World Cup 2014

[Wildeybeast]

It's about to start, so here's your official BoLS thread to discuss all things The Greatest Sporting Event on Earth.

[Mr Mystery]

Olympics aren't until 2016 though?

[Kirsten]

A Spain Germany final would be awesome, with Spain winning. Brazil are always a good team, and home advantage will go a long way, but this is one of the weakest sides they have fielded for a while, certainly not in the same league as Spain or Germany. They might still win though, you never know how things will pan out.

[Wildeybeast]

I'm not going to dignify that with a response.

[Kirsten]

huh?

[Wildeybeast]

Sorry, that was aimed at Mystery. Some unfortunate post timings there. :) I agree on Brazil, they looked good going forward but ropey at the back. They won thanks to the referee and Croatian goalie.

[Deadlift]

Sorry, that was aimed at Mystery. Some unfortunate post timings there. :) I agree on Brazil, they looked good going forward but ropey at the back. They won thanks to the referee and Croatian goalie.

Brazil always look good going forward, that's their game and always has been. Attack attack attack. Whilst this years Brazilian team isn't the best they have fielded they still had the pace to leave Croatia standing. Despite rewarding that terrible penalty there was little doubt in my mind the Brazil would win, even being 1 down early on the looked the better team. Still Croatia should go though in their group. Spain v Netherlands tomorrow, that will be a brilliant game.

[Darren Richardson]

oh god it was inevetibile wasn't it a damn thread about football....

It's bad enough all the papers, tv channels and even my damn Yahoo homepage, are going on about it, I get it at work as well, with World Cup promotions on booze and snacks.....

WE NEED to make Bols a Footie free zone, please Big Red, please I beg you.... :(

[Kirsten]

yeah, they are always a good team, no doubt about it. and if they do win, it wont surprise me, but honestly they are not major contenders. if the competition were held anywhere else this year I wouldn't rate them at all. tonight's game has certainly done nothing to improve my opinion of them, a couple of extremely bad decisions by the officials gave them the game. Football desperately needs a video referee, and it annoys me so much that Fifa keep refusing. I genuinely don't understand how they can object to something that will make the game fairer for everybody.

[Deadlift]

I agree totally Kirsten, I really hope we see a European side win again this year. Spain I think are once again the ones to maybe do the job.

- - - Updated - - -


Olympics aren't until 2016 though?

The real ones aren't for another 4 years.

[Kirsten]

I genuinely think this current Spanish side are the best team I will ever see play in my life time. obviously I don't mean they will play forever, but I don't think I will see another team play as well as they have done over the last four years. their football is like nothing else, an absolute joy to watch.

[Wolfshade]

463 Days to go, so excited!

[Deadlift]

Diago Costa is an awesome player, a real fighter of a player. Entertaining for his skills and his somewhat unpredictability. If he doesn't head but or punch anyone I think he will be Spains biggest weapon.

[Wolfshade]

Maybe we should have a bols prediction league

[Deadlift]

Could do but I'm guessing were all going to say either Spain, Germany, Brazil or Argentina. Don't want the Argies to win it but it's a possibility. A strong one in my view. Messi is just so good.

Am I the only disappointed that the Brazilian player "Hulk" isn't actually the one from the Avengers. That would make for a one sided game :)

[Aenir]

my predictions


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpsJNueCEAAv6Hs.jpg

[Tyrendian]

Could do but I'm guessing were all going to say either Spain, Germany, Brazil or Argentina. Don't want the Argies to win it but it's a possibility. A strong one in my view. Messi is just so good.

Am I the only disappointed that the Brazilian player "Hulk" isn't actually the one from the Avengers. That would make for a one sided game :)

well he's almost got the physique for it... :D

[Psychosplodge]

Olympics aren't until 2016 though?

Olympics? Pfft


I just hope the standard of refereeing demonstrated last night isn't going to be repeated throughout the tournament.

[Tyrendian]

yeah kinda took up where we left last time... that was plagued with bad referees *sigh* here's hoping...

[Gotthammer]

Spain will win but Krum will take the snitch.

[Mr Mystery]

I got Argentina in the work sweep-stake, so here's hoping.

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608026790722863254&pid=1.7

[Gotthammer]

Behold the orb. Witness it amongst the legs of men.

[Psychosplodge]

I got Argentina in the work sweep-stake, so here's hoping.

http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608026790722863254&pid=1.7

Hoping for Argentina to win is a hangable offence isn't it?

[Mr Mystery]

DFk, DFC.

After all, it's just a silly game played by overpaid prima donas.

[Psychosplodge]

Oh dear...

[Tyrendian]

http://cache1.asset-cache.net/gc/450556210-head-coach-volker-finke-of-cameroon-looks-on-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=GkZZ8bf5zL1ZiijUmxa7QVYNrQ4nNmn%2ffvfa81aY4CsvtM MImJMpuPkHclhXpJQKBUqJO9fvllpSauXUH5wIdQ%3d%3dhttp ://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121210071917/starwars/images/thumb/0/0d/Insidious_Smile.png/640px-Insidious_Smile.png

[Deadlift]

Holy ****, the Dutch demolished Spain :eek:

They were literally ripped a new one. If the Netherlands keep playing like they did tonight they could win the tournament. Van Persies header was amazing.

[Tyrendian]

Holy ****, the Dutch demolished Spain :eek:

They were literally ripped a new one. If the Netherlands keep playing like they did tonight they could win the tournament. Van Persies header was amazing.

yeah that just happened... that header sure looked amazing - unless you looked at the Spaniards, who looked quite dumb :)
I just happened to look up the betting quota for that particular result - a whopping 501:1 :D

[jasondeleu]

Man, spain could easily have gotten a 1-7 score omg :D

[Wildeybeast]

It was quite the demolition, but I wouldn't read too much into it. Spain lost their opening game of the last World Cup and look how that turned out. Besides, that could have been a different result, the game wasn't as one sided as the result suggests.

[Kirsten]

It was quite the demolition, but I wouldn't read too much into it. Spain lost their opening game of the last World Cup and look how that turned out. Besides, that could have been a different result, the game wasn't as one sided as the result suggests.

yeah, this.


The England Squad has visited a Brazilian orphanage. "I've never seen such hopelessness and desperation" said Jose, aged 6.

[Wildeybeast]

That actually had me lolling. Very good.

[Tyrendian]

yeah me too :D
also, I has a sad that the Aussies lost... 2:2 would have been more appropriate to how the game went, with Chile pretty much not even coming out of their locker room after the break...

[Deadlift]

http://youtu.be/45NOP1OA-EQ

I know it's old and I know it's not World Cup related, but fun non the less.

[Mr Mystery]

Yep.

Well, fun night for me tonight.

Trying to find a pub not showing the bloody football. I want to go out and drink, but don't fancy watching the collective IQ of fellow pub goers further lowered by a bit of tellysport. Plus, if I can do that, there'll likely be nice young ladies frankly thrilled to meet a bloke not banging on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on about sodding Football.

[Wildeybeast]

How did that work out for your?

Well England have shifted from being defensively sound and impotent in attack to exciting going forward and vulnerable at the back. Whilst it makes for more entertaining football, I can't see it improving our overall win ratio.

[Tyrendian]

while Italy have gone from Brick Wall at the back, a few "Assassins" out in front to "hey let's play Handball around the middle circle" *sigh* that was probably the most boring game that I've watched yet, owing to the climate of course and excepting the three really beautiful goals and two or three other moments...

[Mr Mystery]

How did that work out for your?

Well England have shifted from being defensively sound and impotent in attack to exciting going forward and vulnerable at the back. Whilst it makes for more entertaining football, I can't see it improving our overall win ratio.

Failed to avoid, but right about the lasses.

Poor old Ingerlund....

[Wolfshade]

Failed to avoid, but right about the lasses.

Poor old Ingerlund....

What do you mean, the 3-0 victory over Belarus means they only need 4 points from 3 games to reach the world cup...

[Mr Mystery]

Who won against Belarus?*




*You can tell I really don't pay much attention. I only knew England lost by the general stench of disappointment in the pub.

[Wolfshade]

England.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27851089

[Mr Mystery]

C'mon the lasses!

Shame not enough is made of their success.

[Wildeybeast]

Not World Cup 2014. Put it in the general football thread or start a 2015 one.

[Deadlift]

Poor old Portugal, taking a proper thumping from the Germans. Professional as always, the German quality of play is undeniable.

[Kirsten]

they are excellent

[Wolfshade]

Not World Cup 2014. Put it in the general football thread or start a 2015 one.

World Cup game being played in 2014, seems legit.

[MarneusCalgar]

As a spanish guy I want our team to win again, but the loss against Holland was a very critical hit...

Hope there´s still time and a chance...

But if we pass, we will surely face Brazil... and we all in Spain think that if we go against Brazil FIFA will help them, because the Cup is being celebrated there and there are so many riots or so...

Imagine the riots if, after all the money spent, Brazil doesn´t get to the finals...

[Kirsten]

it was a heavy loss but they will still qualify and go a long way, if not all the way. I would expect them to beat Brazil in the second round.

People are already rioting, they are not going to get worse if Brazil don't do well, they didn't want the world cup there regardless of results.

[Kirsten]

follow this guy on Twitter

https://twitter.com/usasoccerguy

"GOALSHOT! France are a river of soccer wetness right now, sweeping away Hondurass with their real nice soccer plays. In Seine soccer."

[Tyrendian]

well that was quick...

[Psychosplodge]

Poor old Portugal, taking a proper thumping from the Germans. Professional as always, the German quality of play is undeniable.

I don't like to see the Germans do well but on the otherhand seeing the smug look wiped of ronaldo's face made it totally worth it :D

[Wolfshade]

Well I got 0 points from last night :(

[Psychosplodge]

Well I got 0 points from last night :(

?

[Wolfshade]

At work we have a world cup prediction and you get:
5 points for correct result and scores,
3 points for correct result and 1 correct score,
2 points for correct result

[Psychosplodge]

http://i57.tinypic.com/30u2xpd.jpg

[Tyrendian]

sums it up...

[Wildeybeast]

Well, you would have got short odds on Australia being the first team to go home, but Spain to go with them? Scoring a quarter of the goals the Soccerroos have? Think I'll have punt on our colonial cousins beating Spain as well. It's always good to know that no matter how badly England do, there is always someone worse.

[Psychosplodge]

Has anyone seen the new irnbru advert? :D

[MarneusCalgar]

Well, that was the end of the best football generation we have ever had here in Spain...

Hope there´s new blood on it soon, we have very good players on the under 21 team!

Thiago, De Gea, Carvajal, Deulofeu...

[Psychosplodge]

We might be following you yet.

[Deadlift]

We might be following you yet.

I hope not ;)

[Psychosplodge]

of course we hope we don't but they've hardly filled us with confidence from the pre tournament friendlies...

[Mr Mystery]

As a non-English, non-football fan who finds the whole thing somewhat baffling, I dunno whether it would be worse if England won or lost this game.

Lose - Far as I can make out, that's pretty much curtains for their World Cup.

Win - Papers won't shut up.

[Deadlift]

the last game was really good and they didn't deserve to lose, but thats footie I guess. I do wish the press would back the **** off of Rooney. Give him a break and stop demonising him. Prop him up to knock him down. Sure he hasn't scored but he is still a key "team" player who creates as much as me shoots on goal.

What I love about our boys is we don't piss about rolling around on the floor like so many other players are doing this tournament, even when they haven't taken a hit. England pick themselves up and get straight back into action. Look at the Brazilians who are so busy throwing themselves to the floor in the penalty area without even being touched. Disgraceful to the game and deserves more bookings.

Australia may be out, but they provided the goal of the tournament. Amazing and I don't see it being topped.

[Psychosplodge]

They're not playing Rooney right anyway, Isn't he best played from the bench to come on for the last half an hour?
Australia played amazingly above expectations.

[Tyrendian]

there he goes... finally... maybe, just maybe, now your press over there will shut up...

[Mr Mystery]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z277/cade102/kirk_ROFL.gif

[Psychosplodge]

No team there no opinion :p

[Mr Mystery]

My brother made me post it.

And it is appropriate.

Can also be to represent the strikers of various teams heavy in practice for their time in front of the goal mouth.....

[Gotthammer]

https://38.media.tumblr.com/c456ca1d3dfed3282b7e71f723b0c17a/tumblr_n7hhnmoYjL1shlg3vo1_500.png

[eldargal]

Best world cup related post to date.:p

[Gotthammer]

Deaf and blind fan is helped to support his team by his friends:


http://youtu.be/O2OK5bclFRQ

[Psychosplodge]

https://38.media.tumblr.com/c456ca1d3dfed3282b7e71f723b0c17a/tumblr_n7hhnmoYjL1shlg3vo1_500.png

love it.
The US had a good result last night. I would lmao if they can draw with Germany and knock Portugal out :D

[Wolfshade]

All of the Engerland flags seem to have been removed. I take it we are out?

[Psychosplodge]

Yes very out.
The problem is they were playing actual football rather than longball, and it appears we can't do that.
The defence has holes in it, and Gerard is too used to passing to Suraez.

[Wolfshade]

I shall smile and nod and pretend to know what you are talking about.

Perhaps the issue is how the demostic league has so few english men in it.

Consider NZ, they dominate RFU in a way that is unknown in any other national sport. Then you look and see, in order to qualify for the national team you have to play in the national league. Fruthermore, there is a pride to play for the national team above and beyond a financial incentive, so they would rather earn less and play for NZ than earn mroe and not.

[Psychosplodge]

So it sounded like I knew what I was talking about? :D

That's a commonly suggested theory, but whilever fans would rather see their club win the league as opposed to England win the world cup nothing will change.
At least we're about as good as the current world and European champions :D

[Wolfshade]

Nevermind cricket resumes in a couple of hours in what promises to be quite an exciting final day

[Mr Mystery]

Nevermind cricket resumes in a couple of hours in what promises to be quite an exciting final day

Why? Is it suddenly strip Cricket played on Elephant back? Because even then, Cricket would be well boring*



*Unless on a Sunday, outside a pub in the sun watching local village cricket, which has an appeal of it's own.

[Psychosplodge]

http://i59.tinypic.com/157cfg2.gif
http://i59.tinypic.com/2ut6k5i.gif
http://i62.tinypic.com/o51bts.gif
http://i60.tinypic.com/wjgllh.gif

[Defenestratus]

The US had a good result last night. I would lmao if they can draw with Germany and knock Portugal out

I was forced to watch the soccer match last night as we were having a BBQ for a graduation party and there were a few fans in the group that wanted to watch it.

That result last night was exactly why soccer will never catch on over here in the US. Sure 16+ million Americans tuned into the match, but last night was the worst possible result from a "sell the game to the American masses" perspective.

We were winning when the clock ran out, or so we thought. This whole "the game goes on until the ref arbitrarily decides to end it" is really, really stupid. We need to know how much time is left in the game.

Secondly, ending a game like that in a draw is entirely, utterly ridiculous from an American perspective. There are no shades of grey in sports. There are only winners and losers. Winners move on, Losers go home. To have the game end in a draw, when the game should have been over already, is just going to infuriate the general masses.

The real icing on the cake is though, without a doubt, the fact that these soccer players are the over the top drama queens when it comes to "getting hurt." The NBA and NHL had to deal with "Floppers" in a strict way but these soccer players seem to make it part of the game to act like they've just been defenestrated from a 10 story building when they just got bumped into. The fact that they style their hair before a game makes us even more repulsed. I've been kicked in the shins before, I know it hurts. You don't have to tell me. I've also played on the practice squad for an NCAA football team and know what it feels like to have my neck stepped on by a 300+ lbs lineman in cleats...

Overall, while Soccer might be catching on over here, its still runs counter to the way in which we've been programmed to consume sports. This World Cup stuff is a flash in the pan.

[Psychosplodge]

It s cause they don't stop the clock for the players dragging it out with a fake injury or everytime it gets kicked out of play. They might end up with five mins injury time but the whole experience doesn't take four hours.

No draws?
Have you ever seen cricket?

Football.

[Mr Mystery]

And that shows the difference in our cousins over the Atlantic.

In the UK, we're quite used to draws. Kind of part of a sporting heritage.

Nowt wrong either way.

[Psychosplodge]

Also draws are important to the league/group format.
World cup finals have been decided on penalties before...

[Deadlift]

It's the part of the game I hate. All in aid to get an advantage over the other team. The English team whilst crap, thankfully are not made of china and didn't play that kind of game.
Vinny Jones springs to mind as the type of player who in his day was fun to watch and not afraid to mix it up a bit.

Still when a good football game is being played it's hard to compare it to any other game for flair and excitement. American football is just too stop and start for me. It's too slow. Hockey I love very much thanks to my Mrs.
The "extra time" at the end is added on due to stoppages and injury. Our tv channels show it next to the game time on the screens. It's not a anybody's guess when the final whistle goes. As you found out last night that extra time can be crucial to a games result. I think it adds to the excitement.
I was rooting for the USA myself last night, can't stand Ronaldo.

[Defenestratus]

And that shows the difference in our cousins over the Atlantic.

In the UK, we're quite used to draws. Kind of part of a sporting heritage.

Nowt wrong either way.

We have draws in some sports over here, but only after sudden death overtime. In fact there was a huge uproar last year (or the year before) when there was a tie in an NFL game - it can happen, but its rare. Even the players didn't know there could be a tie it happens so rarely - they were ready to play a 2nd overtime.

As for the theory behind draws in sports - its one area of our lives we use as an escape from reality. We're one of the most productive countries in the world because we work a lot - we devote our lives to our jobs and our careers and our professions - to the real world. We want sports to be our escape from reality where we work in shades of grey and marginalism and nuance all week long. When it comes to our sports we want a good guy, a bad guy, a victor and a vanquished. We want black and white, not shades of grey - and thats exactly what a draw is - its a wishy-washy compromise where there was no real decision made as to who was the better team. Our sports aren't supposed to leave us undecided. We feel rather unfulfilled after a draw and it leaves us wondering why we just spent the last two hours watching a game of pong on the television...

[Wildeybeast]

See, for the rest of the world, that result was the complete opposite. It summed up all the drama of sport, a last minute, last gasp throw of the dice, the desperate rescue of some credibility for Portugal, the despair of having been so close to glory for the USA. Cruel or heroic, undeserved success or just reward for playing right to the last moment. Just depends on who you ask. Sometimes, the sport itself is the winner.

[Defenestratus]

See, for the rest of the world, that result was the complete opposite. It summed up all the drama of sport, a last minute, last gasp throw of the dice, the desperate rescue of some credibility for Portugal, the despair of having been so close to glory for the USA. Cruel or heroic, undeserved success or just reward for playing right to the last moment. Just depends on who you ask. Sometimes, the sport itself is the winner.

That would have been a great game, had 1) the tying goal happened in regulation time (or we would have known how much "time" was left) and 2) there would have been an overtime sudden death or a shoot out to determine who the winner was.

Some of the best games here are games that go down to the wire... in College Basketball, the NCAA tournament is billed as "survive and advance" as one loss in the tournament sends your team back home. Overtimes are nail biting, heart attack inducing 5-minute periods to determine who gets to survive "the big dance". Ties are a buzzkill worse than losing in my opinion. You know know who is better... UGH ITS SO FRUSTRATING!%$#!%#

[Deadlift]

But the players will have an idea of what the "extra" time there is. It's only time added on due to stoppages during play. It's not giving any side an advantage it's just replacing time lost. I don't see any issue with that.

[Mr Mystery]

Well.

Unless it's Fergie Time, natch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fergie_Time)

It's also encouragement to the players to keep the fannying around pretending their face has exploded because someone glanced at their toe to an absolute minimum.

[Wildeybeast]

I'm not sure I get the needing a win thing. Sure, when it's Blackburn against Wolves grinding out a boring nil nil on cold January afternoon, it's pretty tedious, but the likes of the USA game are great fun. It also seems somewhat unfair to force teams who have been evenly matched to face the arbitrary lottery of a penalty shout out. Everyone dreads them in football and they only happen because we haven't come up with a better way of settling matches in knockout formats. Do all American sports have systems to avoid ties? How do your league systems work?

[DarkLink]

Two reasons. First, fundamentally sports are a struggle for victory in a physical endeavour. If you leave it at a tie, it's just anti-climactic. You have the tension of who is going to pull out the win... only for nothing to happen.in Secondly, if you have some weird obscure or complicated rule that determines victory in close games, from it audience's eyes it invalidates the struggle, when after all that effort victory is determined by an arbitrary d w cision on the part of a random ref.

[Psychosplodge]

T

Some of the best games here are games that go down to the wire... in College Basketball, the NCAA tournament is billed as "survive and advance" as one loss in the tournament sends your team back home. Overtimes are nail biting, heart attack inducing 5-minute periods to determine who gets to survive "the big dance". Ties are a buzzkill worse than losing in my opinion. You know know who is better... UGH ITS SO FRUSTRATING!%$#!%#

You are kidding?
Basketball is the very embodiment of pong in sport. They might as well start on 70 points each and play for five minutes.

Sometimes neither team deserves to win. A sudden death overtime so theres always a winner is a cop out.

Do they not show the official holding up the big board with the amount of injury time to be played on US football broadcasts?

[Wolfshade]

Secondly, if you have some weird obscure or complicated rule that determines victory in close games, from it audience's eyes it invalidates the struggle, when after all that effort victory is determined by an arbitrary d w cision on the part of a random ref.

Sounds like a complaint about Duckworth-Lewis

[Mr Mystery]

I like Darts and Snooker.

Brilliant to watch on the telly.

[Psychosplodge]

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/s403x403/10464389_758464730842487_3091711337626848625_n.jpg

[Mr Mystery]

One thing I don't get (may have said this already, can't be bothered to check) are flags with ENGLAND written on them. I mean...yes, that's right. That's an England flag. You can tell, because it's an England flag. The word 'England' is entirely superfluous. Mostly because if you can't identify it as an England flag from it being, you know, an England flag, I suspect your overall level of literacy is low enough that you can't read either, once again rendering the ENGLAND in the middle completely superfluous.

[Psychosplodge]

Also doesn't the addition of the word mean its no longer a recognised national flag and requires planning permission? :D

But yeah I've never understood why it needs the word or the three lions crest adding.

[Wildeybeast]

Probably so the less flag literate amongst domestic and international audiences don't confuse it with Georgia.

[DarkLink]

You are kidding?
Basketball is the very embodiment of pong in sport. They might as well start on 70 points each and play for five minutes.

Sometimes neither team deserves to win. A sudden death overtime so theres always a winner is a cop out.

Do they not show the official holding up the big board with the amount of injury time to be played on US football broadcasts?

Guess not, since it seems like no one here knew about it. But the whole injury time thing seems completely nonsensical. For one, toughen up. We watch sports to see impressive physical feats, not dramatized quasifaked injuries. Every time I've smashed my shins doing something, I've been able to hobble to the side and get out of the way before collapsing, or in a couple of cases where I didn't have a choice just toughing it out on my feet with a limp. Which ties into the second point, why base overtime on a system that encourages faking injuries? Who thought that one up?

Also, basketball is a hell of a lot more exciting to watch than soccer. The NBA is basically a showcase on who can weave through the most dudes and get a slam dunk. College basketball is more conservative.

[Wildeybeast]

I think the over time system was to developed to respond to genuine stoppages. When a player gets a genuine injury and needs dealing with, the time needs making up for the sake of fairness. It also deals with managers wasting time in dying minutes through substitutions. The injury faking is a big bugbear of English fans, but the continental and south American types seem to view it as a valid part of the game. Strictly speaking, the referee decides to stop play for an injury and the opposition should keep playing until he does, which would punish the fakers, but sportsmanship means they invariably kick the ball out.

On a related note, given the American view of sport, why is golf the only global sport you have truly embraced? It seems to be the antithesis of everything you value in your own sports.

[DarkLink]

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/739893-10-reasons-why-soccer-may-never-be-truly-big-in-america/page/5

[DarkLink]

And if you want the 'Merica! answer... we have to give the rest of the world a sport to be good at.

[Mr Mystery]

All the best sports come from Britain. Everyone knows that :p

[Defenestratus]

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/739893-10-reasons-why-soccer-may-never-be-truly-big-in-america/page/5

If I were sitting around waiting to be offended by things, that article would be quite offensive.

Calling us ignorant because there's not a lot of scoring is calling us ignorant for calling out the obvious.

Its not so much the lack of scoring (Hockey can be low scoring as well) but its the lack of scoring opportunities that really makes us snooze.

Watching the ball bounce back and fro in the middle of the field in what amounts to the trap defense in ice hockey is the epitome of boring. Especially when there's no body checking and guys aren't getting knocked unconscious.

[Mr Mystery]

Try Rugby.

It's American Football where someone getting squished doesn't stop play, and players have been known to end the game with fewer ears than they started.

[Ben_S]

It also seems somewhat unfair to force teams who have been evenly matched to face the arbitrary lottery of a penalty shout out. Everyone dreads them in football and they only happen because we haven't come up with a better way of settling matches in knockout formats.

I hate it when people refer to penalties as 'lotteries'. You know, prior to the introduction of shoot-outs, games were sometimes decided by the toss of a coin? That's a genuine lottery. Penalties, on the other hand, do test skill and nerve.


If you leave it at a tie, it's just anti-climactic. You have the tension of who is going to pull out the win... only for nothing to happen.

I take it you weren't following the England v Sri Lanka cricket then? Ok, it did end in a win, but right down until the penultimate possible ball it could have been a draw and that was tense and exciting.

[Kirsten]

anyway, back on topic with actual world cup news, Suarez has been at it again

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28008605

ban him from the rest of the competition, and then maybe for a few years as well.

[Deadlift]

anyway, back on topic with actual world cup news, Suarez has been at it again

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28008605

ban him from the rest of the competition, and then maybe for a few years as well.

Unfortunately if FIFA ban him it's not an automatic ban form the FA as well. ****ing should be, it's such a shame because his talent is without question. He's ruined his reputation and quite frankly shows just what a complete lack of moral character this tit has. Giving somebody a bit of a dig is one thing, but biting. That's just the lowest. Life ban in my book. Little ****s done it twice before.

[DarkLink]

Try Rugby.

It's American Football where someone getting squished doesn't stop play, and players have been known to end the game with fewer ears than they started.

Rugby's cool, though I think it isn't as popular as football because it fills a similar niche so everyone here just watches football instead.

And before someone tries to call ruby 'football for men' or something, while rugby might not use pads, rugby players are about a hundred pound lighter on average than football players, and real hits don't happen nearly as frequently. Even with pads, pro football player's average lifespan is like 55. Without pads, people would leave the field in bodybags.

[Wildeybeast]

I hate it when people refer to penalties as 'lotteries'. You know, prior to the introduction of shoot-outs, games were sometimes decided by the toss of a coin? That's a genuine lottery. Penalties, on the other hand, do test skill and nerve.

Well, sort of skill. Any professional footballer should be capable of scoring a penalty, though I'll grant you it is a test of nerve and they aren't pure chance. There was actually a potential (if unlikely) combination of results today that could have resulted in them having to toss a coin to decide who went through between Greece and Ivory Coast.

[Cap'nSmurfs]

Penalties are not only a skill, they are a learnable, practiceable skill.

Arsenal have won 8 out of their last 9 shootouts. Skill, practice, tactics. Not a lottery.

[Psychosplodge]

Which ties into the second point, why base overtime on a system that encourages faking injuries? Who thought that one up?

Also, basketball is a hell of a lot more exciting to watch than soccer. The NBA is basically a showcase on who can weave through the most dudes and get a slam dunk. College basketball is more conservative.

No its the referee making up the time because we dont stop and start the clock every thirty seconds, it penalises those trying to run the clock down by faking injuries, not the other way round.

Basketball is literally team A throws it through the hoop, team b runs up the court and throws it through the other hoop, repeat ad nauseam.


If I were sitting around waiting to be offended by things, that article would be quite offensive.

Calling us ignorant because there's not a lot of scoring is calling us ignorant for calling out the obvious.

Its not so much the lack of scoring (Hockey can be low scoring as well) but its the lack of scoring opportunities that really makes us snooze.

Watching the ball bounce back and fro in the middle of the field in what amounts to the trap defense in ice hockey is the epitome of boring. Especially when there's no body checking and guys aren't getting knocked unconscious.

I got the impression that was written by an american?
But it did make me realise two things. One the MLS is so poor it'd be like watching third, fourth tier or worse Scottish premier league football. And two, whereas its quite easy to watch US sport here by staying up late(at least one free channel uses it as overnight filler), its far harder for you to do the reverse as its broadcast in the middle of your afternoon in the week, or early morning at weekends.


anyway, back on topic with actual world cup news, Suarez has been at it again

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28008605

ban him from the rest of the competition, and then maybe for a few years as well.

At least muzzle the animal. What was worse was how he threw himself on the floor clutching his face afterwards.

[Wolfshade]

anyway, back on topic with actual world cup news, Suarez has been at it again

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28008605

ban him from the rest of the competition, and then maybe for a few years as well.

Lock him up for assault, take away his visa. Ban for life. Biting people is rare, even in contact sports. It is unacceptable and should be treated under the harshest manner possible. These players are the ultimate professionals, if they are seen biting kicking and cheating then those who aspire to that level of elite sport will follow suit.


Rugby's cool, though I think it isn't as popular as football because it fills a similar niche so everyone here just watches football instead.

It stems back to class rivilary, so working class would play football and middle and upper would play rugby union. Up "north" there was a bit of a division as rugby league became associated with working class.


And before someone tries to call ruby 'football for men' or something, while rugby might not use pads, rugby players are about a hundred pound lighter on average than football players, and real hits don't happen nearly as frequently. Even with pads, pro football player's average lifespan is like 55. Without pads, people would leave the field in bodybags.

There is an issue here with how it is set up, the two scrimmage lines line up and just run at each other. This is a setup of the game. Because of this they can replace skill with mass and strength. So a very skillful blocker could do just as much as a large strong one. This to some extent is happening with the front row of scrums, you are getting larger more powerful players but their technical skills take a nose dive. So while in days gone by a small winger would jink and dart, feign dummys to decieve and beat the opponent, now we have larger ones that just break through tackles, so the skill of the maisey run are lost.

With american football being very dominated by set pieces the skill set required in each one is very different and very small so they can specialise to the nth degree, to such a point there are specialist kickers who just come on to take a kick. Whereas if the game were to "develop" into a more open play then the players would require to use more skills so the blockers would need to be able to tackle, pass, run lines. The throwers and catchers would need to tackle and block as well. In rugby while there are well defined positions and roles, once a game moves from a set peice it becomes much more fluid with the players needing to be more all round and therefore less specialised.

I am not saying one is right and the other is wrong, they are just two different games and the fans like the different things associated with them.

You can see in the way that union and league have split these diviation. In union the competion for the ball continues after the tackle, in league it does not. So in union there is a requirement for forwards to be big and bulky to clear out the tackle area and win the ball back, this is a very important part of the game. In league the team that is tackled get the ball back (a number of times) so there is no competition on the floor so the forwards do not need to specialise in that so are less bulky and more agile so that they can duck and slip tackles as that is important.

So players shapes adapt for what the role is in a game. The more constrained that role is the more they can specialise, whereas the more open the role is while they can specialise they must be able to do everything else well too.

[Gotthammer]

https://38.media.tumblr.com/b1af62b9ddc209d32b967bd8757671cc/tumblr_n7fgnuFq9d1tv85u1o1_1280.jpg


no guys you don’t understand what this means: when germany wins a football game many germans pass the border honking and with about ten little flags fixed at their car. when germany loses a game many dutch people drive through german towns close to the netherlands with their cars painted with their flag. AND YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS A GAME BETWEEN NETHERLANDS AND GERMANY BECAUSE THE PEOPLE LITERALLY DRIVE CRAZY. I KNOW SOME PEOPLE WHO REALLY LEAVE THEIR ROOM AFTER THEIR TEAM MADE A GOAL TO DRIVE TO THE OTHER COUNTRY TO ANNOY THEIR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY

[Gotthammer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I

[Psychosplodge]

And Sureaz won people money (http://www.buzzfeed.com/richardhjames/a-load-of-fans-have-won-money-after-betting-luis-suarez-woul)

[eldargal]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlJEt2KU33I

Yeah **** FIFA. Actually hoping the qatar games is such a giant cluster**** that they can be forced to reform or better yet be disbanded and a new institution with some actual ****ing oversight be created.

[Wildeybeast]

Turns out Americans do love football after all.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-27978699

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

Suarez ban was far too lenient.

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

Oh, and for the record...


VIVA MEXICANA!!!!

I am pretty psyched for Mexico vs Holland on Sunday, it could rule the end of a dream for us. But then again, if I was going to be knocked out by anyone, I'd be glad that it was Holland. I think they will win this tournament.
Unless Ochoa does some mighty fine goalkeeping again.

And Chicorito really needs to pull his finger out.

[Psychosplodge]

Suarez ban was far too lenient.

just a bit.

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

Although, he can't do ANYTHING football-related for 4 months. Which has led to a hilarious trending hashtag.
#thingssuarezcantdo

[Wolfshade]

Eating is football related, especially how he does it....

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

Also, Uruguay might pull out of the World Cup without Suarez. :p

[Kirsten]

Fifa said biting will not be tolerated. yet a four month ban for a third offence rather suggests to me that it will be tolerated quite a lot...

Given that the Uruguay players were loudly proclaiming his innocence and trying to make it out to be a media vendetta I think they should be docked points as a team and have Italy qualify in their place, that might teach them.

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

I agree with that. Poor show from FIFA.

[Mr Mystery]

Dear FIFA.

Encourage better behaviour at the professional level Football by banning players from any official team when they assault others.

This includes gang rape, assault in nightclubs, assault on the pitch.

And let's not forget multiple driving offences. Like not having a sodding license.

[Wildeybeast]

I'm biased as a Liverpool fan, but I think the ban is pretty strict. Not harsh, he's a muppet and had it coming, but it is strict. It is the strictest punishment they have ever given for none drugs based offences. Let me put it like this - what would you have to do to get barred from your place of work for 4 months?

[Kirsten]

you wouldn't be barred for four months, you would be sacked on the spot if you bit a co-worker. why should Suarez get away with it three times?

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

I'm a Liverpool supporter, and I say we get rid of him as soon as possible. Did you know that Suarez has been banned for a total of 34 games since 2010 without being shown a red card for any of the offences?
He's a hindrance.

[Chronowraith]

Turns out Americans do love football after all.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-27978699

Hardly surprising given that the US has more population than the next 7 or so countries on that list combined.

America has a short attention span. Once we are out of the World Cup, 90% of the people watching World Cup will disappear. Also, many people buying tickets in the US doesn't necessarily mean they are US citizens...

[Psychosplodge]

I'm biased as a Liverpool fan, but I think the ban is pretty strict. Not harsh, he's a muppet and had it coming, but it is strict. It is the strictest punishment they have ever given for none drugs based offences. Let me put it like this - what would you have to do to get barred from your place of work for 4 months?

How local :p
I'd imagine anything that would get me suspended that long would merit instant dismissal.

- - - Updated - - -


Hardly surprising given that the US has more population than the next 7 or so countries on that list combined.

America has a short attention span. Once we are out of the World Cup, 90% of the people watching World Cup will disappear. Also, many people buying tickets in the US doesn't necessarily mean they are US citizens...

I heard yesterday in passing that an american reporter had suggested that no one with a great grandparent born in the US was interested in the slightest.

[Chronowraith]

I heard yesterday in passing that an american reporter had suggested that no one with a great grandparent born in the US was interested in the slightest.


That's not a reporter. That's Ann Coulter. I read the same article and found it condescending, strangely misogynistic, incredibly biased, and in-general full of half-truths and outright false information. But that's what everyone expects from Ann Coulter. Her basic premise was that Soccer is a European sport and thus it's spread in the US is akin to moral/social decay because it's a socialist sport. Of course she also rails on women sports and a number of other topics such as immigration, treatment of minorities, etc.

She's also stated that the US should invade other countries, kill of their leaders, and install Christianity as the primary religious belief. She also said that the 1st amendment of the US Constitution should only apply to conservatives and that liberals should be repressed. Look her up. She's said all sorts of stuff bordering from the obscene to the absolutely mystifying. Rush Limbaugh makes more sense than her.

[Kirsten]

yeah she is pretty nuts. she also tried to take the alethiometer from Lyra.

[Wildeybeast]

you wouldn't be barred for four months, you would be sacked on the spot if you bit a co-worker. why should Suarez get away with it three times?

It's the same reason bankers can piss billions of other peoples money up the wall with no repercussions. Money. He is valuable, we are not. Plenty of people could do my job, a number of them better than me. Very few people can do his job and only two people in the world can currently do it better than him. So he gets a different set of rules to the rest of us.

[Kirsten]

of course, but that doesn't mean he should, or that it is right.

[Kirsten]

Uruguay coach claims Suarez is being made a scapegoat.

for what exactly? he bit somebody, nobody else is to blame.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28058345

"FIFPro said Suarez's prolonged absence from the game "must be addressed as it directly infringes his right to work"."

seriously?

"The Fifa sanction is shameful, they have no sensitivity towards the fans... ...It hurts that they have cut short the career of a lad who is a winner."
I don't understand how anyone thinks they can defend Suarez, he has been unbelievably stupid, and not for the first time. It doesn't matter what the fans think, or what happens to his career, he bit somebody.

[Chronowraith]

Cut short a career? It's a four month ban. He's what, 27 maybe? He's got a few years before his career is over. If he didn't want the ban than he shouldn't have bit someone.

Responsibility and Integrity are apparently two features that are no longer required by humanity.

[Mr Mystery]

Just another reason I loathe football.

Bunch of pampered, overpaid little boys who never grew up, and have never been told no.

[Wildeybeast]

There is an interesting question which some people have raised in all this, though it has got largely lost in the furore, which is why biting is some much worse than any other had tackle? Take that very game. An Italy player, I forget who, was sent off for lunging into another players knee. When you see the replays, he looks at his opponent before he does it and it is quite deliberate, yet he only gets a three game ban, at most. Those tackles can seriously injure people and even end careers, whereas the worst you would need from a Suarez bit is a tetanus shot. Why are we so outraged by what Suarez did and not by that tackle?

[Tyrendian]

There is an interesting question which some people have raised in all this, though it has got largely lost in the furore, which is why biting is some much worse than any other had tackle? Take that very game. An Italy player, I forget who, was sent off for lunging into another players knee. When you see the replays, he looks at his opponent before he does it and it is quite deliberate, yet he only gets a three game ban, at most. Those tackles can seriously injure people and even end careers, whereas the worst you would need from a Suarez bit is a tetanus shot. Why are we so outraged by what Suarez did and not by that tackle?

good point... I guess it's
a) because it's far more unusual,
b) because biting is anything but a natural motion in a game of football, as opposed to a tackle that happens to hit the opponent (even if it's mostly deliberate as in this case - he can still claim instincts and a desire to hit the ball, even if the instant after he starts moving he recognises he won't but can't "pull up" in time), and
c) because cannibalism is something far more sinister than kicking...

[Wildeybeast]

On point b), I don't know if you have seen it, but that particular tackle had no intention whatsoever of getting the ball, it was basically just a kick at the opponent, which is why he got a straight red. I agree with your other two points in terms of how society sees it. It is basically a taboo thing. In both cases the intent to injure is deliberate, but the potential damage from the kick is much worse, yet is apparently far more acceptable. Seems a slightly warped set of perspectives to me.

[Psychosplodge]

That's not a reporter. That's Ann Coulter. .

Ahh, I see.


There is an interesting question which some people have raised in all this, though it has got largely lost in the furore, which is why biting is some much worse than any other had tackle? Take that very game. An Italy player, I forget who, was sent off for lunging into another players knee. When you see the replays, he looks at his opponent before he does it and it is quite deliberate, yet he only gets a three game ban, at most. Those tackles can seriously injure people and even end careers, whereas the worst you would need from a Suarez bit is a tetanus shot. Why are we so outraged by what Suarez did and not by that tackle?

Because a bad tackle is still part the game, where as biting is assault, and pretty uncivilised.

[Wildeybeast]

Late/mistimed tackles yes. Those are basically clumsy and can be put down to errors of judgement. Deliberately kicking an opponent when you could have withdrawn/had no intention/ability to get the ball are something different. I'm drawing a distinction. The Italy vs Uruguay game had one of the latter, but it has been completely ignored in the bite controversy. I'm not trying to mitigate what Suarez did, I just think it is odd that the other offence is seen as acceptable or 'part of the game' as you put it.

[Psychosplodge]

Well when you consider Ice hockey has actual fighting as part of the game...

[Wildeybeast]

Pah, they just slap each other a bit whilst wearing three foot of padding, that's not fighting.

[Deadlift]

Pah, they just slap each other a bit whilst wearing three foot of padding, that's not fighting.

You've not actually been to a hockey game have you ? ;).

Body checked players breaking backs and punching each other in the face. Hockey's no *****s game.

[Psychosplodge]

Yeah they do aim for the one bit that isn't padded...

[Mr Mystery]

You've not actually been to a hockey game have you ? ;).

Body checked players breaking backs and punching each other in the face. Hockey's no *****s game.

I'll see your bodyarmoured version, and raise you Shinty, the Scots Gaelic version. No armour. And actual rule? If when swinging the stick (you're allowed to flick the ball into the air, and then belt it baseball style) your opponent's head gets in the way, it's their fault, not yours.

Scotland - Because trying to kill stuff is fun, apparently.

[Psychosplodge]

I'll see your bodyarmoured version, and raise you Shinty, the Scots Gaelic version. No armour. And actual rule? If when swinging the stick (you're allowed to flick the ball into the air, and then belt it baseball style) your opponent's head gets in the way, it's their fault, not yours.

Scotland - Because trying to kill stuff is fun, apparently.

Don't gimme that crap, you're to blame for golf

[Mr Mystery]

Which was originally meant as a Puffin hunting technique.

[Psychosplodge]

Cause it were. How'd you then retreive the puffin from the rabbit burrow?

[Mr Mystery]

Midgets.

Duh.

[Tyrendian]

so, Uruguay`s head of state sees Maradona`s "two idiots" and raises him "a bunch of sons of women who sell their favours" (http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28085880) (fully explicit wording in the original statement...)

[Wolfshade]

Would be fun if FIFA then ban Uruguay from all international football

[Tyrendian]

that was my first thought too - and frankly, maybe they should, considering all the bull$#!7 they keep throwing around over a perfectly clear, repeated case...

[Deadlift]

Would be fun if FIFA then ban Uruguay from all international football

I'm guessing this kind of publicity is a nice distraction instead of the Qatar bribery allegations for FIFA.

[Wildeybeast]

Suarez apologises. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28099336) I wasn't expecting that. His wife has probably had a go at him.

[Kirsten]

not the best apology, it reads to me more like, 'I am sorry my teeth left an imprint in him when we collided' rather than 'I am sorry I bit him'

[Chronowraith]

not the best apology, it reads to me more like, 'I am sorry my teeth left an imprint in him when we collided' rather than 'I am sorry I bit him'

It does read strangely along those lines but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since he's not a native English speaker as it could be poor word choices.

[Kirsten]

I think what he actually said was 'I want to suck your blood' but it was lost in translation...

[Wildeybeast]

Apparently he tweeted it in Spanish, that is an English translation. I note there is no apology to Liverpool, who he has shafted, again, or his Uruguayan team mates that he so badly let down. Would have thought they merit a specific mention. Also interesting that this has suddenly happened on a day when rumours are circulating that any potential contract with Barcelona would contain good behaviour clauses. A cynic may connect the two.

[Wolfshade]

I think what he actually said was 'I want to suck your blood' but it was lost in translation...

From the Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2312979/Best-Luis-Suarez-bite-virals-web-Jaws-Hannibal-Lecter.html

[Psychosplodge]

Apparently Surarezing is the new planking...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/s417x417/10274049_10152528720754255_963339575440051331_n.jp g?oh=074019e549c0acbfd1660475b1676f4b&oe=541D4167&__gda__=1411626188_a2447df260e218e5f476ba134a64374 1

[Wildeybeast]

Well, credit to our colonial cousins. Your team has played with real spirit and no little talent, in an entertaining and attacking fashion. Your fans have been excellent too and of course you did far better than the motherland. Sadly you came up against slightly better opposition today, but if you keep going like this, I can see you being a real force in the future. I don't know how well it has gone down in the US, but you should be proud of your team.

[Kirsten]

absolutely gutted for the USA team, what a performance, totally deserved to go through.

[Deadlift]

Couldn't agree more, the USA played with real guts and determination tonight. I really wanted them to get into the final 8. Brilliant performance, best game of the tournament for me so far.
The USA fans were fantastic too, the chanting from the crowd was awesome inspiration for the team.
Looking forward to seeing how well they improve in the next 4 years.

If England's players could only dig as deep as the Americans (all right we know a few of them are actually German) we may have managed to get a bit further.

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

Well played USA, friggin Tim Howard was a wall! Puts Ochoa to shame, slightly. Only slightly.

- - - Updated - - -

I posted this on Facebook


If I ever make an Iron Warriors or Imperial Fists army, I will name models after these brilliant goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa, Manuel Neuer, Raïs M'Bohli, and Tim Howard! Amazing saving from these guys.

[Psychosplodge]

Didn't see it, but it was another that went to extra time? Whats with all the extra long matches, I don't recall a world cup like it.

[Tyrendian]

yeah I know right? Basically all the matches were the same (except the Uruguay one I hear... haven't seen that): nailbiter but in the end the favourite pulls through with a very late goal or two/in penalties... *sigh* if only the outsider had won even once! Don't care if it's the USA, Mexico, Chile or even friggin' Algeria (and I'm German...), they all would sooo have deserved it! really annoying...

[Psychosplodge]

As long as Belgium knocks Argentina out.

[Mr Mystery]

As long as Belgium knocks Argentina out.

No way! I've got Argentina in the work sweep stake!

[Deadlift]

As long as Belgium knocks Argentina out.

Now that's a game I'd love to see. ;)

[Psychosplodge]

No way! I've got Argentina in the work sweep stake!

Sorry Mystery, but thats still not a reason to support the argies


Now that's a game I'd love to see. ;)

yep

[Wildeybeast]

Supporting the argies is against the law.

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

This has legit been the best world cup of my generation. So many unexpected outcomes, so many tense games, heroes have been made, etc etc.
Bloody good show.

[Chronowraith]

While I do agree that the US team deserved to go forward, the Belgians also deserved to go forward. Everyone gives Tim Howard credit for his 16 saves (truly remarkable) but no one seems to give credit to the Belgians for making 27 shots on goal (16 of which required the herculean effort of Tim Howard). They played one hell of an amazing offensive game and kept the ball in the US zone for a large portion of the match (the possession numbers don't show the whole picture). So while the US played a great defensive game, our offensive game was lackluster until the last 15 minutes or so of the game.

So props to both teams for making what most thought would be a one-sided game an exciting match to watch with MANY memorable moments.

[Psychosplodge]

This has legit been the best world cup of my generation. So many unexpected outcomes, so many tense games, heroes have been made, etc etc.
Bloody good show.

Really?
There's no real characters like when Gazza was last there.

[maartendp]

Hoping for the finale to be Belgium against Germany,
Then again, I'm from Belgium :)

[Psychosplodge]

Things (http://werepuppy.tumblr.com/post/90602501334/almeida-o-bigodes-some-of-the-best) Tim Howard can save

[Tyrendian]

Things (http://werepuppy.tumblr.com/post/90602501334/almeida-o-bigodes-some-of-the-best) Tim Howard can save

looks more like he's helping to sink Titanic though... ;) and I know which of those would have been most deserving of being saved...

[Psychosplodge]

Are you suggesting he's helping push it under? :eek:

[Tyrendian]

Are you suggesting he's helping push it under? :eek:

sure looks like it... he seems to be lifting the back end, which really isn't helping...

[Psychosplodge]

the *******

[Kirsten]

another uninspiring Brazilian performance, they just keep on scraping through, aided by a great many fouls, and refereeing in their favour.

[Tyrendian]

yeah... didn't see anything we need to be afraid of there... though I really hope Neymar isn't badly hurt!

€: And there he goes... too bad for him and Brazil! Without him I don't expect them to stand much of a chance against us to be honest...

[Psychosplodge]

But they do have refereeing support...

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

Not when Germany will annihilate their defence...

[Wolfshade]

Not when Germany will annihilate their defence...

yes the Koningshooikt-Wavre Line wasn't the best of defences

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

Don't mention the war!

[Wolfshade]

Me! You started it!

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

Not really.

[Psychosplodge]

Me! You started it!

No I didn't, you invaded poland

[Mr Mystery]

C'mon Argentina! I wants to wins the sweepstake!

The rest of the time you can bugger off!

[Wolfshade]

:D

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

I'm French in descent, so I'm the victim here. Also have Jewish family, some of which died in concentration camps. So I am pretty much the descendant of victimisation. :p

[Psychosplodge]

He probably missed the repeats Wolfie.

Sorry Mystery still can't support you in this

[Wolfshade]

Surely supporting Argentina is an anathema, after all they don't support the right of self determination...

[Mr Mystery]

Like all good Imperialists, I'm actually just supporting me getting slightly richer.

And like all good Imperialists, once that's happened, I'll remove all support and act the innocent :p

[Wolfshade]

I think you mean capitalist, you left leaning loon ;)

[Kirsten]

all the way through this competition I have been saying Brazil are nothing like as good as many have been making out, lucky to get this far. Now I am preparing my 'I told you so' dance :p

[Aenir]

people are bemoaning the loss of Neymar, while its sad, its not the reason they are getting spanked, their D has been just "good enough" so far and today its just been complete crap, not to insult crap.

[Kirsten]

well, three impossible things have happened now in this World Cup, Spain went out in the group stages, Germany beat Brazil 7-1, and a referee gave a foul throw because the player moved too far from where the ball went out...

[Chronowraith]

people are bemoaning the loss of Neymar, while its sad, its not the reason they are getting spanked, their D has been just "good enough" so far and today its just been complete crap, not to insult crap.

Their defense is equivocal to that of a college or university team. I'd even go so far as to say that the Brazilian team concentrates so heavily on offense that they really don't have much of a defense at all and I think most of the games they've played to date show that. If they have the ball they have a very good chance of scoring. If pressed, they shatter like a glass cannon.

[MarneusCalgar]

I´m happy for the loss of Brazil...

When the Nederlands won us, Spain, they pissed on us, making jokes, etc...

Now they´re tasting their own medicine.

Yesterday German beer destroyed caipirinhas

[Psychosplodge]

Brazil:we came out to have a good time and hones-[Germany scores again]

http://i62.tinypic.com/3324bhf.png

[Deadlift]

I had to wonder why Brazil even thought they could win. Especially after making Sideshow Bob captain.

[Psychosplodge]

http://i57.tinypic.com/35a2b92.jpg

[Wolfshade]

I have just watched the goals on BBC, I must admit I smiled at the anguish of the Brazilians.

What did strike me, and I don't know how prevelant it has been in the World Cup, but the german strikers (?) seemed to be generous with the ball, so rather than going for individual glory would happily pass to a team mate to allow them to score from an improved position, well aside from #7 was it?

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

That's why the Germans are successful at Football.

[Psychosplodge]

Yeah, I couldn't imagine the England team passing the ball that final time and giving someone else the scoring opportunity, they're too much about personnel glory.

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

Because that's how the Premiership is, you be the best by scoring all the goals. The German FA is far less selfish.

[Tyrendian]

also, after the 3rd or so goal it was clear we had absolutely nothing to lose any more, so why not be nice to your mates :)

[DarkLink]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2123353-memes-take-over-twitter-as-germany-rout-brazil-at-the-world-cup?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

[Tzeentch's Dark Agent]

"Take that you homophobic dicks!" Were my exact words.

[Wolfshade]

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/76147000/jpg/_76147636_hi023079359.jpg

[Tyrendian]

well now that was a worthy final! what a match!

[Psychosplodge]

Well done!
Germany were certainly the stronger of the two teams, apart from a couple of breaks there was no real argentine threat. The score could easily have been a lot higher.

[Tyrendian]

didn't look that clear cut from our end that's for sure... :)

[Psychosplodge]

Yeah but it mattered to you who won.
There was certainly more German possession and more chances.




As a consolation prize for losing Argentina gets a free hour in the ball pit.

[xFallenx]

well now that was a worthy final! what a match!

No kidding. The tourney as a whole was stellar. Really looking forward to the 16 Euro now. I just wish there was a way to watch International apart form the big two...

[Mr Mystery]

And the inanity is over for another while.

Until The Premiership kicks off again. Oh joy.

[Aenir]

No kidding. The tourney as a whole was stellar. Really looking forward to the 16 Euro now. I just wish there was a way to watch International apart form the big two...

you have the Gold Cup ('15) Copa America ('15 & '16*) [*Which adds in a bunch of teams for the 100th year IIRC] and Confed Cup ('17), and that's just Concacaf and Conmebol, you also have the Euros ('16) which are expanding this year (but you knew that already :) )

[Kirsten]

this is excellent

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2128750-german-who-spends-2014-world-cup-final-posing-brilliantly-mocked-by-england-fan

[MarneusCalgar]

Messi best player of the Cup?

FIFA must be kidding...

[Psychosplodge]

Probably wasn't even the best player in the team, definitely not in the final anyway.

[Tyrendian]

superstar bonus I guess... gotta throw the guy a bone... frankly I'd have given that to a keeper as well, probably Ochoa...

[Psychosplodge]

http://i58.tinypic.com/wvpdls.jpg





My buddy Tom baked a cake for his Argentinian friend to cheer her up after the world cup loss.

…they are no longer friends.

[eldargal]

Ha!

[Wolfshade]

That is 3 shades of awesome

[xFallenx]

http://i58.tinypic.com/wvpdls.jpg

Tom is my favourite.