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Post by dem bones on Jun 28, 2018 16:31:49 GMT
Jubilant Mexican fans celebrate their 3-0 defeat Yup, was expecting Germany to pull it out the bag - as always - but how they fucked up.
Group F [Group of Shocks] Germany 0 South Korea 2: Mexico 0 Sweden 3: Even God was seen angrily tearing up his betting slips after these astonishing results. Injury time in Kazan with World champions and S. Korea locked in stalemate at 0-0. Matt Hummels misses a sitter. No problem, Germany will grab another thoroughly undeserved last gasp winner from somewhere. Except - they didn't. We had to check the rule books to see if such an outcome was even allowed. Phenomenal result for the Taegeuk Warriors whose keeper, Cho-Hyeon-woo, has since been declared a national hero in Mexico, Sweden, Brazil, everywhere ... Meanwhile at the Ekaterinburg Arena, Edson Alvarez's cosmic own goal to give Swedes a 3-0 advantage had Mexicans in tears .... until news of Korea's injury time double sent both sets of fans into raptures. Doubly sweet for the Swedes after the ill-feeling over the perceived unsporting behaviour of German bench following their last gasp winner on Saturday night. Group FBrazil 2 Serbia 0: Costa Rica 2 Switzerland 2: After the afternoon's drama, a relatively comfortable victory for Brazil over the Serbs, and a consolation point for Costa Rica (in another exciting game: they battered the Swiss for much of it) were never going to steal the headlines. Today Group H Columbia 1 Senegal 0: Japan 0 Poland 1: Just finished. Senegalese far the better side for much of the game but Columbia made the best of defensive confusion from corner to scrape home and win group. Japan and Senegal joint second on identical records but Samurai's progress to last 16 by virtue of fair play rule (4 yellow cards to Senegal's 6). Group GBelgium XI V England: Panama V Tunisia:
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Post by ripper on Jun 29, 2018 10:57:10 GMT
Lots of blather from pundits about whether it would be better for England to finish top or second, boiling down to venues, easier routes to the final and travel times. A few weeks ago expectation was so low that to qualify after two games was a dream. The die is cast and we shall see...
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Post by dem bones on Jun 29, 2018 21:17:38 GMT
A few weeks ago expectation was so low that to qualify after two games was a dream. Very true. Pre-tournament, the expectations were refreshingly realistic. Get through the group stages, win a knock-out game for a change, give us some excitement, quarter finals would be seen as a vast improvement. Two half-decent performances against the type of limited opposition England usually struggle to break down and suddenly "Harry's Heroes" are world champions elect. Anyway. Yesterday With England already qualified, Downing Street finally raise the flag. Boosted by the PM's Churchillian rallying cry, the team predictably stiff against a side who want to lose. Group GBelgium subbuteo XI 1 England reserves 0: A grim watch for neutrals, briefly enlivened by Michy Batshuayi's attempted self-decapitation. Result settled by quality strike by Man U/ Sunderland flop Adnan Januzaj, who curled a beauty past Jordan 'The Octopus ' Pickford. The same English media castigating the German's for "arrogance" are now insistent that this defeat means nothing, it was a strategic loss to secure second spot and an "easier" passage to semi's past those terminal no-hopers Columbia, Switzerland/ Sweden. Panama 1 Tunisia 2: Canal men took a shock lead when Tunisia's Yassine Meriah deflected speculative long range effort into own net with his arse. 1-0 at HT! Tunisia came back after the break, fluffed approximately 100 open goals, but got there in the end. A booking for Gabriel Gomez on 80 mintes took Panama's yellow card tally for tournament to ten.
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Post by dem bones on Jun 30, 2018 13:21:32 GMT
Round of Sixteen Saturday 30 June BIG MATCH PREVIEWSArgentina V France: Argentina. A squad who've seemingly made a virtue of flirting with disaster. Made a pigs ear of qualification, survived group stages by skin of their teeth. Frustrated by Iceland, battered senseless by Croatia, came good in winner-takes-all nerve-shredded versus Nigeria. Allegedly in open revolt against a coach they no longer listen to. Who knows what to expect from them? France. Les Bores yet to turn it on. Got lucky against the Aussies, did enough v. Peru, treated final group game as an inconvenience. Generally give impression of a squad who regard sharing a pitch with perceived inferior opposition as beneath them. Probably sulking that they threw away Euro 2018 on home soil. Arguably the strongest - and officially the most expensive - squad in tournament. Definitely have it in them to win the thing if they can be arsed. Portugal V. Uruguay: Portugal. Playing for niggly draws and penalties bagged the European Championship, can't see Fernando Santos changing a winning formula here. They rarely depart a competition gracefully so expect fun and late red cards if and when someone turns them over. Uruguay. Have improved with each game. Took apart the - until then - flying Russians with particularly impressive display last time out. Portugal's antics will hold no fears for a national side with a fearsome history of on-field mayhem.
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Post by ripper on Jun 30, 2018 17:55:55 GMT
Portugal vs Uruguay is looking very tasty. Ronaldo on one side and Suarez on the other. As Dem said, sparks could fly. Another Battle of Santiago looming?
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Post by dem bones on Jul 3, 2018 10:45:47 GMT
Portugal vs Uruguay is looking very tasty. Ronaldo on one side and Suarez on the other. As Dem said, sparks could fly. Another Battle of Santiago looming? Strangely subdued as it turned out, Rip. Even CR7's "fuck you!" blast in ref's face lacked usual conviction. Sunday 30 JuneArgentina 3 France 4: Portugal 1 Uruguay: Sunday 1st JulyRussia 1 Spain 1 (after extra torture: Russia win 43 on penalties): Croatia 1 Denmark 1 (aet: Croatia win 3-2 on penalties): Monday 2ndBrazil 2 Mexico 0: Belgium 3 Japan 2: Round of sixteen off to a flier with two game of the tournament contenders on the spin, either of which would have made for a great final. Argentina more than played their part in magnificent game of football, but France firing on all cylinders now it matters and Kylian Mbappe simply tore their defence to pieces. Uruguay similarly superb in much deserved victory versus opponents whose gamble on exhausting dirty tricks repertoire in previous game backfired. France next up for the the Suarez - Cavani - Godin roadshow. God, but they've had it easy. They can't all be thrillers and the hosts v Spain was 120 + minutes of sheer bloody murder on the eyes. "Worst team in Russian history" recovered well from 3-0 trouncing in previous game but juggernaut goal-machine exploits of early group phase now seem a thing of the distant past. Spain, imperious in opening draw with Portugal, have since underwhelmed, raising doubts over wisdom of sacking manager on eve of tournament. Denmark, anonymous in group phase - drew with Aussies, won by only goal of game versus Peru, held out for 0-0 when a disinterested France fielded their Mc Donalds mascots for glorified friendly, etc - desperately unfortunate to lose against the fantastic Croats who worryingly froze on big occasion. 1-1 after four minutes, the game went the way of day's earlier tedious encounter until sparking to life in last five minutes of extra time when Schmeichel II saved Modric's penalty. He'd save two more in the shoot out, but it wasn't enough. With this narrow escape behind them, Croatia look a good bet to make it past Russia (but then so did Spain). Business as usual for Brasil. The holy grail - aka Game 5 - still eludes Mexicans who burnt out after opening 20 minute. Neymar's embarrassing histrionics and constant ref-baiting filling void created by early departures of Ronaldo and Pepe. High drama in last night's magnificent nail-biter, as stunned Red Devils came back from two down to see off the hugely likeable Blue Samurai with third-last kick of the match. As co-commentator Gary Neville put it "All the negativity we were fed about this world cup [and] it's been absolutely magnificent." Tuesday 3rdSwitzerland V Sweden: Swiss got group work done early with rough-house draw versus Brazil and last gasp dramatic breakaway goal to see off the Serbs. Sweden were seconds from surviving dead tough group unbeaten - only Tony Kroos' injury time winner for deposed world champs denying them an unblemished record. Match unlikely to be the prettiest watch and gut instinct is it will go to extra time (but not penalties) .... Colombia V England: A fascinating fixture to see out the round of 16. England have made it to the last nine - can they improve on this respectable showing in first knock out game they've faced since Brexit II: The Smiting (© rvkgrapevine)? Media crowing over 'strategic' loss v. Belgium bagging three lions a cakewalk to final via the tradesman's entrance. To be fair, other squads on "easy" side of draw will feel same. And so to tonight's perceived pushovers. Colombia recovered from narrow opening defeat to play Group favourites Poland off the park and see off Super Senegal in winner-takes-all game of death. When they're on song they are a joy to watch. Should be another cracking game.
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Post by franklinmarsh on Jul 3, 2018 23:05:40 GMT
'Kinell
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Post by ripper on Jul 4, 2018 15:41:27 GMT
Talk about jangling nerves. When Henderson missed his penalty, I thought it was the old story, but the takers and Pickford kept their composure and I thought overall England deserved to go through. How Colombia ended with 11 players is beyond me...what happened to VAR last night? And that furore when the penalty was awarded was unbelieveable. Next up is Sweden, so a difficult game against a strong, disciplined team. Whatever happens, though, I would think GS has done enough to stay on until the next Euros at least.
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Post by dem bones on Jul 5, 2018 9:28:11 GMT
Talk about jangling nerves. When Henderson missed his penalty, I thought it was the old story, but the takers and Pickford kept their composure and I thought overall England deserved to go through. How Colombia ended with 11 players is beyond me...what happened to VAR last night? And that furore when the penalty was awarded was unbelieveable. Perhaps not such a big surprise, Rip. I'm sure the ref's are working to a FIFA directive. Panama somehow survived all three games without losing a player. Even the, at times, downright evil Croatia-Argentina violence-fest finished with 22 players on pitch. There have only been 4 red cards all tournament, these for relatively innocuous offences. A deliberate handball, two for soft second bookings, the Swiss guy v Sweden for a professional foul. Meanwhile the flying elbows, head-butts, potential leg-breakers, ref-baiting and blatant dives warrant only a mild ticking off. Tuesday Switzerland 0 Sweden 1: Dreadful, thrill-free kickabout between two teams of mobile menhirs, outstayed it's welcome by 94 minutes. Contest settled when ball found its way into Swiss net via a massive deflection. Red Crosses sacrificed personal glory for the greater good, staunchly refused to equalise, spared us bonus half hour of extra torture. Incredibly, FIFA ranking system has Switzerland as sixth best team on planet. Not that Colombia 1 England 1 (aet. Eng win 4-3 on penalties, Col win 6-2 on yellow cards. Eng progress. Not that the evening game had much in common with a football match in accepted sense, but it was certainly dramatic. Am not so sure "The Battle of Moscow" was quite the slaughter of innocents certain myopic commentators would have us believe. The Colombians set the tone for sure, but once it became clear the ref was way out of his depth, England gave as spiteful as they got. Wilmar Barrios should have walked for the chin-butt on Henderson, and any one from six of his mates could have gone during the ruckus over the penalty award. Second half and England got into the swing of things. Harry Maguire and Jesse Lingard "put themselves about a bit." John Stones was fortunate VAR missed his sly kick on a prone Falcoe's brain, a spent Ashley Young luckier still when it overlooked his premeditated hack at a passing shin in first minute of extra time. Jose Pekerman's tactics were fascinating. 80-odd minutes of relentless intimidation, flick a switch, instantly transform 11 seemingly ill-disciplined brawlers into a gifted football team. England, hardly troubled all night, suddenly under pressure but holding firm. 90 minutes and hardly had the words "we have thoroughly deserved this victory" left co-commentator Danny Murphy's mouth than Yerry Mina rose above the otherwise impeccable Maguire to equalise! Especially harsh on Jordan Pickford whose world class last minute save from sub Uribe's wonder strike led to the corner - but his reward would come. Extra time virtually all Colombia - uniquely we had a Three Lions side holding out for penalties (!). Whatever happens, though, I would think GS has done enough to stay on until the next Euros at least. Definitely. He's done all that was asked of him pre-tournament and more. The old guard have gone, the new, youthful squad evidently love playing for him, the football, at times, has been a joy to watch. Incredibly, he's taken the least-hyped England team in history to last eight. And he's so nice!
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Post by dem bones on Jul 11, 2018 17:07:58 GMT
Vault World Cup Results service: Breaking newsFriday 6 Quarter finalsFrance 2 Uruguay 0: Alt-world cup final #1. Frustrating anti-climax. So impressive vs. the killer jellyfish in previous game, Uruguay's challenge fizzled out around the hour mark when keeper suffered horrible butter-fingers moment, batted Griezmann's tame hit-and-hope effort into own net to make it 2-0. France untroubled thereafter - Kylian Mbappe sparking own version of England-Colombia mini-riot for something to do. Belgium 2 Brasil 1: Alt-world cup final #2. Much more like it. Brasil belatedly turned on the magic after break, but damage already done by the imperious Bruyne, Hazard #1, Lukaku and in-form mop-topped midfield bulldozer Mario Fellani who carried on where they left off in epic, Lazarus-like comeback versus Japan. Stars all over the pitch but it was those in red shone brightest. Neymar's ridiculous theatrics possibly contributed to his side later being denied a blatant pen when miracle of medical surgery Vincent Kompany nailed Jesus. Saturday 7 England 2 Sweden 0 (a.e.t. Croatia win 4-3 on penalties): Doomwatch II. Truly surreal. In-ger-land tournament victories rarely come trauma-free, but four days on from the X-rated Colombia tear up, this was almost a relaxing watch. Swedes, as ever, set up rigid as a table-football team, seemed entirely disinterested in crossing halfway line, yet had it not been for three crucial saves by an imperious J. Pickford they might have stolen it. Nothing happened at all for twenty minutes until iron-necked Harry Macguire's header hit the net at 200 mph to give three lions control. Reaching semi's a superb achievement by Mr. Southgate's endearing young squad. And detests that whiny Baddiel & Skinner dirge. Truly the man can do no wrong. Croatia 2 Russia 2(aet: Croatia win 4-3 on penalties): Deserved honourable exit for the hosts and surprise package of the competition who took Croatia the distance. Thrilling see-saw battle ideal way to see out the last eight. Tuesday 10 Semi-final #1Belgium 0 France 1: Frustrating anti-climax #2. A triumph for guile as Les Blues magnificent midfield stifled the Belgian's creative outlet. Red Devils, the most consistently attractive team in Russia, again the nearly men. Wednesday 11 Semi-final #2Croatia V England: Kicks off in an hour ... Big Match Preview. Spotlight on CroatiaAlmost a European Uruguay. Play great football, won't shirk from the darker side of the game. Qualified from toughest group with maximum points, serving serious don't-fuck-with-us notice in brutally (and brilliantly) seeing off Argentina. Says much for squad depth that second string were good enough to beat the Icemen. Not yet been at best in knock-outs, particularly fortunate to overcome the Danes who saved far their best performance for knock outs.
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Post by dem bones on Jul 14, 2018 11:06:25 GMT
Croatia 2 England 1 (aet): It was an exciting run while it lasted but after a tidy first half performance, England, in common with this thread, ran out of steam and, more worryingly, imagination against better side. By far Three Lions most enjoyable World Cup adventure this century and, locally, best atmosphere I can remember during ghostly late evening prowls along Leman Street. Football shirts of all nationality, plenty of public drinking, and, to best of my knowledge, less agro than is usual during annual few days of sunshine. Two games, then we can go back to usual misery as of Monday. Saturday 14 Third Place Play OffBelgium V England: Sunday 15 FINALCroatia V France:
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Post by Michael Connolly on Jul 14, 2018 12:36:04 GMT
I've just heard that England lost. I'm sorry for your trouble.
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Post by ripper on Jul 15, 2018 11:36:00 GMT
Disappointing not to have made the final and then lost to Belgium yesterday, but who would have thought England would have made the semis when they flew out to Russia? A common thread that seems to have run through England performances in this campaign is failing to take their chances when they are presented. In the semi-final, they could have scored 2 or 3 in the first half, and in the 2nd half against Belgium, how they didn't score is beyond me. It is that failure to convert chances that was their undoing. On the positive side, I think there has been a clear improvement in performances in this campaign over recent ones. Overall, they are a young side, and hopefully they will improve over the next few years, and I think they return home having at least partially exorcised the ghosts of 2014 and 2016. They seem to enjoy playing for Southgate, and he seems to be enjoying the job, so I very much hope that he will continue as manager until at least the next Euros and hopefully the next WC.
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