The official FIFA World Cup 2018 thread

[FTX I]

That was fun. Congrats to both teams.

[tudorbaja27]

Weak effort by Brazil. Anyone noticed none of the favored teams (France, Germany, Argentina, Brazil) have played much in their first match? I'd even call their performances garbage

[dmash]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Weak effort by Brazil. Anyone noticed none of the favored teams (France, Germany, Argentina, Brazil) have played much in their first match? I'd even call their performances garbage

The most convincing performance was Russia hahahah

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Weak effort by Brazil. Anyone noticed none of the favored teams (France, Germany, Argentina, Brazil) have played much in their first match? I'd even call their performances garbage

None have played up to their expectations, I agree...

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by dmash

The most convincing performance was Russia hahahah

Well, so far yeah ... hosting nation ...
we shall see moving forward

[watchmework]

I'm by no means a Brazil fan but the officiating in that match was awful...the Swiss got away with too much in fouling Neymar, the head ref should have taken more of a role in that regard.

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by superstarmar

Well, so far yeah ... hosting nation ...
we shall see moving forward

haha Russia did well. I was most impressed by Mexico so far, though. Interesting to see what the Belgians and English do tomorrow

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

haha Russia did well. I was most impressed by Mexico so far, though. Interesting to see what the Belgians and English do tomorrow

Agreed Tudor !!! Excited myself as well to see what will
transpire !!!

[lguevara91]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AK797]

I've called a lot right so far, said Germany and Brazil won't win it, Iceland are my outsiders and I like Spain and Belgium... but then I also said England might make the QFs so maybe I am still dreaming.

I don't like Germany very much and they were very slow and obvious, leaving Mane behind is looking a huge mistake now.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Weak effort by Brazil. Anyone noticed none of the favored teams (France, Germany, Argentina, Brazil) have played much in their first match? I'd even call their performances garbage

Yes, altho Spain played very well, esp second half they were superb, and they are my favoured team as I think the coaching thing won't affect them with their experience, plus I have them in the sweepstake. And just you all watch England smash Tunisia tomorrow!

[Zakalwe]

The stars are aligning for England to win the thing!

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

The stars are aligning for England to win the thing!

ok slow down turbo

[benlee]

Originally Posted by AK797

Yes, altho Spain played very well, esp second half they were superb, and they are my favoured team as I think the coaching thing won't affect them with their experience, plus I have them in the sweepstake. And just you all watch England smash Tunisia tomorrow!

Basically, Spain's mistakes were due to goalkeeping error. De Gea had a howler on the 2nd goal while he should have saved the 3rd.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by benlee

Basically, Spain's mistakes were due to goalkeeping error. De Gea had a howler on the 2nd goal while he should have saved the 3rd.

[Zakalwe]

It’s the hope that kills you.

[Star Ferry]

Fortunately they all get to play again. The single elimination, in NCAA basketball for example, can be really frustrating

[AK797]

Originally Posted by benlee

Basically, Spain's mistakes were due to goalkeeping error. De Gea had a howler on the 2nd goal while he should have saved the 3rd.

The second was his fault, the third was the wall's job on that side, and they nearly blocked it too. I think of De Gea as superhuman, he's been Utd's best player for years, so he would have still saved that one had he not been knocked out by the second goal, you could see what was going to happen in his eyes and in Ronaldo's, it really was like watching a film at the end. My sister who has Portugal was loving it and I was crushed but have to admire the script.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

It’s the hope that kills you.

Enjoy it now, before Germany come back and win the whole damn show as usual.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Are great footballers contractually obliged to make themselves look like pillocks?

The state of Neymar’s hair.

are you earning 3200GBP per HOUR? if not, I think it's safe to say, he can do whatever the heck he wants

[benlee]

Originally Posted by AK797

The second was his fault, the third was the wall's job on that side, and they nearly blocked it too. I think of De Gea as superhuman, he's been Utd's best player for years, so he would have still saved that one had he not been knocked out by the second goal, you could see what was going to happen in his eyes and in Ronaldo's, it really was like watching a film at the end. My sister who has Portugal was loving it and I was crushed but have to admire the script.

The pace of the ball for that 3rd goal was not fast at all, so with De Gea's reflexes, I still think he could have saved that 3rd goal. His form going into the world cup has been rather worrying.

[Star Ferry]

Great banter in this thread, makes me feel like I'm back in HK with all the British lads

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by dmash

are you earning 3200GBP per HOUR? if not, I think it's safe to say, he can do whatever the heck he wants

So could Abel Xavier...


and Djibril Cisse...


and they earned a lot less.

Nobody beats the king of dodgy football barnets though. So bad his 80’s afro/perm made him a legend. Not a bad player either. I give you Carlos Valderrama...



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[dmash]

When I see hair like that, I can only think of Rene Higuita and his infamous scorpion kick (against England haha)

https://youtu.be/B0bSvDkXqhw

[tudorbaja27]

We also have Romania going (literally) blonde in '98 Eh, the good old days

[dmash]

What happened to Romania though? Have they appeared in WC since 98? They were a common sight throughout the 90s...

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by dmash

I like how somebody is playing forum police and got my post deleted, who obviously has no idea how we're joking with one another



Yeah what happened to Romania though? They were a common sight in the 90s....have they even been in the WC since that blonde escapade?

Last world cup was 1998. We were at he Euros more - last notably in 2016. Garbage. What happened was: level of professionalism is almost equal to zero. There is still some talent - though not close to the level of Hagi, Popescu, Mutu etc. We had a very easy qualifying group for the WC and still managed to f it up. New coach and some younger players now - hopefully we make it to the Eruro 2020 (I think we're hosting a few games as well).

[tudorbaja27]

Back in the day we could battle the likes of Argentina. More recently we lose to Montenegro.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Last world cup was 1998. We were at he Euros more - last notably in 2016. Garbage. What happened was: level of professionalism is almost equal to zero. There is still some talent - though not close to the level of Hagi, Popescu, Mutu etc. We had a very easy qualifying group for the WC and still managed to f it up. New coach and some younger players now - hopefully we make it to the Eruro 2020 (I think we're hosting a few games as well).

Hagi was legit!!!!


Would be nice to see Romania make a come back, perhaps 2020 shows different for you guys.

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by dmash

Hagi was legit!!!!


Would be nice to see Romania make a come back, perhaps 2020 shows different for you guys.

Yeah that would be nice! I was fortunate to spend a few days in Paris in 2016 and see the game against Switzerland. The atmosphere, fan-zones etc. were all a great time! I'm kind of jealous for having to skip on Russia these days. I'm actually very jealous