Split:Was Czecholovakia part of the Soviet Union? Or: Semper is still an idiot.

So by this logic the Czechs and Poles, and the french for that matter were all Nazis too, since they were occupied at one time by Germany. Tell any Czech or Pole that they were part of the Soviet Union and they might hit you. Czech culture is far removed from Russian culture, more in line with southern German culture, while Slovaks are more slavic. Czechoslovokia was an unfomfortable mix from its start. Trying to say that they are somehow linked to other countries in the Soviet orbit just because they were both behind the iron Curtain is wrong. Try and find similarities between Czechs and Estonians, or Kazhachs for that matter. Not many there.

Originally Posted by Secret Squirrel

The US does have to watch out for Croatia because Soccer is a distant fourth in the US in drawing athletic talent, whereas in most countries, it's the top sport.

I'd say fifth or six since we've got the "big four" sports of baseball, football, basketball, and hockey that are considerably more popular and I'd wager there's probably more people that wish they were professional NASCAR drivers than pro soccer players.

SemperFidelis, I hope you can get that min 32 AFQT score of the ASVAB for Marine Infantry... You might want to pay more attention in history class =\

Originally Posted by SemperFidelis

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, I didn't think that Eastern Europeans even had time to play soccer. Of course that's all changed now but it's relatively a quick recovery. It's good stuff, of course.

This bit is my favorite, as if they were all far to busy being socialists to kick a ball around.

"Hey Boris mate wanna come round and have a few beers andwatch the game?"
"Sorry Yuri, I'm too busy today."
"Oh really? What's up?"
"Yeah I'm pretty busy with this whole being socialist thing right now maybe later"
"Oh that's a shame mate, come to think of it I have a lot of being socialist to catch up on now"