The Official 2018 Russia World Cup natter

[Sam993]

Pericoloso said:

Whilst the other 4 others in the studio were cracking up laughing,Roy Keane just managed a smile,miserable sod.

I caught that bit too hence was curious what the joke was (I was thinking maybe something to do with travelers).

[Gavia]

Kermit power said:

I know absolutely bugger all about football (to the point where I didn't even know there was a separate sub-forum for it on here!) so could someone please explain to me how the groups for the football world cup were assembled?

How on earth can it be that Group A, for example, has - with the number in brackets the current World ranking - Russia (70), Uruguay (14), Egypt (45) and Saudi Arabia (67), whereas Group B has Portugal (4), Spain (10), Iran (37) and Morocco (41)?

Have Uruguay got photos of the board of FIFA shagging goats in a jacuzzi or something???

Also, how the hell do Belgium, of all countries, manage to be the third best in the world at a sport which wasn't invented and exclusively played in the Benelux region???

First bit explained

https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/the-final-draw-...

Second bit is simple. You don’t have to invent something to be the best at it.

[Sam993]

Kermit power said:

I know absolutely bugger all about football (to the point where I didn't even know there was a separate sub-forum for it on here!) so could someone please explain to me how the groups for the football world cup were assembled?

How on earth can it be that Group A, for example, has - with the number in brackets the current World ranking - Russia (70), Uruguay (14), Egypt (45) and Saudi Arabia (67), whereas Group B has Portugal (4), Spain (10), Iran (37) and Morocco (41)?

Have Uruguay got photos of the board of FIFA shagging goats in a jacuzzi or something???

Also, how the hell do Belgium, of all countries, manage to be the third best in the world at a sport which wasn't invented and exclusively played in the Benelux region???

It's all based on "totally random" selection process.

[Adam B]

mickk said:

Exactly, why didn't the lino flag for offside that's what he's there for? It's too easy now to let VAR make the decision.

He did, at least they showed a picture of him with flag up unless that was after VAR

It was a clear offside and I have no issue with VAR getting it right, needs to react quicker though but that will come

[GloverMart]

gadgetmac said:

mickk said:

Can we try and keep it football on here please?

Yeah, we’ll lower the sophistication level of the thread back down to where you spuddies reside.

Which is not quite as low as you are in the World Cup Predictathon table....

[Chicken Chaser]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co....

Very interesting stats for the Russian team

Home advantage...........or something else?

Discuss

[TwigtheWonderkid]

jcremonini said:

The way I see VAR is simple - your team are leading 2-1 in the 90th minute of the WC final. The opposition score that goal and it is allowed. Wouldn't you want VAR so the wrong decision wasn't made ? I really don't get the fuss over it - wrong decisions are turning into correct decisions which has got to be a good thing.

Why?

Some of my happiest moments watching football for decades have come as a result of a terrible decision going my team's way. Some of the most furious feelings have come when they go against my teams. Personally, that's why I support a team, to experience passion, highs and lows.

If I wanted a sport that was fair, I wouldn't have chosen football.

So fk off with your var bks. It would have been great for Iran to get a draw against Spain, and even better to get it thru an offside goal that might have sent Spain out.

If you don't get that, then football isn't for you.

[GloverMart]

This is superb. An advert poduced in his day job by the Iceland goalkeeper.....

https://twitter.com/followthebounce/status/1008611...

Never been to Iceland but it looks like a spectacularly beautiful country.

[BrabusMog]

GloverMart said:

This is superb. An advert poduced in his day job by the Iceland goalkeeper.....

https://twitter.com/followthebounce/status/1008611...

Never been to Iceland but it looks like a spectacularly beautiful country.

It's scenic but that wears off. Their grass roots football investment is exceptional, however.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

GloverMart said:

This is superb. An advert poduced in his day job by the Iceland goalkeeper.....

https://twitter.com/followthebounce/status/1008611...

Never been to Iceland but it looks like a spectacularly beautiful country.

You should go, it's an incredible place.

[Black can man]

GloverMart said:

This is superb. An advert poduced in his day job by the Iceland goalkeeper.....

https://twitter.com/followthebounce/status/1008611...

Never been to Iceland but it looks like a spectacularly beautiful country.

That's a pretty cool advert.

[Cobnapint]

Chicken Chaser said:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co....

Very interesting stats for the Russian team

Home advantage...........or something else?

Discuss

Let's see what they do in their next game. If it's another convincing win with more stat busting figures then you have to suspect something.

[Blackpuddin]

Cobnapint said:

Chicken Chaser said:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co....

Very interesting stats for the Russian team

Home advantage...........or something else?

Discuss

Let's see what they do in their next game. If it's another convincing win with more stat busting figures then you have to suspect something.

Wonderfully snidey. Of course, nobody knows who might be tested, or when, cough. And I imagine the FIFA docs have been fully instructed as to their duties.

[Cie]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

GloverMart said:

This is superb. An advert poduced in his day job by the Iceland goalkeeper.....

https://twitter.com/followthebounce/status/1008611...

Never been to Iceland but it looks like a spectacularly beautiful country.

You should go, it's an incredible place.

I second that. It's lovely. Also as an added bonus I think there's a few people there you haven't told you work with Yeovil.

[soupdragon1]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

jcremonini said:

The way I see VAR is simple - your team are leading 2-1 in the 90th minute of the WC final. The opposition score that goal and it is allowed. Wouldn't you want VAR so the wrong decision wasn't made ? I really don't get the fuss over it - wrong decisions are turning into correct decisions which has got to be a good thing.

Why?

Some of my happiest moments watching football for decades have come as a result of a terrible decision going my team's way. Some of the most furious feelings have come when they go against my teams. Personally, that's why I support a team, to experience passion, highs and lows.

If I wanted a sport that was fair, I wouldn't have chosen football.

So fk off with your var bks. It would have been great for Iran to get a draw against Spain, and even better to get it thru an offside goal that might have sent Spain out.

If you don't get that, then football isn't for you.

They just need to scrap VAR and even get rid of yellow and red cards - just the way it used to be. 2 footed challenges resulting in a broken leg are punished by a free kick - nothing else and if you punch the opposition players, as long as its an off the ball punch - play continues. And no substitutions either - if someone gets knocked out with a Hulk Hogan style clothesline, you just need to hit them a slap in the chops and get them back on their feet and back into the game - that's the way the game was played before - and only cost you 50p to get in to the ground and watch. What's not to like?

[mickk]

What was he thinking?

[coldel]

Brilliant, had it nailed all the way to the point when you are meant to actually let go of the ball!

[mickk]

1-0 down with 15 seconds left!

Bet he was popular with his manager.

[TCEvo]

mickk said:

1-0 down with 15 seconds left!

Bet he was popular with his manager.

I thought that at the time - stupid thing to do; should've been called as a foul throw & the ball to the oppo.

[Ascayman]

the worst bit is he bottles it at the end