I told you so. You have never been into sports yourself, have you? No sportsmanship.
So low.
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The 2017-2018 Football Thread
- Thread starter Lord Blackadder
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So low.
Well I have admired many Brazilian players in the past, especially Pele, but Neymar is a shame in comparison.
I too would have loved to see Japan and Senegal or perhaps Nigeria do better. Even Egypt just for sentimental reasons.
What? You and others wanted to argue with me, but I saw this coming. Sweden was clearly not up to the level of England. That packing in the back line could only get them so far. It’s clear I know more about the game of football then you, or your just a blind fan.
Me a fan. Haha. You are the one that is absolutely blind.
You just proved you only deserve the ignore list. Nothing less.
No, Sweden's limitations have been exposed, and Pickford (in case anyone was in doubt after the penalty shoot out against Colombia) proved that he is an excellent keeper at this level.
But, above all, Gareth Southgate is vindicated; he is now the most successful English manager since Bobby Robson - having qualified for the World Cup semi-final for the first time since Bobby Robson managed the same feat as manager of England in 1990.
But, above all, Gareth Southgate is vindicated; he is now the most successful English manager since Bobby Robson - having qualified for the World Cup semi-final for the first time since Bobby Robson managed the same feat as manager of England in 1990.
I remember it well! The tears. That look from Gary Linker, and above all the hurt!
One time I lost a close match and kicked the living hell out of a trash can in the locker room.
Disappointment is totally ok. Tears and anger is ok when we lose. Sportsmen/women show emotions. We get crashed.One time I lost a close match and kicked the living hell out of a trash can in the locker room.
I am beyond that now though, I'm a grown up. And don't play myself anymore.
'Dumb fans', only justify their own inabilities, in how they treat their imaginable opponents.
Because it is, they never did any game.
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I expected England to win this match, but not this easily. Sweden had chances but they had clearly gone as far as they could go. Great campaign for them, I think they can be proud of having gotten to the quarterfinals.
Fair enough. Just my opinion. Belgium got a slice of luck, but I think you can probably say that about most teams that get this far - at some point things just go their way. It's true Brazil were not "huge" favorites, but they were still favorites. And any time Brazil, the perennial contenders, are knocked out of the world cup by a team that has never won it, I call that an upset.
Fair enough. Just my opinion. Belgium got a slice of luck, but I think you can probably say that about most teams that get this far - at some point things just go their way. It's true Brazil were not "huge" favorites, but they were still favorites. And any time Brazil, the perennial contenders, are knocked out of the world cup by a team that has never won it, I call that an upset.
The first half hour was turgid, indeed. Tedious to watch. England content to play tiki-taka rather than run at the Swedish defence, which actually would probably have resulted in more goals as the Swedish defence seemed to crumble when played against at speed. Unfortunately, Sterling, while nimble, is another Wellbeck who flatters to deceive. He can run at defences and get in front of goal. However, once there he runs out of ideas and tends to just give the ball away. He lacks the killer touch. England also started to show the worrying tendency of old to give the ball away when not under pressure. Some very sloppy passes.
The English defence didn't seem that solid today. To many gaps opening that a better opponent would have exploited. Very disappointed in Sweden. Just no real ideas coming out from them apart from hoping to profit from a counter attack. Neither team showed its best today.
Don’t think England were THAT good, Sweden were bad.
Wasn’t very impressed, except with the goaly. He had class.
If our goaly had been that good, it would’ve been more even.
Our Captain said it all: heavy legs, we were not there.
So yes, they reached their limit and their potential in these games.
But most in the country are happy with reaching the quarter.
We haven’t since 1984, when we took bronze
People are happy for all the cash that goes into the Football Association. It’s big business today.
Great for all kids, more educated leaders etc.
See what Russia or Croatia can come up with against England in the semi.
My bet is still Belgium as the winner of these games. Their game have showed the highest potential.
They didn't disappoint in their quarter. They just didn’t keep that great momentum all the way.
They shocked Brazil enough, with that 1st half.
Will be interesting to see them against France, they know each other better.
Wasn’t very impressed, except with the goaly. He had class.
If our goaly had been that good, it would’ve been more even.
Our Captain said it all: heavy legs, we were not there.
So yes, they reached their limit and their potential in these games.
But most in the country are happy with reaching the quarter.
We haven’t since 1984, when we took bronze
People are happy for all the cash that goes into the Football Association. It’s big business today.
Great for all kids, more educated leaders etc.
See what Russia or Croatia can come up with against England in the semi.
My bet is still Belgium as the winner of these games. Their game have showed the highest potential.
They didn't disappoint in their quarter. They just didn’t keep that great momentum all the way.
They shocked Brazil enough, with that 1st half.
Will be interesting to see them against France, they know each other better.
Tika tika or not, England have done very well to advance as far as the semi-finals.
Personally, I had them down as a quarter-final team, who would do well - and Southgate has crafted an excellent team spirit - to advance as far as the semis. I always thought that England would be lucky - or a combination of luck, leadership and skill - to get to the semis.
Having said that, I suspect that Sterling does, to a certain extent, flatter to deceive in a designated role as a possible scorer of goals; he is good at making runs and making space, but very poor at finishing. This is why it was good for England today to have some players who weren't Harry Kane actually succeed in putting the ball in the net.
The other thing to note is that from this stage on, while a half decent game does occasionally occur in the semi-finals, mostly, the best games - in terms of artistry or flair - have taken place by then.
While Brazil and Belgium - and indeed, France and Uruguay - always had the potential to be good matches, any match featuring Sweden (and they do what they do very well, their defence is extremely good) was always going to be a ponderous display, especially against an England that have learned to maximise their opportunities from set pieces (a vital skill) given that scoring from open play can still present a challenge.
That shot was just something else. Poor keeper realized he had no way of saving it. Looked gutted as it screamed past him. And now wait until Russia flubs the 2nd half and Croatia advance. If not, I suspect the vodka and strong bitter will be flowing well tonight, and down the chins of the natives.
[doublepost=1530988961][/doublepost]I missed the majority of the England Sweden match. It was warm outside this morning and we decided to take the kids for a leisure walk before the sun decided to bake the region again. Very strange to experience 85* F weather at 7 in the morning...
Edit: 1-1
[doublepost=1530988961][/doublepost]I missed the majority of the England Sweden match. It was warm outside this morning and we decided to take the kids for a leisure walk before the sun decided to bake the region again. Very strange to experience 85* F weather at 7 in the morning...
Edit: 1-1
Yes, Croatia equalised, Russia having gone ahead earlier.
Nevertheless, I am - and remain - astonished that Russia - who are, admittedly, playing to the best of their ability - have actually managed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the World Cup, even though it is played in Russia; I would have expected them to have been eliminated at the first match of the knock-out stages, and thought them fortuneate to have qualified even for the knock out stages.
Croatia have the ability to advance, - at their best, this is a very good team - but whether they will find the clinical composure needed to do so - allied to their undeniable skill and talent - is another question.
Nevertheless, I am - and remain - astonished that Russia - who are, admittedly, playing to the best of their ability - have actually managed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the World Cup, even though it is played in Russia; I would have expected them to have been eliminated at the first match of the knock-out stages, and thought them fortuneate to have qualified even for the knock out stages.
Croatia have the ability to advance, - at their best, this is a very good team - but whether they will find the clinical composure needed to do so - allied to their undeniable skill and talent - is another question.
I thought England played well. They attacked throughout the game, held on to most of the possession and it was a refreshing change to see a clean match. None of the diving dramatics of other games.
I enjoyed it immensely. Hearing the news one of my favourite sportsmen has been killed this afternoon took a serious shine off it though and sobered me up.
I enjoyed it immensely. Hearing the news one of my favourite sportsmen has been killed this afternoon took a serious shine off it though and sobered me up.
This game is beginning to develop an inevitable destiny of Extra Time about it.
Precisely because that Extra Time should be every bit as underwhelming (translation, Russia have suffocated Croatia to a large extent) as the first ninety minutes, we may also have to consider the Possibility of Penalties.
And, in case this needs to be recalled, Russia have won on penalties once already in this tournament.
[doublepost=1530993659][/doublepost]Extra Time: Just as I had thought.
This will not be Nice Football.
Rather, this will be Playing for Penalties.
Precisely because that Extra Time should be every bit as underwhelming (translation, Russia have suffocated Croatia to a large extent) as the first ninety minutes, we may also have to consider the Possibility of Penalties.
And, in case this needs to be recalled, Russia have won on penalties once already in this tournament.
[doublepost=1530993659][/doublepost]Extra Time: Just as I had thought.
This will not be Nice Football.
Rather, this will be Playing for Penalties.
Why can't I help smiling that whoever we play in the semis played later than us and for longer. Hope it helps!
At half time in Extra Time, Croatia now lead Russia by two goals to one.
Long may that continue.
[doublepost=1530995607][/doublepost]Russia have been pushing - hard - during the second half of Extra Time; now, they have snatched an equaliser. Two-all.
Can't see Croatia putting a third (goal) away from play (or, even, a set piece) in the final ten minutes of Extra Time.
Penalties beckon........
Long may that continue.
[doublepost=1530995607][/doublepost]Russia have been pushing - hard - during the second half of Extra Time; now, they have snatched an equaliser. Two-all.
Can't see Croatia putting a third (goal) away from play (or, even, a set piece) in the final ten minutes of Extra Time.
Penalties beckon........
Unfortunately, whomever will win that semi between England vs Russia / Croatia, have 1 day less resting then Belgium / France, to the final. So that kind of thinking will bite your a*** later.
Or maybe you don’t expect any final
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Croatia win - and are through to the semi-finals - after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out; their (somewhat) injured goalie was excellent.
Hi, Croat here, again...
I can't even begin to explain what it's like in Croatia this evening... I guess we are gonna have a baby boom in 9 months or so
But we played extra time, again. And we have a lot of injured players, but in positions where we simply have no real substitutes
Now I'm off, going to get wasted. Again.
More analysis tomorrow, or probably the next day. Need to recover first
I can't even begin to explain what it's like in Croatia this evening... I guess we are gonna have a baby boom in 9 months or so
But we played extra time, again. And we have a lot of injured players, but in positions where we simply have no real substitutes
Now I'm off, going to get wasted. Again.
More analysis tomorrow, or probably the next day. Need to recover first
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