A lot of pent-up anger theren, I sense 
- Edit 1
- Edit 1Before modification by Camilla at 19/08/2010 09:25:10 AM
It's not as if Krum really has much of a choice at that point. Lynch sees it first and races for it. What is Krum going to do? Somehow manage to block Lynch again and again until the Snitch is lost again, with blood streaming all across his face and him barely seeing what he's doing? If the referee stops play and lets him get medical attention, Lynch can keep his eye on the Snitch all that time and make another dash for it as soon as the game restarts. Then it's back to blocking him, while praying that Bulgaria can score a second goal before Ireland scores its eighteenth - not exactly a likely event. Then as soon as that happens, he has until Ireland's next score to get to the Snitch ahead of Lynch.
Fairly unrealistic, all that, I think, and he has to make the decision in a matter of seconds.
I think blocking is exactly what a world-class athlete would try to do if he cared at all about winning. Obviously it's would be silly to debate the motivations of an imaginary athlete, but, to me anyway, intentionally losing for the sake of making the final score look close in a world championship just doesn't ring true.
Except that they're down 17-1. What are the odds that it'll be 17-2 before it's 18-1? Not good, I'd think. Especially considering the overheating tempers and the tendency of the Bulgarians to give penalties away.
I still can't imagine a team in a world championship just giving up because the odds aren't in their favor.
Although considering the info we're given beforehand about the two teams - Krum being the best player, but Ireland having an excellent team and divine Chasers - it's not as bad as it could have been.
I agree. I think it's the combination of the bet and Krum giving up on his team so quickly.
No, do tell, it's a fun topic.
Okay 
1- The makeup of the teams is silly. Real sports teams don't just fill their starting positions- they have a second squad against whom the starters practice so they can simulate game conditions. Also, the reserves keep their skills sharpened in case they are needed. This way, you don't have to grab Dean Thomas and say, "Hey, I know you haven't practiced, but you flew well for an hour five months ago, so how'd you like to play in an important match this Saturday with one or two practices under your belt?'
2- Do they have reserves or not? In one match (can't remember which book- maybe 3) the commentator refers to a player as "a reserve last year", but we never see or hear of any reserves, unless "reserves" are the people who almost made the team and get called on in a pinch without having practiced.
3- JKR can't seem to make up her mind if players have to try out or not.
Book one: Harry is placed on the Gryffindor without a tryout. He works out with Wood one time, and then joins the team which, apparently, chose its entire team except for the position of seeker. What were they going to do? Not have one? Even if all the players who try out are bad, you choose the least bad of all of them and then hope a better player comes along and beats him/her out.
Book two: no tryouts. The team is just... the team.
Book three: no tryouts.
Book four: No Quidditch (Which is silly because the entire 'season' only consists of six matches. They could have scheduled it around the whopping three Tri-wizard events that only involved a whopping four people (and only two quidditch players). And with Krum visiting, what better opportunity for 'international cooperation' than to have him visit a few practices, maybe guest referee, or just be there to watch the matches?
Book five: The only tryout is for Keeper, which is the only open position. Angelina says she wants "the team" there when they choose the new keeper.
Book six: McGonagall appoints Harry as captain, and informs him of all the players who have already signed up for tryouts. Katie Bell (I think) warns Harry to not "start" picking his favorites. The way she phrases it, coupled with McGonagall already compiling a tryout list implies that tryouts are standard procedure. Later, when Dean fills in for Katie, Seamus is a little bit angry. Have Dean and Seamus tried out every year, and this is the first time we're hearing about it? Or was Ron's tryout in OotP the first-ever tryout?
4- Keeper tryouts are silly Each person defends five shots and that's it? Baloney. You might do that to eliminate the worst players, but then you get two squads worth of hopefuls out there and see how they do in game situations.
5- Quidditch practices are a bit silly if you don't have a second squad against whom to practice. Sure, you can do passing drills, and the chasers can attack the goal, but that's about it. You don't get to practice as a true "team". And do you really want your beaters practicing hitting bludgers at your star chasers again and again? And if the seeker is just going to release the snitch and practice circling around waiting for it to appear while the chasers attack the goal (which we are told is what he does), why does he even need to be at the team practice? He can do that anytime he likes, and doesn't need anyone else there.
6 Why does it take almost the entire school year to play six freaking games?
Is that enough nitpicking? As I said, not a single thing I've mentioned really means anything in the big picture, but they all bug me.