WORLD CUP THRAED

[Duderonomy]

So... due to the location I’ve been massively un-hyped about it, but now the greatest spectacle on earth is upon us.
Yay.
Predictions?

Spain have started strongly - sacking their manager 2 days before their opening game against Ronaldo, I mean Portugal.
Messi’s last chance to step out of Maradona’s shadow?

 

[Jimster]

Klaus und dem FTW, nailed on fam.
Belgium to be there or thereabouts.
England to peak too soon, iron-face Kane to get crocked in first game.

Ultras to run riot. Russian police to stand back and observe. (I bet the ultras are off-duty rozzers).

 

[ppadilha]

I've read Putin made a kind of truce with the ultras, in the sense that he wants things to run well during the WC and if they try anything he'll do to them what he's done to all his other enemies.
I've been uhyped partly due to the whole 1934/1978 vibe and the stench that emanates from the Brazilian federation, but also having a soon to be 2-year-old sucks up almost every minute of non-work time, so I just haven't kept up.
That being said, IT'S THE WORLD CUP, BATCHES
Fuck the fascists, I hope Putin cries vodka tears as he watches his team get schooled by the Saudis today, much like Hitler watching Jesse Owens, except for the whole heroic part because it's the fucking Saudis and they're way more into the whole neofeudalism thing than Putin could ever be.
We all know the opening game is always a little tepid, even when France lost to Senegal. I expect shit to get real tomorrow or saturday, either in Egypt v. Uruguay, the Iberian derby or Argentina v. Iceland.
LET US ENJOY THIS BEFORE FIFA'S MONEY GRUBBING RUINS THIS THING FOR GOOD

 

[ppadilha]

the first real question is: will England make it out of its group?

 

[DOR]

ppadilha said:

the first real question is: will England make it out of its group?




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaBdajHOsSM

 

[ppadilha]

FRIENDS, COMMENCE YOUR DAYTIME BOOZING

 

[Duderonomy]

Https://youtube.com/watch?v=0zWRjgathjA

 

[Duderonomy]

Saudis actually made Russia look good. Doubtless their players came down with a touch of polonium.

 

[Duderonomy]

Damn, this Spain vs Portugal game is good. Hoping Ronnie prevails as I’d rather meet them than Spain in the later stages.

 

[ppadilha]

missed Morocco v Iran and the 1st half of Portugal v Spain, but that 2nd half was quality

 

[Jimster]

Duderonomy said:

Damn, this Spain vs Portugal game is good. Hoping Ronnie prevails as I’d rather meet them than Spain in the later stages.



#VINDICATEDNever count them out when he's on the pitch. Just one of those rare players who can single-handedly change the course of a game.

 

[Duderonomy]

That was an amazing game, and yeah, Ronaldo just edged himself ahead of Messi in terms of producing on the biggest stages.
strange how playing for Portugal he seems like a much more mature player; less selfish, less tantrums, aware that he’s the underdog and needs to concentrate to get the job done.

 

[Duderonomy]

Engurrrland...

Not bad opening 20 minutes. But Deli Alli got injured and refused to come off so we played most of the game a man down. Walker gave away a stupid penalty. No left-footed delivery from Young, Sterling or Robocop. Henderson not confident enough to control a pass from his own CBs, turn, and make a forward pass. Lingard missed 3 or 4 sitters. Harry Kane was body-slammed to the ground at a corner and no penalty. Robocop will be skinned-alive by a fast attack.

But... this England team has options from the bench, and in Harry Kane, one of the most clinical strikers in football. I’d like to see Loftus-Cheek play instead of Henderson (who can tackle but little else), Rashford deserves a start, and we haven’t even played our top cunt yet (Vardy).

Southgate should address these problems and I expect us to beat Panama. Belgium will be a test.

 

[Jimster]

Sterling gets in the right places consistently and still fluffs his lines. A Vardy would slot all of these away. I think Kane AND Vardy up front is a good idea.

 

[ppadilha]

I guess I haven't watched an England game in a long time, but there's a bunch of kids I've never seen in this team and feels like it's a whole generation of Oxo-Cubes. They have some talent but they're also a bit big and burly. Reminds me of mid-00s teams in Brazil, when the youth systems were selecting kids that could win youth tournaments by outmuscling the competition, but then they'd all peter out by the time they hit 24 or 25...

 

[DOR]

The reffing in the England match was disappointing to say the least. Didn't call Kane getting fucked up once... The slam in the box was outrageous.
https://streamable.com/cblmz

Hope Vardy sees playing time in a major way. Young should have been benched. Why is he even taking kicks???

 

[Duderonomy]

All things considered, the opening 20 minutes had more positives and excitement from England than the last two world cups combined (and throw in the last euros for good measure).

Re: kids you’ve never seen before - probably the best thing the team has going for it. Other teams should be less aware of our strengths... and weaknesses.

 

[ppadilha]

Portugal are going to have a hard time getting past Iran.
BIG UP TO MEXICO, even though I missed most of the game and haven't been able to catch a replay of it, seems like the most epic result so far. Senegal winning was good but they were playing a shit country. Also, I'm glad I gave up having any expectations with Colombia, otherwise I'd be disappointed once again.

 

[Jimster]

No Winnarrs medal for Messi. Mandems were dregful (sic). Karius tweeting #metoo

 

[Duderonomy]

Croatia also very impressive. But Caballero WTF?

It’s actually been a really good World Cup so far. Upsets, good games... but still not sold on VAR.