Football (Soccer) Thread

[Grey Fox]

Well, yeah. Most soccer teams in North America have stupid names. How hard is it to have a plural thing has your name?

[HVC]

Are they at least sponsored by Toyota?

[Norgy]

Well, Forest are clearly headed for relegation.

Fun fact: The first Norwegian-born player to play in a World Cup was Werner Nilsen. For the United States. He emigrated, and did apparently really well for himself by breaking goal-scoring records. I think he earned the nickname "Scotty" because Americans don't know where Norway is.

When he was picked for the World Cup squad, he was probably past his prime at 32-33, but he got a match in the 1934 World Cup when Italy beat the US 7-1 in the opening round.

Among the clubs he played for was Fall River Timbermen or something.

He is inducted in the American soccer hall of fame, but largely unknown in Norway.

[Josquius]

Forest were quite terrible first half.
Second half Sunderland played poor and were really determined to let Forest score but luck was on our side.

I'm not sure I'd be so pessimistic about Forest based off the second half.
Based off the first.... Well. Poor. But as poor as some others?

The PL in general this year seems quite a microsm of the country with quite a few usually decent teams just being awful.

[Norgy]

Another narrow 5-0 win for Norway in the qualifiers. Israel may have the IDF, but defending in football, that is different. Two own goals, three by the force of nature that is Erling Haaland.

[Duque de Bragança]

Clever. Israel not in a position to qualify means less political trouble. 

As long as Italy wins vs Estonia. They just missed a penalty but are still leading 1-0.

Well, 2-0 now.

[Josquius]

Interesting point there... I expect some countries looking to qualify might well be political trouble.
Iran are usually good and are  topping their table....

[Duque de Bragança]

Ireland put up quite a good fight in Lisbon. Selecção reverting to its bad ways, I guess.
Portugal 1 Ireland 0
Goal scored by Rúben Neves in stoppage time. Ronaldo missed a penalty or rather a great save by the Irish goalkeeper, Kelleher.

Lots of penalties missed, even Haaland missed one, earlier in the day.

Italy 3 Estonia 1

Nice fluke by the Italian goalkeeper, without consequences.