The Russia 2018 World Cup Thread

A cagey 1st half... hmm...

Not tooooo convinced that counter-atticking is the best strategy for the French
Even if the Belges lost a bit of steam towards the end there, they are still spiky

The French just couldn't finish off their moves (and some of them were blinders !)
Giroud worked really hard - notwithstanding that he fumblestucked a sitter -
Grizeman seems a bit uninspired, or tired or injured (?)
which is a shame, when there's Kanté getting turnover in open play
Poga distributing, Varane (!) keeping Lukaku quiet

Belgium, really, trully, should have had 2 or 3 goals
Hezard, fit as a fiddle after being out for 3 months,
he's my man of the 1st half

or !!

Chadli : he is proving a huge problem for Hernandez, aaand
the guy is running back to defend.. saving corners
post for post, he beats Hernandez hands down

These two are poisons (!) for the french defense

And we're off !

I'll go for 2-2
France on penalties

Not quite the classic we all hoped it would be.

Two very good teams....but certainly not brilliant and nothing to be too worried about.

Just a small matter of Croatia first.....and that certainly isn't going to be easy.

France have done their bit now it's down to England to set up the final we all want to see , How sweet the (HMS) Victory.

Wow, and there we go...

France are a pretty frightening
For about the 1st 15mns in the second half,
the French went into a collective "no ball for you "zone""

The resulting pressure was unbearable to watch

From the kick-off
The lead-up, the execution, goal,
restart, lead-up, bad finish

restart, lead-up ....

As if too say,
we've stuck you one up the bracket
Try and get one back
we ain't finished yet,
there's more to come !

Even after you've just re-re-counter atacked !
Badass attitude


MVP for me ?
Both keepers
Varane (he was there right 'till the end)
Giroud

World Champions for me

How could England play to win against France ?
Without watching tomorrow's match
no snark intended

a reply to: Cassi3l

How could England play to win against France ?

Got a small matter of a very hard game against Croatia yet so I'm not even thinking about the final yet, one game at a time.

Croatia are a very well organised team, everyone knows their role and have two world class players who can change the game in the blink of an eye.

For me France and Belgium have been the best two teams in the tournament so far, all things considered I think France deserves its place in The Final where they will be very hard to beat regardless of who plays them.....but it certainly isn't a foregone conclusion that they'll win it!

no snark intended

I think we all know that my friend.

Regardless who wins lets a raise a glass, or two, together!

a reply to: Freeborn

Croatia will not be simple, not by any means
another team "team" that does ideed play together
until it gets hot ! feed the ball to hiiim (Modric) !!

That being said,
this is is probably the best English team 'in gestation'
that i have ever seen

Really ...

They could brashly upset the apple cart come next Sunday

Finally watching Belgium v France on the replay.

Again, all I can say is not being inventive on the offense is a bad thing. They looked good at moments but France will not give you any slack.

Both teams seem nervous. This is the first half observations from someone who didn’t see this game when live. And it seems good to be tied at nil after the first. I am certain that the second half has its moments.

English side for the win!!!

Really, France is good at D, but as a team, they struggle. And that is if England beats Croatia!!

Damn work...

Blimey its only ten o'clock and I'm getting nervous already.
Right plan is goto pub at 12 get drunk go back have a nap and get up go back to pub to watch the footy.

a reply to: testingtesting

Pub about 6ish.....home about 6ish!!

a reply to: Freeborn

New plan I have been ordered to do the shopping and start stripping the wallpaper......
So now it is pub at 6.
squeaky bum time.

Tuesday July 11th Results

Semi-Final : Belgium 0-1 France

In what was a rather cagey affair the French triumphed. Beating their neighbours with a second half header from Sami Umtititi bang-bang. Belgium pressed hard in the second half but were unable to breach the French defence. Axel-W coming closest with 20 yard shot forcing a 'Beverly Hills Stop' out of French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. France march onto the final.


Games to come....

Semi-Final

Wednesday 11th July
-------------------
Croatia v England

a reply to: mirageman

No matter who gets the French team on Sunday, they’re gonna have a helluva team to deal with. Giroud (sp?) is due and #10 is gonna be a world-beater for the next 12-15 years...yesterday’s result was the de facto championship game, IMO.

Best of luck to the English team today...if you wanna play in Sunday’s Final, you gotta do work today against Croatia 🇭🇷

a reply to: mirageman

No matter who gets the French team on Sunday, they’re gonna have a helluva team to deal with. Giroud (sp?) is due and #10 is gonna be a world-beater for the next 12-15 years...yesterday’s result was the de facto championship game, IMO.

Best of luck to the English team today...if you wanna play in Sunday’s Final, you gotta do work today against Croatia 🇭🇷

originally posted by: gortex
France have done their bit now it's down to England to set up the final we all want to see , How sweet the (HMS) Victory.

We?


NO NO NO.


Look back and enjoy 66


Let us Croats get our revenge on the French for 98 semi's.






Good luck guys I feel like you will get over us, but on the day anything can happen and the game can go in any direction.

Finger crossed I think for all

a reply to: InhaleExhale

I remember 1990 all too well.....never felt disappointment like it, was absolutely gutted.
There's been so many false dawns since.

I've got to be honest and say I never expected anything from this England team - I still there are far too many weaknesses in it for them to be world beaters - but anything is possible in one game of knock-out football.
To be fair, they've played far better than I ever expected them to, they've done great regardless of tonight's result.

Croatia are very well organised and have an element of class about them....on their day.

I can't put into words just how much I want England to win, but unlike other years I don't really expect them to.

One things for certain, whoever wins tonight I'll be rooting for them on Sunday!

T-Minus 1.40 mins ..... the build up is over soon the moment of truth will arrive.

Come on England !

a reply to: Freeborn

I can't put into words just how much I want England to win, but unlike other years I don't really expect them to.

You and me both but I feel the opposite mate , the FA played a blinder hiring Southgate instead of another big name / big paycheck foreign manager who was only there for the money , picking the same old team and playing the same old game.

Southgate has a passion for football and the England job , he's shown himself to be a good man manager with a vision for team selection and tactics , this squad have nothing to prove and everything to gain , Croatia will be nervous tonight.

Regardless of the result tonight England win , we have a setup for the future that at its first attempt reached the semi finals.... result !

For me England win tonight , scorelines are purely guesswork but another 2-0 wouldn't surprise me.


The staring line up has been released , same team for tonight's game.
Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Young, Henderson, Alli, Lingard, Sterling, Kane.

a reply to: gortex

Pub o'clock, crapping myself.

MEGA

a reply to: InhaleExhale

Look back and enjoy 66

Not while Germany have all those stars on their shirts and we only have one.

Let us Croats get our revenge on the French for 98 semi's.

Good luck my friend , may the best team win.

originally posted by: Freeborn
a reply to: gortex

Pub o'clock, crapping myself.

MEGA

Have a couple for me mate.

MEGA

Good Luck England, from a staunch Celtic fan who puts rivalry aside for the world cup.