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The 2013-2014 Football Thread

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I wouldn't worry too much. Suarez will surely be banned and without him Uruguay have zero chance of going anywhere. I was rooting for them, but they are tainted now, too much dirty play. It was good to see Godin score though, he's a man who pops up at critical moments.

Italy may be less dirty than formerly, but they still have a lot of bad Karma to work though. ;)

ESPN's pundits are climbing on their highest horses over the Suarez thing. I don't want to deflect attention, and it's totally execrable behavior on his part - make no mistake - but I truly wish that the football punditry and the news media at large could muster this level of disgust and anger over some other, bigger issues like Blatter's rotten FIFA, racism/sexism/homophobia in the game, match fixing, construction workers dying in Qatar...the problem is, those issues can't easily punished with a ban or fine, so we let them go on.

Frankly, Sepp Blatter is biting all of us, all the time.

P.S. Michael Ballack is really basking in is role as TV pundit on ESPN. Sometimes he looks ready to headbutt Alexi Lalas though. And I'd like to see that. ;)
 
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Lord Blackadder said:
I wouldn't worry too much. Suarez will surely be banned and without him Uruguay have zero chance of going anywhere. I was rooting for them, but they are tainted now, too much dirty play. It was good to see Godin score though, he's a man who pops up at critical moments.

Italy may be less dirty than formerly, but they still have a lot of bad Karma to work though. ;)

ESPN's pundits are climbing on their highest horses over the Suarez thing. I don't want to deflect attention, and it's totally execrable behavior on his part - make no mistake - but I truly wish that the football punditry and the news media at large could muster this level of disgust and anger over some other, bigger issues like Blatter's rotten FIFA, racism/sexism/homophobia in the game, match fixing, construction workers dying in Qatar...the problem is, those issues can't easily punished with a ban or fine, so we let them go on.

Frankly, Sepp Blatter is biting all of us, all the time.

P.S. Michael Ballack is really basking in is role as TV pundit on ESPN. Sometimes he looks ready to headbutt Alexi Lalas though. And I'd like to see that. ;)
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he he he.

some of the stuff lalas says though, i'm hoping he purposely plays the devils advocate, otherwise i want to head but him also…
 
chomp.jpg


Yesterday I did my customary World Cup bet on the correct scores in the day's matches. Being a four-game day it was a £1 stake yankee: four singles, six doubles, four trebles and the four match accumulator.

My selections were:
Costa Rica 1–1 England
Italy 0–1 Uruguay
Greece 1–1 Ivory Coast
Japan 1–3 Colombia

Had the scores in the two evening matches remained as they were at 89 minutes, I'd have shown a profit of £817. As it was, I lost £8.

It's a mug's game, and no mistake.

:(
 
Heh, the tip game I do has material prizes for several winners, from the 3rd matches of the groups I had none right.
So far I had
5 exact right
5 goal difference
13 tendency (like tipping the winning team)
19 wrong

Lord Blackadder said:
(...) but I truly wish that the football punditry and the news media at large could muster this level of disgust and anger over some other, bigger issues like Blatter's rotten FIFA, racism/sexism/homophobia in the game, match fixing, construction workers dying in Qatar...the problem is, those issues can't easily punished with a ban or fine, so we let them go on.

Frankly, Sepp Blatter is biting all of us, all the time.

(...)
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Spot on! I also don't understand, why media reports, till the last week before the WC starts and not use the attention during the matches instead they make fun about Gijon and make a 10min. entry about it, really speculating, if USA-GER would do this, as if that would be even thinkable with people like Löw and Klinsmann. 10min. TV time wasted. :mad:

I plan to make a call to the jewish council, if I don't forget it and tell them about that FIFA boss with the anti-semitic quote and why they don't take action. If they take up on it, like they usually do in Germany, I hope they make it in the media before the Final is over. This is the only thing I could think about, that could have at least a tiny chance. I don't no, if they listen to non-jews. (PS: I am not like this - a snitch - but in the case of FIFA such means are justified).

PS: let's see it this way. The Suarez bite was equating the headbutt against Zidane. ;)
 
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Sorry chaps, saw this on twitter:

Messi carrying Argentina.
Neymar carrying Brazil.
Suarez carrying Uruguay.
Benzema carrying France.
British Airways carrying England.
 
Valencia (A) off; not the highest boot but studs up, add riding the players leg as he looks for the ball and tries to stay standing, and cap it with falling into EDIT Digne's groin after losing his balance - mix of thuggery and comedy.:D Who was the ref talking to? Didn't seem to be the linesman. The refereeing had a Germany v Portugal style of bias - how did Digne not get a yellow re an Ecuador break?

Giroud lucky not to see red for a punch and an elbow, Sturridge lucky yesterday - how he went into the keeper.

Tilpots - USA and Germany carrying the Spirit of '82?

Cheers,
OW
 
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France looked a bit off against Ecuador...they created a lot of chances but continually shot from too far away or straight at Ecuador's keeper. Ecuador, on the other hand, played really well with 10 men and maybe would have won the game but for Antonio Valencia's silly red card. It probably didn't matter in the end because Ecuador would have had to win by 2.

Cox Orange said:
Spot on! I also don't understand, why media reports, till the last week before the WC starts and not use the attention during the matches instead they make fun about Gijon and make a 10min. entry about it, really speculating, if USA-GER would do this, as if that would be even thinkable with people like Löw and Klinsmann. 10min. TV time wasted. :mad:
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Indeed. Klinsmann wants to win the game, he won't play for a draw. We are likely to lose anyway, and Portugal's equalizer shows the danger of a one-goal lead in knockout tournaments. If USA do go through, it will probably be a USA loss coupled with a Portugal-Ghana draw.

Cox Orange said:
PS: let's see it this way. The Suarez bite was equating the headbutt against Zidane. ;)
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Perhaps. ;)

Tilpots said:
Sorry chaps, saw this on twitter:

Messi carrying Argentina.
Neymar carrying Brazil.
Suarez carrying Uruguay.
Benzema carrying France.
British Airways carrying England.
Click to expand...

Brilliant. :D
 
OW, I was just reading a few days ago about that 82 incident. The Algerians said they are very proud of having a team so good that others conspired against them out of fear and they made a mark on the World Cup by having this third round be played simultaneously. Interesting story, but I'm doubting either the Germans or the US will try something similar. Klinsmann has a rep to protect. The US's team seems a little to naive to try it even if it would work in their favor. And I doubt Germany would want to settle for a tie in a game they are expected to win. But hey, who knows. I'd take it if it got us through. Crazier things have already happened in Bitezil. ;)

Too say I'm a little worried about tomorrow's games would be a huge understatement. I do believe in this team, but I also believe Germany is better. We're capable of a win or a tie if we play our hearts out. I just want to get out of this Group of Death and get to the 16. I'm still reeling from Portugal and Bradley's botched play so my confidence isn't where it should be. Guess we'll find out around 2pm tomorrow.
 
I know that this USA squad is good enough to get a point off Germany or even a shock win. However, I fully expect to lose. Germany are just too good, and won't play for a draw. If USA go through, it will be due to the result of the other match. Still, I'm hoping for an exciting, close match.

Maybe Bradley will come good today. We need him back in form.
 
Tilpots,

Mostly joshing with a pinch of fear for the game. They may go at it for 75 - 80 minutes and then accept the score if drawing.

---

Edit - Ghana - two players leaving?

Cheers,
OW
 
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Lord Blackadder said:
Maybe Bradley will come good today. We need him back in form.
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After his tournament so far, he better bring it today... UNTIL THE LAST WHISTLE!

Woke up with a better attitude today. Going all in. We can beat this team. Our destiny is in our own hands. I think we're going to see some inspired play from Klinsmann's crew. The players know the fans are behind them. They're going to play like they have nothing to lose. They won't pack it in on D. Multiple offensive subs early if needed. Rocky Balboa. Miracle on Ice. Hot Dogs. Stars and Bars. HERE WE GO.

I Believe that we will win!!!


PS twietee,

You goin' down! ;):cool::D
 
Tilpots said:
Woke up with a better attitude today.
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Let's see how that works out 2mins before the whistle blows...





...beating USA by 3:0 today. Heard it first here but no idea about Ghana / Portugal. Maybe you guys get lucky. :D
 
Tilpots said:
:)

Good luck today, my friend. Hoping for a good one.
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Let's hope so, just got the info the game could get delayed due heavy raining for the past hours. Fifa is about to decide within next 1.5h.

Also, Ghana's coach suspended Kevin Prince Boateng and Muntari. :eek:
 
looks like ghana isn't going to have the best mood: 2 players being suspended fro mthe squad

kevin prince boateng apparently insulted their coach in the training session and refused to apologized

muntari had a fallout with another member of the delegation
 
OllyW said:
Suarez gets a nine match ban and is suspended "from any football activity" for four months.

Bad news for Liverpool (again).
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They'll be all nail-biting till he comes home again.



Srsly, that just dropped his price tag by 20%.

----------

Game will start as terminated though. Will fans appear just in time? Let's hope for them, tickets weren't that cheap I'd guess.
 
Relatively light punishment for a repeat offender. Does very little damage in the grand scheme of things.
 
Just passing this on, so no idea if correct, but if true...wtf!?:

"Since 2010 Suarez has now been banned for 34 games without a red card."


The pity with him is, being 100% honest, that I somehow have a weak spot for this guy. :eek:
 
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Kariya said:
Relatively light punishment for a repeat offender. Does very little damage in the grand scheme of things.
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Being banned from nine competitive international matches (meaning he'll miss next year's Copa America) and at least the first thirteen matches of next season for Liverpool is a fairly strong punishment. I'm still not sure he'll learn from it though and the attempted white wash from the Uruguay camp before the hearing was very disappointing.
 
OllyW said:
Being banned from nine competitive international matches (meaning he'll miss next year's Copa America) and at least the first thirteen matches of next season for Liverpool is a fairly strong punishment. I'm still not sure he'll learn from it though and the attempted white wash from the Uruguay camp before the hearing was very disappointing.
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I say this because Uruguay will be wiped out within the next round with or without Suarez. I suppose the Copa and Liverpool aspect is a big blow. But Liverpool are already experienced at playing without Suarez.

I was expecting 6months...at least. If i'm being honest.

oscillatewildly said:
Juventus - LLorente, Bayern Munich - Martinez, Athletic Bilbao make it as tough as possible.
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Yup. That said, it seems to be inevitable at this point. Since the player himself has paid the buyout clause.
 
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