Thread: FIFA World CUP Russia 2018

Originally Posted by hallelujah

So "shite" we're in the semi-finals of the World Cup

It is in no way a dismal performance, but exactly which top ten "world class", team did the they beat, Tunisia (21), Panama (55), Sweden (24)?

Only Columbia (16) is in the top 20 FIFA table and that "win" was a dubious VAR committee/referee's decision.

Originally Posted by OhOh

It is in no way a dismal performance, but exactly which top ten "world class", team did the they beat, Tunisia (21), Panama (55), Sweden (24)?

Only Columbia (16) is in the top 20 FIFA table and that "win" was a dubious VAR committee/referee's decision.

No it wasn't, it was a penalty shootout you twat.

Originally Posted by Luigi

If he's commentating on a match nowadays I have to change over to the Thai commentary.

The man's got a voice, face and personality that makes me wanna thwack him in the gob.

There are two worse: Jim "Stating the fucking obvious" Beglin and, although we don't hear him these days, the execrable Tommy "Ol' Onion Bag" Smyth.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

No it wasn't, it was a penalty shootout you twat.

Caused by a wrong call regarding England's goal.

The true hipsters' choice: Croatia




If you fancy yourself a true aficionado of the beautiful game, Croatia might be the team for you.
The Croats have some fine strikers in their ranks, but the real productivity comes from midfield thanks to the brilliance of Luka Modric
and Ivan Rakitic of Real Madrid and Barcelona fame respectively.

So Croatia's threat isn't as strikingly obvious as Harry Kane's England or Romelu Lukaku's Belgium, but their technical brilliance will
put them in with a great chance of a first-ever final (and title?) if they manage to keep hold of the ball.

Pros to barracking for Croatia: Silky skills in central midfield make for great passing displays and sumptuous goals from distance.

Cons: Have a habit of being held to penalty shoot-outs in each of their knockout matches, so are bound to take you through the
emotional wringer.

Allez allez: France all the way?



A scary depth of talent, pace to burn and a variety of options to goal sees France loom as the marginal favourites to take
out a second World Cup title.

Just as dangerous in open play as it is from a set piece, France's vast array of midfield and striking talents makes it a
formidable opposition, with Kylian Mbappe continuing to show why he is one of the world's more incredible footballing
prodigies at the age of just 19.

Pros to waving the French flag: Fast attacking play and a smorgasbord of talent at its disposal makes France a
seriously juicy team to follow.

Cons: The French played out a stultifying 0-0 with Denmark
They're French

Backing Belgium: A mean bet on paper



For a second World Cup running, Belgium's Red Devils have looked like a phenomenal side in theory, but then conspired to
disappoint when putting it into practice on the pitch.

This time however, Belgium's footballing praxis is firing on all cylinders thanks to a bruising midfield and electrifying front three.
If there's going to be a brand new World Cup title winner in 2018, Belgium looks the surest bet, but it will need to overcome
some serious defensive wobbles to ensure history is made.

Pros to getting on the Belgian bandwagon: Their attacking triumvirate of Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Lukaku
is frankly incredible, and if you find football's dark arts ironically hilarious, then you'll love their central midfielders.

Cons: Belgium's defence should be playing so much better than it is in Russia. It seriously needs to buck up its ideas
across it's very gifted back three.

Originally Posted by David48atTD

It seriously needs to buck up its ideas across it's very gifted back three.

More ​Australian punctuation?

’The memes are intense’ ?!

Where do you source this drivel?

^ moan moan moan moan. Do you ever fookin' stop.


Would be good to see the Belgians come of age and win it with 2 world class displays.

Would also be good to see Croatia or England play well and win it.




Fuck the Frogs.

Originally Posted by cyrille

More ​Australian punctuation?


’The memes are intense’ ?!


Where do you source this drivel?

abc dot net probably

Croatia will be hoping we field Sterling.

Originally Posted by cyrille

More ​Australian punctuation?

’The memes are intense’ ?!

Where do you source this drivel?

Which team do you want to win?

Which team do you think will win?

Assuming you played the game ... what position?

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Assuming you played the game ... what position?

Cyrille would have been a workmanlike midfielder ala Ray side-passing Wilkins

Originally Posted by OhOh

It is in no way a dismal performance, but exactly which top ten "world class", team did the they beat, Tunisia (21), Panama (55), Sweden (24)?

Only Columbia (16) is in the top 20 FIFA table and that "win" was a dubious VAR committee/referee's decision.

In fairness to old England, their pre-WC ranking was a solid 14th in world rankings [Belgium 3rd, France 7th, Croatia 20th].
Probably, not at the top of the class - but they're there, nonetheless. Underdogs advancing is what makes the tournament exciting and unknown.

Observe all the perennial favourites that haven't made it this far -
Balance is a plus for the world sport.

I knew it! Jeff's an England fan



Get off our coat tails u slag!




No dentist chair for the lads this WC, it's yoga time...

Harry Maguire and Dele Alli’s headers fired the Three Lions into their first World Cup semi-final since 1990 yesterday as they beat Sweden 2-0.
And after returning back to their base in Repino near St Petersburg, it was all calm in the England camp on Sunday morning.
The players were filmed taking part in a yoga session as they stretched out after the impressive victory.
And Gareth Southgate’s men don’t have long to recover because a semi-final meeting with Croatia awaits on Wednesday as their World Cup dream continues.

FA
England stars relax after their win over Sweden
FA
Relaxing Sunday in the England camp
But with a place in the final at stake, Croatia have warned England they will have enough energy left in the tank despite thier quarter-final against Russia going to extra time and penalties.
"Of course there is some power left for the English," said Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic.
"We do not want to stop, we will try to play our best game.
"We have two matches to play and we are very motivated.
"We're giving our all. It will be a battle again but I trust us, I have belief in us."

I take it Ronaldo wasn't peeking over the fence.

Originally Posted by HuangLao

Observe all the perennial favourites that haven't made it this far -
Balance is a plus for the world sport.

Exactly. Note the likes of Portugal, Spain, Germany etc who "couldn't even beat" Iran, Morocco, South Korea etc...

Originally Posted by Luigi

I take it Ronaldo wasn't peeking over the fence.

Never seen that one before...

Originally Posted by Luigi

Would also be good to see Croatia or England play well and win it.

You're only lying to yourself you fukkin Spick Mick

You bitterly said England had no chance a week ago.

^ They don't.

Meanwhile at Wombledon

^Love the gingerbread man RJ.

Even an old cynic and pessimist like me, (and Cy) will be hoping England win.

France is our long time (centuries old) enemy and there is no love lost between the two. That's despite some wonderful summers spent in the Central Massif.

Croatia is the new Johnny Foreigner in or midst. Slavic enemies are easy to create.

Belgium. Last chance for a golden generation? Sorry but the butterfly is a Belgian defective.