It's been good but I can do with less drama on the field. The refs should be penalizing the flopping/diving. This would go a long way in boosting ratings in the usa. I know a lot of people who won't watch because of the drama.
It's been good but I can do with less drama on the field. The refs should be penalizing the flopping/diving. This would go a long way in boosting ratings in the usa. I know a lot of people who won't watch because of the drama.
Stop picking on poor Lebron.....Basketball is nearly the same with the flops. I hate it.
As a conservative, it's worrisome that it could go the way of Venezuela. The corruption is rampant at all levels and ingrained in their everyday governance. The people are so desperate and untrusting of the PAN/PRI that this is the direction they feel that will reduce the gap between the rich and poor. Obrador's motto of "don't lie, don't steal and don't betray the people" resonates with the commons.Mexico is in shambles. They elect a socialist president and lose a world cup match to Brazil ....... all within 24 hours. Coincidence???
As a conservative, it's worrisome that it could go the way of Venezuela. The corruption is rampant at all levels and ingrained in their everyday governance. The people are so desperate and untrusting of the PAN/PRI that this is the direction they feel that will reduce the gap between the rich and poor. Obrador's motto of "don't lie, don't steal and don't betray the people" resonates with the commons.
Clob, do any of the no-name teams have a shot to win it all? Go Iceland.
At this point, Russia and Croatia are your big underdogs. To a lesser extent England and Sweden are dogs too. It's too bad France and Brazil are on the same side of the bracket. I think France and Brazil are the 2 best teams at the moment.
Holy crap. These soccer fans are nuts in Mexico. We are down here on vacation and have started watching the last half hour of games in the bar. The England/Columbia game was kinda scary. I'd say the Columbian fans were better behaved, because the English fans were pure white trash.
30 minutes after the game we saw a fat English fan from the bar slapping around his wife/girlfriend on the balcony. He might have thrown her over if they lost.
From here on out I am pulling for the shittier country. Soccer should be played in shitty countries and won by the poor. It only seems fair. Hope all the European teams get beat. European fans are terrible, even worse than LSU fans.
Awww man why ya gotta fat shame like that?
It's been good but I can do with less drama on the field. The refs should be penalizing the flopping/diving. This would go a long way in boosting ratings in the usa. I know a lot of people who won't watch because of the drama.
At this point, Russia and Croatia are your big underdogs. To a lesser extent England and Sweden are dogs too. It's too bad France and Brazil are on the same side of the bracket. I think France and Brazil are the 2 best teams at the moment.
Belgium by far is the most complete team. Two World Class keepers. Loaded in the back. Defensive and attacking mids. Wingers with pace and crossing ability. And Lukaku. Nobody else has all of that.
France is young. They looked solid against Argentina. Belgium hasn't looked good.... almost got ousted by Japan.
France is young. They looked solid against Argentina. Belgium hasn't looked good.... almost got ousted by Japan.
https://www.megasoccer.com/blog/amazing-polish-football-fan-girls-from-the-2018-world-cup/
I'll take Poland for the win FB. You can have the border brigade.
Brazil still had several chances to score, some right in their lap, and couldn't finish. The second half they came at Belgium and probably should have scored the equalizer at least twice but just came out empty.
Brazil and Belgium easily could have been the final. A shame they met in the quarterfinals.
Japan are incredibly underrated.
I'd argue that Belgium have looked the best from game 1 till now of any team. They are 4-0 with a +9 GD and despite Japan sneaking out to a 2-0 lead, Belgium were in control of that game.
France beat Australia on an own goal, struggled to finish against Peru and played maybe the most boring game of the entire tournament vs. Denmark. Plus they gave up 3 goals to Argentina.
Having said that, I'd give Brazil the slight edge over Belgium despite Brazil missing Casemiro.
My rankings to win this thing from here...
Brazil
- They have Neymar, Willian and Coutinho. Despite my feelings about Belgium being the most "complete" team, their top 3 I don't rate as high as those three. Lukaku, Hazard, De Bruyne are close though.
Belgium
- I think they need to make a few changes to beat Brazil. Fellaini in for Mertens, Chadli for Carrasco, and Vermaelen (if healthy) for Vertonghen. Fellaini can get forward with Witsel in there to disrupt the middle for Brazil. Belgium have the edge in the middle with Casemiro out, Brazil have the edge on the wings. Should be entertaining!
England
- For me, the fastest team in the Cup. They finally broke their PK curse and surely these young kids now believe they can win it all! Sweden will be a tough matchup, but unlike Switzerland, England have a target forward to give Granqvist trouble.
France
- I put them below England only because they will have a more difficult semi-final (on paper). Their most dynamic player is 20 years old and I don't trust Lloris at all. For me, France have the best LB in the world (now that Marcelo is hurt) but Griezmann and Giroud are underperforming.
Croatia
- Maybe the best and deepest central midfield in the entire tournament. Kovacic has been coming off the bench and he might be their 2nd best MF overall. Subasic seems to be in a zone in goal and their wingers are very dangerous. I'm not a fan of Mandzukic.
Russia
Sweden
Uruguay
I don't see Russia beating Croatia. Russia will drop in and defend, but if this goes extra time again they will simply just be gassed.
Sweden get Larsson back which will help control the MF, but England are the fastest team they will have played yet. Sweden won't be able to out muscle England (McGuire, Kane, Henderson, etc.) like they did Switzerland and Mexico.
I don't see anyway in the world Uruguay make it through France, Brazil/Belgium winner and then have enough left to win the WC Final...especially with Cavani being hobbled.
Some serious props for you weevilcatch you really know your soccer.
Indeed.
One gripe from me, though, and maybe a true soccer fanatic can lend some insight. Why do so many American soccer fans feel the need to adopt British grammatical conventions (“England are...”) when talking about soccer? What about soccer specifically mandates giving up American conventions of subject-verb agreement and adopting the British practice? Makes absolutely no sense.
Didn’t say it’s a big deal. It’s just something undeniably a bit odd that stands out to a non-fanatic when a fair proportion of dedicated American soccer fans discuss soccer. Why not speak that way all the time, like the Brits (“The Government are proposing...”, etc.)? Why only about soccer?
It kind of reminds me of NPR reporters that say “Mexico” or “Brazil” in the standard anglicized way, but then go full f*ckin’ Pepe Le Pew whenever they get to say any French word. Just...a bit odd.
Nah, I'll take the Me"j"icanas. Those of Europe are too tall for my short 5'8 stature. (Neanderthal was wrong word)https://www.megasoccer.com/blog/amazing-polish-football-fan-girls-from-the-2018-world-cup/
I'll take Poland for the win FB. You can have the border brigade.