World Cup 2018 - Russia

2 out of 4.

I'll take that, since my winner and dark horse are still in the game.

Is France/Belgium a rivalry?

Prederick wrote:

2 out of 4.

I'll take that, since my winner and dark horse are still in the game.

Is France/Belgium a rivalry?

It is not, Holland is our rival. They don't care though

Did we get lucky today? Yes.
Did we beat f*cking Brazil? We sure did!
Am I drunk ? Hell yes!

Well, that wasn’t really the turn up it could have been. I’m not really sure Brazil have impressed me that much this tournament, but on the other hand Belgium hit one good counter and that was enough, and looked impressive throughout the game.

It’s been a great World Cup. Looking forward to the final, however it goes

Sorbicol wrote:

Well, that wasn’t really the turn up it could have been. I’m not really sure Brazil have impressed me that much this tournament, but on the other hand Belgium hit one good counter and that was enough, and looked impressive throughout the game.

It’s been a great World Cup. Looking forward to the final, however it goes

You're right, Brazil hasn't been impressive. Belgium is realizing their potential, and as we say in the US, peaking at the right time.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

After today I'm theorizing that South America is going through a down period and Europe is the best region by light years.

Argentina has gone from 2nd in WC2014 to barely qualifying and in danger of not making it out of their group. They've managed second in the last two Copas, too.

Chile has won the last two Copas and came second in the Confederations Cup, but failed to qualify.

I'm thinking the overall level of South America teams has homogenized as compared to each other, but fallen drastically compared to Europe.

Even Brazil, who was heralded as the first team to qualify (not counting the hosts) for 2018, were quite underwhelming against Switzerland. If they don't annihilate Costa Rica tomorrow morning, you can take an all-European final to the bank.

Wrote this way back on June 21, just a week into things!

I appear to have understated my case. It's an all-UEFA semi-finals, and we're only half done with the quarters!

Fedaykin98 wrote:

Did y'all see the no-call where two Swiss gang-tackled a Serbian in the box? Worst reffing fail of the tournament.

Either the ref or that VAR crew should be sent home immediately. I'm betting the VAR crew told him, because it was blatant, and he refused to review it. If he doesn't want to use VAR then he needs to refuse jobs where it is part of the set-up.

I'm guessing the story will come out very soon as to who screwed that one. Really changed the game.

So I read that this ref was indeed sent home after only officiating one match, and rumor has it that this is exactly why - he refused to review this call despite the VAR crew asking him to.

Mr Bismarck wrote:

Every time Brazil get down the outside on the left they just cut back inside to the top of the box. They're not convinced Jesus can get onto a cross.

Bravo.

slazev wrote:

I'll be rooting for a Belgium x Croatia/Sweden.
I want a new world champion. But screw Russia.

I am totally in line with this.

First, though, I am looking forward to Thierry Henry working for Belgium against France.

Prederick wrote:
Mr Bismarck wrote:

11 now for Own Goal! Only two behind Just Fontaine's record!

He is having a miraculous tournament, honestly. Someone's got to sign him.

I texted my son that OG is going to win the Golden Boot. He thought I meant someone on Belgium...

Best final is what?

Croatia v Belgium where they actually go at each other?

Not sure Belgium has the D to beat France. Do think France can choke if they do make the final.

Sadly we are down to all European teams + Putins USSR.

Fedaykin98 wrote:
Fedaykin98 wrote:

After today I'm theorizing that South America is going through a down period and Europe is the best region by light years.

Argentina has gone from 2nd in WC2014 to barely qualifying and in danger of not making it out of their group. They've managed second in the last two Copas, too.

Chile has won the last two Copas and came second in the Confederations Cup, but failed to qualify.

I'm thinking the overall level of South America teams has homogenized as compared to each other, but fallen drastically compared to Europe.

Even Brazil, who was heralded as the first team to qualify (not counting the hosts) for 2018, were quite underwhelming against Switzerland. If they don't annihilate Costa Rica tomorrow morning, you can take an all-European final to the bank.

Wrote this way back on June 21, just a week into things!

I appear to have understated my case. It's an all-UEFA semi-finals, and we're only half done with the quarters!

I don't think I agree with this. Brasil is very good, but had a really off day today in terms of finishing, bad luck and bad VAR. Peru were the best team in their group, but like Morocco got unlucky. Colombia were also good and just didn't go past the round of 16 because of penalties.
Argentina was definitely bad, but you could already see this in 2014. But even then, they almost sent their game with France to extra time.
It also doesn't help that Europe has a lot more countries when compared with South America.

What about this? Germany didn't get past the group stage. Spain and Portugal did not make past the round of 16. Italy and the Netherlands didn't even qualify.

I think you make some good points (apart from saying Peru were the best in their group, which I must disagree with), but at the same time, 6 of the 8 quarterfinalists are European, and all of the semifinalists are. You don't think that's significant?

Don't think I'm happy about this. Most of the teams I admire are South American teams: Brazil, Chile, Messi, Colombia...

Anyway, the point of quoting this was not to repeat that Europe is currently dominant, it was to brag about me calling an all-Euro final so long ago.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

I think you make some good points (apart from saying Peru were the best in their group, which I must disagree with), but at the same time, 6 of the 8 quarterfinalists are European, and all of the semifinalists are. You don't think that's significant?

Don't think I'm happy about this. Most of the teams I admire are South American teams: Brazil, Chile, Messi, Colombia...

Anyway, the point of quoting this was not to repeat that Europe is currently dominant, it was to brag about me calling an all-Euro final so long ago.

Considering the thuggisness of many of the South American teams - Panama, Colombia, Uruguay and Neymars histrionics, I'm not. Many of them have some pretty strange ideas of how you should play football - "playing to our best" didn't seem to the main priority for many of those teams.

That might be OK and "charm" South American populations but in Europe that's all considered pretty low behaviour. Brazil were better to be sure, unless they were tackled or looking for a penalty, and I don't remember any of that from Peru either, but by and large I've not been that impressed. VAR has been great there I think, clearly the utter ridicule that Neymar has (justifiably) faced since the incident against Mexico had quite a marked effect on him for the most part (unless he felt body contact in the box) which in the long run might make all those teams concentrate better on their footballing skills rather than their acting skills. Which will probably be to the benefit of all of them.

When you look at some of the challenges Eden Hazard faced last night and the complete lack of playacting involved, it's a stark difference. Those types of theatrics are not needed in World football, or any football for that matter, and the sooner they are eradicated the better.

My hopes for today:

England beat Sweden. Swedens playstyle is really boring. And as a Dane I can't really get behind them due to the rivalry in recent years. At the same time England have actually performed quite well (shocking) and its also getting a bit tiresome seeing them implode at every big tournament.

Croatia beats Russia and thereby sets up a really interesting semifinal against England. Both of those teams play positive and attacking football.

I can't even imagine watching a semifinal between Sweden and Russia. And I've seen pretty much every game of the tournament.

As an aside, Panama is part of CONCACAF, and qualified for the world cup at the expense of the United States.

Rooting for Croatia today, and would be relatively happy with either Sweden or England advancing.

Despite the neighbor rivalry I hope Sweden beats England, because England. But more importantly that Croatia obliterates Russia.

Sorbicol - I don't associate diving and violent conduct with South America especially; look at Sergio Ramos and Pepe.

Sorbicol wrote:
Fedaykin98 wrote:

I think you make some good points (apart from saying Peru were the best in their group, which I must disagree with), but at the same time, 6 of the 8 quarterfinalists are European, and all of the semifinalists are. You don't think that's significant?

Don't think I'm happy about this. Most of the teams I admire are South American teams: Brazil, Chile, Messi, Colombia...

Anyway, the point of quoting this was not to repeat that Europe is currently dominant, it was to brag about me calling an all-Euro final so long ago.

Considering the thuggisness of many of the South American teams - Panama, Colombia, Uruguay and Neymars histrionics, I'm not. Many of them have some pretty strange ideas of how you should play football - "playing to our best" didn't seem to the main priority for many of those teams.

That might be OK and "charm" South American populations but in Europe that's all considered pretty low behaviour. Brazil were better to be sure, unless they were tackled or looking for a penalty, and I don't remember any of that from Peru either, but by and large I've not been that impressed. VAR has been great there I think, clearly the utter ridicule that Neymar has (justifiably) faced since the incident against Mexico had quite a marked effect on him for the most part (unless he felt body contact in the box) which in the long run might make all those teams concentrate better on their footballing skills rather than their acting skills. Which will probably be to the benefit of all of them.

When you look at some of the challenges Eden Hazard faced last night and the complete lack of playacting involved, it's a stark difference. Those types of theatrics are not needed in World football, or any football for that matter, and the sooner they are eradicated the better.

I don't think it's fair to label it a South American thing. I mean, Jordan Henderson the other day made the most of the "headbutt" in the Colombia game. I think the majority of teams will do anything for an advantage. Such as the aforementioned Ramos and Pepe! I think it's just individuals who ruin things, you see dirty play in just about every top European league. My least favourite is players wasting time pretending to be injured in the last ten minutes.

I would say that Japan and Belgium was a refreshing game because they both just got on with it and played like football should be, it was great to see. I agree it needs to be eradicated, I'm not too sure what FIFA can do though. For example, when Neymar got "stood" on in the Mexico game, it seems quite clear to most that he barely got touched. But I'm going to guess that FIFA can't really take any chances when there is some actual contact though, maybe then it's open for dispute?

I remember quite a few years ago Serie A did introduce retrospective bans for diving, it helped clean up the league quite a lot. Maybe it would be worth FIFA retrospectively taking a hard line to these actions, we could possibly see a lot of bans at first followed by more fair play.

Pepe is Brazilian when he does something bad and Portuguese when he does something good

Italy is not at the tournament. Neither are Netherlands. When it comes to dirty both teams have had their share. When it comes to theatrics. Italy essentially invented it?

England are still here representing. Ashley Young? Light on the barrel roles heavy on the comical dives.

Speaking of which. I'll take 1-0 England on a sad Pk.

Whee England.

Swedish keeper was brilliant getting a hand to the ball on the Sterling 1-on-1.

Today's match brought to you by Thursday Night Football's color rush jerseys.

Sterling is still so comically wasteful it's great.

I'm fine with England making the final if Belgium/France win 5-2 or something silly.

I'll just add as a last thought on the diving convo that Mbappe just made the worst dive of the entire tournament yesterday.

And go England!

Spoiler:

IT'S COMING HOME, LADS!

Damnit. Didn't expect England to so easily win the aerial game against Sweden. Totally easy and totally deserved.
Come on, Croatia. Beat those Russians.

It's. Coming. Home.

Expecting Croatia-Russia to be a dire match.

jowner wrote:

Sterling is still so comically wasteful it's great.

I'm fine with England making the final if Belgium/France win 5-2 or something silly.

The probability of Sterling converting a chance is inversely proportional to the amount of time he has to think about it.

Clusks wrote:

I don't think it's fair to label it a South American thing. I mean, Jordan Henderson the other day made the most of the "headbutt" in the Colombia game.

I saw quite a bit of this over on Reddit and didn't bother saying anything over there because my flag would have seen any response marked as homerism, but a really great way to stop Henderson from exaggerating contact would be to not try to headbutt him?

Wilmar Barrios seems to have been entirely forgotten in analysis of this event.

Sterling's not great at finishing but he's not anywhere near as bad as he seems and he more than makes up for being a below-average finisher with the volume of chances he generates.

Roke wrote:

Sterling's not great at finishing but he's not anywhere near as bad as he seems and he more than makes up for being a below-average finisher with the volume of chances he generates.

He's not really 'below average' if he was the 5th highest scorer in the Prem last year, (3rd if you discount penalties), but I'd say that he's more instinctive than someone who creates loads, so it's probably more to do with what is being dished up to him. With City most of his goals are close range tap-ins which are to do with being in the right place and acting instinctively, most of the chances he has had at this WC have had him starting further out and having to manufacture the chance, which isn't really his strength.

When I talk about "finishing" I'm not talking about goal totals, just the component of scoring that's about converting chances. Goal totals come down to two components - converting chances and the volume of chances.

Sterling's not great at the former (though he's better than his reputation) but he's terrific at getting in positions to get the latter. This is a great article on Sterling and finishing from the halfway point of this past season

As long as attacking players are getting chances it's a sign they're doing something right and things should come around for them. Finishing is inconsistent and can come and go from game-to-game, volume is sustainable. Luis Suarez had the reputation of a bad finisher after his first Liverpool season and a bit because the chances weren't going in for him but he had the volume and look how that turned out.

Mr Bismarck wrote:
Clusks wrote:

I don't think it's fair to label it a South American thing. I mean, Jordan Henderson the other day made the most of the "headbutt" in the Colombia game.

I saw quite a bit of this over on Reddit and didn't bother saying anything over there because my flag would have seen any response marked as homerism, but a really great way to stop Henderson from exaggerating contact would be to not try to headbutt him?

Wilmar Barrios seems to have been entirely forgotten in analysis of this event.

I agree Barrios knew what he was doing, it's dirty play from him. But if that happened to you in the street and you flung yourself to the floor like Henderson did after that sort of contact you'd be laughed at (or you're made of glass). In England, not too long ago, that sort of behaviour was bemoaned and to me it's a bit sad that it's now accepted and often seen more as clever. I don't think it's unfair to say both sides were a bit ridiculous, where I was coming from in the original point is that this sort of play acting isn't isolated to South Americans. Personally, it can't be a rule for one (Neymar) and another rule for others (Henderson); it needs to be called out all the time no matter who. But one of the reasons for it is that it's the easiest way to influence the referee, and all teams try to do it. If you don't go down like you've been shot, players feel less likely to be believed. I do think despite the frustrations we often feel, referees today are much better than they were a decade ago in picking up on things like diving and feigning injury.

Before this tournament I felt England would finally win a knockout game, but didn't expect them to get to the semi-finals! Today seemed easy in parts, but they had to work hard and Pickford really helped them out. I think it was more that Sweden's chances seemed very isolated, but there were some big saves in there, and one Sweden goal at any point could've been tricky for England. Any semi-final will be tough no matter who. If it's Croatia, I wonder if Southgate will be so willing to allow his full backs to push on as much as he has in this tournament considering their strength there.

BBC had a lovely scene from "Bobby Robson: More than a manager" documentary after the game which showed England in the 1990 World Cup Semi-Final (Sir Bobby was manager back then). I'm too young to remember it, but have saw it countless times growing up as the pinnacle of the England side post '66. I wish I could find that clip somewhere for here.