World Cup Soccer 2018 [Archive]

Camo

10-11-17, 05:52 PM

My teams are typically 1.a and 1.b - Scotland and Ireland. I'm from Scotland and the majority of my family is from Ireland. Then Italy, not got any personal connections to the country but they've always been my big team. After that whoever i think are entertaining to watch which changes all the time. Wouldn't mind England doing well and i do kinda root for them at times but even when they were decent in the late 90's/early 2000's their matches were horrible.

Ireland are through to the Second Round of qualifying and Scotland will probably never make a World Cup again. Although they were good for Scotland in qualifying this time.

Stirchley

10-11-17, 06:20 PM

I agree about England. Can hardly bear to watch them in the World Cup. They always look like they could care less.

Same as you I watch whoever is entertaining.

Americans always say - how come that match was exciting when only one goal was scored? They don’t understand that the fewer the goals scored the more skillful the match was. Can’t remember the country that got clobbered last time that let 7 goals in. Fun to watch, but idiotic also.

Camo

10-11-17, 06:24 PM

Can’t remember the country that got clobbered last time that let 7 goals in. Fun to watch, but idiotic also.

Brazil in Brazil against Germany in the Semi Final. Completely insane.

I hated that Brazil side, really wish Colombia had beat them purely for more James.

SeeingisBelieving

10-11-17, 06:30 PM

The United States has not qualified for the 2018 World Cup. This sucks. I really enjoy watching them play. What they lack in proficiency compared to some other countries they more than make up for in enthusiasm & their huge desire to win.

Guess I will stick with England then.

Well that's nice of you Stirchley :). I'm assuming you're American but I don't know.

I was sorry to hear that the USA hadn't qualified as they were great in the last World Cup and it seemed that the American audience was really excited by how well they were doing. It's really disappointing that Wales and Scotland haven't managed to get through this time either.

Aside from England I'm always rooting for the Netherlands and Croatia. And I loved Iceland in the Euros. They look like they're walking qualification but I hope Croatia get through in the same group.

Stirchley

10-11-17, 06:33 PM

Well that's nice of you Stirchley :). I'm assuming you're American but I don't know.

Dual nationality. :cool:

SeeingisBelieving

10-11-17, 06:34 PM

Dual nationality. :cool:

Ah, right :p.

doubledenim

10-11-17, 07:06 PM

I guess ima jump on that Iceland bandwagon before it's too trendy.

Fabulous

10-11-17, 10:38 PM

Canada is awful, so I’ll be supporting Italy as my parents were born there. Can’t see them achieving anything noteworthy under such a poor manager, however. Might actually be lucky to win the playoff!

Guaporense

10-12-17, 01:06 AM

Brazil hasn't won in a while now so I think it's time for Brazil to win. Anyway, the qualifiers showed Brazil has currently the strongest team although performance in the qualifiers is not strongly correlated with perfomance in the cup. Well, I hope Brazil doesn't fail to win it again like we did 3 times in a row.

SeeingisBelieving

10-12-17, 07:21 AM

Belgium might be a contender as well – I don't know what they've been like in qualification but the players they have…they did underperform in the Euros.

resopamenic

10-12-17, 09:20 AM

Still bad luck sanchez, even to turn focus on club glory sound unlikely

Fabulous

10-12-17, 04:06 PM

Belgium might be a contender as well – I don't know what they've been like in qualification but the players they have…they did underperform in the Euros.

Good squad that's been wasted first under Wilmots, and now Martínez.

SeeingisBelieving

10-12-17, 05:22 PM

Good squad that's been wasted first under Wilmots, and now Martínez.

Yeah, that was a surprise Martínez going to Belgium. It'll be interesting to see who replaces Gordon Strachan for Scotland.

Camo

10-12-17, 05:30 PM

No way Brazil has the strongest team. They very well could win it but they don't have the strongest team and as you said Qualifying isn't a great indicator of that.

SeeingisBelieving

10-12-17, 05:38 PM

It'd be great if an African team won it. I think Ghana got the furthest last time.

Chypmunk

10-12-17, 05:40 PM

It'd be great if an African team won it. I think Ghana got the furthest last time.
It'd be great if a Republic could win it imo :shifty:

Camo

10-12-17, 05:48 PM

America is the only team from a Continent other than South America or Europe to reach the Semi-Finals and that was the very first one when most of the good European teams never showed up. Would be cool to see an African team get that far, their teams are usually very flawed but fun to watch.

Nausicaä

10-12-17, 06:15 PM

Couldn't care less about the England side, so I go to the other side of my family and watch France.

But to be frank, I'd find it nice and amusing to see Iceland win the whole thing. :D

http://i.imgur.com/nvZEcc3.gif

SeeingisBelieving

10-12-17, 06:28 PM

resopamenic

10-12-17, 10:28 PM

England was always seems like the less cohesive team in tournament. The last i see them impressive and deliver was germany 2006

Doolallyfrank

10-13-17, 04:57 AM

Couldn't care less about the England side,

It's awful isn't it? It's such a common attitude though. The expectations are so dreadful that unfortunately that's how a lot of us feel.

It annoyed me recently when Gareth Southgate said he hadn't settled on his England captain yet, and yet Harry Kane's had the armband for several matches, is squeaky clean and scoring goals like there's no tomorrow – not exactly a head-scratcher Gaz :cool:.

It's weird for some to see a player Captain their country when they don't normally Captain their club, I'm a spurs fan so obviously I have no problem with Kane wearing the armband. I think it should be someone that will consistently be in the team for years to come, Jordan Henderson wouldn't be a bad choice if hes playing regularly, John Stones could be an option in a few years too, he'll learn a lot from Pep and Kompany.

Stirchley

10-13-17, 03:32 PM

It's such a common attitude though. The expectations are so dreadful that unfortunately that's how a lot of us feel.

I think it was the WC not last time, but the time before, the English player called Frank something (forget his name) was so underwhelming. Then the match ended with penalty kicks & I was amazed that he was chosen to take a penalty kick. I just knew he would miss & he did. IIRC, he also played in the last WC.

SeeingisBelieving

10-13-17, 03:39 PM

I think it was the WC not last time, but the time before, the English player called Frank something (forget his name) was so underwhelming. Then the match ended with penalty kicks & I was amazed that he was chosen to take a penalty kick. I just knew he would miss & he did. IIRC, he also played in the last WC.

Surely not Frank Lampard? I don't remember him being poor but it was terrible when he had that goal disallowed against Germany. There was that time David Beckham had a horrible miss and gestured to the turf.

Stirchley

10-13-17, 04:06 PM

Surely not Frank Lampard?

Definitely him. Knew his last name started with “l”? Is he still around?

SeeingisBelieving

10-13-17, 05:39 PM

Definitely him. Knew his last name started with “l”? Is he still around?

He recently retired – great player.

Camo

10-13-17, 05:47 PM

Yeah Lampard is about 40 now. He was one of the best players in the world a decade ago, was overshadowed by Gerrard who played in the same position which i think is unfair even though i'm a Liverpool fan: well Liverpool are my English team i'm obviously a Celtic fan.

They were awful for England together though, just not two compatible players. It's like those lists of best teams in the world i used to make as a kid which on paper looks unstoppable but when you think about it wouldn't work right together.

Stirchley

10-13-17, 06:08 PM

Wasn’t Gerrard (too lazy to look up his first name) the guy who did well in maybe the WC before the last one & then flamed out somewhat? I seem to recall him missing a goal one time in the WC?

Camo

10-13-17, 06:19 PM

Wasn’t Gerrard (too lazy to look up his first name) the guy who did well in maybe the WC before the last one & then flamed out somewhat? I seem to recall him missing a goal one time in the WC?

Gerrard was always below average for him at least in world cups. The only English player in the 2000's that did anything above average was David Beckham IMO and that was usually just converting opportunities he had. The team was always a shambles of very good/some great players not doing anywhere near as good as they usually do.

Lampard scored from the halfway line against Germany in 2010; a goal that was called out even though it was clearly in. Germany won 4-0 or 4-1 so it didn't matter but that was still insane to me.

Camo

10-13-17, 06:21 PM

Also it's Steven Gerrard. Sorry for not saying so in that post.

Stirchley

10-13-17, 06:32 PM

Lampard scored from the halfway line against Germany in 2010; a goal that was called out even though it was clearly in. Germany won 4-0 or 4-1 so it didn't matter but that was still insane to me.

Yes, that was what I remembered. You have an astounding memory, I must say.

Doolallyfrank

10-14-17, 01:00 AM

Lol it wasn't the halfway line, it was a thunderbolt that moved so fast that NOBODY saw it cross the line and bounce back out, but it was from "only" about 35yards out

Camo

10-14-17, 01:10 AM

Lol it wasn't the halfway line, it was a thunderbolt that moved so fast that NOBODY saw it cross the line and bounce back out, but it was from "only" about 35yards out

Yeah it was just outside the box, i misremembered i mean it was 7 years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5QlBHF6ib8

Camo

10-14-17, 01:11 AM

Love the commentators nearly crying :laugh:

Doolallyfrank

10-14-17, 04:22 AM

Love the commentators nearly crying :laugh:

it's burned in my memory, some poor German girl in the pub we were in was buried in plastic cups when she started celebrating Germany scoring their 3rd just after it happened. She was soaked, but she probably didn't care too much

Stirchley

10-16-17, 03:13 PM

Love the commentators nearly crying :laugh:

Why was it disqualified?

Stirchley

10-16-17, 03:14 PM

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/13/opinion/us-soccer-world-cup.html

Stirchley

10-16-17, 07:08 PM

Brazil in Brazil against Germany in the Semi Final. Completely insane.

Great footage of the 7 goals. Love the British commentator’s understatement that Brazil has fallen apart.

https://youtu.be/-sfRVyDHT30

resopamenic

10-17-17, 01:25 AM

Love the commentators nearly crying :laugh:

Why was it disqualified?do you mean that lampard goal? the referee simply not see the ball already pass the line and goal line tech yet to be implemeted at the time, so it's just human error of judgement.

still hilarious how m. neuer stay calm on the goalie lol, i still remember many of us shout at him as cheap bastard.

honeykid

10-18-17, 11:20 AM

The United States has not qualified for the 2018 World Cup. This sucks. I really enjoy watching them play. What they lack in proficiency compared to some other countries they more than make up for in enthusiasm & their huge desire to win.

A lot of the criticism I've heard about this result seems to imply the opposite. I'm not disagreeing with you because I've not seen a single game they've played in the qualifying group, that was just the reaction I heard from pundits over there.

Stirchley

10-18-17, 06:12 PM

A lot of the criticism I've heard about this result seems to imply the opposite. I'm not disagreeing with you because I've not seen a single game they've played in the qualifying group, that was just the reaction I heard from pundits over there.

See the link I posted 2 days ago.

honeykid

10-19-17, 07:59 AM

So you no longer feel that the team is enthusiastic and/or has a huge desire to win?

Stirchley

10-20-17, 02:15 PM

So you no longer feel that the team is enthusiastic and/or has a huge desire to win?

Since the United States will not be playing in the WC, your question is moot.

Guaporense

10-20-17, 11:05 PM

Brazil has been great in the qualifiers. Best campaign we played for the qualifiers ever. Brazil is going in much stronger than in the past several cups. Also, playing in Russia is a good advantage because Brazil will lack the pressure to win they had playing at home.

Stirchley

10-20-17, 11:16 PM

Guaporense

10-20-17, 11:19 PM

A bad one.

Guaporense

10-21-17, 01:32 AM

Here is a nice ranking of national teams:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Football_Elo_Ratings

Russia is really bad in the ranking. It's even behind the US.

resopamenic

10-21-17, 01:36 AM

Lot of their great already been retire from international football, guy like berezutsky, ingnasevich, kerzakhov, and former wonderkid like pavel mamaev, alan dzagoev, and igor akinfeev just couldnt live up the expectation. Seriously for now i think they far even to be the dark horse.

Camo

10-21-17, 02:23 AM

A bad one.

yeah they'll be incredible for some reason

Camo

10-21-17, 02:25 AM

What kind of a team does Russia have?

Are you serious?

Stirchley

10-23-17, 04:36 PM

Are you serious?

Camo, what kind of question is that? Explain what you mean & don’t be cryptic please.

Stirchley

12-04-17, 07:47 PM

England’s draw is Belgium, Tunisia and Panama. How does that strike the soccer fans?

Sure does suck that USA is out. As I’ve said before.

Doolallyfrank

12-04-17, 08:11 PM

England’s draw is Belgium, Tunisia and Panama. How does that strike the soccer fans?

Sure does suck that USA is out. As I’ve said before.

Beating Belgium would certainly be a good start
Weird not having Italy there

Stirchley

12-04-17, 08:40 PM

Italy not in the WC?

resopamenic

12-04-17, 10:34 PM

Yeah, they lose playoff against sweden.

resopamenic

12-04-17, 10:40 PM

38844

Stirchley

12-06-17, 04:13 PM

Interesting draws.

honeykid

12-09-17, 10:50 AM

Guaporense

12-10-17, 02:18 PM

No Netherlands and no Italy makes winning easier although Brazil's WC nemesis France is in there. Some people are betting on Germany winning again because they expect Brazil to play France in semifinals and naturally lose.

It would be so cool if Germany and France were both disqualified in the group stage with Mexico and Sweden getting through in Germany's group. Although France's group is piece of cake, impossible to not qualify.

Stirchley

12-11-17, 03:32 PM

It's a good draw for England. If we can't get out of that group we don't deserve it. Portugal v Spain is probably the best looking game of the group stages, but I'm sure there'll be a few surprises. I think Russia v Saudi is the most underwhelming opening game I can remember.

I agree with everything you wrote.

France's group is piece of cake, impossible to not qualify.

Denmark is a good team though, no?

honeykid

12-16-17, 01:32 PM

Denmark are pretty workman-like, but they have a few talents which are on the rise. Obviously Christian Eriksen is the star and, IMO, is starting to become the kind of player you can talk about as genuinely world class in another season or so.

Stirchley

05-28-18, 03:16 PM

Was just looking at the FIFA schedule. Spain vs. Portugal will be a good match to watch on June 15. Maybe I will watch the opening match of Russia vs. Saudi Arabia on the 14th. Hard to believe Italy is not playing. England plays Tunisia, Panama & Belgium. I would imagine they will beat Tunisia, but maybe not the other 2 teams. So bummed USA is not playing.

https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/

SeeingisBelieving

05-28-18, 03:44 PM

Stirchley

05-28-18, 04:02 PM

USA were great last time. It's unthinkable that the Netherlands and Italy aren't in it either.

It was so great to watch the USA in the World Cup. So enthusiastic & trying so hard. A+ for effort.

Didn’t realize the Netherlands is not in. Bummer.

donniedarko

05-28-18, 04:23 PM

BELGIUM FTW

SeeingisBelieving

05-28-18, 04:24 PM

It was so great to watch the USA in the World Cup. So enthusiastic & trying so hard. A+ for effort.

Yeah it was great to see the positive effect it had in the US with people being enthusiastic.

Didn’t realize the Netherlands is not in. Bummer.

I support England, Croatia and the Netherlands in that order :). I'd like to see Croatia do better this time.

Stirchley

05-28-18, 04:47 PM

Yeah it was great to see the positive effect it had in the US with people being enthusiastic.

The average American, I would hazard to guess, has little interest in football (unless their kid plays it at school). But there are hundreds of thousands of people in America who avidly watch soccer. People from the Caribbean, Central Americans, South Americans, European ex-pats, et al. So there’s plenty of interest here once it gets going.

hell_storm2004

05-28-18, 09:13 PM

Brazil fan since birth!

hell_storm2004

05-28-18, 09:15 PM

But France squad is scary. Germany, Spain, France and Brazil all can take it.

Fabulous

05-28-18, 09:16 PM

BELGIUM FTW
Great squad, but the manager might be their downfall.

pahaK

05-28-18, 10:02 PM

I'm rooting for Finland... No, wait, we never ever qualify in football :(

Stanley Cup finals should end before these so I'm most likely watching some games at least. Haven't really followed football in quite some time now but World Cup is always nice. Just hoping there isn't too much diving and embellishment.

hell_storm2004

05-29-18, 12:02 AM

I have taken permission from my boss to work from home for a month. Same as I did in 2014! :)

Stirchley

05-30-18, 02:28 PM

Wow, good for you.

hell_storm2004

05-31-18, 12:16 AM

Yeah. My boss is nice! He doesn't care as long as the work gets done. I have to move away from US. Next one is in Qatar. I will be 4 years older and surely won't be able to wake up at 02:00 or something for the matches!

Dani8

05-31-18, 06:28 AM

[QUOTE=Stirchley;1799368]

I was sorry to hear that the USA hadn't qualified as they were great in the last World Cup and it seemed that the American audience was really excited by how well they were doing. It's really disappointing that Wales and Scotland haven't managed to get through this time either.

Aside from England I'm always rooting for the Netherlands and Croatia. And I loved Iceland in the Euros. They look like they're walking qualification but I hope Croatia get through in the same group.
Me too. We were in NYC and the American audience in our restaurant was fantastic.

Also a big fan of the Netherlands. They always seem to be a great Fandom.I will be watching some of it for sure.

SeeingisBelieving

05-31-18, 08:36 AM

Me too. We were in NYC and the American audience in our restaurant was fantastic.

Also a big fan of the Netherlands. They always seem to be a great Fandom.I will be watching some of it for sure.

It's going to be good to refamiliarise myself with the teams. Australia are in a pretty good group I think – France are going to be tough, possibly even Denmark. I don't know the Peru team.

SeeingisBelieving

05-31-18, 08:37 AM

hell_storm2004

05-31-18, 01:02 PM

I know. That winter world cup thing will be weird! But at least need to geographically closer so the matches are during normal hours. I remember USA 94. I was down far east then. Matches at 4 in the morning were brutal. Snoozed through school for a month. Dad was fine with me watching. Mom went bonkers coz it was effecting my studies!

Stirchley

06-01-18, 01:16 PM

The really weird thing, being in the UK, is going to be watching it in the winter.

Why would it be in the winter? Because Qatar is too hot?

hell_storm2004

06-01-18, 01:26 PM

Yes that is the reason. AC stadium is something they are trying to build. Some of the stadiums are upwards of $2.5B

SeeingisBelieving

06-01-18, 01:37 PM

Why would it be in the winter? Because Qatar is too hot?

Yeah, precisely. It was deemed to be safer to do it that way.

SmudgeEFC1985

06-01-18, 03:18 PM

Im an Ireland fan, so once again of course we arent there. Last time I saw us play in a World Cup, I was on study leave for my GCSE exams! Got back from my paper round just in time to watch us get a draw in the groups with Germany thanks to a last minute equaliser!

Ive pulled Argentina in the sweep, though I dont think they'll win it. Fancying Germany again or France right now, Frsnce tend to be boom or bust in the WC, having won and go to the final recently, as well as getting humped out at the group stages, there never seems to be an in between!

Other than that, Im an Everton fan so Ill tend to stick to wanting to see our players do well there! Unfortunately that means having to get behind England, as it seems likely our keeper Pickford will be first choice keeper. Our other representatives will be Kevin Mirallas (technically still plays for us and I cant wait to see the back of him!) for Belgium, Idrissa Gueye for Senegal and Gylfi Sigurdsson for Iceland!

I cant wait, Im not a huge fan of international football as its tremendously dull outside of the big tournaments but I absolutely love the World Cup. Already put all the fixtures in my diary and looked for which games Ill miss because Im working!

Stirchley

06-01-18, 04:24 PM

SmudgeEFC1985

06-01-18, 04:47 PM

I never watch soccer outside of the World Cup. I’m from Birmingham originally, but have never seen Birmingham City F.C. or Aston Villa play. All the girls I used to go around with in Brum dated football players, but I don’t think I ever met one. There’s really nothing as exciting as watching a first-class World Cup match.

Im the opposite...follow my own team home, away and in Europe, done random games at home and abroad, the lot! Been to both Brum and Villa absolutely loads of times, even saw my local village side win the FA Trophy at Villa Park in 2003!

Went to a game at the European Championships in France two summers ago, I'd recommend going to a tournament game to anybody, has an amazing atmosphere around it. Probably helped by the fact it was one of France's games I went to, against Albania in Marseille.

Stirchley

06-01-18, 05:20 PM

I see from your profile you’re from Skelmersdale. Is that the Lake District? Which county is that?

SmudgeEFC1985

06-01-18, 05:53 PM

Lancashire, it's bang in the middle between Liverpool and Manchester.

Stirchley

06-01-18, 06:16 PM

Mother was from Liverpool. :)

SmudgeEFC1985

06-01-18, 06:46 PM

My dad is, hence the supporting Everton! My mum is from Belfast, hence the supporting the Irish!

hell_storm2004

06-02-18, 12:47 AM

SmudgeEFC1985

06-02-18, 08:43 AM

Good to see Everton. If you said Pool, this thread would be closed by next page. United here! :)

To be honest, UCL has a higher standard than WC. There are some teams which are just there to make up the numbers. 2026 will be 48 teams. Watered down drivel that would be

Somewhere to talk about football where disliking Liverpool is popular...Im happy already!

I agree expanding it is silly, 32 teams is a good balance, that we get enough smaller nations from smaller (in football terms at least, not actually size!) continents, and there is still a good enough chance for all to qualify. Opening it up too much ruins it. Look at the Euros 2 years ago, I think the quality suffered severely from expanding it from 16, especially when it was possible to finish 3rd in your group and still go through.

As for the CL, that is going too far in the other direction, by making itself a closed shop to anyone who doesnt come from one of the big nations. Half of the 32 group teams next season will come from Italy, Spain, France and England. While a team who have won their league, such as Celtic, have to play 8 games to qualify for the group stage! I also absolutely despise this concept of losers falling into the Europa League, just one of many reasons why the Europa League is probably the most disrespected competition around, when if they didnt insist on cramming all of the top teams into the CL in the first place, then the Europa League would be a fantastic competition in it's own right.

Stirchley

06-11-18, 03:30 PM

the samoan lawyer

06-12-18, 09:35 AM

Looking forward to Spain vs. Portugal on Friday.

Interesting that out of 24 teams playing, 7 have won the World Cup.

England, Spain & France once.
Uruguay & Argentina twice.
Germany 4 times.
Brazil 5 times.

32 teams playing Stirchley.
Really looking forward to Friday myself, should be a good game and a close one too. Looking forward to Saturday too actually. Interested to see how France do. Always good to watch the Argies. Croatia v Nigeria will be evenly matched although maybe not too many goals. Peru are dark horses. Not too win it or anything but they will spring a few surprises and I wont be shocked to see them beat the Danes and go on to qualify for the next round.

In fact, I'm looking forward to every day of the world cup! My flexi time in work might take a hit though!

ashdoc

06-12-18, 02:51 PM

I request the admin to change the name of the thread to 'World cup football 2018' .

hell_storm2004

06-12-18, 03:14 PM

Yeah. 94 was the last time 24 teams played. And 8 have won the world cup. For us, matches start on Thursday! :p
Italy 4 times. 34. 38, 82 and 2006.

So we get to enjoy it a day early! :D

That France match is at 05:00. No partying on Friday night. Although I am used to waking up that early for the EPL matches, I just have gone out of habit in the past few weeks. I will be watching all the matches. Its going to be juicy.

But i am apprehensive about the VAR thing though. Last Confed cup, it was all over the place.

Football... mother of all sports! :flair:

SeeingisBelieving

06-12-18, 05:20 PM

I request the admin to change the name of the thread to 'World cup football 2018' .

It's always going to be a bit jarring, that :). I've just read that India have never been in a World Cup, which surprised me.

hell_storm2004

06-12-18, 08:41 PM

India made it in 1950. Although it was a dubious qualification at best. But being in Brazil and Olympics being just two years later and getting independence just before that, they prioritized and said we are going to Olympics and not the WC.

It might have helped the country gain some traction for the sport if they went.

It is football for me too. But I don't care anymore, ears have become used to hearing the word.

donniedarko

06-12-18, 10:59 PM

LETS GO BELGIUM

https://media3.giphy.com/media/26Ff3qfBkKtMfGZ8Y/giphy.gif

ashdoc

06-13-18, 12:49 AM

It's always going to be a bit jarring, that :). I've just read that India have never been in a World Cup, which surprised me.

Indians are mad for cricket , and football is not so popular .

SeeingisBelieving

06-13-18, 06:36 AM

Indians are mad for cricket , and football is not so popular .

Oh yes but over such a long time it still surprised me. Apparently they were able to compete in 1950 due to some other teams withdrawing but pulled out themselves too for some reason.

Stirchley

06-13-18, 02:21 PM

32 teams playing Stirchley.

My bad. Never was any good at math.

I request the admin to change the name of the thread to 'World cup football 2018' .

I’m confused. Is it wrong to call football soccer?

Italy 4 times. 34. 38, 82 and 2006.

Right. Didn’t mention them ‘cos they didn’t qualify this time.

But i am apprehensive about the VAR thing though.

NY Times had a very interesting article on Sunday about the VAR. Should be interesting to see it in play.

hell_storm2004

06-13-18, 02:22 PM

I am going to give Fox one or two days, if they use American commentators for the matches, i am going to get an IPTV connection for a month and watch it on BT/ITV.

Stuart Holden, John Strong, Warren Barton, Eric Wynalda, Alexi Lalas.... yikes. A bunch of idiots!

hell_storm2004

06-13-18, 02:26 PM

It will be interesting for sure. Just hope the delays wont kill the flow. Coz the way it was implemented, is just time consuming. I will look at the article though.

ashdoc

06-13-18, 02:35 PM

I’m confused. Is it wrong to call football soccer?

the world calls the game as football . soccer is the american name for it , but americans form only 2 percent of world population .

SeeingisBelieving

06-13-18, 02:36 PM

I’m confused. Is it wrong to call football soccer?

I've just read a little bit about it and interestingly it seems that the term "soccer", which was English anyway, derives from "association" as in the official name of the sport, Association Football. It just depends where you are but calling it soccer in the UK today would sound quite weird.

Stirchley

06-13-18, 02:51 PM

Right, I knew the derivation of soccer so I was confused as to why I shouldn’t use that word. I’ve lived in America so long that I am out-of-touch with modern lingo.

Stirchley

06-13-18, 02:55 PM

I am going to give Fox one or two days, if they use American commentators for the matches, i am going to get an IPTV connection for a month and watch it on BT/IT

I’m gonna stream it from Fox on my iPad & husband will watch it on his telly. I always liked ESPN’s coverage - some good British commentary - but I don’t think after all my years here that it will bother me if the coverage is all-American.

hell_storm2004

06-13-18, 03:16 PM

It was soccer and a Brit term for sure. But its usage faded away in the 1860s or 70s, since then it always has been football. The American football association or federation was founded in 1884. But when NFL came along in the early 1910 they co-existed for a while. Then NFL forced the real football folks to change the name to Soccer, since then US has stuck with the old word. So in a way, football is older helmet/pads football in US.

SeeingisBelieving

06-13-18, 03:18 PM

Right, I knew the derivation of soccer so I was confused as to why I shouldn’t use that word. I’ve lived in America so long that I am out-of-touch with modern lingo.

Oh I should ask, would you have been a Birmingham City or Aston Villa fan :)?

hell_storm2004

06-13-18, 03:19 PM

I’m gonna stream it from Fox on my iPad & husband will watch it on his telly. I always liked ESPN’s coverage - some good British commentary - but I don’t think after all my years here that it will bother me if the coverage is all-American.

I wouldn't have cared much. But the folks they use are just not knowledgeable enough and also have a hard time pronouncing the name. They just cant analyze a match in that great a detail. ESPN was brilliant last time around.

resopamenic

06-13-18, 04:22 PM

So these guy rubiales is a rubbish lol, Spanish fa with scandal just two days before world cup

Stirchley

06-13-18, 06:16 PM

Oh I should ask, would you have been a Birmingham City or Aston Villa fan :)?

Neither. The only time I watch football (!) is during the World Cup.

Stirchley

06-13-18, 06:17 PM

So these guy rubiales is a rubbish lol, Spanish fa with scandal just two days before world cup

Okay, what are we talking about here?

resopamenic

06-13-18, 06:23 PM

So these guy rubiales is a rubbish lol, Spanish fa with scandal just two days before world cup

Okay, what are we talking about here?their coach julian lopetugui been announced as new madrid coach - and because of that negotiation done underhand , it led spanish fa furious and sack him

Stirchley

06-13-18, 06:24 PM

Okay, got it.

Chypmunk

06-13-18, 06:32 PM

*sigh* and all just a couple of days after I put my pennies on España to win the bloody thing :(
Oh well, c'est la vida as they say.

Stirchley

06-13-18, 06:34 PM

Should we all have a bet as to the final winner?

Slappydavis

06-13-18, 06:45 PM

Should we all have a bet as to the final winner?
Funny you say that, I'm running a wager spreadsheet among some people. If Yoda doesn't mind wagering going on, here's the link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PNtVSCrh3tOllIHaDykSRbFca2m8-hLZlDAQXCMtOPk/edit#gid=1128792936

For mine, I'll only take two types of wagers:
Will x team make round of 16 (Prize of 10 USD if "yes")
Will x team win world cup (prize of 100 USD if "yes")

Max of 2 wagers (I don't want to pay out that much!) and only 1 person is allowed to take any particular team for the "win it all" (i.e. there will only be on person that gets the $100 prize).

The cost of a ticket per bet is the %chance of its occurrence via 538's model: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2018-world-cup-predictions/

If you think the model undervalues a specific team's chances, that's where you'd want to bet!

The sum of the prices is exactly 100 dollars for the world cup winner, so there's no inherent house advantage.

Again, only if there's not weirdness about having wagering going on, I'll take it down if needed. I just like the world cup but I don't have a team to really pull for and I like low stakes bets so that I start to care about outcomes!

Stirchley

06-13-18, 08:16 PM

Great idea, but too complicated for me. I was thinking just to call the winner. We’re all over the world here so it could make things complicated, not to mention currency differences.

Stirchley

06-13-18, 08:17 PM

*sigh* and all just a couple of days after I put my pennies on España to win the bloody thing :(
Oh well, c'est la vida as they say.

But that’s the thing with the WC. You never know what is going to happen. All that matters is what happens that day. I would imagine they will beat Portugal on Friday, but, really, who knows?

hell_storm2004

06-13-18, 09:19 PM

I think it will be France. But I do hope Brazil do it. 6th would be nice. Germany and Italy are just too close for comfort.

resopamenic

06-13-18, 10:07 PM

Me: Argentina (lol)
I got lucky with two previous WC tho', spain and germany m 😎

Chypmunk

06-14-18, 03:49 AM

Italy won't win it, of that I have no doubts. In fact I'm so confident, I'll stand anyone here as much cash as they want at 33/1 that Italy won't win it this time :nope:

SmudgeEFC1985

06-14-18, 11:21 AM

Im running a prediction league on another forum, and had gone for Spain...Im sticking with it though, stranger things have happened, and this just feels like it could be another crazy story like Denmark winning Euro 92 when they only qualified because of Yugoslavia pulling out due to war breaking out.

ScarletLion

06-14-18, 11:26 AM

Spain or Germany. Or Belgium.

hell_storm2004

06-14-18, 11:28 AM

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!

ashdoc

06-14-18, 04:04 PM

Vow what a start !! Russia beat Saudi Arabia 5-0 .

SeeingisBelieving

06-14-18, 05:44 PM

Vow what a start !! Russia beat Saudi Arabia 5-0 .

Some good goals as well. I expected Russia to beat them convincingly and wasn't aware of the team being called the worst ever. You'd expect Uruguay particularly to be a much more difficult opponent.

Didn't like the opening ceremony I'm afraid, especially Mr. Williams, who seemed blatantly anachronistic. The Firebird was a nice idea but the overall effect was a bit "no expense was spent" :shrug:.

hell_storm2004

06-14-18, 05:46 PM

Both teams are poor. Although I haven't seen Egypt play, Uruguay will qualify, But the +5 GD to start with, Russia has a good chance of making it.

SeeingisBelieving

06-14-18, 05:49 PM

Both teams are poor. Although I haven't seen Egypt play, Uruguay will qualify, But the +5 GD to start with, Russia has a good chance of making it.

Yeah that's true.

Stirchley

06-14-18, 06:59 PM

I think it will be France. But I do hope Brazil do it. 6th would be nice. Germany and Italy are just too close for comfort.

Italy is not in the WC.

Italy won't win it, of that I have no doubts. In fact I'm so confident, I'll stand anyone here as much cash as they want at 33/1 that Italy won't win it this time :nope:

Just realized you are making a joke. :p

Some good goals as well. Didn't like the opening ceremony I'm afraid, especially Mr. Williams, who seemed blatantly anachronistic.

They were good goals. Russia’s biggest fear was that the host country would immediately be knocked out. (That has happened before, but can’t remember who.) They acquitted themselves well & it was fun to see the home crowd go bat****.

Who is Mr. Williams?

Stirchley

06-14-18, 07:04 PM

Fox.com coverage is a bit of a pain. Thought I would stream the entire game when I got home today, but, no, only the highlights are available. Pretty sure with ESPN.com you could watch an entire match after it was played.

Truckloads of commercials. Watch a single goal in replay, commercials. Start all over with the 2nd goal, more commercials. Etc. etc. Don’t remember this with ESPN.

Too lazy to look it up here, but someone wondered if there would be British commentators. ESPN had some brilliant guys, but, so far on Fox, Americans only. Which is ok, but sometimes I like to hear my fellow Brits.

2 p.m. tomorrow will watch - live - Spain vs. Portugal. I say Spain for a win.

donniedarko

06-14-18, 07:09 PM

I thought it’d be Uruguay and Egypt advancing from Group A initially, but now I’m not so sure.

Tommorow picks
Egypt 2 vs Uruguay 2
Morocco 0 vs Iran 1
Portugal 2 vs Spain 1

resopamenic

06-14-18, 09:08 PM

Yeah my bae golovin. Still Poor dzagoev.

hell_storm2004

06-14-18, 10:45 PM

World Cup opening turned sour. Stung by a wasp!

Dani8

06-14-18, 10:55 PM

World Cup opening turned sour. Stung by a wasp!
What happened?

hell_storm2004

06-15-18, 01:17 AM

I went outside to clean the pool, didn't realize some wasps have made a hive just outside the door. They probably felt threatened, got stung at the back of the neck!

Come to thing of it, my first proper insect bite! Something to rejoice!

Chypmunk

06-15-18, 02:57 AM

Grrrrr, I had Russia 3-0 with a saver on 4-0 :(

Today's pennies-depleters:
Egypt 0 - 2 Uruguay
Morocco 1 - 0 Iran
Portugal 1 - 1 Spain

resopamenic

06-15-18, 03:13 AM

Let's see,
Egypt 0 - 3 uruguay
Morocco 3 - 1 iran
Portugal 1 - 2 spain

Mr Minio

06-15-18, 03:34 AM

Let's see,
Egypt 0 - 3 uruguay
Morocco 3 - 1 iran
Portugal 1 - 2 spain If you got them right, I'm gonna send you free J pop recommendations.

Anyways, I predicted Russia - Saudi Arabia to end with 4 - 0, but Russians just had to score an additional goal in the last minute!

resopamenic

06-15-18, 04:10 AM

Let's see,
Egypt 0 - 3 uruguay
Morocco 3 - 1 iran
Portugal 1 - 2 spain If you got them right, I'm gonna send you free J pop recommendations. yosha!

Anyways, I predicted Russia - Saudi Arabia to end with 4 - 0, but Russians just had to score an additional goal in the last minute!tho' definite sure with russia i predicted it wont tallied by wider margin. Their stats before WC not impressive at all

Hey hey wait a minute, i actually talk football with minio senpai! :O

MovieMeditation

06-15-18, 05:11 AM

Enjoyed the opening game yesterday, though I'm properly excited for the game later between Portugal and Spain!

And I love how Denmark is pushing forward with technology... I'm enjoying all the games in full 4K/HDR - that's so awesome:cool:

Guaporense

06-15-18, 05:39 AM

Putin's effect is going to make Russia do better than they would otherwise. The 5-0 showed that, really weird score given that both teams were similarly weak.

Guaporense

06-15-18, 05:52 AM

Spain or Germany. Or Belgium.

I personally would bet on the following teams as being more likely to win this cup:

1st - Brazil
2nd - Argentina
3rd - Germany
4th - France

Argentina above Germany mainly because they lost the final to Germany last time so they will be more motivated to win compared to Germany who will be more complacent. France has been going on quite strong as well.

But overall I don't think the European teams are going to win this one. While the Europeans got lucky in the last few world cups as Brazil was not playing up to it's traditional level (i.e. playing at a level above everybody else's) this time Brazil is surely playing like Brazil, basically wipping the floor with everybody else's national teams over the past 20 matches under Tite's brilliant management. Last time Brazil looked as strong as now was around the early 2000's, in fact, in terms of pre-world cup performance that's the strongest Brazil performance since the 1970 cup qualifiers.

Still, in football is very stochastic so even the best team only has a 20 to 25% chance of winning the world cub. The reason is that even if Brazil has a 75% chance of winning every match (which is the probability of a team playing above the level of the others), they need to win 4 matches in a row to win the cup from the round of 16 to the final so the probability of making it is only 81/256 given that Brazil makes to the round of 16 (which is almost 100%).

I don't think Spain is getting very far this time, Spain got lucky in 2010 but they are not a traditionally strong team. Spain in 2010 are like Hungary in 1954, not something that's likely to repeat itself.

Chypmunk

06-15-18, 06:03 AM

Awwwwww, I got this when Googling for 'world cub':

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4s9u49QiCyU/hqdefault.jpg
<3

SeeingisBelieving

06-15-18, 07:40 AM

Who is Mr. Williams?

Robbie.

Mr Minio

06-15-18, 07:40 AM

Hey hey wait a minute, i actually talk football with minio senpai! :O Sometimes I need to drop my standards to be able to converse with common folk. I mean, it's pretty boring up here.

resopamenic

06-15-18, 08:56 AM

Hey hey wait a minute, i actually talk football with minio senpai! :O Sometimes I need to drop my standards to be able to converse with common folk. I mean, it's pretty boring up here.https://i.gifer.com/PXiN.gif

Mr Minio

06-15-18, 10:52 AM

https://i.gifer.com/PXiN.gif Don't question my elitism. :cool:

hell_storm2004

06-15-18, 10:55 AM

Would have loved to see Salah get some game time. Late heart break for Egypt.

Mr Minio

06-15-18, 12:06 PM

IM NOT ROOTING FOR POLAND

IM SUCH A CONTRARIAN

SeeingisBelieving

06-15-18, 12:15 PM

Would have loved to see Salah get some game time. Late heart break for Egypt.

Really disappointed for them, especially the goalkeeper. I can understand keeping Salah back until he's fully fit at this stage; they might really need him later on. Looking at them today though they should be able to beat Saudi Arabia easily, and give Russia a hard game.

hell_storm2004

06-15-18, 12:22 PM

Yeah. I understand why the manager want to keep him safe. Coz they still can qualify, as Russia and Saudi Arabia are definitely winnable matches for them. And they probably realize Uruguay will win the group anyways.

Iran had some weird trouble before the world cup as Nike didn't provide them with boots due to the Iran sanctions. Kind of feel bad for them!

hell_storm2004

06-15-18, 02:13 PM

Heart break for Morocco. Lost the world cup bid and now an own goal.

Stirchley

06-15-18, 04:00 PM

Good game so far Portugal vs. Spain. By the time I had my streaming set up with Infinity & Fox, Ronaldo had already scored a goal!

resopamenic

06-15-18, 05:14 PM

Match highlight - day 2
https://youtu.be/LPzZa-Btx6I
https://youtu.be/rG6hK0eZ_Ys
https://youtu.be/QIzgmYD14dc

Man seems i missed a great match. De gea, what the,

Stirchley

06-15-18, 05:16 PM

Match highlight - day 2

Unfortunately, it’s not highlights for those of us in America. Sends us to YouTube for the entire game.

Stirchley

06-15-18, 05:17 PM

Good game so far Portugal vs. Spain. By the time I had my streaming set up with Infinity & Fox, Ronaldo had already scored a goal!

Even though it was a 3-3 tie, it was Portugal’s game with Ronaldo’s hat trick.

Tugg

06-15-18, 06:03 PM

Spain was better team, but congrats to Ronaldo for making a tie.

hell_storm2004

06-15-18, 11:54 PM

It was a fun match. Spain deserved to win. But what can one do when CR7 is on the prowl.

Guaporense

06-16-18, 02:19 AM

I wouldn't think that Spain deserved to win just because they had greater ball possession. Portugal played their trump card well and managed to tie despite being a quite inferior team to Spain if we exclude a certain player. Overall it was Ronaldo's match more than national team's.

Chypmunk

06-16-18, 04:08 AM

What a cracker of a match the Iberian Derby was, much needed after the bore that was Morocco v Iran.

How I've thrown my pennies away today...
France 2 - 0 Australia
Argentina 3 - 0 Iceland
Peru 0 - 2 Denmark
Croatia 2 - 1 Nigeria

resopamenic

06-16-18, 04:48 AM

Yeah another day to try,
France 1 - 1 australia
Argentina 5 - 1 iceland
Peru 2 - 0 denmark
Croatia 2 - 3 nigeria

resopamenic

06-16-18, 06:00 AM

https://akcdn.detik.net.id/community/media/visual/2018/06/16/f0f178ad-9b1b-4df5-a7be-463d7231c75f.jpeg?w=650&q=90

honeykid

06-16-18, 08:06 AM

^^That's fantastic^^ :laugh:

With the second half to prove me spectacularly wrong, Deschamps showing in the first half why he won't take France to a world cup win. Not that the players seemed to bothered to help him out. Hoping the Aussies nick it 1-0 but it'll probably be the other way around.

Last nights game was a privilege to watch. To quote a great man, "Football? Bloody hell."

MovieMad16

06-16-18, 08:49 AM

You would think France would be whipping Australia all across the park.

Just isn't to be.

Tugg

06-16-18, 08:59 AM

You would think France would be whipping Australia all across the park.
France did not play like champions, but they got their 3 points.

SmudgeEFC1985

06-16-18, 11:04 AM

Ive got Argentina in the sweep, but loving Iceland smiting about today. For anyone on Twitter, you should definitely follow Reykjavik Grapevine during the World Cup, as their commentary on Iceland games is absolute gold.

resopamenic

06-16-18, 11:29 AM

Pffft messi

Tugg

06-16-18, 12:00 PM

Iron defence by Iceland gives them a tie vs. Argentina. By the way, the penalty was not fair so I was glad Messi flopped it. Argentina deserved victory though.

pahaK

06-16-18, 12:28 PM

Argentina 3 - 0 Iceland

Argentina 5 - 1 iceland

You obviously haven't followed Iceland that much. They didn't allow more than 2 goals in any of their qualifiers (total of 7 goals in 10 games). They're not the most talented team out there but unlike KSA they play smart instead of trying to be entertaining. I don't expect them to allow more than two goals in any of the games (unless they repeat the Euro 2016 surprise and go far in the knockout phase and run out of steam like they did against France).

gandalf26

06-16-18, 12:29 PM

Decided it would be "free money" to put £300 on Argentina to get £400 back. ****ing sick.

resopamenic

06-16-18, 01:37 PM

resopamenic

06-16-18, 01:40 PM

One post match quote neutralized

resopamenic

06-16-18, 01:43 PM

Iron defence by Iceland gives them a tie vs. Argentina. By the way, the penalty was not fair so I was glad Messi flopped it. Argentina deserved victory though.iceland did very well to keeo them at bay. Cabalerolero suck ass tho'

Chypmunk

06-16-18, 01:58 PM

Iceland handled the task well, a good point for them that throws the opportunity to progress to the knockout stages completely open. Had I had the opportunity to make predictions with the benefit of hindsight I think I can safely say I'd have gone for Argentina 1 - 1 Iceland ... sadly my bookies ask for the prediction and cash before the game starts though :D

Dreadful penalty miss from Peru in the first half keeps my prediction on this next game alive but I get the feeling that I may well be wishing my bookies accepted aftertimed predictions on this one too :shrug:

Mr Minio

06-16-18, 02:40 PM

Instead of watching matches I watch movies and then look up scores on the Internet. Win-win!

Tugg

06-16-18, 03:06 PM

Both Peru and Denmark showed good football, just luck was on Denmark's side this time. Peru had many chances too. Both teams have fighting chances against not so impressive France, let alone Australia.

Fabulous

06-17-18, 12:46 AM

Nigeria looked completely toothless. No sense of urgency at all.

Chypmunk

06-17-18, 03:48 AM

Today's contributions to the bookies...
Costa Rica 2 -1 Serbia
Germany 2 - 0 Mexico
Brazil 3 - 0 Switzerland

resopamenic

06-17-18, 05:00 AM

Costa rica 0 - 0 serbia
Germany 3 - 2 mexico
Brazil 3 - 1 swiss

With hope that Xhaka will do a screamer :D

Tugg

06-17-18, 11:00 AM

Serbia- 1 - Costa Rica- 0,- fair enough.

donniedarko

06-17-18, 12:50 PM

MÉXICO looks strong af, could finish first in the group

Chypmunk

06-17-18, 01:52 PM

Plenty of spirit in both matches so far today, absolutely delighted for Mexico - given themselves a great chance of progressing to the knockout stage.

Luis

06-17-18, 02:45 PM

I'm a Mexican-American! So FREAKING proud, my whole family was practically screaming the whole way through.

Siddon

06-17-18, 02:57 PM

LOL go Mexico...now Germany is likely going to draw Brazil in the first knock out round:D

pahaK

06-17-18, 03:27 PM

Pretty nice goal by Brazil.

Fabulous

06-17-18, 05:02 PM

All the favourites have been having a tough time.

Guaporense

06-17-18, 05:46 PM

Brazil match has the worst refering job I have ever watched. The swis goal was ilegal and there was a penalty for Brazil that wasn't pointed out. Truly awful, it looks like Putin is really consciously trying to screw with Brazil.

resopamenic

06-17-18, 07:19 PM

Let's take a moment and laugh at german.. and brazil too.
Kek!

Nathaniel

06-17-18, 07:58 PM

Mexico should have won by about 4. Crazy game.

I'm expecting both Belgium and England to win comfortably tomorrow but you never know with this tournament.

Mr Minio

06-17-18, 08:11 PM

Truly awful, it looks like Putin is really consciously trying to screw with Brazil. So was Terry Gilliam by making a film Brazil that has nothing to do with the country. :)

Guaporense

06-17-18, 08:22 PM

final is going to be Russia and South Korea

hell_storm2004

06-18-18, 01:36 AM

Germany has fallen. If Germany finishes 2nd in the group. There would be Brazil vs Germany in the Round of 16. One big team knocked out so early, is not good.

Chypmunk

06-18-18, 07:04 AM

Today's scores to avoid....
Sweden 2 - 1 South Korea
Belgium 3 - 0 Panama
Tunisia 0 - 2 England

(this has been a public service announcement on behalf of reducing the possible outcome of each game by one)

resopamenic

06-18-18, 08:42 AM

Lol I really want SK win this one then
Sweden 0 - 1 S. Korea

laughable if belgium and england cant toying their opponents today

Mr Minio

06-18-18, 09:26 AM

Let's take a moment and laugh at german.. and brazil too.
Kek!

laughable if belgium and england cant toying their opponents today Mean and rude! Show some respect for these teams! :p

resopamenic

06-18-18, 09:50 AM

Let's take a moment and laugh at german.. and brazil too.
Kek!
laughable if belgium and england cant toying their opponents today Mean and rude! Show some respect for these teams! :pno they wont get any cookies this time for been complacent 😎

mojofilter

06-18-18, 09:56 AM

I'm rooting for Mexico to go all the way and win it!

Mr Minio

06-18-18, 10:02 AM

no they wont get any cookies this time for been complacent 😎 Will I get a cookie, though?

gandalf26

06-18-18, 10:33 AM

In before England's inevitable 0-0 draw.

honeykid

06-18-18, 10:35 AM

Instead of watching matches I watch movies and then look up scores on the Internet. Win-win!
Sounds more lose-lose to me. Well, for about half the films you watch, anwyay. :p:D

Great day yesterday. The Germany v Mexico match in particular was a surprise with how poor the German team looked. Will they drop Khedira or change the system and put three in the middle?

I still have Brazil in the final, but the Germany v Brazil final I hoped for looks a lot less likely.

All of the teams most likely to win the tournament have played now and Spain look to be the best atm. Still, they're the only team which knew from the start they had to play well in the first game so maybe they were just better prepared for their first game?

While not losing is the most important thing in the first game, with the group England and Belgium are in, nothing but a win. Especially for England, as two wins before the Belgium game would make it easier to experiment in that game.

resopamenic

06-18-18, 10:43 AM

no they wont get any cookies this time for been complacent 😎 Will I get a cookie, though?45403

hell_storm2004

06-18-18, 10:45 AM

VAR strikes again. Happy that Sweden are winning.

Tugg

06-18-18, 11:07 AM

Brazil did not play like champions and deserved draw they got. Switzerland was mostly solid. Match wasn't too impressive.

Germany couldn't score to save their lives, but I still think they played quite well and are favorites to win proceeding two matches. Mexico made some dangerous counter attacks in the first half, but second half was spent being lucky with German failures to close dangerous combinations.

Sweden deserved the win since they had convincing initiative for majority of the game.

hell_storm2004

06-18-18, 11:22 AM

I expect both Germany and Brazil to bounce back.

Korean team is just poor. I saw them in friendly right before the WC. They were crap. Scraped through qualifying. They are almost as bad a the Saudis. Except they have Son Heung Min. Other than that nothing much.

Still cant forgive them for 2002 though.

I. Rex

06-18-18, 11:22 AM

I'm a Mexican-American! So FREAKING proud, my whole family was practically screaming the whole way through.

You know a win is a really big deal when the lone goal scored in the win sets of earthquake seismographs (http://www.newsweek.com/mexico-winning-goal-germany-caused-artificial-earthquake-world-cup-celebration-980478) in Mexico City! Thats team spirit if I ever saw it!

Mr Minio

06-18-18, 12:08 PM

Sounds more lose-lose to me. Well, for about half the films you watch, anwyay. :p:D Phew, I only watch the most legit cinema. Football is not legit. Period.
45403 I was only asking for a simple cookie. I don't want no Ukraine!

Luis

06-18-18, 01:13 PM

You know a win is a really big deal when the lone goal scored in the win sets of earthquake seismographs (http://www.newsweek.com/mexico-winning-goal-germany-caused-artificial-earthquake-world-cup-celebration-980478) in Mexico City! Thats team spirit if I ever saw it!

That... made me laugh so hard. That's amazing.

Chypmunk

06-18-18, 02:01 PM

Apologies on the Belgium result for anybody that's got used to relying on my predictions to 'narrow the possible outcomes' - not quite sure what went wrong there :D

Guaporense

06-18-18, 02:36 PM

Great day yesterday. The Germany v Mexico match in particular was a surprise with how poor the German team looked. Will they drop Khedira or change the system and put three in the middle?

I guess people have underestimated Mexico, Mexico is a very good team, they are about the same level as England or Belgium. They never reached the semi-finals in a world cup for lack of luck.

I still have Brazil in the final, but the Germany v Brazil final I hoped for looks a lot less likely.

What can happen now is Germany and Brazil in the round of 16, which is kinda anti-climatic but I think it will be good for Brazil to exorcise their fears of 7-1 trauma.

All of the teams most likely to win the tournament have played now and Spain look to be the best atm. Still, they're the only team which knew from the start they had to play well in the first game so maybe they were just better prepared for their first game?

They all loocked kinda of disappointing. Although Brazil played well in the first half of their game they started playing badly after the controversial goal decision.

hell_storm2004

06-18-18, 02:42 PM

Well now its time for England. Should win. But with England, you never know.

Stirchley

06-18-18, 02:54 PM

They better beat Tunisia! But, as you say, you never know with England.

hell_storm2004

06-18-18, 03:12 PM

Its Kane. It should calm the nerves!

Stirchley

06-18-18, 03:50 PM

Its Kane. It should calm the nerves!

So pissed. For some reason can’t watch the game on Fox tv or streaming. Only getting Telemundo.

No problem the other day to watch Spain vs. Portugal.

hell_storm2004

06-18-18, 04:14 PM

Strange! Well at least you are watching it. But sometimes the commentary in a foreign language sucks the joy out of the match.

I remember a few years ago, FOX tried to use some idiot named Gus Johnson for a few UCL matches. And oh my lord it was painful. He was pathetic. There was a vicious backlash and he got pulled after a season.

Chypmunk

06-18-18, 04:53 PM

Lucky, lucky England. Is it wrong that I was willing Tunisia on in the closing stages?? :D

hell_storm2004

06-18-18, 04:54 PM

England made hard work of it. But at least they got the win!

Stirchley

06-18-18, 04:55 PM

Lucky, lucky England. Is it wrong that I was willing Tunisia on in the closing stages?? :D

Yes, that was wrong! :p

Phew, England just made it.

hell_storm2004

06-18-18, 04:58 PM

England should have had a penalty. Kane was manhandled in the box at least twice.

Stirchley

06-18-18, 04:59 PM

What totally amazed me watching on Telemundo was the female commentator. Turns out Viviana Vila from Argentina is the first female World Cup commentator. Couldn’t understand a word of what she was saying, but, you go girl!

Chypmunk

06-18-18, 05:01 PM

Yes, that was wrong! :p
I'm afraid that answer is incorrect and you'll have to sit out the next question :p

Stirchley

06-18-18, 05:02 PM

England should have had a penalty. Kane was manhandled in the box at least twice.

The referee from Colombia has been controversial in some matches.

Stirchley

06-18-18, 05:02 PM

I'm afraid that answer is incorrect and you'll have to sit out the next question :p

Ha!

Nathaniel

06-18-18, 05:07 PM

England should have had a penalty. Kane was manhandled in the box at least twice.

The rugby tackle for the first one was unmissable too :D

Tugg

06-18-18, 05:16 PM

Referees in England- Tunisia match were the worst. Giving or refraining to give penalties, calling wrong offsides and so on. It is relief England won anyway. In first half they could have scored hundred goals, but succeeded only once. In second half Tunisia's defense become hard to crack, but it cracked once. Tunisia didn't demonstrate anything worth of points.

SeeingisBelieving

06-18-18, 05:38 PM

Very frustrating watch tonight with so many missed chances. I felt for the Tunisia players at the end – you'd almost think they'd gone out already. Kane, at least, deserved the win after the "wrestling" fiasco :).

Stirchley

06-18-18, 07:06 PM

Found out that though we have Fox with basic cable, we do not have Fox Sports. This is also why I cannot stream from Fox Sports.

So disappointing. We never had ESPN, but they let us stream the games. Fox really really sucks!

Yes, we could sign up right now for expanded cable (which we will never watch), but our Comcast bill is already $109 a month, including Internet service.

The mystery is how I was allowed to stream Spain vs. Portugal the other day without any problems. Frustrating day. Wanted to watch England & I’m chasing around for a place to watch. I cannot watch the games on Telemundo. It’s just not the same when you don’t speak the language.

hell_storm2004

06-19-18, 12:07 AM

Mine is $171 on spectrum. But still watching it on IPTV on Kodi for $20. :rolleyes:

hell_storm2004

06-19-18, 12:09 AM

https://youtu.be/Bvl2uyEyBLo

I found this gem from BBC a few weeks before the WC. Good stuff!

alexkevin

06-19-18, 03:58 AM

Dual nationality. :cool:

American and British at the same time?

Mr Minio

06-19-18, 04:54 AM

Dual nationality. :cool: Are you nationality-fluid? One day you feel more American, and another more British?

This is a joke. Do not take this post seriously as it is not intended to elicit any serious response.

Chypmunk

06-19-18, 05:57 AM

Today's faildictions....
Colombia 2 - 0 Japan
Poland 1 - 1 Senegal
Russia 2 - 1 Egypt

resopamenic

06-19-18, 06:48 AM

Enough japan, go home!

Poland all the way. Who is the name of their GK again, wait..

Mr Minio

06-19-18, 07:33 AM

Poland all the way Senegal! Senegal! Poland go home!

resopamenic

06-19-18, 07:50 AM

Poland all the way Senegal! Senegal! Poland go home!traitor of the people!
I should've known it
https://media1.tenor.com/images/865dbe1a034008329bc0d2e2edaf2e44/tenor.gif?itemid=5598933

Mr Minio

06-19-18, 08:00 AM

@resopamenic (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=94981) The fact I'm not rooting for Poland does not mean I'm explicitly anti-Polish in every other area. The kind of attitude you've just shown (even if jokingly) is exactly what's wrong with people here.

And this kind of reaction only makes it more tempting to go full-contrarian and root for Poland's opponent. Only on the Internet, though. I'm afraid to in real life. :eek:

resopamenic

06-19-18, 08:11 AM

Chypmunk

06-19-18, 09:05 AM

First red card of the tournament and rightly so imo. Looks like I might be back in form again :)

hell_storm2004

06-19-18, 10:19 AM

2nd fastest in a WC as well. Even with 10 men, Columbia were controlling the 1st half really well.

resopamenic

06-19-18, 10:45 AM

E e Nani!? Dai nippon is leading

hell_storm2004

06-19-18, 10:58 AM

Well Japan won. Throws the group wide open. Probably the tightest group of all. The red card started to show in 2nd half.

Doolallyfrank

06-19-18, 11:59 AM

England should have had a penalty. Kane was manhandled in the box at least twice.

Tbh, Kane sometimes goes down too easily, maybe 1 of them was a pen but when you're "getting fouled" on every corner then it's eye rolling time for the ref

I'm a Tottenham fan so it hurts to say it, but if he stayed a bit stronger on some corners then maybe he'd get the benefit of the doubt on others