International Matches Research Articles

Zwischen Erinnerung und Verständigung: Der Racing Club de Strasbourg und die Wiederaufnahme der deutsch-französischen Fußballbeziehungen nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg

This article aims to analyse the role of the Alsatian football club Racing Club de Strasbourg throughout the re-establishment process of the French-German football relations after the Second World War. Because of its geographical location between France and Germany and due to the double annexation of the Alsace by the German Reich the club held a special position in the French football landscape. To examine the difficulties and conflicts that came along with the attempt to restore international sport relations between West Germany and France, the paper focuses on three aspects: German prisoners of war in France, efforts to organise football games between French and German top-level-clubs, and the re-establishment of international matches between the two countries. As a result, Racing’s attitude can be situated in a field of tension between hurtful wartime experiences on the one hand and sporting as well as financial benefits on the other hand. While the former was an argument held against an over-hasty spirit of understanding between the French and the German teams especially by the Alsatian Football Association, the latter were a reason for Racing to intensify its pragmatical efforts to re-establish sport relations with West German clubs. This ambivalence is further exemplified by the dualism between Aimé Gissy, secretary general of the Alsatian Football Association (1935-1939, 1945-1974), and Willy Scheuer, president of Racing Club de Strasbourg (1952-1960).

On Fixing International Cricket Matches

Corruption is hidden action which distorts allocations of resources away from competitive outcomes. Hence the detection of such actions is both difficult yet important. In many economic contexts, agent actions are unobservable by principals and hence detection is difficult; sport offers a well-measured context in which individual actions are documented in great detail. In recent years the sport of cricket, which records a huge volume of statistics, has been beset by a number of corruption scandals surrounding the fixing of matches. We use 18 one day international (ODI) matches that are known to be fixed by one of the teams involved and analyse a wide range of observed statistics from all ODI matches since 1971, in order to determine whether corruption manifests itself in recorded outcomes. We find that corruption does affect a number of observed outcomes in anticipated ways, suggesting that both the increased reporting of statistics, and the statistical analysis of them may be a useful tool in detecting corruption.

Variability and physical demands of international seam bowlers in one-day and Twenty20 international matches across five years

ObjectivesTo quantify and compare the match demands and variability of international One-Day (ODI) with Twenty20 (T20) cricket matches and to compare ODI match demands when competing home and away. DesignSingle cohort, longitudinal observation. MethodsThirteen international male seam bowlers across 204matches (ODI=160; T20=44) were investigated over five-years (2015−2019). Using global positioning sensors and accelerometers, physical demands were quantified using distance covered at different velocities and the number of entries into high and low intensity acceleration and deceleration bands. Variability was quantified using coefficient of variation (CV) and smallest worthwhile change. ResultsSignificantly greater (p<0.05) match demands were found for all physical variables relative to minutes played for T20 against ODI matches, except for distance covered 20−25kmh−1 which was greater for ODI. Distance covered between 0−7km∙h−1 showed no significance difference (p=0.60). The number of moderate decelerations (2−4m∙s2) were greater (p=0.04) away compared to home in ODI. All other variables showed no significance. Relative to minutes played, decelerations ≤4m∙s2 (within-player ODI CV=75.5%. T20=72.0%) accelerations >4m∙s2 (within-player ODI CV=79.2%. T20 CV=77.2%. Between-player ODI CV=84.7%. T20=38.8%) and distance covered >25kmh−1 (within-player ODI CV=65.5%. T20=64.1%) showed the greatest variability. ConclusionsPlayers are exposed to different physical demands in ODI Vs T20 matches, but not for home Vs away ODI matches. Practitioners should be aware of the large variability in high-speed/intensity accelerations and decelerations across matches.

Characteristics of Potential Concussive Events in Three Elite Soccer Tournaments

To determine the characteristics of potential concussive events (PCEs) in professional soccer. Soccer players are at risk of sustaining sport-related concussions. The acute and chronic effects of concussive and sub-concussive impacts to the head are potentially detrimental to both players and healthcare systems worldwide. Identifying patterns in the nature and characteristics of these injuries may help sporting organizations understand how to reduce the burden of sport-related brain injuries. The present study analyzed the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups (WC), and the 2016 Euro Cup (EC). Between the three tournaments, a total of 179 professional international matches were played. The researchers collected data pertaining to PCEs including mechanism of injury, location on the head, and number of concussion symptoms. A total of 237 PCEs were identified over 179 matches (1.32 per match, 40.12 per 1,000 hours of exposure). The most common mechanism of injury was elbow-to-head (n = 68, 28.7%), followed by head-to-head (n = 55, 23.2%) and hand/fist-to-head (n = 36, 15.2%). The impact locations most frequently affected were the frontal region (n = 54, 22.8%), followed by the parietal and occipital regions (n = 47, 19.8%), temporal region (n = 46, 19.4%), anterior surface of the mandible (n = 43, 18.1%), and nasal/maxilla region (n = 39, 16.5%). Most players (n = 210, 88.6%) showed two or more signs of concussion. Our study intended to investigate the prevalence, identification and nature of PCEs in professional soccer tournaments. Our findings indicate that different contexts and mechanisms of head contact and contact to different regions of the head can be associated with varying signs of concussion. Ultimately, promoting and enforcing enhanced concussion prevention initiatives in elite soccer can have an impact at all levels of the game. These findings may assist physicians, athletes, soccer organizations and other stakeholders worldwide with the care of injured players and the implementation of new rules and regulations to better protect their players.

Can Tracking Data Help in Assessing Interpersonal Contact Exposure in Team Sports during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the temporary closure of physical activity and sports facilities, and the generalized cancellation or postponement of sports events have a massive impact on social and economic development. In this study, we explored the feasibility of using tracking data from a football match to assess interpersonal contact between individuals by calculating two measures of respiratory exposure. The dynamic tracking positioning of all players and referees during one international football match was analyzed. For each individual, two measures of respiratory exposure were calculated, based on the 2 m interpersonal distance recommendations for contact tracing for COVID-19 control. Overall, individuals spent a median of 0:12 mm:ss (IQR = 0:45 mm:ss) exposed to interpersonal contact of fewer than 2 m from others. The highest value of exposure was observed between two players of opposing teams (6:35 mm:ss). The results suggest that tracking data can be used to assess respiratory exposure to interpersonal contact in team sports, such as football. The measures of exposure calculated can be used to the prompt identification of high-risk contacts of COVID-19 cases during a match or a training session, but also the risk stratification of different sports and physical activities.

A longitudinal investigation of bidirectional and time-dependent interrelationships between testosterone and training motivation in an elite rugby environment

In sport, testosterone has been positioned as a substrate for motivation with both directional and time dependencies. However, evidence is scarce when considering the complexities of competitive sport and no work has explicitly modeled these dependencies. To address these gaps, we investigated the bidirectional and time-dependent interrelationships between testosterone and training motivation in an elite rugby environment. Thirty-six male athletes were monitored across training weeks before and after eight international rugby matches. Pre-breakfast measures of salivary testosterone and training motivation (1–10 rating) were taken on training, competition, and recovery days (up to 40 tests). Using a continuous-time (CT) model, within-person estimates of autoregressive effects (persistence) and cross-lagged effects (relationships) were derived. A stronger, more persistent temporal association was identified for testosterone than for motivation. Cross-lagged effects verified that training motivation was positively related to testosterone at latter time points (p < 0.001). Discrete-time analyses revealed a non-linear association; increasing in strength from a zero-time lag to peak after 2.83 days (standardized effect = 0.25), before dissipation over longer lagged intervals. The testosterone relationship with ensuing training motivation was also positive, but non-significant. Match effects also appeared (p < 0.001) with a predicted decline in training motivation, but a rise in testosterone, at match onset. In summary, a positive within-person association emerged between fluctuations in self-appraised motivation to train and testosterone concentration in an elite rugby environment. The lagged, non-linear nature of this relationship and match predictions on both outcomes support, and extend, theoretical models linking testosterone and competitive behaviors.

Anthropometric and Performance Parameters of Japanese High School American Football Players: A Case Study of Selection for International Matches

This study aimed to compare the anthropometric and performance parameters between American football players from different high school grades and to compare their physical characteristics to the normative values for U.S. and Japanese players from previous studies. The analysis included 240 grade 10 and 11 American football players. The testing included height, body mass, broad jump, 40-yard dash, and pro-agility shuttle. The analysis was stratified by position: linemen (offensive and defensive), big skill players (fullbacks, tight ends, and linebackers), and skill players (wide receivers, running backs, and defensive backs). The only between-grade difference was body mass for linemen (Cohen’s d&gt;0.6), with no moderate effects for all other measured variables (|d| ≦0.6). No Japanese players were better in both mass and performance measures than U.S. elite high school players. The strength and conditioning program for long-term athlete development should be established for American football players in Japan.

Profiling Of High-intensity Events In Elite Chinese Female Field Hockey Matches

Physical performance in field hockey (here on in referred to as hockey) is determined by many different factors. Recently, the development of small wearable inertial measurement units (IMUs) has provided new possibilities to profile the physical demands in different team sports, especially in the high intensity events (HIEs) aspect of competition and training. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to profile the position-specific HIEs in elite female hockey matches with the use of IMUs. METHODS: Sixteen matches analyzing 22 elite Chinese female hockey players (height: 168.5±4.6 cm, body mass: 62.4±5.3 kg) were record by using IMUs (OptimEye S5, Catapult Sports, Australia) during the 2016-2017 Chinese national competition season. Players were categorized in three different playing positions: strikers, midfielders and defenders. Mean speed (MS), PlayerLoadTM (PL), accelerations (Acc), decelerations (Dec), changes of direction (CoD) and the sum of later three, HIEs, were extracted from raw-data files using the manufacturer’s software (OpenField, version 1.14.0). All Acc, Dec, CoD and HIEs >2.5 m/s2 were analyzed. Data were reported as mean±SD. Multiple paired t-test was used to compare data between different positions. Significance was set at P≤0.05. RESULTS: The mean on-field time for individual players was 48.8±15.8 min and the mean PL and MS when combining all playing positions were 9.4±1.3 PL/min and 108.6±12.3 m/min respectively. The mean HIEs, Acc, Dec and CoD combined for all players were 1.1±0.3 HIEs/min, 0.2±0.1 Acc/min, 0.2±0.1 Dec/min and 0.7±0.2 CoD/min respectively. Defenders showed significantly lower PL and MS (8.7±1.2 PL/min, 100.7±11.9 m/min) than strikers (9.7±1.4 PL/min, 114.2±10.6 m/min) and midfielders (9.8±1.0 PL/min, 111.9±9.2 m/min) (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The mean playing time reported in the present study was similar to data from international hockey matches (48.8 ± 15.8 vs. 44.7±11.0 min), yet PL and MS from the present study was lower than that of elite international players (9.4±1.3 vs. 11.2±2.1 PL/min; 108.6±12.3 vs. 113.3±13.5 m/min). Competition level (national vs. international) is the most likely reason for these differences. Further research should focus on the HIEs’ performance of elite international level hockey players. Supported by CSC (No. 2018083110192).

Building Fields of Play: An examination of the use of notational analysis to reinterpret dynamic and sequential movement from Rugby Union to inform the creation of a new dance work

This article offers an examination of a research process that used elements taken from an elite sporting competition, in this case an international Rugby Union match, to develop choreographic thinking tools to create a new contemporary dance work. One goal of this practice-led research was to create a vehicle for penetrating the physicality and unpacking the bodily configurations created in a rugby match. Data derived from a frame-by-frame analysis of a recorded match allowed for the identification and deconstruction of sequential movement to be converted into set representational, abstract choreographic tools named movement signatures and blocks. Through this research, the main physical traits identified were entanglement, directional changeability and interlocking struggle. Subsequently, these choreographic stimuli were used in the formation of movement scores and an abstract movement vocabulary to inform the creation and performance of a non-traditional research output, Fields of Play (2015). Furthermore, this practice-led study utilized elements of Laban Movement Analysis and sports movement analysis to develop an experimental approach to movement annotation and the development of a choreographic process. Through witnessing this hybrid movement vocabulary evolve, the research revealed qualities of de-centred logic, interruption of flow and the potential for a game dramaturgy to emerge.

Jalgpalli populaarsus Eesti Vabariigi spordielus 1920–40 [Abstract: The Popularity of Football in the Sporting Life of the Republic of Estonia in 1920–1940

Jalgpalli populaarsus Eesti Vabariigi spordielus 1920–40 [Abstract: The Popularity of Football in the Sporting Life of the Republic of Estonia in 1920–1940

Using the interaction of speed and acceleration to detect repeated-sprint activity in team sports

ABSTRACT Purpose To compare the occurrence and characteristics of repeated-sprint (RS) activity in elite team sport competition when classified according to speed and/or acceleration, and their interaction via metabolic power (Pmet). Methods: Elite male hockey players (N = 16) wore player-tracking devices in six international matches. Sprint efforts were defined using four separate classifications: speed >5.5 m∙s−1, acceleration >1.5 m∙s−2, speed-or-acceleration, and Pmet >25.5 W∙kg−1. RS bouts were defined as ≥3 efforts with mean recovery ≤21 s. For Pmet, RS bouts were also classified using a maximal recovery period ≤21 s. The number of sprint efforts and RS bouts, and the number of efforts, effort durations and recovery periods within RS bouts, were compared across each classification method, and between mean and maximal recovery criteria. Results: More RS bouts were identified via Pmet (8.5 ± 2.8) than either speed and/or acceleration, and comprised more efforts (4.0 ± 0.4) with shorter recovery periods (11.5 ± 1.8 s). Fewer RS bouts (7.3 ± 2.8 vs. 8.5 ± 2.8) were identified with a maximum rather than mean recovery criterion. Conclusions: Definitions of sprint efforts and recovery periods which reflect ATP depletion and replenishment via Pmet suggest that RS activity occurs frequently in team sport competition, and is more demanding than when speed and/or acceleration are used to define RS activity in variable-speed locomotion.

Football Sentiment and Stock Market Returns: Evidence From a Frontier Market

This study examines the effect of investor sentiment on the Vietnamese stock market. Using the results of international football matches as exogenous shocks on investor sentiment and information on two major stock exchanges, we document a link between investor sentiment and stock market returns. In particular, we find a market decline on the subsequent trading days after game losses. Further, the effect of investor sentiment is more potent for small-cap stocks, during the period when the affection and attention of local fans are stronger, and when more important competitions are being played.

Green Eagle Nation: The Politicization of Sports Journalism in the Post-Independence Nigerian Press

AbstractThe sports pages of the postcolonial press provide a vantage point for viewing the tensions surrounding nation-building in Nigeria. Following independence, coverage of the Green Eagles national football team reflected aspirations for a united Nigeria, but it was also an outlet for the deep political tensions plaguing Nigeria at this time. From 1960 to 1961, contentious games against Ghanaian rivals, disputes around the choice of a national coach, and clashes with referees in international matches all enabled sports journalists to become mouthpieces for both cohesion and discord. Schler and Dubinsky demonstrate that sports pages provide opportunities for viewing the links between postcolonial sports and politics.

Influence of playing position and laterality in centripetal force and changes of direction in elite soccer players

The purpose of the present study was to: (a) assess centripetal force (CentF) and changes of direction (COD) in elite soccer players according to playing position (central defender, CD; lateral defender, LD; central midfielder, CM; lateral midfielder, LM; forward, FW), laterality (right-footed vs. left-footed) and field zone (central vs. lateral), and (b) analyze the relationship between anthropometric characteristics (age, weight, height, body mass and fat mass) and non-linear locomotion workload. Thirty professional soccer players (age: 26.57±5.56 years) were tracked during the 2017–2018 season during friendly, national and international matches (38 total games) using inertial measurement devices. CentF and COD were the variables extracted for analysis. A one-way ANOVA was used for playing position comparison, a t-test for laterality and field zone, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to analyze relationships between anthropometric characteristics and dependent variables. There were differences by playing position in COD (556.33-to-412.18), R20COD (484.36-to-354.81) and R60COD (48.38-to-38.61) (p < .01; ωp2 = 0.03-to-0.05; CD>CM>LD>LM = FW); in CODHIA (49.75-to-37.11), R20CODHIA (16.04-to-9.11) and R60CODHIA (10.64-to-9.11) (p < .01; ωp2 = 0.03-to-0.07; CM>FW>LM>CD = LD); in CODSPRINT (14.56-to-8.40) and R20CODSPRINT (3.29-to-1.40) (p < .01; ωp2 = 0.03-to-0.04; FW = LM = CM>CD = LD); and in CentFMAX both in clockwise (992.04-to-902.09N) and counterclockwise (999.24-to-872.61N) directions (p < .02; ωp2 = 0.02-to-0.07; FW = CD>CM = LM = LD). The highest values of counterclockwise CentF were performed by left-footed players in the central zone (p < .001; d = 0.71-to-1.44) and clockwise CentF by right-footed players (p < .001; d = 0.04-to-0.55) in the lateral field zone. Moderate correlations were found between age, body mass and high intensity/sprints COD and repeated COD ability (p < .05; r = 0.235-to-0.383). Therefore, team staff should consider anthropometric characteristics, playing position, laterality and field zone to individualize training workload related to non-linear locomotion in soccer.

Investigating the Role of Opening Partners While Chasing on the Outcome of Twenty20 Cricket Matches

In cricket, irrespective of the format of the game, batting always happens in pairs. The two batsmen who bat together are called as batting partners. The pair of batsmen who come to bat at the beginning of any innings are called opening batsmen or opening partners. In Twenty20 cricket, the opening partners must start their innings with a definite strategy. In one hand, they have the advantage of only two fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the first six overs (technically called as the powerplay overs), and so both openers are expected to play high scoring shots and attempt to score runs quickly. On the other hand, the odds against them are the ball is new, so is the pitch and the bowlers are fresh and energetic. When any one of the opening batsmen loses his wicket, the partnership comes to an end. This study tries to figure out the influence of the opening partnership of the second innings on the outcome of Twenty20 matches. Pressure Index (developed by earlier researchers), effects of venue or ground and target score are used as explanatory variables in the logistic regression model to check if the performance of opening partnership influences the outcome of Twenty20 matches along with other variables. The data used for the exercise is from Twenty20 international cricket matches played within the period January 2012 to June 2018. The study finds that opening partnership while chasing is a significant factor in deciding the match outcome during the run chase for the said dataset. Also, the best opening batting partners have been identified.

UNDERSTANDING FLOW EXPERIENCES IN PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES

The aim of this research is to determine the optimal mood of the professional athletes and to examine the direction of these variables. While 506 participants from different branches who are doing sports in a professional sense are selected through sampling for the purpose of the research, the data is obtained by Dispositional Flow-2 scale. The scale form is developed by Jackson and Elkund (2004), adapted by Asci et al (2012) in Turkish and determined by Dasdan Ada et al. (2012) through validity and reliability studies, consisted of 36 items and 9 sub-dimensions. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance Anova tests were used in the analysis of the data. The internal reliability coefficient for the entire DFS-2 was determined as .94. According to the findings, significant relationships and differences were determined based on the fact that professional athletes constantly display optimal mood level at average values, sports branch, duration of doing sports, number of weekly training sessions, participation in international matches, and comparison to their previous experiences. As a result, it was determined that the professional athletes who do sports in the volleyball branch, the ones with the highest sports year, the ones who train the most a week, those who have participated in international competitions and those who find the general development levels are higher than the other professional athletes. Therefore, it can be said that successful athletes who are engaged in team sports and do sports for a longer period of time have better dispositional flow level. Article visualizations:

Predicting an Optimal Sri Lankan Cricket Team for One Day International Matches According to the Nature of the Game

Predicting an Optimal Sri Lankan Cricket Team for One Day International Matches According to the Nature of the Game

A deep learning framework for football match prediction

An efficient framework is developed by deep neural networks (DNNs) and artificial neural network (ANNs) for predicting the outcomes of football matches. A dataset is used with the rankings, team performances, all previous international football match results and so on. ANN and DNN are used to explore and process the sporting data to generate prediction value. Datasets are divided into sections for training, validating and testing. By using the proposed DNN architecture, corresponding model performed excellently on predicting the FIFA world cup 2018 matches. This model had predicted 63.3% matches accurately. However, this accuracy can be increased with proper datasets and more accurate information of the teams. The outcome of this hypothesis can be derived that deep learning may be used for successfully predicting the outcomes of football matches or any other sporting events. For more accurate performance of the prediction, prior and more information about each team, player and match is desirable.

Nationalistic Collective Rituals, Intergroup Relations, and Legitimation of National Social Systems

In this article, we test if international football matches in Latin America can be understood as nationalistic collective rituals and if participating in them leads to prejudicial attitudes toward immigrants and to legitimize the national social systems. Based on social identity theory and literature on collective rituals, we propose that participating in collective rituals makes cognitively salient social identity over self-identity through collective emotions. Therefore, individuals are more motivated to perceive the social systems as fair and legitimate and to show outgroup derogation. In Study 1 (N = 414), interest in football was associated with national identification a week before an international tournament in Brazil, Chile, and Spain. This association was mediated by fusion of identity with the national ingroup but not by experiencing collective positive emotions. In Study 2 (N = 118), we used an experimental design and showed that nationalism moderated the effect of participating in nationalistic collective rituals on measures related to behavioral intentions. Specifically, these rituals decreased outgroup prejudice among high nationalistic participants. Collective rituals are discussed as a form of collective self-affirmation that may have reduced defensiveness and led nationalistic individuals to behave according to the predominant values within a society.

Physical and Heart Rate Responses of Male Minifootball Players: A Case Study of an Elite Minifootball Match

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to explore the physical parameters and the heart rate responses of elite minifootball players during an international match. Methods: Ten male elite players from two national teams (Tunisia vs. Switzerland) participated in this study (26.2 ± 1.9 years, 175 ± 7 cm, 79.2 ± 5.8 kg). Heart rate was recorded by polar team system all the time that players spent moving on the pitch (walking, jogging, and running). For physical parameters, data (i.e., indicator of workload, sprints, total distance, acceleration and deceleration) were gathered using wearable GPS. Results: Results showed that the minifootball match induced high intensity exercise (86% HRmax). Moreover, total distance and high-intensity running distance were significantly higher in favor of the first half than in the second half. Likewise, sprints, acceleration and deceleration at high intensity were significantly higher in the first half. Conclusions: Minifootball is a physically intense sport, necessitating high intensity. Thus, its physical demands should be taken into consideration by coaches when designing and implementing training sessions.