Greetings from the U.S! New member here!

I am sure I am one of many new members that come on here every day. However, as an American, I don't get to see much European football. In this country, we call it soccer but I am actually starting to use the term 'football' more and more.

I admit I am relatively new to the sport. I have watched games here and there. But my real interest started with the World Cup. I love watching CHampions League action here in the U.S. and I do my best to follow what is going on with all the leagues. I don't have a favorite team so hopefully I can offer a neutral/different perspective as both an American and an outsider with no fave team. I have always been into sports and am very good at them. So I am not ignorant by any means. But still learning and enjoying the game. I really enjoy watching a good game no matter who is playing.

As far as my credentials, here is a little bit about me and my European experience. I love Europe!! Have so for many years. My first trip was back in 1995 to Estonia. Since then, I have been to the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Czech republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, and Slovenia. Visiting Spain and Portugal in the fall. Love the culture and people and learning to like football. Even own 3 World Cup jerseys!

One interesting story I think you might enjoy. This past year, the Friday before the Super Bowl, our work decided to have a football day where we could wear our fave football jersey to work. Because of their bright colors and interesting design, I wore the Croatian WC jersey to work. People came up to me and said "That's not a football jersey!" My response - "It is to the rest of the world!" Nothing more was said!

Not sure how much I will be on here but do look for some good discussion and want to learn a little more while asking my share of questions and sharing my opinion. So bear with this American!

Welcome! Good to have you on board, and I especially like your response in the Croatia world cup story

Welcome jdbfs.

It is great to add some more international flavour to our board.

Welocme to the board, you've probably been to more European countries than me

Its always good to have a few people from the other side of the pond on here - we have a few posters that reside in America but very few out and out Americans, just 'messiah' who supports Barcelona

Which league in particular to you follow if any or at the moment is it just the CL? if so, what did you think of Man Utd's demolition of Roma last night?

Hi jdbfs

do you mind if I call you jdbf for short?

My name is Glenn, I am the best one

jdbfs wrote:I am sure I am one of many new members that come on here every day. However, as an American, I don't get to see much European football. In this country, we call it soccer but I am actually starting to use the term 'football' more and more.

I admit I am relatively new to the sport. I have watched games here and there. But my real interest started with the World Cup. I love watching CHampions League action here in the U.S. and I do my best to follow what is going on with all the leagues. I don't have a favorite team so hopefully I can offer a neutral/different perspective as both an American and an outsider with no fave team. I have always been into sports and am very good at them. So I am not ignorant by any means. But still learning and enjoying the game. I really enjoy watching a good game no matter who is playing.

As far as my credentials, here is a little bit about me and my European experience. I love Europe!! Have so for many years. My first trip was back in 1995 to Estonia. Since then, I have been to the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Czech republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, and Slovenia. Visiting Spain and Portugal in the fall. Love the culture and people and learning to like football. Even own 3 World Cup jerseys!

One interesting story I think you might enjoy. This past year, the Friday before the Super Bowl, our work decided to have a football day where we could wear our fave football jersey to work. Because of their bright colors and interesting design, I wore the Croatian WC jersey to work. People came up to me and said "That's not a football jersey!" My response - "It is to the rest of the world!" Nothing more was said!

Not sure how much I will be on here but do look for some good discussion and want to learn a little more while asking my share of questions and sharing my opinion. So bear with this American!

Welcome aboard. I am sure you will have a great time on this message board

Tweedle wrote:Welocme to the board, you've probably been to more European countries than me

Its always good to have a few people from the other side of the pond on here - we have a few posters that reside in America but very few out and out Americans, just 'messiah' who supports Barcelona

Which league in particular to you follow if any or at the moment is it just the CL? if so, what did you think of Man Utd's demolition of Roma last night?

As far as Leagues, I am probably most knowledgable (if you want to call it that) about the EPL. I have watched some of the teams in Spain and a few of the games in the Italian League. However, most of my knowledge has really come from watching Champions League. I love the CL because it gives me a chance to learn about so many different teams, players, and leagues.

As far as yesterday's game, I was stunned. I watched the entire game and was shocked not only at the score but the way it happened. Man U loses to Portsmouth after the 1st leg loss to Roma last week and looks like the best team in the World yesterday. Meanwhile, Roma came out attacking last week and kept sending differeng guys forward and kept Man U's defensive backfield off balance. The score of that game was 2-1 but should have been much worse. Roma looked completely flat and stunned and never recovered. But to continue to allow Man U to score and dominate the game was stunning. A loss is fine but to completely fall apart with a team as solid as Roma was stunning. And nobody expected Man U to be that crisp and dominating is all aspects of the game.

welcome jdbfs i am also from america welcome to the board

welcome on board, mate.

interesting story, the Croatia one. and nice to see you don't call it soccer.

anything you want to know about South American football, you can count on the SA team here: me, Juligen and Sheva (brazil), Barrilete (argentina), and Puro (peru, living in the US).

by the way, where are you from in the US?

Welcome! Hope you have a great time visiting my country - Portugal!

Apart from football, if you need tips what to see in how much time, feel free to ask.

todo wrote:welcome on board, mate.

interesting story, the Croatia one. and nice to see you don't call it soccer.

anything you want to know about South American football, you can count on the SA team here: me, Juligen and Sheva (brazil), Barrilete (argentina), and Puro (peru, living in the US).

by the way, where are you from in the US?

I do call it soccer most of the time. In the US, you have to. I do call it football as well but it is not a term I use often here but am getting used to. It isn't an insult to call it soccer. It is just a cultural term. But I am well aware of how to refer to it with the rest of the world. But my story about Croatia still gives you some insight into the fact I do understand the cultural significance and proper use of 'football' and 'soccer'.

I actually live in California in the northern part.

doninha wrote:Welcome! Hope you have a great time visiting my country - Portugal!

Apart from football, if you need tips what to see in how much time, feel free to ask.

I have a bunch of information for Spain but virtually nothing for Portugal. We only have about 4 days total so we are going to Salema and Lisbon. I know we will enjoy the beach in Salema (hope it isn't too cold) but not sure what is in an around Lisbon. Porto would be fun to visit but too far away and not enough time.

"In the US, you have to."

I know. that's your language (or dialect) after all. anyway, soccer is a kind of abbreviation of Football AsSOCiation, which is the official name of the game. so they're quite the same thing really.

jdbfs wrote:

todo wrote:welcome on board, mate.

interesting story, the Croatia one. and nice to see you don't call it soccer.

anything you want to know about South American football, you can count on the SA team here: me, Juligen and Sheva (brazil), Barrilete (argentina), and Puro (peru, living in the US).

by the way, where are you from in the US?

I do call it soccer most of the time. In the US, you have to. I do call it football as well but it is not a term I use often here but am getting used to. It isn't an insult to call it soccer. It is just a cultural term. But I am well aware of how to refer to it with the rest of the world. But my story about Croatia still gives you some insight into the fact I do understand the cultural significance and proper use of 'football' and 'soccer'.

I actually live in California in the northern part.

Welcome.. I hope we can convert you into a new cule!!!

jdbfs wrote:

doninha wrote:Welcome! Hope you have a great time visiting my country - Portugal!

Apart from football, if you need tips what to see in how much time, feel free to ask.

I have a bunch of information for Spain but virtually nothing for Portugal. We only have about 4 days total so we are going to Salema and Lisbon. I know we will enjoy the beach in Salema (hope it isn't too cold) but not sure what is in an around Lisbon. Porto would be fun to visit but too far away and not enough time.

Well, 4 days its very little time. Lisbon would take that time entirely, and you have beach also (along with mountain). If you have access to a car, it gets pretty easy to go to Sintra, Sesimbra, Arrábida, beautifull places with great beaches. If you have no car, you can still go to Sintra by transportation, but harder to go to the best beaches, but its easy to go to Cascais to the beach (although its more crowded). The weather will be great for sure, although both Salema and Lisbon's beaches have cold water (Atlantic).

Outside of Lisbon, with the little time you have, and if access to car, the Alentejo coast is the best to travel and discover all the desert beaches and fantastic places. It ends in... Salema!

What things should I see and do in Lisbon since we have a couple of days?

go to Bairro Alto. that's the place to be. then the place itself will show you the way...

jdbfs wrote:What things should I see and do in Lisbon since we have a couple of days?

I've heard that Faro is a nice place to visit in Portugal.

Welcome to the board!

Nice to have more non-Europeans here, they often add a different perspective to the discussions. Hope more Americans will sign up soon.

jdbfs wrote:What things should I see and do in Lisbon since we have a couple of days?

Sintra and Cascais are mandatory.

In city center: Belém and some neighborwoods - Bairro Alto (by night), Chiado (by day), and the then the typical ones - Alfama and Madragoa, for example. When in Alfama, you can go to the Castle.

Welcome mate .

welcome on board!
NBA and CL,which do you like better?
btw,do you konw YaoMing?