World Cup 2018
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World Cup 2018
Here we go. I'm pretty certain that this will not be the year that the US wins the Cup.
To my inexpert eye, these are the most interesting matches of the first wkend;
Portugal - Spain (Fri)
Germany - Mexico (Sun)
Brazil - Switzerland (Sun)
I hope to watch a lot of matches but how that plays out in real life remains to be seen. W/out a true rooting interest to anchor a schedule it's hard to know how it will go.
Since the host team gets an automatic bid, does that mean that all of the US, Mexico & Canada are already in the 2026 tournament?
To my inexpert eye, these are the most interesting matches of the first wkend;
Portugal - Spain (Fri)
Germany - Mexico (Sun)
Brazil - Switzerland (Sun)
I hope to watch a lot of matches but how that plays out in real life remains to be seen. W/out a true rooting interest to anchor a schedule it's hard to know how it will go.
Since the host team gets an automatic bid, does that mean that all of the US, Mexico & Canada are already in the 2026 tournament?
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard
Re: World Cup 2018
I respect soccer, but can't get into the World Cup when the US isn't a part of it. I have little to no emotional connection to the game (it wasn't even an option to play where/when I grew up), and have never invested much in MLS, probably because all my friends who actually do watch soccer rag on it quite a bit. I've never been able to just glob on to a European team either.
I had a damn blast watching in 2010, however.
I had a damn blast watching in 2010, however.
- whatwouldcooleydo?
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Re: World Cup 2018
From what I have heard- and no one seems to have a definitive answer yet- the North Americans may only get two automatic bids, which would almost certainly mean Canada would have to do some work to earn a spot. The field will be expanded to 48 in 2026, but off the top of my headI have no idea where Canada ranks worldwide. Don't quote me on thisbeantownbubba wrote:Here we go. I'm pretty certain that this will not be the year that the US wins the Cup.
To my inexpert eye, these are the most interesting matches of the first wkend;
Portugal - Spain (Fri)
Germany - Mexico (Sun)
Brazil - Switzerland (Sun)
I hope to watch a lot of matches but how that plays out in real life remains to be seen. W/out a true rooting interest to anchor a schedule it's hard to know how it will go.
Since the host team gets an automatic bid, does that mean that all of the US, Mexico & Canada are already in the 2026 tournament?
I expect to watch a lot and enjoy the hell out of the Cup, but ultimately I still care more about the EPL season and domestic events like Champions League. As long as neither Brazil nor Russia win I'm good with whoever wins
Here is a good little quiz to help fans with no rooting interests select a team to support
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/world-cup-quiz/
It told me I should support Tunisia
And speaking of 538, here are their predictions
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/20 ... edictions/
Son, this ain't a dream no more, it's the real thing
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Re: World Cup 2018
[/quote]whatwouldcooleydo? wrote:
Here is a good little quiz to help fans with no rooting interests select a team to support
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/world-cup-quiz/
It told me I should support Tunisia
And speaking of 538, here are their predictions
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/20 ... edictions/
That makes two of us rooting for Tunisia...South Korea apparently is my runner up. It ain't hockey (I'm still catching my breathe after the amazing Stanley Cup Playoffs this year)...but on the other hand...it ain't baseball (which for some reason, I just cannot seem to watch - though I bet a live MLB game might change my point of view ).. I'll no doubt keep one eye open
Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them. - Thoreau
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Re: World Cup 2018
Tunisia are in England’s group so you better hope your rooting skills are rubbish. GRRRRRRRRblessedcurse wrote:That makes two of us rooting for Tunisia...South Korea apparently is my runner up. It ain't hockey (I'm still catching my breathe after the amazing Stanley Cup Playoffs this year)...but on the other hand...it ain't baseball (which for some reason, I just cannot seem to watch - though I bet a live MLB game might change my point of view ).. I'll no doubt keep one eye openwhatwouldcooleydo? wrote:
Here is a good little quiz to help fans with no rooting interests select a team to support
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/world-cup-quiz/
It told me I should support Tunisia
And speaking of 538, here are their predictions
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/20 ... edictions/
"Guitars talk. If you really want to write a song, ask a guitar." Neil Young
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Re: World Cup 2018
Hey, I said that the quiz “suggested” Tunisia. I’m ride or die with the Three Lions, even if the U.S. was playing
Son, this ain't a dream no more, it's the real thing
Re: World Cup 2018
Survey says Uruguay. Look, I posted on a soccer thread!
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Re: World Cup 2018
Uruguay definitely has a better chance for a bite at the apple than Tunisia, but just by the skin of their teethLBRod wrote:Survey says Uruguay. Look, I posted on a soccer thread!
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Re: World Cup 2018
All u need to do is get to Boston between April and September and I'll take care of the rest.blessedcurse wrote:
it ain't baseball (which for some reason, I just cannot seem to watch - though I bet a live MLB game might change my point of view ).. I'll no doubt keep one eye open
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard
- whatwouldcooleydo?
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Re: World Cup 2018
damn, Spain/Portugal did not disappoint!!!
Son, this ain't a dream no more, it's the real thing
Re: World Cup 2018
Due to Mexico's victory over Germany I will now be drinking Modela Negra at my favorite Mexican establishment.
and that pussy Alec Baldwin blew that girl away, and speaking of pussy Steve got it all!
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Re: World Cup 2018
I generally find sports coverage from Fox to be awful- anything with Joe Buck, their U.S. Open golf coverage, et al.- but damn, the GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! dude calling Japan/Colombia today was a cut above in his sucking Total caricature overall, and had some references such as "bonzai" and "samurai" that were, to say the least, lazy
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Re: World Cup 2018
Burger King Offered Russian Women Lifetime Whoppers/$$$ If They Get Impregnated By World Cup Stars
something something Have It Your Way
something something Have It Your Way
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Re: World Cup 2018
I am always hesitant to comment too deeply on futbol since I know I don't understand it anywhere near the intuitive level I do American-based major sports. So recognizing that I could be way off base, I was really surprised at the way Martinez managed the match for Belgium.
After their initial flurry somewhere around the 10 minute mark, the Belgian offense was seriously gummed up. It seemed to me that Fellaini and Chadli were out of sorts entirely (Fellaini couldn't get near the ball and Chadli was pretty much a black hole whenever he came into possession) and it seemed like Fellaini kept getting in Hazard's way. De Bruyne wasn't quite at that level but he often seemed a step slow. As the announcers eventually pointed out, Belgium was packing the middle of the field where there was no room and not spreading the field. I would have taken Fellaini and Chadli out well before Martinez did. I'm not sure what I would have done w/ De Bruyne but perhaps fresher legs spreading the field would have given him more space to be himself. The Mertens for Dembele (sad to say that Dembele did not represent well for Spurs) change seemed to have a positive impact; I wonder if making the other changes earlier might have made a difference. Everyone's saying that's the last chance for Belgium as this group of stars ages out; nothing wrong w/ making it to the semi-finals but just that little bit further would have been awesome.
After their initial flurry somewhere around the 10 minute mark, the Belgian offense was seriously gummed up. It seemed to me that Fellaini and Chadli were out of sorts entirely (Fellaini couldn't get near the ball and Chadli was pretty much a black hole whenever he came into possession) and it seemed like Fellaini kept getting in Hazard's way. De Bruyne wasn't quite at that level but he often seemed a step slow. As the announcers eventually pointed out, Belgium was packing the middle of the field where there was no room and not spreading the field. I would have taken Fellaini and Chadli out well before Martinez did. I'm not sure what I would have done w/ De Bruyne but perhaps fresher legs spreading the field would have given him more space to be himself. The Mertens for Dembele (sad to say that Dembele did not represent well for Spurs) change seemed to have a positive impact; I wonder if making the other changes earlier might have made a difference. Everyone's saying that's the last chance for Belgium as this group of stars ages out; nothing wrong w/ making it to the semi-finals but just that little bit further would have been awesome.
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard
Re: World Cup 2018
Oi!chuckrh wrote:Go England!
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Re: World Cup 2018
beantownbubba wrote:I am always hesitant to comment too deeply on futbol since I know I don't understand it anywhere near the intuitive level I do American-based major sports. So recognizing that I could be way off base, I was really surprised at the way Martinez managed the match for Belgium.
After their initial flurry somewhere around the 10 minute mark, the Belgian offense was seriously gummed up. It seemed to me that Fellaini and Chadli were out of sorts entirely (Fellaini couldn't get near the ball and Chadli was pretty much a black hole whenever he came into possession) and it seemed like Fellaini kept getting in Hazard's way. De Bruyne wasn't quite at that level but he often seemed a step slow. As the announcers eventually pointed out, Belgium was packing the middle of the field where there was no room and not spreading the field. I would have taken Fellaini and Chadli out well before Martinez did. I'm not sure what I would have done w/ De Bruyne but perhaps fresher legs spreading the field would have given him more space to be himself. The Mertens for Dembele (sad to say that Dembele did not represent well for Spurs) change seemed to have a positive impact; I wonder if making the other changes earlier might have made a difference. Everyone's saying that's the last chance for Belgium as this group of stars ages out; nothing wrong w/ making it to the semi-finals but just that little bit further would have been awesome.
Belgium seemed flat the entire match. it was a very lackluster performance by the team that I thought was going to win it all this time.
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Re: World Cup 2018
Somebody forgot to tell England that there are 2 halves of extra time. Don't know where they were in the 2nd half but it wasn't on the pitch. And now, worse than missing the final is that they have to play the 3rd place game, lol.
I thought I'd be rooting for Croatia as the little guy but I found myself rooting for England, from familiarity, I guess, plus they had a very good story too. But I can't feel too bad that it's Croatia moving on; that is a great story.
I was thinking that England-France would have been like a throwback to the 19th century.
I thought I'd be rooting for Croatia as the little guy but I found myself rooting for England, from familiarity, I guess, plus they had a very good story too. But I can't feel too bad that it's Croatia moving on; that is a great story.
I was thinking that England-France would have been like a throwback to the 19th century.
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard
Re: World Cup 2018
Do our sports cliches work for soccer?
Looked to me like the Croats just wanted it more.
Looked to me like the Croats just wanted it more.
Don't hurt people, and don't take their stuff.
Re: World Cup 2018
Jeez, isn't this tournament over yet? Real football is about to start up again.
If you don't run you rust
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Re: World Cup 2018
Actually, as one of the announcers pointed out, real futbol is starting up again, too, w/ preseason "friendlies."Clams wrote:Jeez, isn't this tournament over yet? Real football is about to start up again.
What used to be is gone and what ought to be ought not to be so hard
Re: World Cup 2018
Bubba, what's futbol?beantownbubba wrote:Actually, as one of the announcers pointed out, real futbol is starting up again, too, w/ preseason "friendlies."Clams wrote:Jeez, isn't this tournament over yet? Real football is about to start up again.
If you don't run you rust
Re: World Cup 2018
It's the game where they actual use their foot to manipulate the ball
And I knew when I woke up Rock N Roll would be here forever
Re: World Cup 2018
You must be referring to American hand eggClams wrote:Jeez, isn't this tournament over yet? Real football is about to start up again.