The official FIFA World Cup 2018 thread

[andrewjb88]

Will be backing Germany like I always do.

The only year I didn't back Germany, I backed Argentina, it was Germany vs Argentina in the final... Doh!

[Scapegoat]

Bring it on! Go Messi!

[Runnin' Rebel]

BREAKING: Spanish national team head coach Julen Lopetegui has been sacked just 24 hours before the start of the World Cup in Russia, this comes after he was appointed to be the new Real Madrid head coach after the World Cup.

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

BREAKING: Spanish national team head coach Julen Lopetegui has been sacked just 24 hours before the start of the World Cup in Russia, this comes after he was appointed to be the new Real Madrid head coach after the World Cup.

Gotta love business mixing with latin blood

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Gotta love business mixing with latin blood

Try marrying Latin Blood. That's real work

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

BREAKING: Spanish national team head coach Julen Lopetegui has been sacked just 24 hours before the start of the World Cup in Russia, this comes after he was appointed to be the new Real Madrid head coach after the World Cup.

Ok , how do you think this will affect the team overall in the
tournament now Mark ? Positive or negative, I read the players
pulled for him to stay through the World Cup!

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by superstarmar

Ok , how do you think this will affect the team overall in the
tournament now Mark ? Positive or negative, I read the players
pulled for him to stay through the World Cup!

Hi Mario
I don't know. Does anyone know ? We had our coach fired mid-season which is unheard of unless deliberate issues arise. The team did not respond well at all. UNLV screwed the pooch with that mess and hasn't recovered

[Star Ferry]

any dark horse teams to look out for? Trying to find someone to root for in the absence of the U.S.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

any dark horse teams to look out for? Trying to find someone to root for in the absence of the U.S.

Outside of the top 4, I'd say Portugal, England and Belgium look good......Argentina if Messi is on fire.

Farther back, Poland and Colombia. This is more along the lines of the 'dark horse' I think you're asking about. and they're actually in the same group is what makes it crazier

Anybody farther back doesn't really have a chance of making a dent IMO. I'd usually say to never turn your back on Sweden, but with God Zlatan gone, no more.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

any dark horse teams to look out for? Trying to find someone to root for in the absence of the U.S.

England!

If you can’t bring yourself to support the Motherland, Belgium have great players, most of whom are not actively dislikeable.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

England!

If you can’t bring yourself to support the Motherland, Belgium have great players, most of whom are not actively dislikeable.

I did one of those at-home DNA tests and was told that I'm about 50% English, so this could be a good way to root for my own heritage

[dmash]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

England!

If you can’t bring yourself to support the Motherland, Belgium have great players, most of whom are not actively dislikeable.

I could care less about likeable. Ibrahimovic was awesome. It's hard to ever know if he's genuinely that pompous or just the funniest player of all time.



Did you hear about the article he took out, in the LA times, when he signed with the Galaxy? He took out an entire page....to simply state "Dear Los Angeles, You're welcome." or the own Galaxy endorsed video, where he was walking with a Lion, and he says 'Welcome TO Zlatan'.

[mrs_LA]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

any dark horse teams to look out for? Trying to find someone to root for in the absence of the U.S.

Everyone's been having a laugh at England for a while now, but I feel like the team has matured throughout the years. Far from the days with Becks, Terry, Lamps, etc. but up and coming youngsters for sure.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by mrs_LA

Everyone's been having a laugh at England for a while now, but I feel like the team has matured throughout the years. Far from the days with Becks, Terry, Lamps, etc. but up and coming youngsters for sure.

I quite like Gareth Southgate too, and the preparation has been pretty good with the younger players coming along well and hopefully they will play with some freedom and abandon, in the past the players either seemed too rich and not bothered, or too scared and timid.

[Castlesinthesky]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

any dark horse teams to look out for? Trying to find someone to root for in the absence of the U.S.

Belgium might be a good side to follow for a neutral.

[Runnin' Rebel]

North America to host 2026 World Cup after winning vote over Morocco
Wow. Going to be fantastic parties all over

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Runnin' Rebel

North America to host 2026 World Cup after winning vote over Morocco
Wow. Going to be fantastic parties all over

Well done to our American Cousins! Just let's not have Diana Ross trying to kick a penalty this time... but if it's going to be a Kardashian then bring her back!

[daveathall]

Nothing beats a test match. That is my opinion, I was brought up on the game, those that don't know would find it boring, I accept that. There are many sports I find boring because I don't know the rules.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Nothing beats a test match. That is my opinion, I was brought up on the game, those that don't know would find it boring, I accept that. There are many sports I find boring because I don't know the rules.

I heartily agree you. I actually don’t really like T20 and I have watched England Test matches every Summer for 25 years and go to matches when I can. But most rational people think Test match cricket is insane. 5 days long and a result isn’t guaranteed?! A whole match can be rained off?! The players stop for tea?! Try selling that to an American.

T20 is the gateway ganja to the psychosis-inducing crack that is Test cricket. Actually that is a terrible metaphor, but you get the idea.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I heartily agree you. I actually don’t really like T20 and I have watched England Test matches every Summer for 25 years and go to matches when I can. But most rational people think Test match cricket is insane. 5 days long and a result isn’t guaranteed?! A whole match can be rained off?! The players stop for tea?! Try selling that to an American.

T20 is the gateway ganja to the psychosis-inducing crack that is Test cricket. Actually that is a terrible metaphor, but you get the idea.

Sorry, I think I gave the wrong impression, I agree with you on the T20 or one day game for those wanting to get into the game. I also think that you are right about a draw and a game getting rained off. But a good test can go one way then the other and build up into a fabulous climax. I don't know how many times I have come back from work to see that England have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Sorry if I didnt make myself clear before, you were right, I would have said the same thing if you hadn't said it first.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Sorry, I think I gave the wrong impression, I agree with you on the T20 or one day game for those wanting to get into the game. I also think that you are right about a draw and a game getting rained off. But a good test can go one way then the other and build up into a fabulous climax. I don't know how many times I have come back from work to see that England have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Sorry if I didnt make myself clear before, you were right, I would have said the same thing if you hadn't said it first.

[Pix]

Hope no one flops on the field!

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by Pix

Hope no one flops on the field!

Flopping seems to be an issue in a number of sports, not just soccer. I've also seen some gruesome injuries in soccer - so I dare say it's likely not as your picture describes.

[Art 1]

I never much liked watching soccar on tv and the whole flopping thing is just rediculous. However I have attended 3 or 4 World Cup matches and enjoyed the whole experience and excitement.

[tudorbaja27]

Less than an hour left til kickoff

[GerardoG]

Great Thursday!!!!

[GerardoG]

Club. Watching open ceremony and first match with my kids

[GerardoG]

Snack...

[GerardoG]

And some breakfast

[tudorbaja27]

Great! Good match so far - tough break for Dzagoev