No Irish, No Yanks, No Clogs - FIFA World Cup 2018

Yeah but on only four occasions (out of 21) have the hosts failed to get to the quarter finals at least (and 13 times they've gone on to the semis or more) so I wouldn't be writing Russia off just yet xp

host nations have tended to be good at football though. is it only south africa that are def worse? obv 2002 was fruity but I'd still take those teams over this russia team

oh the USA mb, the only thing I remember about 94 was the penalty shoot out

USA, Mexico (a couple of times)?

Overhearing a guy in the pub garden yesterday during Uru-Rus explaining y
to his gf/wife that the kremlin had bought up all the refs and was rigging the whole competition. And that the russian sending off and comfortable win for uruguay was just a twist in the scheme, that obviously putin wanted russia to lose this one.

Weird thing was, I picked up no sense of indignation, or even resignation from this guy. He just seemed to think it was the most normal thing in the world, of course russia hosting the world cup would try and rig it. You've got to respect the local culture and all.

tbc: qatar

xp

South Africa only host not to get out of their group.

Then USA & Japan only hosts to lose first knockout game (Spain also failed to get past second round but that was when there was a second group phase with the four winners advancing to semis) xps

Its done with the sense of this secret knowledge. Had someone at work who said the Premier League champions were all decided in advance and would bore on about it (was sacked by the time Leicester won it so I don't know how he'd explain that). And you always have the guy who is telling you Nadal and Barcelona are on the good stuff too, just a different species of all sport is fake but I know. It goes into politica of course but I'll stop there. xps

Yeah but on only four occasions (out of 21) have the hosts failed to get to the quarter finals at least (and 13 times they've gone on to the semis or more) so I wouldn't be writing Russia off just yet xp

― groovypanda, Tuesday, 26 June 2018 Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

btw, 4/21 is often enough. I would say if Russia were facing Portugal they'd have 40% chance. Against Spain its half that. Like, VAR would have to get involved *puts sunglasses on*

He just seemed to think it was the most normal thing in the world, of course russia hosting the world cup would try and rig it. You've got to respect the local culture and all.

Can't really blame the guy. Platini recently admitted they rigged the draw @France1998 tot give the host nation a better fate. France won that WC.

Seeding the host nation no matter how shit they are basically is rigging it in their favour, it's just that it's accepted within the rules.

I might have backed Russia to squeak through against Portugal somehow, just because Portugal look kind of shambolic right now. Spain have done as well but but Russia don't look like a team set up to defend so they should rip right through them. Wouldn't bet against there being four or five goals though.

I heard the Platini thing but without looking it up I don't see how that is rigging it. If you aren't very good you don't get through. That team went onto win the Euros and a few of them got a last hurrah in '06.

If manipulating a draw isn't rigging, then I don't know what is. Of course it won't guarantee a desired outcome, but it's rigging regardless.

The act in the first instance is rigging but I am not sure how effective it really was. Is Platini a master in 12 dimensional chess to map out this 'easier route' or something? Just want to see it more mapped out, is all.

Meanwhile Group C is drawing to a boring conclusion. Somebody stop Danishes and Australians, can't we rig this tournament to allow Peru through?!

there should be a thing like in australian masterchef where contestants who've been kicked out suddenly reappear at a later stage

I approve.

Peru have just scored a cracking goal: 1-0

The Watford lads are doing well. Superb goal from Carillo.

that was a great volley

beautiful goal from peru, only costa rica haven't scored now!

love a full stretch tackle like that

now this could be our first 0-0, we are blessed.

Just got home in time to see Guerrero make it 2-0

That’s a great story if nothing else.

he hooked that finish impressively

now they're dusting off tim cahill

Getting through because Peru wins is pretty much perfect.

And now here's Cahill's swan song

Nice deflection - anything to make aussies suffer more.

Won't be sorry to see the back of this group. It might actually be worse than Group A.

xp ah was that what it was, ok. australia have been as expected this tournament but arzani looks good

Yeah weird little deflection.

Real shame Peru never had their finishing boots on against Denmark. My only joy out of this is seeing Aussies finish bottom.

Peru should be given a wildcard "moral victors" pass to the next round

hope Nigeria win the group if they still can, then beat Denmark (98 revenge)

why is the Aussie kit all yellow? There is no yellow in their flag I don't get it.

Nigeria would have to overturn a five-goal deficit on Croatia, which seems unlikely unless we are due the most hilarious night of our football-watching lives.

Yellow and green are Australia's sporting colours - football, rugby, athletics...

... no idea why.

Tom D - just thought you'd be interested in this:

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jun/26/the-surprise-team-of-the-world-cup-jon-champion-and-ally-mccoist

Many xps All Platini admitted to was keeping brazil, champions, and france, hosts, apart until the final assuming both won their groups. I didn't realise any rigging was required, i thought it was standard operating procedure. Mexico 86, Italia 90, USA 94, euro 96, euro 2000, euro 2004, germany 2006, south africa 2010, euro 2012, brazil 2014, euro 2016 were all similarly rigged. I mean i could go on. The only times it hasn't happened have been when co-hosting has meant its been rigged to keep the hosts apart

nigeria-argentina is the game I've been most looking fwd to since the groups were announced and now it's even spicier

ok in Test match cricket its all white so you only notice the cap I guess.

This kit is such an eyesore.

I was literally just thinking that as commentary teams go these are far from the worst. Still pretty bad objectively, but it's much more tolerable than your Pearces and your Lawrensons.

Peru hit the post btw, shame.

why is the Aussie kit all yellow? There is no yellow in their flag I don't get it.

― xyzzzz__, Tuesday, June 26, 2018 11:35 AM (eight minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

i like it when teams that use colors not in their flag, there'a few
italy
netherlands
japan
venzuela

no blue in the English flag, but their home kit always has some.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_colours_of_Australia

Italy, Japan and Netherlands have white shorts?

no white on the german flag