***Official 2022 World Cup Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[HellToupee]

Cripes I’m sick of the horn

 

[Zow]

at some clown bringing in a trumpet.

 

[ChiefD]

Watching these two teams build an attack makes the US team look like a bunch of amateurs.

 

[The Big Donkey]

I’m embarrassed to say I know very little about it.

What made it top 3?

Sorry, don't mean to divert the thread, so I'll try to make it short. Some places just have a magic to them that's hard to describe. Morocco is like that. But to give some specifics:

1. Scenery. It has everything. Beautiful beaches on the Atlantic side, charming cities, and stunning mountains (the Atlas) that you drive through on the way to the Sahara. And, you know, the Sahara, which is incredible.
2. Food. Two of the best meals I've had anywhere in the world were in Morocco. Even the not-best were better than almost anywhere else.
3. People. Warm and welcoming. They have such pride in their country and their heritage and love to share that.
4. Art and history. Fascinating in both realms. In this regard the blend of modern and traditional is beautiful.
5. The Call to Prayer. I've been to other Muslim countries, but there's something about being on the rooftop of our Riad in Marrakech, listening to the call to prayer going on throughout the city, that was an experience like no other.

I wasn't even super-interested in going there but figured I'd check it out. Now can't recommend it highly enough. Don't go during Ramadan.

I'd be interested in what the two meals were if you can share, almost halftime.

 

[AAABatteries]

at some clown bringing in a trumpet.

I’ve told this story several times but in ‘94 I watched Netherlands-Morocco in the old Citrus Bowl. A sea of orange. One of the Dutch fans had a huge drum and beat it (the drum) the ENTIRE match. The Dutch fans were insane and we partied with them and sang American folk songs at a huge karaoke bar afterwards.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Sipping on a riff off a French Coffee that I've named the "It's Not Coming Home"

• 4 oz hot coffee
• 2 oz Kahlua
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 0.5 oz half and half

Stir all ingredients together in the mug, top with 1 grated coffee bean. Would've been better with whipped cream, if I had any.

 

[QuizGuy66]

at some clown bringing in a trumpet.

Mets fans should have warned them how that turns out

-QG

 

[Chaz McNulty]

I've counted 3 fouls right at the edge of the French penalty box that were not counted. France very lucky on those ones.

 

[AAABatteries]

LOL - f this ref

 

[Jayrod]

This match has a lot of skilled players involved. Game flow has been incredible.

 

[AAABatteries]

Just rewatched the goal - I’m at least a little surprised they didn’t review the foul on Saka. Blatant. England had plenty of time to stop the attack but that’s just a horrible non-call.

 

[ChiefD]

Just rewatched the goal - I’m at least a little surprised they didn’t review the foul on Saka. Blatant. England had plenty of time to stop the attack but that’s just a horrible non-call.

The test will be if France gets the calls down there this half.

 

[titusbramble]

The French know exactly what to do - give Maguire all the room he wants and dare him to make a play.

I hope he scores some spectacular goal so the English fans won’t know how to respond.

I’ll be ecstatic - he’s really only hated because of playing for United. Don’t think he’s done much wrong for the Three Lions. He was kind of a hero when he played for Leicester. @titusbramble can tell me if I’m misremembering.

Yep, he went to Leicester after we sold him to Hull

OK half, great hit by Tchouameni, it was probably a foul on Saka for them to get possession before then but nothing obvious enough to overturn the goal, pen shout looked outside to me in real time

 

[Charlie Steiner]

I’m embarrassed to say I know very little about it.

What made it top 3?

Sorry, don't mean to divert the thread, so I'll try to make it short. Some places just have a magic to them that's hard to describe. Morocco is like that. But to give some specifics:

1. Scenery. It has everything. Beautiful beaches on the Atlantic side, charming cities, and stunning mountains (the Atlas) that you drive through on the way to the Sahara. And, you know, the Sahara, which is incredible.
2. Food. Two of the best meals I've had anywhere in the world were in Morocco. Even the not-best were better than almost anywhere else.
3. People. Warm and welcoming. They have such pride in their country and their heritage and love to share that.
4. Art and history. Fascinating in both realms. In this regard the blend of modern and traditional is beautiful.
5. The Call to Prayer. I've been to other Muslim countries, but there's something about being on the rooftop of our Riad in Marrakech, listening to the call to prayer going on throughout the city, that was an experience like no other.

I wasn't even super-interested in going there but figured I'd check it out. Now can't recommend it highly enough. Don't go during Ramadan.

It's like Hollywood meets the Bible. ~ George Patton.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Don't go during Ramadan.

I spent a week or so in Morocco many years ago (late 80s) during Ramadan - was very interesting for us in a way but overall I would agree. I was travelling with two American women and by the end was exhausted by the constant bombardment, harassment and attention but have very fond memories from the trip as a whole.

 

[AAABatteries]

The French know exactly what to do - give Maguire all the room he wants and dare him to make a play.

I hope he scores some spectacular goal so the English fans won’t know how to respond.

I’ll be ecstatic - he’s really only hated because of playing for United. Don’t think he’s done much wrong for the Three Lions. He was kind of a hero when he played for Leicester. @titusbramble can tell me if I’m misremembering.

Yep, he went to Leicester after we sold him to Hull

OK half, great hit by Tchouameni, it was probably a foul on Saka for them to get possession before then but nothing obvious enough to overturn the goal, pen shout looked outside to me in real time

You are much more calm than I would be if that has happened to the US.

 

[krista4]

I'd be interested in what the two meals were if you can share, almost halftime.

1. Riad Kniza Restaurant. See those pics of a table full of food? They just keep bringing more and more - all of it. Even for just two people. And every dish is outstanding.
2. Did you see the shots of all the people in Marrakech celebrating in the town square? That square is filled with food stalls. There is a particular one, the number of which I would need to look up to remember. 36 or 37, maybe? That place. Known for all these merguez sausages and kebabs, but everything was amazing. You have to jostle and probably stand to eat, but we happened to be standing next to two stools when they opened up. Lucky! The food is fantastic, and the experience of it is even better.

ETA: This looks like a good article on the food stalls.

 

[titusbramble]

In terms of changes, Saka seems lost, get Grealish on instead and swap wings with Foden

 

[krista4]

Don't go during Ramadan.

I spent a week or so in Morocco many years ago (late 80s) during Ramadan - was very interesting for us in a way but overall I would agree. I was travelling with two American women and by the end was exhausted by the constant bombardment, harassment and attention but have very fond memories from the trip as a whole.

I was in Dubai once during Ramadan and agree the experience can be interesting. If you're trying to tour in Morocco, though, it seems like it would be rough. We accidentally planned a return trip there during Ramadan, and I found that getting people to take you places (we wanted to go back to the Atlas and spend more time, among other things) was very difficult. And most anywhere would be closed when you wanted dinner, etc.

 

[AAABatteries]

In terms of changes, Saka seems lost, get Grealish on instead and swap wings with Foden

Thought Saka and Foden were good. I wouldn’t take either off yet.

 

[TLEF316]

No brainer

 

[Dickies]

Wow

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Since when can you play advantage on an offsides call?

 

[AAABatteries]

Harry vs. Lloris - fantastic

 

[The Gator]

What a terrible challenge from Toomany

 

[Steve Tasker]

Saka

 

[AAABatteries]

Since when can you play advantage on an offsides call?

For a while

 

[The Gator]

Since when can you play advantage on an offsides call?

I think it’s a thing that started when they started letting play go instead of instantly raising the flag

 

[ChiefD]

I would leave Saka in. He might draw a PK

 

[BobbyLayne]

what a moment

 

[AAABatteries]

Yes! Well deserved by England

 

[Jayrod]

Here we go.

 

[Dickies]

That’s how you do a PK

 

[Steve Tasker]

No one's stopping that one

 

[AAABatteries]

What was Stones doing?

 

[krista4]

Am I the only one rooting for France?

Given I don't follow a lot of soccer, I'm rooting for Mbappe because he's fun to watch and reminds me of a French Dani Rojas (from Ted Lasso, which we've finally been watching the past few weeks).

 

[AAABatteries]

Mbappe v Walker in that sprint

 

[AAABatteries]

Am I the only one rooting for France?

Given I don't follow a lot of soccer, I'm rooting for Mbappe because he's fun to watch and reminds me of a French Dani Rojas (from Ted Lasso, which we've finally been watching the past few weeks).

The board mostly hates England - you are in good company. Only a few of us root for England

 

[Jayrod]

I'm not rooting for England, per se, just wanting a tense match with drama.

 

[ChiefD]

England getting stronger as this match progresses.

 

[Dickies]

Am I the only one rooting for France?

Given I don't follow a lot of soccer, I'm rooting for Mbappe because he's fun to watch and reminds me of a French Dani Rojas (from Ted Lasso, which we've finally been watching the past few weeks).

I’m rooting for England, but both of these teams are fun to watch

 

[ChiefD]

Foden looking gassed.

 

[Steve Tasker]

So why exactly wasn't Foden playing in the group stage?

 

[Capella]

I’m rooting for England. I like those blokes. I figure there is some 60 year old over there with no memory of his team winning the cup and that’s enough for me.

 

[AAABatteries]

So why exactly wasn't Foden playing in the group stage?

Sterling- he should have been but Sterling has scored a lot of goals for Gareth so not shocking he was starting him. I think he got a knock or he may still.

 

[AAABatteries]

This ref is pathetic

 

[Jayrod]

Why does Pickford yell at his teammates all of the time?

I'm not exactly sure what the word is supposed to mean, but I find myself calling him a "wanker" whenever he does that.

 

[Chaz McNulty]

This ref is pathetic

This has to be his last game at this level. Unbelievable.

 

[AAABatteries]

I’m rooting for England. I like those blokes. I figure there is some 60 year old over there with no memory of his team winning the cup and that’s enough for me.

This England side is a proper side - fantastic 9 up top. Speed to burn on the wings, Henderson and Rice cleaning up everything in the middle. Shaw and Walker veteran FBs. I’d say the Stones-Maguire-Pickford in the spine of defense is their weakness if you had to pick one.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Am I the only one rooting for France?

Given I don't follow a lot of soccer, I'm rooting for Mbappe because he's fun to watch and reminds me of a French Dani Rojas (from Ted Lasso, which we've finally been watching the past few weeks).

I'm rooting for France just so that I can bring back my Brian Clough avatar.