| ParisNair 26.06.2018 21:53 |
With Argentina qualifying for the next round, my interest in the World Cup is restored. Croatia are looking excellent but can they hold their nerve to make it all the way. |
| Sebastian 27.06.2018 03:11 |
On the 6th of July we'll see one of these: - France vs Uruguay: Good, interesting... - France vs Portugal: An Euro 2016 rematch. - Argentina vs Uruguay: A South American classic. - Argentina vs Portugal: Messi vs CR7. In any case, it'll be marvellous. |
| dysan 27.06.2018 11:50 |
I'd only just got over my anger about Germany getting themselves out of a hole and then bloody Argentina do it too! :D I've been in it from the start, some really great moments. VAR is great - adds another dimension to it, although we still get some mistakes. A fascinating tournament. |
| Sebastian 27.06.2018 16:18 |
Mexico lost but they're still in the tournament thanks to South Korea. For the seventh time in a row, they'll be in the round of sixteen. They're the only North American team still alive. Bye bye Germany... third time in a row the defending champions can't go further than the first round. |
| Thistle 27.06.2018 16:38 |
Are England still in it? Nothing's been mentioned about them.... |
| Sebastian 27.06.2018 16:46 |
Yes, they are. Depending on how things go tomorrow, they'll be facing Senegal, Colombia or Japan on either Monday or Tuesday. From a historic perspective, all three are, on paper, inferior rivals, so they're probably thinking of the quarter-finals already. Harry is the tournament's top goalscorer at the moment |
| The Real Wizard 27.06.2018 16:58 |
This is one of the strangest World Cups ever. Spain and Portugal with only 5 points each, Brazil is a maybe, and Germany are out. And no Holland, Italy, or US to begin with. And I'm glad to see the video replay system is working well. England were robbed against Germany in 2010. That kind of injustice looks to be a thing of the past. This is going to be a hell of a ride. I'm cheering for Senegal. |
| Thistle 27.06.2018 17:28 |
Hey Seb - I'm sorry, I was just being sarcastic. You probably know I'm Scottish, and all we hear about is England, England, England. Even when they aren't playing. The commentators are relentless during coverage, and that's a long standing joke in Scotland. It really is irksome. Also, they still think it's 1966. I had predicted all groups and exact placings correctly until today when Germany went out. I had predicted Germany and Mexico to go through from the group although I am not disappointed that Germany have gone home (sorry Barbara!). They are unbelievably boring, but my dad likes them and is as bad as the English commentators talking about England all the time - so it has shut him up for a bit. I had predicted a Brazil v Mexico final, although haven't yet checked to see how today's standings have impacted on Mexico's route (it may be that they actually now meet each other in teh next round). Harry Kane (I mean England) will get to the QF, but no further. I hope, simply down to my predictions and bets. I'm fairly confident that Brazil, Spain and Portugal will all be in the semi finals. |
| Sebastian 27.06.2018 17:45 |
I think 2002 was the strangest one of all... and, then again, it wasn't: predictable winners (Brazil), über-classic final (though they'd never faced each other in any World Cup prior to that), predictable top goalscorer. But everything else was nuts: Argentina, France, Uruguay and Portugal all out at the end of the first round, Turkey getting third place, South Korea reaching the semi-finals having taken out Italy and Spain. |
| mooghead 27.06.2018 18:25 |
Germany though...lol ;-) |
| The Real Wizard 27.06.2018 19:37 |
Thistleboy1980 wrote: Harry Kane (I mean England)Haha, it's true. Same as Argentina without Messi, or Portugal without Ronaldo. That's what made the 2014 German team so impressive - you could've substituted anyone on the bench for any of those starting 11 players, and the team was no weaker. What a fall from grace. One goal in three matches. |
| dysan 27.06.2018 21:06 |
The Germany story for me goes back to 1990 for me. This is justice finally served on a cold plate. The most tense last 10 minutes of a match I've seen! Which means I'm guessing England will lose to Argentina at some point. Either way, a fantastic WC so far. Really enjoying it. |
| ParisNair 27.06.2018 21:32 |
Agree about England and Argentina, but Portugal have more to offer other than C. Ronaldo. England have not really been tested yet. By all means they look set to reach the quarters at least, but being the perpetual under-achievers, you never know. An old joke - Osama bin Laden has just released a new TV message to prove he is still alive. He said that the England Team performance in the world cup has been pathetic. British intelligence have dismissed the claim, stating that the message could have been recorded anytime in the last 52 years. |
| Thistle 27.06.2018 21:37 |
LOL |
| Raf 27.06.2018 21:55 |
First time I decided to bet on World Cup results. Guess who was my bet for #1. Thanks for yet another 7x1, Germany. Sincerely, A Brazilian |
| Sebastian 28.06.2018 16:03 |
No African squads managed to reach the round of sixteen this time. We'll have: - 4 South American teams (coincidentally, all the ones that qualified directly). - 1 North American team. - 1 Asian team. - 10 European teams. |
| Thistle 28.06.2018 20:42 |
I have predicted 15 of the 16 teams going through correctly (Germany out) and 12 of the 16 final placings correctly. That has impacted on the draw I had anticipated (England will be playing Colombia rather than Japan), with my predicted final is now a last 16 match (Brazil v Mexico) lol. 3 of my predicted semi-finalists should still get there (Brazil, Spain, Portugal) and, redrawing my planner, I'm now looking at a Brazil v Spain final. Either way, the winner remains the same for me (Brazil). England *may* get a stage further than I had hoped lol. We'll see in a couple of weeks ;) |
| ParisNair 29.06.2018 09:25 |
I still feel Croatia will go a long way. Hoping Argentina find the inspiration from the win against Nigeria and up their game. I'm always rooting for them, ever since the first world cup I have recollection of watching live on TV as a kid - Italia '90. |
| dysan 29.06.2018 10:22 |
I think Colombia will beat England. It's about time we had a new bogie team in international tournaments. |
| Thistle 29.06.2018 22:07 |
LOL - I'm fairly confident England will see their way past Colombia. Sorry Seb. I'd obviously much rather Colombia shafted them though ;) :p |
| Sebastian 30.06.2018 02:06 |
Thistleboy1980 wrote: Sorry Seb.Why? |
| Thistle 30.06.2018 04:00 |
For not having the confidence in Colombia to put England out ;) |
| Sebastian 30.06.2018 05:04 |
And the connexion with me is...? After all, I'm neither a player nor a manager/physician/coach/dietician for any of the squads, I'm not involved with any football team, never have been. If they win (and by 'they' I mean any of the surviving sixteen teams), great for them, but I've got nothing to do with that. I don't give a fuck if a player was born ten blocks from my place or on the other side of the planet. Nationalism is idiotic in my book: I root for whichever team plays well... unless that team is Brazil, Spain or America :p I'm fond of the underdog in some cases, so I was pleased with Mexico and South Korea beating Germany, for instance, and I loved it when Roma took out Barcelona a few months ago, but that's it. When people say 'we won [insert tournament]', I find it silly. Unless they actually played (or managed, trained, etc), it's not 'their' victory at all... nor is their loss if they happen to be runners-up (aka 'first losers'). |
| Thistle 30.06.2018 12:48 |
Okay. Most people root for and get passionate when their own country is playing - if you're not one of them, that's cool. The comment was just tongue-in-cheek anyway. |
| Sebastian 30.06.2018 13:03 |
I've no 'own country'. There is one nation (out of 197 or so which are recognised by the UN) in which I don't need a work visa to do what I want, and where I can vote and have 0.00001% influence on who'll be running (and ruining) the lives of others, that's it. But there's no way I'm gonna feel proud about shit I never did and no way I'm gonna hate people who happened to be born a stone throw's away from an arbitrarily defined border for shit they never did. Update: For the fourth time in a row, Messi leaves the World Cup not having managed to score a single goal in the knock-out stage. All his World Cup goals were in the first round and against lacklustre squads such as Serbia, Iran and Nigeria. Moreover, all of his record-breaking international goals have been against weak rivals or in friendly matches. Not a single competitive goal so far against the likes of Brazil, Spain, Netherlands (penalty shoot-out notwithstanding), Germany, France... With Barcelona, Messi is easily the best footballer of the past twenty or so years, next to Zidane. With Argentina, he's a good player, but he only manages to be 'very good' or 'excellent' when playing Ecuador, Haiti or America, but not when facing strong rivals. |
| dysan 30.06.2018 18:25 |
That game was brilliant. I was backing France. Wonderful stuff. I really do feel for Messi. He seems like a good guy. |
| dysan 30.06.2018 20:03 |
And another great game! I feel for Ronaldo, but Pepe can swivel. |
| ParisNair 30.06.2018 20:12 |
Both Messi and Ronaldo going out on the same night, in possibly their last world cups. Incredible! |
| Sebastian 30.06.2018 20:23 |
Ten goals in one day. It was entertaining, definitely! |
| Sebastian 01.07.2018 17:10 |
Ramos is used to refs being paid off in his favour. The thing is, in Soviet Russia, refs pay YOU off! |
| dysan 01.07.2018 18:02 |
I was just about to reply, and Denmark have scored in the first minute. Right, back to the football... |
| dysan 01.07.2018 18:04 |
And I was just typing that and Croatia equalised immediately. |
| Sebastian 01.07.2018 20:55 |
Bye, bye, Denmark. |
| Thistle 01.07.2018 23:41 |
One of the most boring teams gone. |
| dysan 02.07.2018 06:44 |
I liked them because of Lego and Jan Molby. |
| Thistle 02.07.2018 14:06 |
LOL |
| Thistle 02.07.2018 14:07 |
They were a bacon of hope for many :p |
| dysan 02.07.2018 15:01 |
*yellow card gif* |
| Thistle 02.07.2018 15:14 |
Hehehe |
| Sebastian 03.07.2018 01:32 |
There were only two teams which were neither South American nor European and which had made it past the first round: Mexico and Japan. They're both out now. |
| dysan 03.07.2018 06:43 |
From me and the boys, poor Japan. |
| The Real Wizard 03.07.2018 18:13 |
So who thinks Spain were paid off by Russia to throw the game? Icarus v 2.0 ? |
| Sebastian 03.07.2018 20:59 |
Farewell, Switzerland. Goodbye, Colombia. England finally broke their curse and uncharacteristically won on penalties. |
| Thistle 04.07.2018 01:48 |
They've won every match on penalties so far :p Harry Kane - tournaments top scorer so far with 6: 3 pens, 1 fluke, a tap in and a last minute header against the mighty Tunisia. Just Fonatine must be shitting himself ;) |
| dysan 04.07.2018 08:22 |
Good game but I'm not sure England showed the necessary quality to progress. I can't believe how much the ref was against England, so that might be a factor. |
| The Real Wizard 04.07.2018 22:19 |
dysan wrote: I can't believe how much the ref was against England, so that might be a factor.I dunno man - Colombia should've had a corner near the end of extra time. I think it was the other way around. England barely squeezed by. They will get decimated if they keep playing like this against better teams. |
| Sebastian 05.07.2018 01:25 |
Perhaps... but at this pace, the only 'better team' they'll bump into will be in the final. |
| dysan 05.07.2018 07:22 |
@wizzard - yeah apparently the Colombians felt hard done by too. I'm not sure I saw any England players head butting or digging up the pitch to gain advantage though. Very stressful evening just like the old days! But was nice dancing around in the street afterwards. You'd have thought we'd won the whole thing. @sebastian - agreed. In English football talk, we call this 'squeaky bum time'. |
| dysan 06.07.2018 06:52 |
Back to business today. I call Uruguay and Brazil through. |
| Sebastian 06.07.2018 13:55 |
I want Uruguay and Belgium to win, but I think France and Brazil will. Update: Who would've foreseen that? Wow! |
| dysan 07.07.2018 06:27 |
I've made better predictions! |
| dysan 07.07.2018 06:42 |
Sweden / Russia today I reckon. |
| Dr Magus 09.07.2018 12:51 |
England have been good enough and deserve to be in the semi-final. 2-0 against a Sweden team that beat France in their qualifying group, finished above Holland and beat Italy in the play-off. Croatia were impressive in the group phase but were lucky to beat Denmark and Russia on penalties. England will be too much for them. It's coming home, everyone! |
| Thistle 09.07.2018 16:43 |
Given that football as we know it originated in Scotland (England claim to have invented it, but it in fact was just another version of rugby), international football's first match was in Glasgow and the French invented the World Cup....what exactly is "coming home"? ;) :p |
| dysan 09.07.2018 17:57 |
Football was the winner. |
| greaserkat 10.07.2018 15:05 |
Who are worse, England or Argentina fans? |
| dysan 10.07.2018 16:14 |
In what sense? |
| greaserkat 10.07.2018 17:35 |
in the sense of "my team is the best and will win the world cup." |
| ParisNair 10.07.2018 18:14 |
dysan wrote: Back to business today. I call Uruguay and Brazil through. dysan wrote: Sweden / Russia today I reckon.Man, you should go easy with the predictions LOL |
| dysan 10.07.2018 20:29 |
Yeah I know :D |
| Thistle 10.07.2018 22:47 |
See, I told you France would win the World Cup. Called it from the beginning ;) :p |
| dysan 11.07.2018 06:53 |
Yeah I can't see the winner of tonight's match beating them. I'm calling Croatia tonight. The England dream is over. Nice try lads - you've done yourself proud. |
| Dr Magus 11.07.2018 13:03 |
Fitba's coming home, everyone! |
| Thistle 11.07.2018 14:37 |
Dr Magus wrote: Fitba's coming home, everyone!One day. One day ;) |
| dysan 11.07.2018 14:40 |
Football Fight Is Coming Home Ain't Easy |
| Barry Durex 11.07.2018 16:34 |
I will support England until the day I die. I would also support Scotland if they were ever miraculously in the same position, despite the Northern fuckwit amongst us. Good luck to the young gentleman of the English team, you are doing us proud. |
| Sebastian 11.07.2018 18:13 |
So no: it's NOT coming home. |
| Barry Durex 11.07.2018 20:52 |
Well done lads, still proud of what you have achieved. |
| dysan 11.07.2018 21:44 |
Its coming lol |
| The Real Wizard 11.07.2018 23:25 |
England have nothing to be ashamed of. They made it to the final four for the first time since 1990. Croatia simply outplayed them. The better team won. I peg Croatia to win it all. Most of their top guys are in their mid 30s. It's now or never. |
| Thistle 12.07.2018 00:17 |
Unlucky. |
| dysan 12.07.2018 08:17 |
It's ok, the BBC made a video of England being knocked out to an Oasis song. |
| Dr Magus 12.07.2018 11:46 |
When i said it's coming home what I meant was the plane with the England football team on it:D Croatia's experience told in the end but they were lucky to go in at half-time only one nil down. 2-0 down I doubt they'd have come back. Ah well there is a chance to get Belgium back on Saturday. Hope we can pick ourselves up for it. |
| Sebastian 14.07.2018 14:06 |
Great goal by the PSG right back. If only they'd been that effective against France... |
| dysan 14.07.2018 15:10 |
Because I believe in the rhyming poetry of football, England should win this due to the earlier Belgium match. Same with when clubs meet coincidentally in the league then the following week in the cup. I'm enjoying this one anyway - it's nice watching an England world cup match knowing I won't end up falling through a bus stop roof at some point win or lose. |
| Dr Magus 14.07.2018 16:08 |
We achieved more than most people expected by reaching the semi final. And Kane winning the Golden Boot is a nice addition too. Unfortunately the next World Cup (courtesey of FIFA corruption) will be played in Quatar, probably in the winter months. Sheer lunacy. Hope we boycott it. |
| dysan 14.07.2018 16:44 |
Yeah they confirmed it was Nov - Dec. Spoil sports. Literally. |
| Thistle 15.07.2018 17:08 |
Some real gems during today's BBC commentary of the final - "This is the fourth world cup final in a row to be an all European affair" (apart from 2014 which featured Argentina, but let's just forget that, eh?) During the pitch invasion, they said it was the "first ever at a WC final" (Hmmm, okay, I wasn't there at the time but I've heard about it often enough - "There's fans on the pitch! They think it's all over....." (sic, 1966) - or did that not happen either???) Jizztrumpets. |
| dysan 15.07.2018 20:05 |
Great match. Really super. I love that French team Good thread everyone - see you in 2 years for the Euros. |
| Dr Magus 16.07.2018 11:34 |
Unbelieveable news about the rioting in France last night. Two people confirmed dead. Anyone would think they bloody lost. |
| dysan 16.07.2018 14:00 |
I can only guess at the carnage after an England victory. The Quarters were bad enough. |
| Dr Magus 17.07.2018 11:11 |
Yes I believe an ambulance was damaged after some over-enthusiastic dancing on the roof. Meanwhile in Paris there are people dead, police officers attacked, rioting, looting of shops etc. |
| Thistle 17.07.2018 14:50 |
^ that'll be the terrorist attacks started again, then ;) |
| dysan 17.07.2018 18:47 |
I think the French deaths were misadventure? Clumsy French. Like Giroud :D |
| ParisNair 17.07.2018 21:44 |
Croatia are looking excellent but can they hold their nerve to make it all the way.Quoting from the first comment of this thread. If I recall correctly, the round of 16 was yet to start, and now we have the answer. Enjoyed this world cup more than the previous one. And this was a good thread! |
| dysan 18.07.2018 07:11 |
To cap it off, the French crowd on the victory parade were singing We Are The Champions. So it all makes sense :D |