On January 04 2023 00:56 RKC wrote:
Anyone from Spain or following the Kings League? This hybrid futsal esports experiment could well develop into something special in the future. The card system is hilarious and fun. Also, that's how tie-breaking penalty shootouts should be done!

https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-the-toe-poke/story/4842835/chicharito-golden-cards-and-twitch-streaming-what-is-piques-kings-league

Never heard about this before. Sounds interesting. They fixed everything thats wrong with football (stopping time, VAR usage, penalties and salary cap to name a few) and put in some new unknowns like the cards.
Will follow how this develops

RKC

2848 Posts

January 04 2023 12:35 GMT

#1244

On January 04 2023 17:34 Harris1st wrote:

Show nested quote +

Yes, the rule changes are a step forward (time-outs, limits on VAR, etc).

The other fascinating part is the esports model prioritising on audience interaction and participation. Live-streaming platforms like Twitch and the esports environment has given a new breath of live to traditional sports (eg chess). Nothing beats the stadium atmosphere. But with virtual reality tech not too far away, it's only a matter of time that traditional sports like football finds new mediums to gain viewership and fandom.

Lastly, there's a more relatable appeal to futsal (5v5 or 7v7). Many people including myself grew up with football by kicking balls with a few friends in a small park, on the streets and so on. Only a few of us really got a touch of 'real' football (11v11) on a constant basis (if you're lucky enough to get into the school team or some neighbourhood club). And futsal has become rather popular in cities among working adults in many places.

aseq

Netherlands3997 Posts

January 05 2023 04:32 GMT

#1245

Some good changes, nothing really innovative though, and the bonus card idea is terrible. With most of the attention on which ex-pro players are playing in it, this feels a lot like padel. I can see it fade after a bit of hype.

Acrofales

Spain18278 Posts

January 05 2023 07:46 GMT

#1246

On January 05 2023 13:32 aseq wrote:
Some good changes, nothing really innovative though, and the bonus card idea is terrible. With most of the attention on which ex-pro players are playing in it, this feels a lot like padel. I can see it fade after a bit of hype.

Padel isn't going anywhere in Spain. It has been popular for decades and will still be popular even if its international popularity fades. Being "like padel" would be a wild success for any "new" sport.

haitike

Spain2726 Posts

January 05 2023 09:11 GMT

#1247

Pádel is super popular in Spain, Argentina, etc. It is one of the most played sports in both countries.

My small town has minimum 10 padel courts, probably more.

Jockmcplop

United Kingdom9842 Posts

January 05 2023 12:14 GMT

#1248

What on Earth were Southampton thinking hiring Nathan Jones?
The guy is a disaster. Not the man you need in a relegation battle, a Championship manager who's young and well known for playing hoofball. The guy who failed at Stoke.
They looked absolutely dreadful yesterday. Zero shots on target at home against a relegation rival.
Southampton are going down.

aseq

Netherlands3997 Posts

January 05 2023 14:53 GMT

#1249

On January 05 2023 18:11 haitike wrote:

Show nested quote +

Pádel is super popular in Spain, Argentina, etc. It is one of the most played sports in both countries.

My small town has minimum 10 padel courts, probably more.

Sorry, I should have said 'Padel in Northern Europe'. It's booming at the moment, they're getting sports legends like Robben, Van der Vaart and Van Persie in to play to generate exposure for it and they hope people don't notice it's just squash for doubles in a plastic cage. I think it'll subside in a while and settle into being a small sport, hope they're not building way too many of these courts.

Deleted User 173346

16169 Posts

January 05 2023 19:19 GMT

#1250

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Deleted User 173346

16169 Posts

January 05 2023 20:07 GMT

#1251

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Pandemona

Charlie Sheens House51493 Posts

January 05 2023 20:49 GMT

#1252

Wow, how on earth are we playing so well tonight and so poor vs forest, its night and day. We have lost Pulisic and Sterling to injuries and still playing so well, even carney hit the post, going toe to toe with City and doing well.

Dare to dream?