>I've been watching a little bit of the World Cup. I haven't watched much soccer since the old New York Cosmos, but I've found it very fun to watch.
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>(And I just saw a great goal by France to take the lead).
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>But I am curious of something - I realize these guys are tremendous athletes and tough as nails - but why is there so much diving and embellishment? Some of the acting that goes on where the collisions are minimal...it's almost funny. Do they have penalties for "diving" in soccer, the way they do in the NHL?

We call that being a "big girl's blouse" :-)

You're right. My kids react less hurt if I accidentally bash them during "daddy games". And why a "man" must hit the deck and crawl up into the foetal position because he's been "allegedly" lightly brushed on his cheek by the fingers of his opponent I don't know (think Thierry Henry last night as a prime example). I can take a series of full punches, or a head-butt on the nose and stay standing (and had to on many occasions in my youth, when set upon by gangs). :-)