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The 2013-2014 Football Thread
- Thread starter Jaffa Cake
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I think you're doing fine in those regards, your Lordship.
I've had my fair share of incredibly strong ale.
Good Hugh Laurie cameo in that episode, it's one of may favorites.
I've had my fair share of incredibly strong ale.
Good Hugh Laurie cameo in that episode, it's one of may favorites.
Completely off topic, American beer has improved so very much over the last thirty years. I remember back when I first was in the US, back in 1983 the only US beers were nearly undrinkable.
But since then there has been a complete renaissance, the craft beer movement has not only caught up with the best brewers of Europe but it some cases surpassed them.
Please don't ask, do tell!
This originated in the initial question why non-alcoholic beer is called beer. We thought we found an answer that night, but wiki says different
(i was too drunk for rational thinking anyway..)
We had an 'interesting' discussion involving and being about beer the other night: Why is Ginger Ale called Ale? being my most important one. Is there a satisfying answer (no wiki allowed
And then there's ginger beer. And root beer, for that matter.
I've had an alcoholic ginger beer before, but don't think I've seen an alcoholic root beer. Getting drunk on root beer floats could be kind of fun, maybe.
Anyway, football:
Argentina always seems to have such an unbalanced squad. Now they have six or seven quality strikers, a couple of decent midfielders, and no defenders. I don't expect they will go too far unless Messi really catches fire and carries them in a Maradona-esque way.
I think a couple of years ago I looked at all their young Belgian players starting to make names for themselves in the big European leagues and thinking they could be really something if it all came together, and it looks like it really is now. Youth and inexperience at the highest levels could be a problem, but having a solid back line to build from and Vincent Kompany's leadership, they really do have a legitimate shot at the whole thing.
So happy Ecuador managed to beat Uruguay on Friday. That might have been the best performance I've seen out of them during the entire qualification cycle. If they can manage a draw at Chilé they finish third in CONMEBOL, which is far better than I expected from them. Not sure they can advance to far at the World Cup itself, but happy they'll be going back.
You make some intresting points.
Playing with no defenders can work, the Netherlands 1974, the idea is if we have the ball, you can't score. You do need a squad of world class players and be free from injuries.
Belgium have all the makings of a world class team, their defense is cast iron, and they can hit you on the counter. This has always been the tactic of the Belgium teams, they are always better playing away from home. (Home matches bring pressure). They only have a problem when they fall behind to a goal, and have to make the play on their own. Teams like Italy are the bogeyman to Belgium, but given the right group, they can and more than likely will go far in WC14.
Sorry to take this a bit off topic again but this is so true. A while ago now went and toured around Seattle and Washington State. Expected good coffee and was disappointed (everywhere seemed to be a Starbucks) but didn't expect decent beer but was amazed. I can (vaguely) remember some very, very good pubs and having some very pissed (in the British sense) conversations with the expert beer drinking locals on the heritage of IPA's, porters, ale or beer etc etc Strangely they were all quite young and attractive in that ironic beard and thick glasses way. That was a surprise too... Here, go to a real ale festival and there's nothing ironic about the beards and heavy glasses (and I'm not talking about the men.)
Anyway, back on the football subject and speculating about tomorrow night, (Poland v England) - actually let's not. Best not to think about it really. You sort of just sit down in front of the telly with a heavy heart rather than a excited sense of expectation. (In our case they're all bogeymen teams).
Yes I was in Seattle this year in August, and I did go into a Starbucks, we don't have them in the Netherlands, also they had free wifi.
Yes everything you said about the beers is so true. Especially IPA's, just a query pissed means drunk or very drunk?
I have no doubts that England will win against Poland, unless they have a clown in goal.
If an American is pissed, he's annoyed. If a British type is pissed, he's drunk - although if he's 'pissed off' he's annoyed as well.
Meanwhile, one of the reporters on the local rag tweeted last night that they've dispatched a journo or two to look into some 'interesting developments' at Hull City. Naturally, I've not seen a single comment from any City supporters expecting this to be anything other than bad news. We're an optimistic bunch.
Meanwhile, one of the reporters on the local rag tweeted last night that they've dispatched a journo or two to look into some 'interesting developments' at Hull City. Naturally, I've not seen a single comment from any City supporters expecting this to be anything other than bad news. We're an optimistic bunch.
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In today's footballing landscape dominated by counterattacking strategies, it seems like a pure attacking team is an anachronism. Still. if Argentina can keep the ball well they might be able to score early and force defensive teams to chase games, opening things up for further goals.
Quote of the day.
I recently saw a documentary on "beer tickers" in the UK and you're spot on. It's all about the un-ironic use of beards and thick glasses. As an aside, there's nothing off-topic about beer in a football forum. They have been companions since the beginning.
Meanwhile, one of the reporters on the local rag tweeted last night that they've dispatched a journo or two to look into some 'interesting developments' at Hull City. Naturally, I've not seen a single comment from any City supporters expecting this to be anything other than bad news. We're an optomistic bunch.
I know the feeling. In my town, "interesting developments" are generally of a negative nature...
Bear in mind a British type will often qualify the above by prefixing it with " a bit..." and the way through to "we were completely and utterly...."
Meanwhile, one of the reporters on the local rag tweeted last night that they've dispatched a journo or two to look into some 'interesting developments' at Hull City. Naturally, I've not seen a single comment from any City supporters expecting this to be anything other than bad news. We're an optomistic bunch.
Are you the chaps that are rebranding as a Rugby league club (albeit one that doesn't pick up the ball)? Perhaps the interesting developments are going to be those tight tops, funny shorts and Antipodean mullet haircuts?
Nope, we're apparently rebranding as Asia's most popular soccer franchise...
...but not if the club's supporters have any say in the matter.
It's worth noting that the journalist who mentioned the 'interesting developments' isn't a sports reporter - he generally covers local government and business matters. This leads me to believe that either the Allams and Council are reopening a dialogue after their previous falling out or it's something to do with the club's finances/ownership - basically, it's not purely a 'football' story they're looking into.
Sure... was joking a bit - the name Hull Tigers sounds like you're going to be playing the Wigan Warriors, the Warrington Wolves or even the Sheffield Eagles next season. Yep, I would oppose it too.
Heh - I don't think they do, now you mention it.
But it seems to be an off field matter rather than Sone Aluko's contract discussions or James Chester's hamstring, neither of which would be of any interest to the reporter in question.
Our owner's thoughtfully coming up with names for other clubs too, so we can all play under exciting new brands.
I don't know what he's thinking about Wigan Athletic or the two Sheffield clubs, but he told The Guardian's David Conn that he reckons Manchester City would be better served rebranding as 'Manchester Hunter'.
Hull Tigers v Manchester Hunter - there's Game 39 for you, live from Beijing...
NFL markings are still faintly visible on the Wembley pitch, so if we don't qualify it's all your fault America.
EDIT: Bugger, we're done for. Poland have brought their PEC Zwolle player on.
EDIT: Bugger, we're done for. Poland have brought their PEC Zwolle player on.
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Turkey 0 Netherlands 2
Just seen a flat match very few high points, scored two goals early in each half.
The players are starting to come together as a team, after the very big problems of the EC12 this a big plus.
Just seen a flat match very few high points, scored two goals early in each half.
The players are starting to come together as a team, after the very big problems of the EC12 this a big plus.
Looking at the 8 teams who will make the UEFA playoffs as listed by September's FIFA rankings. Now, I believe they will be seeded using FIFA's October rankings meaning that they could be some change between Sweden, France, and Ukraine, but I think it's pretty safe to say that Croatia, Portugal, and Greece will be seeded and Romania and Iceland won't be. I really hope France remain unseeded - I'd love to see a France vs Portugal playoff so either France or CR7 gets to stay home next summer.
Croatia 10
Portugal 11
Greece 12
Sweden 22
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France 25
Ukraine 26
Romania 31
Iceland 54
Croatia 10
Portugal 11
Greece 12
Sweden 22
---------------
France 25
Ukraine 26
Romania 31
Iceland 54
So England qualify by winning their group and are off to Brazil. The media are already reporting there's less expectation on the team than in previous tournaments, so presumably people will expect them to do better
Edit: Although it would seem for some, loosing to England is the final humiliation
Edit: Although it would seem for some, loosing to England is the final humiliation
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Lewandowski eyeing a transfer into the PL next summer...possible explanation for not hitting the target the right way yesterday?
Sweden scoring 7 times in two games against us is...not good. I joined the fraction that Löw won't win any titles quite some time ago (last EM to be precise) and his lack to fix what's broken seems to continue. I'll enjoy the WC, but I won't bet on Germany.
Sweden scoring 7 times in two games against us is...not good. I joined the fraction that Löw won't win any titles quite some time ago (last EM to be precise) and his lack to fix what's broken seems to continue. I'll enjoy the WC, but I won't bet on Germany.
Lewandowski eyeing a transfer into the PL next summer...possible explanation for not hitting the target the right way yesterday?
I was thinking the very same thing last night
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