World Cup 2018

[Guard Dog]

Matches begin tomorrow (from where I am at least). Who do you like? With the US being eliminated (again) I'm pulling for Iceland because, well, why not. Iceland is a cool place (no pun).

 

The US, Canada, & Mexico will hots in 2026. Does that mean all three get an automatic berth. Ha, what am I saying. Canada & Mexico would be in anyway. It will be nice to see the US get eliminated in pool play rather than the year before like usual.

 

So who will it be?

[Malcador]

Canada would only qualify via the host method.  Apparently though, for 2026 that isn't guaranteed for Canada.  Then again the WC is expanding to 48 teams so will be a lot of dross in there anyway (watch France STILL get the easiest group), 

[rjshae]

I don't see many appealing matches in the Group stage. The best look to be Portugal v. Spain (6/15) and England v. Belgium (6/28). But perhaps there will be a surprise or two? Maybe Mexico v. Germany or Costa Rica v. Serbia?

[Keyrock]

Maybe the Polish squad will make it out of groups this year? Please? Pretty please?

 

Obviously our big star is Lewandowski, who is phenomenal, but we have some other decent players too.

Edited June 13, 2018 by Keyrock

[algroth]

I'll be watching for certain. Unfortunately I'll be missing the first Argentina match as I got a shoot on Saturday. But oh well. We aren't looking too hot this year but here's hoping.

[Blarghagh]

I'm guessing Holland didn't qualify, considering this is the first I've heard of it and usually it's inescapable. Whenever we're not in it, my country is salty and gives it the silent treatment.

[ShadySands]

Rugby?

 

Nevermind

Edited June 13, 2018 by ShadySands

[Guard Dog]

Group F looks like the most interesting. Germany, Mexico, South Korea, and Sweden. None of them suck. Goals scored will matter. Group A looks the most lopsided. Russia will take it pretty easily but Eqypt should be the best of the rest. 

[algroth]

I'm guessing Holland didn't qualify, considering this is the first I've heard of it and usually it's inescapable. Whenever we're not in it, my country is salty and gives it the silent treatment.

 

Yeah, it's a shame because I always like Holland. They're a great team to watch and they love to spice things up when drama hits the field too (see their many confrontations v. Portugal for example). :D 

[Malcador]

Maybe the Polish squad will make it out of groups this year? Please? Pretty please?

 

Obviously our big star is Lewandowski, who is phenomenal, but we have some other decent players too.

 

Phenomenal ? Hm.  But certainly is a tough group.  I am hoping England screws up and goes home at the group stage

[Blarghagh]

 

I'm guessing Holland didn't qualify, considering this is the first I've heard of it and usually it's inescapable. Whenever we're not in it, my country is salty and gives it the silent treatment.

Yeah, it's a shame because I always like Holland. They're a great team to watch and they love to spice things up when drama hits the field too (see their many confrontations v. Portugal for example). :D

Ugh, don't remind me. The only year I got really into football I had a huge flamewar with someone here over that match where they were literally ninja-kicking each other.

[Keyrock]

 

Maybe the Polish squad will make it out of groups this year? Please? Pretty please?

 

Obviously our big star is Lewandowski, who is phenomenal, but we have some other decent players too.

Phenomenal ? Hm. But certainly is a tough group. I am hoping England screws up and goes home at the group stage

You doubt Robert Lewandowski? Would you believe he once scored 5 goals in 9 minutes?

 

https://youtu.be/oRZFvSPJBzU

Edited June 14, 2018 by Keyrock

[HoonDing]

Don't know about Poland going through, how good is Senegal? Japan is crap.

[Malcador]

Really ? Always expect a decent show from Japan, but they were pretty meh last time.  As for Lewandowski, no I don't doubt him, just that in terms of phenomenal players it's a higher bar.

[Pidesco]

 

 

I'm guessing Holland didn't qualify, considering this is the first I've heard of it and usually it's inescapable. Whenever we're not in it, my country is salty and gives it the silent treatment.

Yeah, it's a shame because I always like Holland. They're a great team to watch and they love to spice things up when drama hits the field too (see their many confrontations v. Portugal for example). :D

Ugh, don't remind me. The only year I got really into football I had a huge flamewar with someone here over that match where they were literally ninja-kicking each other.

 

 

Was it with me? I can't remember.

[majestic]

Shouldn't be an issue this time with the new video support system.

 

At least I hope so. I'd be glad if there wasn't a repeat of the 2014 final. *cough*

[Blarghagh]

 

 

 

I'm guessing Holland didn't qualify, considering this is the first I've heard of it and usually it's inescapable. Whenever we're not in it, my country is salty and gives it the silent treatment.

Yeah, it's a shame because I always like Holland. They're a great team to watch and they love to spice things up when drama hits the field too (see their many confrontations v. Portugal for example). :D

Ugh, don't remind me. The only year I got really into football I had a huge flamewar with someone here over that match where they were literally ninja-kicking each other.

Was it with me? I can't remember.

I think so, but I wasn't 100% sure so I didn't want to name names. I honestly don't know why it was such a big deal to me at the time, and tbh I'm pretty embarrassed about it looking back.

[HoonDing]

what a **** match

[Malcador]

Shouldn't be an issue this time with the new video support system.

 

At least I hope so. I'd be glad if there wasn't a repeat of the 2014 final. *cough*

 

What was wrong with the 2014 final ?

[Malcador]

https://streamja.com/aXGW

 

KSA with MLS-esque defending

[majestic]

 

Shouldn't be an issue this time with the new video support system.

 

At least I hope so. I'd be glad if there wasn't a repeat of the 2014 final. *cough*

 

What was wrong with the 2014 final ?

 

What wasn't?

[Malcador]

Don't recall any blown calls in the game, was pleased with the result as I am anytime Argentina loses.

[majestic]

Don't recall any blown calls in the game, was pleased with the result as I am anytime Argentina loses.

 

Yeah I know there are actually people who believe that Neuer's Chuck Norris jump kick against Higuain wasn't a penalty but that is sort of a ridiculous opinion. One that even German referees don't agree with.

 

And you need to get your priorities straight. Anything is preferable to Brazil or Germany winning the cup.

[algroth]

Don't recall any blown calls in the game, was pleased with the result as I am anytime Argentina loses.

Them's fighting words. *rolls back sleeves*

 

(Though in all frankness I was glad we didn't win, because it meant one less populist argument to be exploited by the Kirchner government at the time. But still.)

[Malcador]

 

Don't recall any blown calls in the game, was pleased with the result as I am anytime Argentina loses.

 

Yeah I know there are actually people who believe that Neuer's Chuck Norris jump kick against Higuain wasn't a penalty but that is sort of a ridiculous opinion. One that even German referees don't agree with.

 

And you need to get your priorities straight. Anything is preferable to Brazil or Germany winning the cup.

 

 

That's a jump kick to you ?  Higuain bought most of his thigh/knee in that collision, seemed risky but I figured the referee was letting the game have bite.  He missed the shoulder at Kramer, after all and was letting Schweinsteiger get worked over for 100 minutes.

 

Argentines losing is always great, but who knows maybe they'll win it this year.