is, of course, about $420,000.

[DrStraw]

And 3 kg is about 96 ounces of gold, which has a value of about $121,000. I think I'll pass if it is not pure gold.

[EdLee]

And 3 kg is about 96 ounces of gold, which has a value of about $121,000. I think I'll pass if it is not pure gold.

I'll take US$121,000 of whatever gold.

[chef]

@DrStraw It's probably pure gold. The mark up is for the exclusivity. In a black market no one gives a detritus but for a collector, people will pay a lot to be the only one to have it.

Gold bug here. I've bought, researched and studied precious metals for years. Love the stuff.

[DrStraw]

@DrStraw It's probably pure gold. The mark up is for the exclusivity. In a black market no one gives a detritus but for a collector, people will pay a lot to be the only one to have it.

@EdLee You'd rather have a depreciating asset than a non-depreciating one?

Gold bug here. I've bought, researched and studied precious metals for years. Love the stuff.

Oops. sorry. I read $42,000, hence my assumption it was not 24 karat. I am with you on the gold bug issue althought it sound like you probably have a whole lot more than I.

[Fedya]

Nothing to do with gold soccer balls, but England are chronically overrated every tournament.

(If only the US could have gotten a better group....)

[DrStraw]

Is this tournament now in progress? And is Japan playing in it?

(Yes, I know I could look it up, but I am to lazy because it really doesn't interest me that much. Now, if it were cricket ..... ).

[DrQuantum]

Yes, Japan are in it, and they just scored to go up 1-0 over Ivory Coast in their first game

[ez4u]

And gave up two in the second half...

[ez4u]

To lose 1-2 in their opener.

[tj86430]

Is this tournament now in progress?

http://www.fifa.com/

[Unusedname]

Nothing to do with gold soccer balls, but England are chronically overrated every tournament.

(If only the US could have gotten a better group....)

I never hear hype for England (who i think just got eliminated)

I usually hear Brazil, Germany, Spain. Sometimes Italy and France.

But Spain played poorly this time.
Brazil I'm not impressed. I'm surprised Mexico didn't score on them at least twice.
Germany I missed.

And I'm so mad at Altidore(USA).

Slightly hyped for Netherlands. Missed both the Chile games. Can't wait to see how USA does.

And that's everything I know about this world cup haha.
I wish I could get hyped for more teams though. I just don't know who to pay attention to.

[paK0]

I usually don't care about soccer, but I really hope Japan makes it a little further, just for their mascot =)

[Fedya]

Go has the ear-reddening move. Football has Luís Suárez.

[Hushfield]

Are you saying that black stone should have received a 2-year ban? Or are you implying it left a mark?