***Official*** 2018 World Cup thread (and Drinking Guide) (3 Viewers)

[Jaysus]

That game wasn't very good.  

it really needed a good biting to spice things up a bit.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

That game wasn't very good.  

Agreed.  The second France goal really took what energy there was out of the match.

 

[Sinn Fein]

The Commissioner of Football has spoken

 

[gianmarco]

That game wasn't very good.  

It's ok. The next matchup today is going to more than make up for it. I can't wait.

 

[shader]

It's ok. The next matchup today is going to more than make up for it. I can't wait.

I realize that Uruguay had little choice based on their players (especially when Cavani got injured), but I'm always glad to see the bus parking teams exit tournaments.

And yes, the next game should be fantastic.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

The Commissioner of Football has spoken

Something tells me I've missed a great chapter in soccer history, called 'Cantona'.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

 the @gianmarco + @shader kiss of death for Brazil v Belgium ...

 

[Sinn Fein]

Something tells me I've missed a great chapter in soccer history, called 'Cantona'.

Everybody was kung fu fighting....

He was Zlatan, before Zlatan was Zlatan.

ETA - he was also a mainstay in many of the early Nike soccer commercials 

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Everybody was kung fu fighting....

He was Zlatan, before Zlatan was Zlatan.

I've seen that clip before and didn't realize he was more than a brute. However, there was no one before Zlatan and there will be no one after Zlatan.

 

[El Floppo]

I've seen that clip before and didn't realize he was more than a brute. However, there was no one before Zlatan and there will be no one after Zlatan.

ooh ah cantona

 

[Charlie Steiner]

ooh ah cantona

By what right does the wolf judge the lion?

 

[heckmanm]

OK, was that last segment on FS1 from a Russian orphanage by chance? (I missed the early part of it).  If so, there's a great opportunity here (although less so with England still alive).

 

[El Floppo]

OK, was that last segment on FS1 from a Russian orphanage by chance? (I missed the early part of it).  If so, there's a great opportunity here (although less so with England still alive).

@gianmarco

@Sweatpants Boner Man

 

[heckmanm]

OK, was that last segment on FS1 from a Russian orphanage by chance? (I missed the early part of it).  If so, there's a great opportunity here (although less so with England still alive).

@gianmarco

@Sweatpants Boner Man

Rewound it - it's kids with cerebral palsy

 

[Jaysus]

the  is starting!  That is GREAT news!!

 

[gianmarco]

the  is starting!  That is GREAT news!!

 

[gianmarco]

the  is starting!  That is GREAT news!!

Although to be completely fair, he has looked far better on this Belgian squad than I've ever seen him look for United.  Not nearly as clumsy and certainly more useful in attacking.

 

[The Gator]

Who knew using cucumber vodka in a bloody mary would be amazing? 

 

[AAABatteries]

I feel like the manager is quite average, has little ingenuity and is doing a relatively poor job of setting up the team, from an offensive standpoint.  England had a very easy group and then drew a Colombian team that was without James Rodriguez.  

I'm amazed at the excitement in England for this team.  To me, they've been extremely boring.  Usually Dele Alli and Raheem Sterling are exciting players. That being said, I thought England were much more dangerous looking with Rashford and Vardy.

Managers routinely make "defensive" substitutions with a one-goal lead.  Yes, it's risky when there is extra time.

For me, the biggest issue with England is that they tried to sit on a 1-0 lead.  I hate when teams do that.  It's a very silly way to play, unless you happen to have an absolutely stifling defense, which England does not.

The way England were playing in the 2nd half, it really didnt' matter which offensive players they put on, nothing was gonna happen.  That only changed when they allowed the tying goal.

I know you are still relatively new to the sport but this is who England are.  And I disagree about Southgate doing a poor job of setting up the team.  I like the setup considering the players available to him.  If he went with a 4-4-2 their midfield would get overrun and he'd be getting a ton of blame for being out of the tournament right now.  To beat a dead horse my only issue is his continuing to play Ashley Young - but hell, if the TSO can do it why not Gareth Southgate?

 

[Sebowski]

Although to be completely fair, he has looked far better on this Belgian squad than I've ever seen him look for United.  Not nearly as clumsy and certainly more useful in attacking.

Coaching

 

[shader]

I know you are still relatively new to the sport but this is who England are.  And I disagree about Southgate doing a poor job of setting up the team.  I like the setup considering the players available to him.  If he went with a 4-4-2 their midfield would get overrun and he'd be getting a ton of blame for being out of the tournament right now.  To beat a dead horse my only issue is his continuing to play Ashley Young - but hell, if the TSO can do it why not Gareth Southgate?

I detest friendlies so my experience watching England under Southgate consists of 4 games.  In those games, he's gotten very little from Sterling, Alli and Lingard.  To me, there's something wrong.  But hey, maybe you're right and this style is the only thing that will work.  A Henderson/Dier midfield isn't going to add much offensively so maybe playing solid D and relying on Kane to flop and draw penalties was the master plan.

 

[Eephus]

Does anybody know the second verse to the Star Spangled Banner?

 

[Nick Vermeil]

I’m pulling for Belgium based on the brevity of their anthem. 

 

[gianmarco]

Good to see Marcelo able to play.

Man, the talent on both sides ( excluded) is just sick. They could rival any club team if they had time together. 

 

[Kafka]

Coaching

 

[Eephus]

Although to be completely fair, he has looked far better on this Belgian squad than I've ever seen him look for United.  Not nearly as clumsy and certainly more useful in attacking.

Coaching

First Wigan manager to reach the WC quarterfinals

 

[Kafka]

First Wigan manager to reach the WC quarterfinals

Don't be Wigan out.....he's not good.

 

[Jaysus]

what is the modern day record for Afros in a single match?

 

[shader]

KDB playing much higher up the pitch.  Very, very good for Belgium.

 

[nirad3]

what is the modern day record for Afros in a single match?

I would bet Colombia was one team... Valderrama's counted as three.

 

[Spartans Rule]

KDB playing much higher up the pitch.  Very, very good for Belgium.

Back 4 makes more sense too against Brazil. I like the lineup.

 

[shader]

 

[shader]

OH yeah this game is gonna be fun.

 

[Eephus]

Don't be Wigan out.....he's not good.

I don't get the hate.  His record at Everton isn't great but it's similar to Moyes, Koeman and Big Sam.  They're just not a big club anymore except in the minds of their supporters.

He had good success at Swansea and Wigan and had both punching above their weight for a few years.  Guiding Wigan to a FA Cup should be enough to get a statue in the City Center.

 

[Jaysus]

that's what he is here for!

 

[Eephus]

Back 4 makes more sense too against Brazil. I like the lineup.

They don't really have the fullbacks to play four in the back

 

[shader]

They don't really have the fullbacks to play four in the back

Brazil have the width to exploit that too..

 

[B Maverick]

Although to be completely fair, he has looked far better on this Belgian squad than I've ever seen him look for United.  Not nearly as clumsy and certainly more useful in attacking.

And he just missed a free header in defense on a corner leading to Brazil hitting the post.  It is amazing how bad he is in the air and yet is talked about like he is the best ever.

 

[ChiefD]

Fletch's afro wishes he was playing today. 

 

[shader]

 

[gianmarco]

What a pass by KDB to set that up.

 

[Eephus]

And he just missed a free header in defense on a corner leading to Brazil hitting the post.  It is amazing how bad he is in the air and yet is talked about like he is the best ever.

 

[B Maverick]

And he just missed a free header in defense on a corner leading to Brazil hitting the post.  It is amazing how bad he is in the air and yet is talked about like he is the best ever.

and he just tried to toe poke from 20 out and no defenders in front of him

 

[shader]

Another goal for City

 

[El Floppo]

YES

 

[gianmarco]

This should be fun now!

 

[B Maverick]

except the announcers and pundits have you believe he is so damn good in the air.  He isnt

ETA, I know those here are using the sarcasm font.  

 

[Chaos Commish]

Yes

 

[El Floppo]

owen ripping up the scoring race

 

[GroveDiesel]

Great ball on that corner, but kind of awful own goal by Brazil there.