All things Football (soccer) related

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: shunwick

So England become the third team to book a place in the Semi-Finals where they will meet the winner of Russia v Croatia.

England vs. Russia? Is this about the Novichok thingy?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

What's all this then? Something going on with your regional soccer tourney?

No, its the third of four quarter finals of the football World Cup - the world's favourite game played by almost every country on the planet.

Next?


[:)]

Ah. I heard that it was all about certain usual suspect European teams against other European teams. You know, a regional soccer tourney. Hardly representative of the world, mate. [:'(]

warspite1

Not sure on your sources but you may wish to have a word

a) Many of the usual European teams are gone - Italy and Holland never made it and Germany are out

b) Please tell your source that Japan, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Egypt, Mexico etc. etc. etc. are not in Europe. Almost every country in the world attempted to qualify for the tournament and every continent (except Antarctica) was represented (albeit Australia got there via Asia [:)]). The second round of games saw representatives from Asia, Central and South America involved (unusually there was no African presence this time) although - very unusually - all South American presence was extinguished at the quarter final stage.

Representative of the world? Oh yes indeed.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: shunwick

The third Quarter-Final sees:

England 2 Sweden 0. A nervous start from both teams who both decided to take things slooooooooooow. A thumping header from Maguire on 30 minutes put England ahead. Sweden managed to cause a few heart-attacks but Pickford dealt with them comfortably. The second half saw a sharper Swedish team pushing gently for an equalizer but without success. A second goal from Delle Alli put England into panic mode which the Swedes capitalized on in terms of possession and a couple of really nice moves which should have given them a goal if the Football Gods had been smiling upon them. The Pickford saves were decent but they were not the most amazing saves in the history of the universe. Neither was England's performance "perfect in every respect" which was one of the comments from the BBC commentators.

So England become the third team to book a place in the Semi-Finals where they will meet the winner of Russia v Croatia. Sweden go home.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

Fear not old boy - England didn't behave like England and won the match without their onion bag even once being penetrated by the ball! Lumme.... although we have the good offices of one Jordan Pickford esq to thank for that....

[Zorch]

I hear there will be a follow up tourney for every team that feels they were unfairly eliminated.
It will be a round robin with 31 teams.

[warspite1]

And so (adopts best Brucie voice): Let's have a look at the old scoreboard...

Russia or Croatia? It should be Russia based on the 6/7 malarchy but surely Croatia are too good for the home nation.... aren't they?

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Zorch

I hear there will be a follow up tourney for every team that feels they were unfairly eliminated.
It will be a round robin with 31 teams.

warspite1

I think you mean 210....[;)]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: warspite1




No, its the third of four quarter finals of the football World Cup - the world's favourite game played by almost every country on the planet.

Next?


[:)]

Ah. I heard that it was all about certain usual suspect European teams against other European teams. You know, a regional soccer tourney. Hardly representative of the world, mate. [:'(]

warspite1

Not sure on your sources but you may wish to have a word

a) Many of the usual European teams are gone - Italy and Holland never made it and Germany are out

b) Please tell your source that Japan, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Egypt, Mexico etc. etc. etc. are not in Europe. Almost every country in the world attempted to qualify for the tournament and every continent (except Antarctica) was represented (albeit Australia got there via Asia [:)]). The second round of games saw representatives from Asia, Central and South America involved (unusually there was no African presence this time) although - very unusually - all South American presence was extinguished at the quarter final stage.

Representative of the world? Oh yes indeed.

Pfft...ancient history. I wasn't observing who attempted to qualify for the tournament or who was eliminated before this point. I'm just opining on the current status of the tourney. I'm also not saying that *all* of the usual European suspects are out.

I bet that if you ask representatives of every continent (save Europe) if the World Cup finals are representative of the world, a majority would say 'no'. [:'(]

But...I don't want to rain on your English parade. Congratulations on your victory in the quarter finals and advancement into the semifinals. [8D]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Zorch

I hear there will be a follow up tourney for every team that feels they were unfairly eliminated.
It will be a round robin with 31 teams.

I still won't care. [:'(]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy




Ah. I heard that it was all about certain usual suspect European teams against other European teams. You know, a regional soccer tourney. Hardly representative of the world, mate. [:'(]

warspite1

Not sure on your sources but you may wish to have a word

a) Many of the usual European teams are gone - Italy and Holland never made it and Germany are out

b) Please tell your source that Japan, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Egypt, Mexico etc. etc. etc. are not in Europe. Almost every country in the world attempted to qualify for the tournament and every continent (except Antarctica) was represented (albeit Australia got there via Asia [:)]). The second round of games saw representatives from Asia, Central and South America involved (unusually there was no African presence this time) although - very unusually - all South American presence was extinguished at the quarter final stage.

Representative of the world? Oh yes indeed.

I bet that if you ask representatives of every continent (save Europe) if the World Cup finals are representative of the world, a majority would say 'no'. [:'(]

warspite1

Every continent? How many World Cups have there been? A European country has won 11 - a South American country has won 9. I haven't done the maths on the % of tournament participants to continental nos. but for a continent with what? 12 countries? South America has a much greater % of participants than Europe.

As the tournament expands so FIFA try and make the game increasingly more global with African, Asian, Central American and even Oceania involvement growing.

The development of football in Asia will take time but African football is firmly established and players from the continent are employed by top clubs in europe and elsewhere now. I think given their status they would all agree that they have sufficient opportunity vis-a-vis numbers allowed per tournament.

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy




Ah. I heard that it was all about certain usual suspect European teams against other European teams. You know, a regional soccer tourney. Hardly representative of the world, mate. [:'(]

warspite1

Not sure on your sources but you may wish to have a word

a) Many of the usual European teams are gone - Italy and Holland never made it and Germany are out

b) Please tell your source that Japan, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Egypt, Mexico etc. etc. etc. are not in Europe. Almost every country in the world attempted to qualify for the tournament and every continent (except Antarctica) was represented (albeit Australia got there via Asia [:)]). The second round of games saw representatives from Asia, Central and South America involved (unusually there was no African presence this time) although - very unusually - all South American presence was extinguished at the quarter final stage.

Representative of the world? Oh yes indeed.

But...I don't want to rain on your English parade. Congratulations on your victory in the quarter finals and advancement into the semifinals. [8D]

warspite1

Thank-you. Making the semi-final makes a nice change from the more usual end of the story....

[rico21]

The Football World Cup, the only place where small nations can scare and beat the big ones.
I understand that some people do not like it.[:D]

[terje439]

The world cup - the few weeks every 4 years I "am" english!

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: warspite1

warspite1

Not sure on your sources but you may wish to have a word

a) Many of the usual European teams are gone - Italy and Holland never made it and Germany are out

b) Please tell your source that Japan, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Egypt, Mexico etc. etc. etc. are not in Europe. Almost every country in the world attempted to qualify for the tournament and every continent (except Antarctica) was represented (albeit Australia got there via Asia [:)]). The second round of games saw representatives from Asia, Central and South America involved (unusually there was no African presence this time) although - very unusually - all South American presence was extinguished at the quarter final stage.

Representative of the world? Oh yes indeed.

I bet that if you ask representatives of every continent (save Europe) if the World Cup finals are representative of the world, a majority would say 'no'. [:'(]

warspite1

Every continent? How many World Cups have there been? A European country has won 11 - a South American country has won 9. I haven't done the maths on the % of tournament participants to continental nos. but for a continent with what? 12 countries? South America has a much greater % of participants than Europe.

As the tournament expands so FIFA try and make the game increasingly more global with African, Asian, Central American and even Oceania involvement growing.

The development of football in Asia will take time but African football is firmly established and players from the continent are employed by top clubs in europe and elsewhere now. I think given their status they would all agree that they have sufficient opportunity vis-a-vis numbers allowed per tournament.

Oh, Warspite1 Warspite1 Warspite1...

My comment "I bet that if you ask representatives of every continent (save Europe) if the World Cup finals are representative of the world, a majority would say 'no'." was intended in jest / juxtaposition. It's not a commentary about historical cups division or per capita distribution of previous world cups.

It was referring to this and only this World Cup finals. Clearly, a World Cup finals with only European nations participating in it cannot be representative of the world. From the geographical standpoint.

Plus, when you ask an irked Brazilian about whether the finals are representative of the world, he will likely say 'no'. Of course not. Because of the home town fanboism. I suspect that there are similar fanbois worldwide that will also see this myopic logic.

Now would you please allow me to troll you in peace and quiet?

[Zorch]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy




I bet that if you ask representatives of every continent (save Europe) if the World Cup finals are representative of the world, a majority would say 'no'. [:'(]

warspite1

Every continent? How many World Cups have there been? A European country has won 11 - a South American country has won 9. I haven't done the maths on the % of tournament participants to continental nos. but for a continent with what? 12 countries? South America has a much greater % of participants than Europe.

As the tournament expands so FIFA try and make the game increasingly more global with African, Asian, Central American and even Oceania involvement growing.

The development of football in Asia will take time but African football is firmly established and players from the continent are employed by top clubs in europe and elsewhere now. I think given their status they would all agree that they have sufficient opportunity vis-a-vis numbers allowed per tournament.

Oh, Warspite1 Warspite1 Warspite1...

My comment "I bet that if you ask representatives of every continent (save Europe) if the World Cup finals are representative of the world, a majority would say 'no'." was intended in jest / juxtaposition. It's not a commentary about historical cups division or per capita distribution of previous world cups.

It was referring to this and only this World Cup finals. Clearly, a World Cup finals with only European nations participating in it cannot be representative of the world. From the geographical standpoint.

Plus, when you ask an irked Brazilian about whether the finals are representative of the world, he will likely say 'no'. Of course not. Because of the home town fanboism. I suspect that there are similar fanbois worldwide that will also see this myopic logic.

Now would you please allow me to troll you in peace and quiet?

I'm shocked, shocked, to hear of trolling on this august forum. [:D]

[shunwick]

Every country in the world took part in Qualifying Tournaments for a place in the World Cup Finals over the last two years...

The teams qualifying for these World Cup Finals...

Uruguay
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Spain
Portugal
Iran
Morocco
France
Denmark
Peru
Australia
Croatia
Argentina
Nigeria
Iceland
Brazil
Switzerland
Serbia
Costa Rica
Sweden
Mexico
South Korea
Germany
Belgium
England
Tunisia
Panama
Colombia
Japan
Senegal
Poland

All of which are European nations, of course.

Best wishes,
Steve

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Zorch

I'm shocked, shocked, to hear of trolling on this august forum. [:D]

Well, you shouldn't be so surprised, Zilch. After all, it's only July! [:'(]

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Every country in the world took part in Qualifying Tournaments for a place in the World Cup Finals over the last two years...

The teams qualifying for these World Cup Finals...

Uruguay
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Spain
Portugal
Iran
Morocco
France
Denmark
Peru
Australia
Croatia
Argentina
Nigeria
Iceland
Brazil
Switzerland
Serbia
Costa Rica
Sweden
Mexico
South Korea
Germany
Belgium
England
Tunisia
Panama
Colombia
Japan
Senegal
Poland

All of which are European nations, of course.

Best wishes,
Steve

Missing my point, I'm afraid, Steve. But thanks for the post. [8D]

[shunwick]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: shunwick

Every country in the world took part in Qualifying Tournaments for a place in the World Cup Finals over the last two years...

The teams qualifying for these World Cup Finals...

Uruguay
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Spain
Portugal
Iran
Morocco
France
Denmark
Peru
Australia
Croatia
Argentina
Nigeria
Iceland
Brazil
Switzerland
Serbia
Costa Rica
Sweden
Mexico
South Korea
Germany
Belgium
England
Tunisia
Panama
Colombia
Japan
Senegal
Poland

All of which are European nations, of course.

Best wishes,
Steve

Missing my point, I'm afraid, Steve. But thanks for the post. [8D]

You may not be the only troll on the forum. [:D]

Best wishes,
Steve

[shunwick]

The last of Quarter-Finals sees:

Russia 2 Croatia 2 AET 3-4 on penalties. Ok, it wasn't pretty but it had all the drama we could have hoped for. The Croatians had to work for it and the game was probably about 50-50. So Croatia go thorugh to the Semi-Finals where they meet England amd Russia go home?

So, the Semi-Finals look like this:-

On Tuesday: France v Belgium
On Wednesday: England v Croatia

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy




I bet that if you ask representatives of every continent (save Europe) if the World Cup finals are representative of the world, a majority would say 'no'. [:'(]

warspite1

Every continent? How many World Cups have there been? A European country has won 11 - a South American country has won 9. I haven't done the maths on the % of tournament participants to continental nos. but for a continent with what? 12 countries? South America has a much greater % of participants than Europe.

As the tournament expands so FIFA try and make the game increasingly more global with African, Asian, Central American and even Oceania involvement growing.

The development of football in Asia will take time but African football is firmly established and players from the continent are employed by top clubs in europe and elsewhere now. I think given their status they would all agree that they have sufficient opportunity vis-a-vis numbers allowed per tournament.

Oh, Warspite1 Warspite1 Warspite1...

My comment "I bet that if you ask representatives of every continent (save Europe) if the World Cup finals are representative of the world, a majority would say 'no'." was intended in jest / juxtaposition. It's not a commentary about historical cups division or per capita distribution of previous world cups.

It was referring to this and only this World Cup finals. Clearly, a World Cup finals with only European nations participating in it cannot be representative of the world. From the geographical standpoint.

Plus, when you ask an irked Brazilian about whether the finals are representative of the world, he will likely say 'no'. Of course not. Because of the home town fanboism. I suspect that there are similar fanbois worldwide that will also see this myopic logic.

Now would you please allow me to troll you in peace and quiet?

warspite1

Er whateves as the cool kidz say - I've long since lost any idea of what this is about. [:)] So please feel free to continue in peace and quiet - England are in the semi-final so nothing can upset my equilibrium today [:)]