The World Cup

27 Jun 2018

Quote by Magical_felix
Welp, don’t think anyone could have predicted the insanity of the group F games today.

Somebody did predict it. Somebody say, who knows nothing about sport and is suddenly winning her office pool.

"A dirty book is rarely dusty"

27 Jun 2018

Quote by PrincessC

Somebody did predict it. Somebody say, who knows nothing about sport and is suddenly winning her office pool.

You mean some dope predicted 2-0 Korea? That is pretty amazing.

27 Jun 2018

What is going on with Germany? No, seriously? GO MEXICOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

You can’t truly call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of violence. If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful. You’re harmless.

27 Jun 2018

Auf wiedersehen! kekekegay

With England's bogie team out, we have a good chance of going all the way!

27 Jun 2018

Quote by nicola
Auf wiedersehen!

With England's bogie team out, we have a good chance of going all the way!

There’s something almost admirable about the optimism of English football fans. Almost...

I’m backing Croatia to win, purely because I drew them in the pool at work. Three for three at the moment, which is more than can be said for some “big” teams.

27 Jun 2018

Well, Australia matched Germany - 4th in their group. And our group was tougher than theirs laughing6

Should be fun to watch Belgium and England competing hard for the right to (probably) face Colombia then Brazil, while the loser would likely face Japan and then Sweden or Switzerland...

27 Jun 2018

Quote by NOLAHotGal
Hubbie and I have absolutely no interest in this game.

Brandie

Yet, you still feel the need to comment on the thread... and still you feel the need to sign your name each and every time...

Can someone please explain to trailer swift that she doesn't need to reply to every single thread?

28 Jun 2018

Apologies to our German readers here, but, well, after England being the brunt of so many jokes over the years (decades), I think we can get away with this one:

Nicola

28 Jun 2018

I was fairly impressed by this one:

Hannah

28 Jun 2018

Word for the Day

You should first read this Looky Here!!

and then this Free stuff

then say 'Hi'

28 Jun 2018

love those Germany memes!

Though I love Messi I was gutted that Argentina scraped thru - they definitely did not deserve it. They are seriously a shite team.
Currently watching England deliberately lose to Belgium......They think they will beat Colombia in the next round....LOL
Spain v Belgium final
Espana to win it....

1 Jul 2018

It shouldn't have happened... BUT IT DID!!!!! The 50% Russian in me is over the moon. Penalty kick
win over Spain! Unbelievable! They planned their work, and worked their plan. They choreographed the
music, and Spain was forced to dance Russia's dance. In the words of Hannibal from the A-Team,
"I love it when a plan comes together."

Sad to see Ronaldo & Messi to exit to soon, but both were somewhat expected. I do like watching the stars,
and I really like watching history being made. Regardless of how some feel about him, CR is an amazing
player. I really, really wanted CR to cap is career with a World Cup title.

Uruguay and their stars were fun to watch. Mexico is still in it, but Putin said I must cheer for Russia!!!
So, we dance tonight!!!

Phew. Now back to our regular scheduled program of celebrating Canada Day.

1 Jul 2018

It will be almost 4 1/2 years until the next World Cup in Qatar. Since the average daytime temperature
is over 40 C, they've moved the event from June-July to November 21 to December 18, 2022.

They've also committed to have all of their Stadia equipped with air conditioning. OMG. Would not
want that months A/C bill.

Canada, US, & Mexico share the World Cup event in 2026. That should prove to be a logistical and
travel nightmare. The event is being expanded from 32 to 48 teams - 16 groups of 3 teams. The
best part - the top two teams in each group move to the round of 32 where ALL games are
Knockout Games. YES!!!

The US will host the bulk of the games, 60, while both Canada and Mexico will host 10 each. I wonder
if that game-host configuration will change? Hmmm...

Although the US has qualified several times, Canada has only made the final 32 once, back in 1986.
Our team won zero games and scored zero goals. Canada's side can only get better!!!

1 Jul 2018

Quote by Ping
It will be almost 4 1/2 years until the next World Cup in Qatar. Since the average daytime temperature
is over 40 C, they've moved the event from June-July to November 21 to December 18, 2022.

They've also committed to have all of their Stadia equipped with air conditioning. OMG. Would not
want that months A/C bill.

Canada, US, & Mexico share the World Cup event in 2026. That should prove to be a logistical and
travel nightmare. The event is being expanded from 32 to 48 teams - 16 groups of 3 teams. The
best part - the top two teams in each group move to the round of 32 where ALL games are
Knockout Games. YES!!!

The US will host the bulk of the games, 60, while both Canada and Mexico will host 10 each. I wonder
if that game-host configuration will change? Hmmm...

Although the US has qualified several times, Canada has only made the final 32 once, back in 1986.
Our team won zero games and scored zero goals. Canada's side can only get better!!!

Actually I think changing it to 48 teams and groups of three is the worst thing they can do. All the things that have made this World Cup so exciting wouldn’t be there if it was groups of three with two advancing. There would be a lot of meaningless games and a ton of groups decided by tiebreakers. Qualifying would be way too easy out of most regions.

It’s not official yet. I have a feeling it won’t happen.

1 Jul 2018

Quote by Magical_felix
Actually I think changing it to 48 teams and groups of three is the worst thing they can do. All the things that have made this World Cup so exciting wouldn’t be there if it was groups of three with two advancing. There would be a lot of meaningless games and a ton of groups decided by tiebreakers. Qualifying would be way too easy out of most regions.

It’s not official yet. I have a feeling it won’t happen.

I thought it was official. There was a vote (now forgive me, I'm referencing Wikipedia Lfunny

) in January 2017, The FIFA Council voted unanimously
in favor of expanding to this 48-team format.

I'm undecided whether this will be good or bad. I don't know if I'm qualified to say one way or another. But as a fan, I'm selfishly in favor of it.

Canada has not fielded teams competitive enough to make the 32, which I believe is your concern. The drop in quality. That makes sense. If the
top two teams from each pool take out a lessor skilled side, then that would work. However, as the rankings are being finalized, it is possible that
there could be three strong teams in one group. That would suck. I think I understand that part. Four teams in each group seems to better guard
against that. Or does it? I don't know.

Another reason I like the idea is that all games, once the final 32 are set, are knockout games.

After the uber-exciting (for me) Russian game and subsequent penalty kicks, and then the Crotia-Denmark game that also went to penalties,
I love the idea. It's exciting. But then the argument arises, as we've had it in Canada with hockey for so many years - are shoot outs the best
way to select the winner?

The NHL has shootouts in regular season games. That, I love. However, it didn't for many decades. It's exciting for everyone, especially the fans.
As a player, shootouts were a hoot. Nerve wracking, but a hoot. However, in playoffs, they play until someone scores. It's sudden death.

Maybe football should be the same way. But penalties seems deeply ingrained and accepted as part of the game. I may have digressed here. Sorry.
I guess in my uneducated, fan-only perspective, I like the 48-team expansion. This World Cup, I've missed Italy's passion. And the US chest thumping.
Fill-in-the-blank country any one of us would like to see. Expanding to 48 presents more teams to the world, but yes, I hear you. How much will
the quality of the tournament suffer? I hope none. But I was wrong about Portugal. Lfunny

But so far, I'm not about Russia! Lfunny

Golf recently changed their major playoff format. Now, no major requires an 18-hole playoff, then sudden death if players are still tied. Silly, but in
some way it's quaint, each major has a different format from sudden death, to two, three, & four aggregate score playoffs. Part of the reason is that
it is difficult to get volunteers, fans, television, etc. to come back on a Monday to witness the event. Another reason is that people (fans) want the
tournament concluded the day it is scheduled to conclude. I'm in that camp. If you can't win in 72 holes, then a few more, not another 18 the next day,
is better.

Wow. Today's matches were wonderful. Brazil. Mexico. Belgium. England. So much more fun to come.

2 Jul 2018

I know zero about Futball but I do know Vodka ! so today I will celebrate with that

2 Jul 2018

I know zero about Futball but I do know Vodka ! so today I will celebrate with that

4 Jul 2018

Well, here is our Final Eight.

Man, was that a rough and tumble match that England won. I, for one, was glad to see them win. I thought the
Colombians were not playing a nice game. Sure, the stakes are high, but I thought they played a bit too chippy.

Predictions:

Uruguay vs Brazil AND Russia vs England

Russia to beat Uruguay for the crown cuteblush

4 Jul 2018

Ack!!! I need a football fix!

Is it Friday yet????

5 Jul 2018

This made me giggle:

5 Jul 2018

Quote by Ping

Uruguay vs Brazil AND Russia vs England

That's how I called the quarters, too, in the World Cup thread on my other board. Haven't made calls for the semis or final yet. The son of one of the regulars on that board is over there with his girlfriend. Touring Russia and taking in various games. They'll be at the Uruguay-France game tomorrow and I think they have tickets for one of the semis, too.

5 Jul 2018

Quote by nicola
This made me giggle:

Darn FIFA and their copyright rules. Too funny but so apropos. I wonder if divers feel guilt or shame when they see themselves faking it on camera. Hmmm... I can only think of one other profession where the players fake it on camera on a regular basis. Same moans and groans too. Never thought of that football-porn connection before. I suppose that’s why you posted the video. Spooky. Lwinking

5 Jul 2018

Quote by seeker4

That's how I called the quarters, too, in the World Cup thread on my other board. Haven't made calls for the semis or final yet. The son of one of the regulars on that board is over there with his girlfriend. Touring Russia and taking in various games. They'll be at the Uruguay-France game tomorrow and I think they have tickets for one of the semis, too.

Lucky bastards!!!

I’ve heard some great things from people there. I haven’t been to Moscow since the 80’s. I wonder if things have changed? coffee

I hope they saw the subway system, and their beautiful stations, and the secret subway under the public subway, that leads directly to the Kremlin. The changing of the guards at Lenin’s tomb is also a neat experience. Just like waiting for donuts at Krispee Kreme! Lfunny

Brazil is favoured, but any team can win on any given day. With their home field advantage and iron curtain defensive play (at least against Spain) Russia has a great chance. Their play reminded me of The Red Army hockey team. Discipline. Vladislav Tretchak. Viktor Tikinov. If those dudes are still around, I hope they help the team.

One more sleep!!!

5 Jul 2018

Got to practice for Saturday's game. director

I would have posted the lyrics, but they mention Lenin, Freedom, and
Communism. I'm not sure those can all be in the same sentence and make sense, except for the sentence I just wrote. Lfunny

If you are using Google Chrome, you won't be able to see the beautiful evening images of Moscow, but the music and choir rock!
Moscow really is a beautiful city.

5 Jul 2018

I have to cheer for Sweden, only because my ancestors came from there and I still have relatives there. But I love my UK friends so I would be happy if England won too.

6 Jul 2018

Gak. Brazil are down 2 after the first half against Belgium. The Guardian's live blogger report that Brazil hasn't come back from a 2 goal deficit in a World Cup since 1938. Could Belgium really be poised to take down another soccer powerhouse?

6 Jul 2018

France looks like a clear favourite of the teams remaining IMO. I think if Croatia beat Russia they will also take England who I think will take Sweden.

But that ref in the Belgium - Brazil game. Holy fuck. 2 pretty clear penalties overlooked for Brazil as well as Fergie time. Ludicrous

The really grim and chain-smoking reaper has returned. See who he's stuck with now. Part 2 is out as well!

6 Jul 2018

Quote by resurrected
France looks like a clear favourite of the teams remaining IMO. I think if Croatia beat Russia they will also take England who I think will take Sweden.

But that ref in the Belgium - Brazil game. Holy fuck. 2 pretty clear penalties overlooked for Brazil as well as Fergie time. Ludicrous

The penalties weren’t “clear”, they were hardly goal scoring chances. And really, that’s what happens when you’re a diving, time wasting, flopping, simulating team. You don’t get the benefit of the doubt.

6 Jul 2018

So, it'll be neighbours France and Belgium in the first semi (next Tuesday). Wonder what tomorrow will bring with the other quarters?

Are you sure?