WORLD CUP 2018 RUSSIA

[Ed P]

World Cup Footie – more like World Wide Wrestling! link

The grappling to the ground of Serbia’s Mitrovic’ by two Swiss players shows that VAR still does not overcome the dangers of apparently biased match officials. Too much gambling money is involved in Football to allow such antics to go by without full investigation.

[D-Dan]

I don’t do football – it holds no interest, although I did hear that Nigeria were so pleased with their performance yesterday that they have offered to pay for the return tickets for all of their fans.

All they need to do is send their name, sort code, account number and mother’s maiden name.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[RSB]

I am curious to why after a 6-1 victory on Sunday every one has clamped up? OK it was against a team that was not so good but still it was a fantastical day. I am guessing the quiet is to do with a belief that maybe, just maybe this is England’s year but no one want’s to say it. Well, we will find out what England’s chances are on Thursday. Maybe people are waiting for that game before they say anything?

Personally with all the stuff going over the past year or so I think a big win is exactly what is needed for the country. It would be one big party. Oh well, one can only hope.

Americans: Over Sexed, Over Payed and Over here, Wat Wat!

[JayCeeDee]

It’s time to be quietly optimistic!! You’re probably right, the silence is either not wishing to tempt fate after some good promising results or sitting there waiting for more good news to arrive.

We’ve been here before ( more than once ) and felt the pain after getting our hopes up. It’s something us Brits should be used to in everything from Eurovision to Rugby to the Ashes, from World championship Athletics to the Olympics (discounting our recent successes )!!

[RSB]

Here is an old Rik Mayall Nobles mans song to cheer us on a bit.

Americans: Over Sexed, Over Payed and Over here, Wat Wat!

[Ed P]

Belgium is supposedly going to play to lose against England in order to get a better quarter final draw. The Belgium match could be super boring if both teams play the same tactics!

[RSB]

From what has been said England will play to win. I don’t know what to make of it. I do not know which I prefer to be honest. Two very tough teams to face if we win. If he put’s Jones on then I am sure we will be playing to loose 🙂

Americans: Over Sexed, Over Payed and Over here, Wat Wat!

[Dave Rice]

They will both play to win whatever anyone says.

I don’t think we (or they) have anything to fear from any of Group H. After that they will all be tough whatever.

[Bob Williams]

I actually go along with Gareth Southgate’s words after last Sunday’s game: that the performance was not as good as the previous one, in which England came back to win 2-1. The team battled and fought during that game until the last moment and they showed great togetherness, played as a team. I think the confidence from that display, given a little more from their refusal to be drawn into arguments by a bunch of dirty, contentious, thugs in the second game, will stand them in good stead for the rest of this tournament.

I have no idea how far this young team will go, but I do know that we have found a very good young English manager who understands his players, the Oldpharts of the EFA, and the media. That’s been a long time coming. Gareth Southgate has experienced the lows with the national team himself, not least missing a penalty against (of all teams) the Germans.

My prediction for the Belgium game: a draw, 1-1 or 0-0. I think Kyle Walker may be able to handle de Bruyne, who is the key to how Belgium get the ball forward and keep it until they can get it to the battering ram that is Lukaku. Get the ball, England!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Dave Rice]

Watched the last 20 minutes of the German game. Marvellous.

Just hope the same happens to Brazil a bit later. I have some Brazilian lager chilling in the fridge (it was on offer in Tescos) and some Belgian Leffe for Thursday if the jinx works ?

[The Duke]

I’m gutted Germany went out. ?

However they just didn’t deserve to go through. Not that Mexico are better.

Been a strange wc, but one of the best I can recall. I’d have to go back to euro 96 for an international comp I’ve enjoyed.

Thre Russians, have pulled a blinder at this wc.

VAR I’m a convert. Hated it when I was at the FA cup game, but hear it’s been a big success. Just moving the debate from one area, to another.

The weather ain’t half bad either, which always lifts my mood.

[Bob Williams]

Some of the permutations, whilst games are being played simultaneously and unexpected things happen, are tying the commentators in knots. I am waiting for an “experts” head to explode…

Mexico didn’t know until they were off the pitch at the end, that South Korea had beaten Germany, sending them through despite Mexico having lost 3-0 to Sweden. The Sweden team that found it so difficult to score against S. Korea and Germany.

But I was definitely not gutted that the Germans were out, Steve. Even though somewhere in the massed ranks of German fans, the son that I have not seen since 1975, will probably be broken hearted. Because even at 7 years old, he was as barmy about football as his dad. Get over it lad, accept the England experience of former World Cup exits. Keine Angst, kein Schmerz, mein junge! Beruhigen!

Your dad’s national team has marched on past Deutschland, for once. Wish I could tell him that in person….?

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Ed P]

The German Bookies must be lighting up their Fuente Don Arturo  cigars

[Bob Williams]

The German media, once totally supportive of the national team, have taken to the worst of English media tricks and attacks. The whole team will be pilloried when they get home. I expect the players will Urlaub machen (take a holiday) in some places that have beaches and loungers with bath towels that are not stolen by Brits, and is not an area that follows WC football.

Viel Glück damit! (good luck with that)

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[The Duke]

Probably the biggest game of the WC so far tonight, and my kids school has his leavers assembly scheduled to start at 7pm!

As it’s in the local theater, I’m wondering how many will be watching on their phones. I’m homing not many, as I dont want my bandwidth eating up.

[johnbarry]

So the win against Panama was a fluke.

The team wasn’t so good today, does this mean they’re coming home yet.

Cheers
John

[The Duke]

No, England made 8 changes, Belgium 9. This makes the game void in the sense of seeing where England actually measure

Well defo so what they are made off against Colombia. If we struggle against them, we’ll know we are not all that good. If we lose, that England will be coming home. Though I doubt they will get beat in that game.

It’s a shame this game meant nothing, as it would of been a great yard stick to see where England actually are. For me the jury is still out.

Oh, I only got to listen to the game, (no bandwidth for video). It’s been over 20 years since I’ve listened to a game. How do you do it Lee, it board me to death. Though the game itself didn’t help.

[Bob Williams]

Defence went to pot after Stones was injured, hope it’s not too serious, the lad has blossomed in game after game as a modern centre back for me. Cahill is not what he was, but Harry Maguire is a must with John Stones. Phil Jones is solid, that’s the back 3 for me. This game should prove just how much Jordan Henderson brings to the team: Dier does not have the same presence, ability to break up attacks, make an accurate pass over any distance, and effective leadership. Columbia will be a bigger test than Japan would have been. They get physical at times, especially when they go a goal down, just like the Panamaniacs. Thugs, they became. But they can also play a bit. This one is a potential banana skin for England.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[johnbarry]

Thanks Duke

I haven’t watched a game yet (I may if England reach the final) as far as the Panama game some one was (in a pub, I was at) had it on the mobile for the first 2. Then I heard a crowd cheer (as I passed a community centre) I thought that was the the 3rd, it turned out to be the 4th. I then looked on the net for the final result and watched all the shots on TV.

Due to the panama win I checked on the net for yesterdays result.

I think they have reached furthest in a long time?

Cheers
John

[The Duke]

No, it’s only the group stages. We usually get out the group. The lady 16 is where we usually fail, which is the next game. On occasion we have wine that the next game is the one that gets us. (bar 1990) when we went one game further. semi final knock out, which guarantees you one more game. Either a final, or the wooden spoon game.

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