World Cup 2026

[HVC]

Oops  sorry.

[Sheilbh]

Côte d'Ivoire's backwards Irish flag aways confuses me so much. But I guess half of Europe has some variation of the Netherlands flag and the other half has some variation of Denmark's.

I love their badge and think they deserve to win something for it.

And a bit like Euro-flags, too many countries follow a model. Same goes for badges on football kits. Too few are experimental (also a shout-out for Mexico).

[Norgy]

I would like to state for the record that I think both Norway's first goal and the Ivorian equaliser belong on a highlight reel of this World Cup.

[Valmy]

Wow what a finish. Holy shit.

Though Norway did not wait until stoppage time to win it

[Norgy]

Now we hope that the brave Ivorians crush those self-good and hopefully over confident lesser vikings.

I thought the the Norwegians were the really bad ass vikings?

Historians, most of them, count the Viking age from the raid on Lindisfarne until the Battle of Hastings. This is, in my opinion (and it is an opinion) wrong.

The people, some proto-Norse Germanic tribes, from what today is Denmark, Norway and that lesser country called Sweden, sent the aristocrats as mercenaries to the Romans and also to fight the Romans in the 3rd and 4th century. The number of swords from the Roman Empire found in Norway alone testifies to this. Sweden has rich finds from the 7th century, same with Denmark. The decline of the 7th century hit what is now Norway hard with the change in climate. The rich finds from the 6th century are gone, there are no ship graves.

The gods were different, mostly Niorthus the fertility god was paid homage.

The conditions that were created by long winters after volcanic eruptions, probably two, led to a consolidation of aristocratic power as populations were smaller, so they needed to be controlled.

That is the beginning of the Viking age, from the late 7th century. The peasantry only became free(ish) when there were enough slaves. Going raiding was a good way of increasing the labour force.

There are signs that the Norse had traded with Lindisfarne way before the raid that Anglo-Saxons chronicled.

There are signs that the aristocracy in the Norse world travelled with their armed escorts, presented gifts and was "pan-Norse" but that most people who lived here hardly saw more than the hovels and the earth and sea they tried to eke out a living of.

The whole which country had the most badass Vikings debate is moot. Denmark was the first kingdom, Norway second around 1030 and Sweden, well, who knows and cares. Except Swedish Nazis.

[crazy canuck]

I think thor's Godson is gonna smash the competition,  if you pardon the mixed marvel metaphors

Yeah, watching Norway, destroy their opposition will be entertaining for some, but the Mexican game will be the most competitive of the day, most likely.

You're both wrong, this will be a tight game. Yes, the Aryan Idol is good, but he needs service and Ivory Coast are a very good team.

I hope for 2-1 Norway, but I can see us losing.

I hope you put money on it 

Edit, I see HVC already covered

[Josephus]

I just want to point out that Canada has progressed further than Germany and Holland

[HVC]

 

[Jacob]

Swedes attempt to blackmail France: https://www.reddit.com/r/france/comments/1ujylst/alerte_enl%C3%A8vement_vid%C3%A9o_opassande/

[Jacob]

I just want to point out that Canada has progressed further than Germany and Holland

Also, Canada was the first country to every qualify from a group of 32 in the World Cup.

[Norgy]

Swedes are better and better by each game. While it is shameful that a team can qualify without winning any actual qualifying matches, Sweden gets a pass for at least having been a decent social democratic country until the 1990s.

C'mon now, you half-lame giant, crush those nasty French! Think of how well you collaborated with the Nazis, they did not like Frenchies!

[Josephus]

What a goal

[Sheilbh]

In fairness Sweden are getting a few decent chances - but France continue to look ominous. Just very, very good.