Game Thread World Cup 2018

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLL!!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Damn, it's Croatia. I was hoping for Russia. Modric is terrifying - England hasn't got a player in his class.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Damn, it's Croatia. I was hoping for Russia. Modric is terrifying - England hasn't got a player in his class.

No, they don’t. But Croatia has played two straight 120 minute games... tired legs, England should have the advantage.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Oh my god! Russia has the hometown sauce right now! Pandemonium!

 

[DUB]

All the teams I was supporting won their quarter final. I'm hoping for a Belgium v England final, with Belgium winning (although I won't be upset if England win).

France is the only team I don't really want to win, because they've got so much talent, and I like an underdog.

I'm good with Croatia winning because of their underdog status, and because there are lots of Australians of Croatian heritage (e.g. Andrew Bogut). So a Croatian victory would lead to lots of happy Australians.

Belgium was my dark horse champion at the start of the tournament, although they're only really a dark horse for those who don't follow soccer.

I've been very surprised by England, and I think they're doing so well because they're young, and lack the pressure of expectation (their youth is also why I don't mind them winning). I'm intrigued by Gareth Southgate studying basketball, looking for advantages at set pieces (screening and such). The parallels are so obvious, it's amazing that no-one has done it before. Especially strong basketball nations such as Croatia, Serbia, France, and Spain. Or maybe it has been done before, and just hasn't gotten the media coverage. It's just been so clear, and obvious with England, that I saw it, and recognised it before I read the reports about it.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I think we can all agree, this has been the best WC in a good long while.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Olivier Giroud annoys me. I'm glad he's missing all these opportunities.

And of course he gets hurt, and now I feel bad.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Tough match... Belgium had their chances though.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Fucking A

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I will say, the time wasting in stoppage time and Mbappe flopping around really turned me off

 

[Lanny]

France vs England

 

[riverman]

Okay, I was just away sacrificing a goat - what'd I miss?

the goat?

 

[riverman]

I couldn't believe France beat Belgium...Belgium owned the possession and shots on goal game...France just made there's with so few opportunities...thought Belgium had it all along

 

[DUB]

Great game between France, and Belgium.

Belgium's tactics were interesting. It looked to me that they were playing a 4-2-3-1 when defending, and were switching to a 3-2-4-1 when they had possession.

 

[riverman]

Great game between France, and Belgium.

Belgium's tactics were interesting, it looked to me that they were playing a 4-2-3-1 in defence, and a 3-2-4-1 in possession.

Belgium went for the kill early...France defended well with so few offensive possesions...they scored when it counted

 

[DUB]

Belgium went for the kill early...France defended well with so few offensive possesions...they scored when it counted

I think France struggled initially with Belgium's changing formation, but then they adjusted, and were comfortable in defence. This gave them a solid base to launch their counter attacks from, which has been their plan all World Cup. France even sat back, and played a counter attacking style against Australia.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

England!!!

 

[SIeepwalker]

Those world cup brackets are reminiscent of the NBA East/West disparity...

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Those world cup brackets are reminiscent of the NBA East/West disparity...

I was hoping England would lose to Belgium so they'd be on the easier side of the bracket. I can't believe England can get to the final without having to play a top 10 team.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Set piece goals and 2018 World Cup, name a more dynamic duo.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Croatia is coming alive!

 

[Lanny]

I was hoping England would lose to Belgium so they'd be on the easier side of the bracket. I can't believe England can get to the final without having to play a top 10 team.

I always feel that the English are our closest buddies so I'm always happy to see them reach the top in anything. I guess the Canadians are tied in that category, or at least I had always thought that way until Trump came along.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

CROATIA!!!! Pure Brilliance!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Well, fuck.

At least we won't have to lose on penalties.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Well, fuck.

At least we won't have to lose on penalties.

This is the most England game in England history lol

Or would it be the most English game in English history?

Who cares. Same difference.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

CROATIA!!!! Pure Brilliance!

That backward header pass was incredible. As was watching four England defenders all react to it simultaneously a half-second late.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Trippier’s creamy hams have finally given out

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Modric out... please don’t fuck up now

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Fight fight fight!

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Free kick to close the game???